Good luck to Vice-Admiral Alano as he takes over Philippine Navy and steers the course of this country's defence of troubled waters

NEW NAVY LEADERSHIP!

Vice-Admiral Luis M. Alano, takes over from Vice-Admiral Pama as Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy for less than 15 months

The community of Defenders of the Philippine Sovereignty congratulate and welcome the Philippine Navy's new Flag-Officer-In-Command, Vice-Admiral Luis M. Alano and wish him the very best as he steers the course of this country's defence of national sovereignty in troubled waters. 

We welcome with great pleasure Vice-Admiral Alano's statement as he boldly announces: 

“We should be a responsible partner in keeping our waters safe and secured by maintaining security stability in the (West Philippine Sea) so that freedom of navigation and international trade may continue to flourish. 

“The course has been plotted, sea details have been set and the command to cast off all lines has been given. Our personnel are our most major concern. What we need are not warm bodies but able-bodied sailors and marines who are motivated, disciplined and professionals."

We are looking forward to this leadership change and hope the Commander-in-chief will have in the new Navy chief someone he can trust well enough to listen to when the new Navy chief says to him, "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!"

The new FOIC will have ONLY less than 18 months to lead the Navy -- in fact only 15 months, much like his erstwhile superior, VAdm Billy Marcelo (Ret) of PMA Class 61,  back in 1994 who was navy chief also for less than 15 months but proved to be one of the best navy chiefs PN ever had.

PROFILE of Vice Admiral Jose Luis Montaño Alano 

Born on May 1, 1958, in Quezon City, Vice Admiral Alano is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class MATAPAT of 1979. 

His specialties are Surface Warfare and Naval Air Warfare. He commanded several types of surface ships, including the Presidential Yacht. As a naval aviator, he is a Britten-Norman Islander Aircraft instructor and test pilot. His shipboard and naval air assignments ensured his appointment as the Commander of Naval Task Force 21. Ashore, he has been posted to various positions both in Command and Staff. His notable assignments were: Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Operations, N3 and Chief of Naval Staff of the Philippine Navy. He also commanded the following key units of the Philippine Navy: Naval Air Group, Service Force, Northern Luzon Naval Forces, and the Philippine Fleet. 

VADM Alano received numerous awards and decorations among which are:
Three Distinguished Service Stars; Outstanding Achievement Medal; Gawad Sa Kaunlaran; and Military Merit Medal with Spearhead Device. 

He is a graduate of Defense Strategic Studies Course at the Center of Defense and Strategic Studies in Weston Creek, Canberra, Australia and the Naval Staff Course at the Royal Australian Naval Staff College in Sydney, Australia. He took his Joint Services Command and Staff Course at Fort Bonifacio. He holds a Master-of-Arts degree in Strategic Studies from Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Turnover ceremony news: New Navy chief vows safer Phl waters