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War games to simulate
Chinese attack from Monday
By Rich Chang / Staff Reporter
Taiwan will conduct war games next week simulating defense against an attack by
China, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday.
The five-day “Chang Ching No. 2” exercise that begins on Monday will pit the
Marine 99 brigade — acting as a mock enemy — against a motorized infantry
brigade defending Taiwan, the ministry said.
The 298 Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the army’s Eighth Legion will travel from
northern Taiwan to confront the “enemy” near the Jhuoshuei River (濁水溪), the
traditional dividing line between north and south Taiwan.
Army Major General Hau Yi-chih (郝以知) told a press conference that the Marine 99
brigade will land on Pingtung County’s Chialutang beach (加祿堂) and then set up a
base in Fangshan Township (枋山).
Once its reinforcements arrive, it will launch a simulated attack and proceed
toward central Taiwan, where it will gain control of the area, Hau said.
To fend off the “attack,” the military will send army helicopters to cover
paratroopers landing behind the attackers, and open a combat line from behind
the front line, Hau said.
Meanwhile, the 298 Mechanized Infantry Brigade will arrive at the area near the
Jhuoshuei River to confront the “enemy.”
Air Force Major General Wang Hsuan-chou (汪旋周) told the press conference air
force fighter jets would use the reserve runway in Jiadong (佳冬), Pingtung
County, to land and take off to attack the enemy from the rear.
As the four combat aircraft land on the runway, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout
helicopters and AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters will provide protection for
a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter carrying bombs and missiles for the fighter
aircraft, Wang said.
Security checks, refueling and missile reloading of the aircraft will also be
carried out, he said.
Additional reporting by AFP
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