 He signed up for the Philippine Air Force Flying School in Fernando Air Base, Lipa, Batangas, graduating in 1958, and was sent to the 5th Fighter Wing stationed at Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga.His first assignment was with the 8th Fighter Squadron, Nicknamed "Scorpions", flying piston driven North American F-51 Mustangs.At about the same time, the Philippine Air Force was in the process of transitioning to Jets, so in 1959, in preparation for jet training, he was sent to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, for Altitude Physiological Training.