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.
His initial assignment involved flying piston-driven North American F-51 Mustangs with the 8th Fighter Squadron, nicknamed "Scorpions". The Philippine Air Force's transition to jets coincided with his time at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, for altitude training.