ARMY TO RESUME COMBAT TRAINING IN HIGH TEMPERATURES
ROC Central News Agency
2006-03-07 21:40:52
Taipei, March 7 (CNA) The military will soon lift a ban on combat training programs in temperatures higher than 32 degrees Celsius as part of its efforts to upgrade the military's combat preparedness and prowess, an official said Tuesday.
Wang Kuo-chiang, a department chief at the Army Command Headquarters in charge of personnel training affairs, told a regular news conference at the Ministry of National Defense that combat training in high temperatures and simulated battlefield training will be resumed soon in the face of China's ever-mounting military threat.
According to Wang, Army Commanding General Hu Chen-pu said at a recent management staff meeting that personnel training should be carried out in line with the principles of "combat demand" and "safety."
Hu was quoted as saying at the meeting that personnel training programs should be designed in compliance with enemy threat and actual combat scenarios so that all army personnel can be trained to fulfill their duties well.
Noting that enemy forces are unlikely to scrap or suspend invasion operations simply because of scorching heat or frigid cold, Hu said Taiwan's ground forces should be able to take part in combat in any weather.
Against this backdrop, Wang said the army will drop its ban on combat training in temperatures higher than 32 C and will also resume simulated battlefield training activities.
The army suspended high temperature combat training and simulated battlefield training a few years ago after some young conscripts died or fell ill while undergoing the training.
Wang said the army will adhere to the highest principles of safety when carrying out tough training programs. "Upgrading our army personnel's ability to withstand battlefield stress will be one of out priority goals and we'll follow the principles of safety and effectiveness," he added.
(By Sofia Wu)
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