In 1st, Taiwan's military to use civilian airport for annual drill

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Taiwan announced on Tuesday its armed forces will use the island nation’s main civilian airport for the first time during its annual military exercise, local media reported.

The Han Kuang exercise, a five-day, live-fire drill across Taiwan, is set to take place from July 24 to 28 and an anti-takeover drill at Taoyuan International Airport is scheduled for July 26, Focus Taiwan said.

Another similar drill will be held a day earlier at Taitung Airport in eastern Taiwan.

Although similar drills have been conducted at other Taiwanese airports, this will be the first time such an exercise is performed at Taoyuan International Airport, the island nation’s busiest civilian airport.

The drill will involve members of the Aviation and Special Forces Command and Army Airborne Special Forces, simulating invading forces, with ground troops deployed to counter the takeover.

According to the Transportation Ministry, the drills are projected to have a duration of approximately one hour, but its repercussions may be experienced for up to two hours.

This could potentially affect around 61 flights and over 4,000 passengers.

Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang exercise was first held in 1984 and this year it will be 39th edition of the drill.