On August 14, which marked the 88th anniversary of the victory in the 814 Air Battle, General Zheng Rongfeng, the Commander of the Republic of China Air Force, presided over the commemorative event. He urged all officers and soldiers to inherit the spirit of resistance, enhance their professional skills, and strengthen the national defense capability. The Military News Agency specially broadcasted a program titled “Brave Eagles Soaring Above the Clouds” at the Chiaotung Garden, hoping that the Air Force will once again achieve brilliance.
General Zheng Rongfeng first congratulated the officers and soldiers who received various awards for their outstanding performance, dedication, and achievements, acknowledging their efforts and contributions throughout the year. He encouraged all colleagues to actively participate in various activities and competitions, strengthen physical fitness and teamwork through sports, and improve work efficiency.
Reflecting on the history of the 814 Air Battle victory, General Zheng Rongfeng emphasized the significance of the first victory in the Hangzhou Jiashqiao Airport airspace in 1937, led by Colonel Hao Zhihang. This victory not only boosted the determination of the military and civilians to resist the enemy, but also laid the foundation of the spirits of “our invincibility, daring to take risks, outnumbering the enemy, and confronting the strong with weakness.” He stressed that despite the current challenging situation, the military must continue the spirit of the fallen heroes and steadfastly uphold the belief in safeguarding the country’s freedom and democracy.
In his four expectations for the officers and soldiers, General Zheng Rongfeng emphasized firstly the need to “cultivate professional expertise and brand building.” He hoped that the officers and soldiers would not only excel in their professional skills but also combine their expertise with their interests, master the application of emerging technologies, and enhance their personal competitiveness. Secondly, he emphasized the importance of “learning foreign languages for lifelong use,” encouraging the enhancement of language skills through the military’s bilingual policy and educational opportunities to facilitate international communication and mission execution.
General Zheng Rongfeng pointed out the third expectation of “compliance with regulations and obedience to orders.” Adherence to safety procedures is crucial for preserving lives and maintaining the combat effectiveness of the forces, and it is essential to strictly implement operational norms to ensure the smooth execution of missions. Lastly, he encouraged the officers and soldiers to “love the country, love their work, and love the people,” urging them to cultivate a positive image and discipline to gain public support in peacetime, and to protect national security with loyalty and professionalism in wartime.
General Zheng Rongfeng concluded by urging all officers and soldiers to remember the deeds of the heroes of the 814 Air Battle, continue the spirit of resistance, uphold safety and professionalism, unite the national defense forces, and ensure national security and regional peace.
Furthermore, to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the 814 Air Battle Victory Day of the Republic of China Air Force, the Military News Agency specially aired a program titled “Brave Eagles Soaring Above the Clouds: Pride in Heritage, Evolving Combat Power” at the Chiaotung Garden.
The program highlighted the AJT Brave Eagle advanced trainer aircraft made in Taiwan, which officially stationed at the Gangshan Flight Training Command Headquarters earlier this year, inheriting the spirit of the long-serving AT-3 trainer aircraft “Proud Flying Eagle” and continuing to nurture the next generation of pilots of the Republic of China Air Force in the form of “Brave Eagles soaring above the clouds.” This historic milestone not only showcased the tangible achievements of domestically made aircraft but also marked an immortal history in the evolution of the air force’s combat capabilities.
In March this year, the Brave Eagle advanced trainer aircraft officially stationed at the Gangshan Flight Training Command Headquarters, replacing the long-serving AT-3 trainer aircraft and validating the “two aircraft types, three phases” training model. The combat instruction team at the Flight Training Department redefined the course content for the Republic of China Air Force’s 112th class of 2023, adjusting and strengthening the curriculum to enable students to swiftly integrate into the mainline fighter units upon completion of training, becoming combat-ready.
During the training period, combat unit students underwent three stages of flight training – from basic transition training, ground subject tests, and simulator sessions to practical flight training. They needed to adapt to significant differences in thrust, control, and electronic equipment between the AJT aircraft and the T-34 aircraft, while immersing themselves in intensive learning and high-intensity training day by day. Simultaneously, they provided valuable training experiences to the instructors to refine subsequent class training programs and guidelines.
The program also recalled former President Tsai Ing-wen’s mention of IDF test pilot Major General Wu Gouzheng four years ago: “Without the predecessors who dared to venture into the unknown back then, there would be no current achievements of domestically made aircraft.” Since the successful maiden flight of the Brave Eagle advanced trainer aircraft, through production, formal military deployment for flight training, it has continued to forge new milestones in domestically made aircraft. The deployment of the Brave Eagle advanced trainer aircraft this year and the training shift at the Flight Training Department are concrete testimonies to this policy.
Behind every fighter jet soaring in the sky, lies the diligent and tireless efforts of the Air Force officers and soldiers. Whether it is the trainees undergoing flight training or the pilots guarding the airspace on the frontlines and resisting intrusions in the grey zone, it is their relentless readiness and unwavering dedication that protect this sky, ensuring peace and democracy for Taiwan day and night.