SAN ANTONIO, Zambales – The Naval Education and Training Command stationed here is now equipped with 28M Class Tethered Aerostat Radar System, a device that will enhance the Philippine Navy capability in terms of maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
PN Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Joseph Ronald S. Mercado said the equipment has sensors that can effectively detect maritime and air traffic within the coastal waters of the country.
“TARS enhance the PN capability in maritime intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance by effectively detecting maritime and air traffic within the country’s coastal waters using sensors. It will also be utilized in humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations,” said Mercado who was the guest of honor and speaker during the turn-over rites held at NETC here.
At least 16 Navy personnel underwent six-week training related to handling, maintenance and trouble shooting of TARS. They will serve as instructors for other naval troops who will signify interest to learn more about TARS.
The candidates were from the Philippine Naval Information and Communication Technology Center in Zambales.
The TARS includes a weather station that provides telemetry data for the monitoring of ambient temperature, pressure, wind speed and other pertinent parameters to successfully operate the system.
NETC in Zambales is the staging point for the TARS as it is the largest PN base with flat terrain, and fits the minimum requirement of 300 square feet for the launching of the system.
Colonel Ernest C. Lee, Chief of the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group, led other military officials in the transfer of TARS to NETC Zambales on Tuesday.
U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Michael Klecheski was among the guests during the turn-over ceremony.
The TARS is part of the U.S. Maritime Security Initiative (MSI), a capacity-building assistance program for Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines that aims to improve their ability to address a range of maritime challenges, said US Embassy in a statement. –Jess Malabanan