MNA

(Reporter Chou Sheng-wei of Military News Agency, Taipei, 17th) In coping with the recent increase of domestic epidemic, the 33rd Chemical Warfare Group of the Army dispatched officers and soldiers to Taipei Main Station today to carry out environmental disinfection work at the transportation hubs at Taipei Main Station, as well as MRT stations and places with significant crowds. The chemical warfare servicemen adopt practical actions to prevent the spread of viruses and protect the health and safety of our nationals. 　Nearly 40 officers and soldiers from the 33rd Chemical Warfare Group assembled at Taoyuan Airport MRT of Taipei Main Station at 9:00 a.m. After mutual inspection and tasks assignment, the chemical soldiers were divided into two groups to carry out environmental disinfection work. As every two servicemen were teamed up, they then conducted sterilization works at Taipei Main Station, Taipei Bus Station, Taoyuan Airport MRT of Taipei Main Station, and other locations as they made use of aerosol sterilizers to disinfect plane walkways, stairs, and escalators. Chen Chien-liang of the Department of Environment Protection of the Taipei City Government said its epidemic prevention and disinfection team will, from today until the Chinese New Year holidays, persistently work with the 33rd Chemical Warfare Group to target all important transportation hubs, epidemic prevention hotels, MRT stations, and night markets, as well as business areas of Taipei City, to carry out strengthened environmental spraying around public areas to ensure the safety and health of the public. Meanwhile, the City Government also calls upon the public to work with the epidemic prevention and control of the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) and properly perform such personal protection tasks as wearing masks, frequently washing hands, and maintaining a safe distance, thus contributing to epidemic prevention work.

(Reporter Hsieh Hung-kuai of Military News Agency, Keelung, 7th) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) invited media reporters to Keelung Naval Base today to demonstrate actual situations of war preparations by the Navy during Chinese New Year. During the course, the Navy arranged for Ta Jiang-class and Tuo Jiang-class corvettes to conduct maritime exercises and publicly displayed OTO Melara 76mm, Hsiung Feng II Anti-ship missiles, and TC-2N air defense missiles to demonstrate our air defense and sea combat capabilities. From these drills, our nationals were able to witness the results our officers and soldiers’ diligent training, as well as the determination and capability of the Armed Forces to defend the sea and our borders. 　In this strengthened combat readiness exercises for Chinese New Year, the focus was placed on the performance of such emerging forces as Tuo Jiang-class corvettes and fast minelayers, and the drills were shown through both static visits and dynamic exercises, including vessel visits, high-speed sailing, sea split-mode, and others. Among them, Tuo Jiang-class and Ta Jiang-class corvettes sketched out two circular waves on the sea in a high-speed rotation mode, showing our nationals the excellent performance of indigenous-made vessels, as well as the results of naval servicemen as they make great efforts in their dedication to combat readiness training and solid combat power. 　The Naval Command stated that establishing a national defense force is never an easy task and cannot be done overnight, and it should always involve the concern and support of our nationals. Furthermore, in response to the threat of the enemy and the international situation, all naval officers and soldiers must, in coping with threats from enemy and international situations, adhere to the military style of sacrifice, dedication, and solidarity as they persistently strive to prepare for the tasks of war. As such, the Navy can promote the construction of a new generation of military forces, establish a solid naval force, and consolidate national defense forces to ensure national security and sustainable development.

(Reporter Chen Jiun-jiun of Military News Agency, Taipei, 1st) The New Year’s Day flag-raising ceremony of the Republic of China for 2022 was held at the Presidential Office, with the theme "Resilient Taiwan, World As One." The event was presided over by President Tsai in person. The entire audience of both military and civilian individuals, led by representatives of medical staff, sang the national anthem as they expressed love for the country with practical actions. The national flag was slowly raised at the same time as all celebrated the arrival of 2022 in the Republic of China. Chiu Kuo-cheng, the Defense Minister, led General Chen, the Chief of Joint Staff, Po Horng-Huei Alex, Deputy Minister of Military Affairs, General Wang, Deputy Minister of Armament, and representatives from the joint staff units, as well as student representatives from the Military, Naval, and Air Force Academy, Fu Hsing Kang College, NDU, Management School, Chung Cheng Institute of Technology, National Defense Medical Center, Army Academy, Air Force Institute of Technology, and Chung Cheng Armed Forces Preparatory School, and others, for a total of 500 members, in participating in the flag-raising ceremony at the Presidential Office on New Year's Day. At the New Year's Day Flag-Raising Ceremony in front of the Presidential Palace, medical representatives were arranged to sing the national anthem to express thanks to the Armed Forces and medical staff throughout the country for their hard work in epidemic prevention and homeland defense, singing alongside the Ministry of Defense Symphony Orchestra and Honor Guard of the Republic of China. Students from 10 military academies also took part in the flag-raising ceremony, which is especially meaningful.

(Reporter Lin Tse-ting of Military News Agency, Tainan, 21th)To strengthen our troops’ combat readiness capability, Army 43 AAA Headquarters conducted combat readiness and recon patrol training early this morning, during which it practiced tactical maneuvers like position occupation, etc., so that officers and soldiers could become familiar with real battlefield situations and improve their adaptability. At dawn before day break, officers and soldiers of Army 43 AAA Headquarters dispatched M110 self-propelled guns, 3.5-ton trucks, Hummers, etc. to carry out the communication test and pre-driving inspection. As vehicles set off from the camp and quickly maneuvered to the tactical positions, they immediately took up positions upon arrival and rehearsed to complete the combat preparations. Captain Tseng, the company commander, said that the troops have always adhered to the concept of "battlefields everywhere, training at all times." Through combat readiness and recon patrol training, these drills have helped cadres to develop their commanding ability. Furthermore, the servicemen can also familiarize themselves with the maneuver routes as they make full use of the battlefield environment, thus helping to strengthen the troops’ capability to confront combat situations.

(Reporter Ko Peng-hsin of Military News Agency, Yilan, 16th)A vessel delivery ceremony today was held today for the 3rd and 4th minelayer (hull numbers FMLB-3, FMLB-5). Admiral Liu Chi-pin, Commander of the Navy, and Huang Shou-zhen, president of Longteh Shipbuilding Company, co-chaired the ceremony. The two sides submitting the certificate of delivery symbolized the upgrade of national defense research and development technology, as well as the improvement of naval mine-laying combat capability. During the ceremony, President Huang handed over two minelayer models to Admiral Liu, Commander of the Navy. Afterwards, Commander Liu presented the flag to the two captains - master sergeant Hung and master sergeant Tsai, and then the officers and soldiers who received the vessels went on board and performed a flag-raising ceremony. In Commander Liu’s speech, he indicated that, over the past five years, the Navy has obtained the most advanced support from domestic shipbuilding industries, with joint efforts from National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), Lungteh Shipbuilding Company Limited, and project colleagues of the Navy, so that excellent vessel results can be successfully delivered. The Navy is thus able to demonstrate the determination of the Armed Forces in defending the sea frontier. Commander Liu mentioned that Taiwan must establish and build up asymmetrical combat forces due to its geographical environment. Therefore, fast minelayers are necessary because they can quickly complete minelaying operations throughout sea areas, berths, or ports that our enemy may navigate, thus preventing and delaying their landing campaigns onto the island. As such, minelayers should develop the reliable combat capability that will help our country to “defend tenaciously and conduct deterrence in layers." Commander Liu emphasized that establishment of national defense is not an easy task for it cannot be done overnight. Nevertheless, the delivery ceremony today has proven that the policy promotion for indigenous national defense provides both stimulus for industrial economic growth and innovative technologies. Most of all, it can create brand-new opportunities of triple-win scenarios for our country in terms of "enhancing combat power for the Armed Forces," "strengthening R&D energy,” and “gearing up industry development.” Commander Liu thus encouraged the officers and soldiers who received the vessels to carry out comprehensive preparations as they officially join the Navy. Upon the start of vessel service, though it may be difficult, the Navy servicemen should pragmatically complete various combat readiness and training tasks and verify the effectiveness of training through a number of exercises. In such a way, they can provide the strongest and most powerful backing and protection for our social stability and security.

(Reporter Ko Peng-hsin of Military News Agency, Taoyuan, 9th) The 6th Army Command held a formation ceremony for the 109th Infantry Brigade today, which was presided over by Lieutenant General Chung. At the ceremony, Commander Chung, on behalf of Army Commander General Hsu, expressed affirmation and commendation to units that have strived to carry out all of the refurbishment works. As such, he hopes that officers and soldiers will industriously drill and work in order to gain the trust of nationals, as well as build up a solid foundation for the defense force. At the formation ceremony, Commander Chung first announced the formation order of the 109th Infantry Brigade and then took the parade car to review the troops. All the reviewed officers and soldiers were ready for action and showed high morale. Commander Chung indicated in his speech that the 109th Infantry Brigade is a well-trained, strong combat force with a glorious history. On this occasion, the brigade, combined with the improved reserve combat capability for the Armed Force, being organized into the 109th Infantry Brigade in order to strengthen the overall military capability of the Armed Forces Army, was recognized as both validation and an honor for the unit. Commander Chung pointed out that the Armed Forces Army should continue to strengthen various all-out national defense preparations and implement substantive reforms related to reserve mobilization from this year. Doing so would combine and unify the use of all-out national power and particularly enhance the overall combat capability of the ground defense, thus demonstrating the determination of our nationals to defend the homeland and country. The infantry brigade is responsible for training recruits and reserve troops in peacetime and has to guard against hostile parties at the beach and shore in wartime. Commander Chung hopes that the 109th Infantry Brigade can continue to work hard and drill once it is formed in order to gain the trust of our nationals, so that the nationals can then endorse and support national defense and dedicate themselves to the protection of our wonderful homeland.

(Reporter Wu Tung-sheng of Military News Agency, Taipei, 29th) The first mass-produced Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer flew across the Central Mountain Range to Taitung Zhi-Hang Air Base today and completed the handover and signing ceremony. Air Force Command posted on Facebook: "Inheritance from Generation to Generation, Brave Eagle Turn-over in Flight." In the post it says that the Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer took off from Ching-Chuan-Kang Air Force Base in Taichung in the morning, smoothly crossed the Central Mountain Range and touched down perfectly at Zhi-Hang Air Base in Taitung at 10:35. As noted from the post, after the Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer landed, Zhi-Hang Air Base and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology held a handover and signing ceremony. All people from all walks of life witnessed, the ceremony marked a historic moment for the Air Force of the Republic of China, and it is hoped that when the Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer joins the rank of the Air Force to cultivate pilots for combat eaglets, it can help nurture better pilots for the country.

(Reporter Cho Yi-li of Military News Agency, Chiayi, 18th) Air Force Command held the "F-16V BLK20 Performance Improvement and Installation Ceremony" at Chiayi Base on the 18th. Lieutenant Colonel Lin Suan-chi, the 8th F-16 pilot for the single-plane performance demonstration (Solo Demo), made use of superb technology to control the fighter, demonstrating the outstanding characteristics of the fighter. The Lieutenant Colonel drove the 6635 fighter, and displayed its short-field take-off performance on the runway with "maximum thrust." Right after the "Cuban 8", he resorted to the F-16's powerful thrust-to-weight ratio and completed two consecutive tumbles, showing excellent fighting capability as it engages during air combat. Lieutenant Colonel Lin’s helmet is conceptually designed with a newly installed Viper, which also symbolizes that the F-16 will become more aggressive after structural reform. Its black background reflects calmness and introversion. On the left, there is a fierce viper, with four-star and three-color arrows in the middle representing the concept of the 4th Wing and three combat units. It shows the pilot as a representative of the wing. On the right side of the helmet, a F-16 rushes out, showing its flexible and rapid maneuverability, while the 8th is adopted to indicate that this helmet is owned by the 8th pilot for the solo demo.

(Reporter Cho Yi-li of Military News Agency, Taichung, 9th) The "Combat Readiness Task Training" drill of Q4 by the 5th combat zone of the Armed Forces was carried out early this morning. During the drill, tactical maneuvers were carried out as armored artillery vehicles like M60A3 tanks, M110A2 self-propelled gun vehicles, CM32, and CM33 eight-wheeled armored vehicles, etc. from the Armored 586th Brigade and Artillery 58th Command moved into tactical position when ordered, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the troops and their training. Combat readiness drills for the 5th combat zone of the Armed Forces are adopted to simulate battle scenarios and verify the training of cadre commands and daily combat skills of servicemen to help improve the response and combat capabilities of troops on the battlefield. Troops are also required to conduct strict risk control, strive in pre-duty education, put safety as a top priority, and firmly build the overall combat strength of troops during their training.

(Reporter Ko Peng-hsin of Military News Agency, Pingtung, 3rd)The Joint Operations Training Base today carried out the "Lany-en No. 110-7 Exercise" in which live shell tests by the brigade were conducted. The Artillery Battalion of the 234th Brigade was responsible for firepower support so it can assist the main offensive troops in creating a favorable situation. In this exercise, 155 howitzers and 120 mortars were first implemented for firing inspections. The firing command post then calculated the azimuth and angle, so that shells could accurately hit the target area and thus effectively display the combat power of artillery. During the course, servicemen had respectively accepted different scenarios according to the instructions as they operated artillery weapons with proficient action. They also worked in conjunction with the shooting orders issued by the controller to accurately hit the target area and successfully complete the mission.