By Fan Bin and Chen Li
BEIJING, Aug.11 -- The PLA Eastern Theater Command continued the joint combat exercises and training in waters and airspace around Taiwan Island on August 9. The naval and air forces under the theater command dispatched multi-type warplanes in batches, including early warning aircraft, fighter jet, tanker aircraft and jamming aircraft. While focusing on drills of airspace control operations, aerial refueling, maritime support, etc., the troops tested and improved the ability to jointly blockade and control the sea and the airspace.
A new-type tanker attached to an air force aviation regiment established a refueling position in the predetermined airspace, where several fighter jets got refueled in the air, and then returned to the operation area to continue the joint blockade mission.
In certain waters around the northern Taiwan Island, a frigate performing security patrol mission found that an "enemy" warship was heading towards the Eastern Theater Command troops' exercise waters at high speed. The frigate sounded the siren for combat preparedness, occupied favorable positions and warned off the "enemy" ship.
On the same day, other task forces of the theater command conducted simultaneously training on the joint air-sea search and rescue, ammunition and materials replenishment, rush repair of equipment, as well as first-aid treatment and evacuation of the wounded.
