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Air Force showcases combat readiness ahead of Lunar New Year

ROC Central News Agency

2013/01/23 18:03:37

Hualien, Taiwan, Jan. 23 (CNA) The Republic of China Air Force demonstrated its air combat readiness and flight skills Wednesday at an airbase in the eastern county of Hualien to show its efforts to strengthen combat readiness ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

In a display for the media, F-16 A/B jet fighter pilots demonstrated their ability to scramble within six minutes of receiving an emergency deployment order.

The pilots also performed a series of maneuvers such as short landings and rotations.

In a room adjacent to the hangar where the F-16 A/B fighters are parked, there is a notice on the wall showing how to identify military aircraft from China, Japan and the United States.

Depending on the seriousness of an emergency, different deployment orders will be given to pilots, said Col. Hsieh Jih-sheng.

The exhibition came in the wake of escalating tension over the disputed Diaoyutai Islands that lie about 100 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan, which have been under Japan's administrative control since 1972, but are also claimed by Taiwan and China.

Tension in the region has escalated since last year, when the Japanese government nationalized some of the islets in the island group after buying them from their private owners.

China and Japan have deployed aircraft to the area in recent weeks in a further escalation, although no actual clashes have taken place.

Later in the day, the Army also held a drill at its military base in Hualien to demonstrate its ground combat capabilities.

Dozens of soldiers were involved in the drill, which incorporated weapons such as M60A3 battle tanks and M113 armored personnel carriers to counter a simulated attack.

The Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday's drills were designed to highlight the military's efforts to stay alert and strengthen combat readiness ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year break in February.

During a two-day media tour organized by the ministry, the Navy also held an anti-submarine drill in the southern city of Kaohsiung a day earlier.

(By Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/J/tc