Precision Aerial Demonstration Team
SABRES

HISTORY. The Sabres Aerobatic Team is the most unique in the air force in the sense that it is a combination of two aerobatic teams, the Red Aces of the 7TFS and the Golden Sabres of the 9TFS.

Early in 1971, by virtue of the verbal orders of then BRIG GEN RANCUDO, two teams were formed to perform in the Aviation Week celebration. The two teams were to be formed and manned by the respective squadrons, the 6TFS and the 7TFS. Thus the Blue Diamonds became the squadron aerobatic team of the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the Red Aces became the 7TFS Aerobatic Team with then MAJOR ANGELES its first team leader. Although the Blue Diamonds might still be considered the official precision aerobatic team of the PAF, its members unlike the previous teams comes from the 6TFS only and the Red Aces from 7TFS.

1971 saw the emergence of still another aerobatic team, the Golden Sabres of the 9TFS led by then MAJ ANTONIO BAUTISTA. This team was in addition to the Red Aces of 7TFS then led by MAJ ROBERTO A DE PERALTA and the Blue Diamonds of the 6TFS led by then MAJ ISLETA.

The Golden Sabres made its debut in early 1972 in Iba, Zambales with thousands witnessing their performance. The 1972 celebration of Aviation Week brought the Golden Sabres to the south. Fresh and young as it is, it has the distinction of being the first aerobatic team to perform before audiences in Visayas and Mindanao like Iloilo, Mactan, Bacolod, Davao, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro.

The Red Aces on the other hand has the distinction of bringing aerobatic maneuvers in the far north like Laoag, Pangasinan, etc. It draws raves from thousands of Boy Scouts and the people of Pangasinan during the Boy Scouts Jamboree there. Led by then MAJ DE PERALTA the Red Aces was the easily sought after aeorobatic team even after Aviation Week in the sense that it could perform the show within a moments notice.

In 1973, the Red Aces and Golden Sabres found itself short of pilots and crew because of the crisis in the south. Inadequate crew and financial support forced the two teams to merge into one with the call sign "SABRES". With the coming of Aviation Week once again, the Red Aces/Golden Sabres now sporting a new name of "SABRES" and new color uniform of black, performed before thousands of spectators in Mactan International Airport, Cagayan, Zamboanga, etc. under the leadership of LT COL BAUTISTA.

The "SABRES '74" will meet this year's challenges under the leadership of MAJ WILLIAM K HOTCHKISS III, a former member of the "Blue Diamonds" and "Red Aces".

The "SABRES '74" dedicates this year's performance to its former leader LT COL ANTONIO BAUTISTA and a former ILT RAYMOND ELUM who gave their lives in the pursuit of peace in Mindanao and Jolo.

THE SABRES '74 TEAM

MAJOR WILLIAM K HOTCHKISS III - Team Leader

A very eligible bachelor, Billy is this year's team leader of the Sabres. He is a former member of the Blue Diamonds and Red Aces aerobatic teams and is a graduate of the Philippine Air Force Flying School Class 64. A veteran combat pilot, Billy has flown 53 combat missions against dissidents and is the holder of 2 Distinguished Aviation Crosses, 4 Military Merit Medals, 1 Military Commendation Medal and 1 Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal.

   
CAPTAIN ORLANDO J AVILA - Right Wing

A graduate of the PAF Flying School Class 65, Orly is a native of Pio V Corpus, Masbate. Still very much a bachelor. Orly was a member of the Blue Diamonds and the Red Aces. A crack flyer and an accomplished fighter pilot. Orly has 54 combat missions to his name and a host of awards to include 1 Distinguished Aviation Cross, 4 Military Merit Medals, 1 Military Commendation Medal and 1 Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal.

   

IST LIEUTENANT VIRGILIO D CACAL - Left Wing

Jet fighter flying has always fascinated Cacs so that immediately after graduation from the PAF Flying School in 1969, he volunteered for fighter training at Basa Air Base. He is a graduate of the Jet Qualification Course and the F-86F Combat Crew Training. Cacs has flown 25 Combat missions and is the recipient of 2 Distinguished Aviation Crosses, 4 Military Merit Medals and 1 Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal. He hails from San Miguel, Pangasinan and is married to the former, Letty Madali of Romblon, a military nurse.

   
CAPTAIN EMMANUEL L NAVARRETE - Slot

Flying the difficult slot position of the team is Manny Navarrete of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. He is the Operations and Executive Office of the 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron. A former member of the Golden Sabres, Manny is a topnotch fighter pilot with 35 combat mission to his credit which have earned him 2 Distinguished Aviation Crosses, 4 Military Merit Medals, 1 Military Commendation Medal and 1 Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal. He is married to the former Nelia D Bariuan, a registered nurse.

   

IST LIEUTENANT ROMEO L NIEVA - Solo Stunt

Mao is a graduate of the PAF Flying School Class 69 and hails from Tananuan, Batngas. He is an element leader in the F-86F aircraft and an Instructor Pilot in the T-33A aircraft. Easily the most decorated fighter pilot of the 5th Fighter Wing. Mao has flown 51 combat missions and has earned for himslef 3 Distinguished Aviation Crosses, 8 Military Merit Medals, 2 Silver Wing Medals, 1 Military Commendation Medal and 1 Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal. A very friendly and personable man, Mao is still very much a bachelor.

   
IST LIEUTENANT VICENTE VC BUNUAN III - Solo Stunt

A 1970 graduate of the PAF Flying School where he finished at the top of his class, Vic is this year's solo stunt pilot of his class, Vic is this year's solo stunt pilot of the "Sabres". He is an experienced wingman in the F-86F aircraft and administrative officer of the 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron. A graduate of the Jet Qualification and F-86F Combat Crew Training Courses at Basa Air Base, Vic has 32 combat missions to his credit together with 1 Distinguished Aviation Cross, 6 Military Merit Medals, 1 Military Commendation Medal and 1 Anti-Dissident Campaign Medal. He is married to the former Angie delos Reyes and they have 2 daughters, Melissa and Rebecca.

   

2ND LIEUTENANT REGELIO E TOMARE - Team Narrator

A recent graduate of the F-86F Combat Crew Training Course. Tom is a member of the PAF Flying School Class 70-B and hails from Dumaguete City. He is a wingman in the F-86F type of aircraft and an experienced T-33 pilot. Tom has 15 combat missions to his name and has been awarded 2 Military Merit Medals, 1 Silver Wing Medal and 1 Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal. He is married to the former Agnes Lozada and they are blessed with one child.

   
IST LIEUTENANT NEMESIO M SIGAYA - Team Manager

Sig's is member of PAF Flying School Class 70-A and an experienced wingman in the F-86F aircraft. He has flown 34 combat missions and is a holder of 1 Distinguished Aviation Cross, 3 Military Merit Medals and 1 Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal. Still a bachelor, Sigs hails from Zarraga, Iloilo.

   

CAPTAIN ERANIO C HOSANA - Maintenance Officer

A newly promoted captain and a bachelor, Eran hails from Pitogo, Quezon and is the man responsible for keeping the team's aircraft in top condition. A very experienced and capable Maintenance Officer. Eran was responsible for the flawless maintenance record of the Golden Sabres during their marathon stint in the South in 1972. He is the recipient of 3 Military Merit Medals, 1 Military Commendation Medal and 1 Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal.

   
MAJOR ILDEFONSO N DULINAYAN - Project Officer

Managing the "Sabres" this year is MAJOR ILDEFONSO N DULINAYAN of Kiangan, Ifugao. "Duli" is at present the Squadron Commander of the 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron, PAF and a highly experienced pilot. He is married to the former Miss Herminigilda G Dorado with whom he has 3 children, all boys. They reside at Basa Air Base.

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