MGEN ARAUS ROBERT F MUSICO O-10381 PAF
Commander, Air Combat Command
Major General Araus Robert F. Musico currently holds one of the major positions in the Philippine Air Force (PAF). He is the Commander of the Air Combat Command, who exercises command and control of the tactical air and ground strike forces of subordinate units – 15th Strike Wing and 710th Special Operations Wing.
As such, MGen Musico is highly regarded as a fine leader and manager of dynamic character and stamina whose honesty and integrity, complemented by his outstanding operational and administrative competence, generate immediate confidence and respect in his abilities in both superiors and subordinates. He is capable of making independent judgments and decisions and possesses analytical and problem-solving skills required to run highly effective units and offices. He has always been the standard of Air Force excellence.
MGen Musico has been a consistent scholar and leader since he first entered school. He was a Valedictorian in grade school at the Holy Trinity Academy and a Salutatorian in high school at the Manila Science High School. He was one of the ten Most Outstanding Manila Students in 1985, a recognition bestowed to him by the Division of City Schools of Manila, IBM Philippines and the Manila Jaycees after graduating from high school. He attended the University of the Philippines in Diliman as a scholar of the National Science and Technology Authority pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After a year, he left the university and entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1986. Within a couple of months, he received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, USA as a foreign national cadet where he graduated in 1990 with a BS Electrical Engineering degree. He then took the Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at the Philippine Air Force Flying School and finished number two out of 63 graduates in the UPT Class of 1992. During graduation, he received the prestigious PAF Gold Wings and McMicking Award for attaining the highest proficiency rating in flying.
Following flight school, MGen Musico was assigned to 15th Strike Wing where he flew the OV-10 Bronco aircraft as combat-ready pilot. He would later acquire higher aircrew qualifications in the same weapons platform as Element Lead, Maintenance Test Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, and Flight Examiner. He has logged more than 1650 hours of flight time, about half of which were flown performing air strike, reconnaissance, forward air control, maritime patrol, and rain-making missions. He has more than 25 combat missions flown that earned him awards and distinction. He was also among the first batch of pilots who flew frequent maritime patrol missions over the West Philippine Sea immediately after it was discovered that Chinese soldiers have occupied Mischief Reef in 1995.
MGen Musico is an accomplished Air Force scholar-warrior. He took the Squadron Officer Course at the Air Command and Staff College in Villamor Air Base and graduated top of his class of 44 officer students in 2001. He took the Air Command and Staff Course at the Air University in Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, USA where he also completed the Master of Military Operational Arts and Science. His thesis won the Major General Landsdale Award as the top research paper supporting the US Joint Special Operations. Further, he completed the Senior Executive Course in National Security at the National Defense College of the Philippines and an Executive Leadership and Management seminar at the Asian Institute of Management.
A dedicated Air Force professional, MGen Musico consistently serves with distinction. He has been entrusted with significant responsibilities in a number of key assignments. He was the former Director of the Office of Special Studies responsible for crafting and executing programs promoting airpower studies and the PAF InSTEP (Integrity, Service, Teamwork, Excellence, and Professionalism) core values; former Commanding Officer of 1st Air Reserve Center responsible for leading and directing Reservist Affairs and ROTC programs that ensure the availability of competent and mobilization-ready Air Force reservists in the National Capital Region; former Group Commander of Tactical Operations Group 4 responsible for the management and supervision of tactically-controlled air forces for employment by the Southern Luzon Command; former Commander of the Air Force Research and Development Center responsible for leading and facilitating the conduct of R&D programs that utilize indigenous materials and advance technology toward establishing a capable and self-reliant Air Force; former Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Civil-Military Operations, A-7 responsible for pursuing engagement programs that enhance military and civilian relationship; former Director of the PAF Public Information Office (also Air Force Spokesperson) responsible for carrying out public affairs activities promoting the PAF; former Wing Commander of the 15th Strike Wing responsible for ensuring the availability of capable and combat-ready surface strike forces to conduct tactical air operations; former Wing Commander of Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon responsible for supporting the airpower requirements in northern Luzon through its three Tactical Operations Groups; former Air Force Inspector General responsible for directing the conduct of PAF-wide inspections and investigations to assess and report on the overall readiness, capability, effectiveness, efficiency and state of discipline of the PAF to ensure successful mission accomplishment; and currently the Commander of the Air Combat Command. At one point, he also served as Senior Military Assistant to former DND Undersecretary for Defense Acquisition Jose Santos.
MGen Musico’s other qualifications and areas of expertise include air operations planning, aircraft maintenance, integrated logistics support (holds a Logistics Eligibility Badge), strategic planning, civil-military operations, public affairs, and inspector general service (holds an Inspector General Service badge).
Whether as a pilot, staff officer or commander, MGen Musico always exhibits dedication to duty, professional competence, sound work ethics, exceptional energy, and strong moral fiber. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Star, Distinguished Aviation Cross, Meritorious Achievement Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Gawad Sa Kaunlaran Award, Bronze Cross Medal, Military Merit Medal, Military Achievement Medal, and the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Campaign Medals and Ribbons to name a few. He has also received numerous Letters, Plaques and Certificates of Commendation, Recognition and Appreciation from both military and civilian sectors. In addition, he led the 15th Strike Wing as its former Wing Commander in winning the prestigious Commanding General, PAF Streamer Award (Wing Combat Category) for Anniversary Year 2021.
MGen Araus Robert F. Musico PAF is an embodiment of a successful Air Force officer with a well-balanced family and career life. He is married to the former Laurice Cuyugan who works as Protocol Officer IV in the Office of the President in Malacañan Palace. He is also a caring father to Robert Kian who is a diligent and adoring senior high school student.
