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Air Defense Wing
Air Defense Command

The Philippine Air Force's Air Defense Command was activated on 1 May 1997. Its activation was described as ushering in a new era towards the realization of the PAF's vision of a credible and effective air defense. The command was organized in accordance with the PAF modernization program, which was basically realignment and consolidation of existing units with similar and complimentary functions designed to enhance security and economy of force and services. Under the Command's umbrella were the 5th Fighter Wing, 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing and Composite Tactical Groups 1, 3 and 4.

The mission of the Air Defense Command was to defend, secure and protect the Philippine archipelago. The command was responsible not only for the country's air defense, it also for strategic air strikes and combat air patrol over the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Air surveillance, early warning, aircraft control, command and control, and the communications network of the entire defense system also fell the command. The strategic deployment of missile systems would have also fallen under the ADC. These units were to be organized under the proposed 770th Surface to Air Weapons Wing. As of 2009, the Philippines had not yet procured an air defense missile system of any type and the 770th AWW had not been formed. Maritime patrol duties were also among its prime functions, as was monitoring surface traffic in Philippines, especially in the exclusive economic zone. The functions of the ADC were effectively divided into 4 major areas: air defense operations, tactical air operations, disaster and relief operations, and special air operations.

The country's inventory of F-5 fighter aircraft and S-211 armed trainers were to be the means of air defense if there ever was such a need. These aircraft were also forced to meet the air patrol requirements.

The 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing was responsible for the operation of the PAF radars, strategically located in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. At the time of the creation of the ADC, only 2 radar stations were operational, covering the surveillance requirement of the entirety of Luzon. These stations were Wallace Air Station in San Fernando, La Union and another in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.

In the way of tactical air operations, 3 Composite Tactical Groups located in Luzon were assigned to the Air Defense Command. The function of these CTGs was to plan, coordinate and control the employment of tactical air support elements for the ground forces operating in their respective areas of operation. The ADC's focus on external air defense operations led to the CTGs were eventually transferred to the 1st Tactical Operations Wing in 2001.

Disaster Relief Operations were also among the additional functions of the ADC. Relief operations, however, covered the Luzon area only.

Another additional function of the ADC was the supervision of special air operations. This includes the control of aerial activities like fly-bys, sky-diving, flower drops, confetti drop and other related activities. The ADC also conducted an air to ground operations seminar for the benefit of different Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines Units in the Luzon area.

It was hoped that with the activation of the Air Defense Command, the Philippine Air Force would start the transition planned under the AFP Modernization Program from internal security to its traditional role of external air defense. The envisioned air defense modernization program included surveillance of air intrusion within Philippine territorial airspace, the protection of resources within the exclusive economic zone, and the provision of air support to maritime forces. The planned acquisition of multi-role fighter aircraft would enable the command to conduct an effective defense of the territorial airspace. A total of 6 radar systems were also to be strategically positioned to cover the whole Philippine Air Surveillance Network, as well as being integrated with civilian radar systems.

By 2005 the 5th Fighter Wing had only one operational squadron, flying the S-211, as a result of the grounding and subsequent retirement of the F-5 fleet. Under the AFP Modernization Program the PAF was to be able to fully meet the external air defense mission requirement by 2012, but officials publically stated their doubts in this regard with the lack of purpose built fighter aircraft or clear plans to acquire them.

By 2008 the Air Defense Command had been redesignated as the Air Defense Wing, with only the similarly redesignated 5th Fighter Group assigned to it. The Wing maintained its mission of providing external air defense, but the planned acquisition of new fighter aircraft had still not been completed and no contracts had been awarded.