DEFENSE/Army reservists simulate defense of key supplies in Han Kuang drills

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercises entered their third day on Friday, with reservists from the Army's 206th Infantry Brigade simulating the defense of critical supplies against a Chinese attack on a logistics site in Taoyuan.

The entire 206th brigade, involving more than 3,000 reservists, was mobilized for the Han Kuang exercises for the first time ever this year, according to the military.

The training began with reservists simulating the defense of a logistics supply site under attack by Chinese operatives.

Smoke grenades billowing yellow, red and green smoke were used to simulate enemy contact, counterattacks and communication disruptions, thereby guiding troops to carry out their corresponding tactical responses.

The soldiers also worked to protect transportation and logistics supply points while conducting casualty evacuation drills simultaneously.

To enhance the realism of the simulated exercise, the military set up speakers broadcasting the sounds of rifle and machine-gun fire as well as explosions to create a more battlefield-like environment.

After the exercise, company-level officers immediately gathered soldiers for an after-action review (AAR).

Besides commending the troops for their performance, officers reminded them that upon receiving reports of enemy activity, they needed to quickly move to their tactical positions and maintain vigilance in the direction of the incoming threat.

The officers also emphasized that overlapping fields of fire between soldiers should be avoided.

Col. Chen Lung-hao (陳龍豪), commander of the 206th brigade, told reporters that mobilizing the brigade's more than 3,000 reservists was not a difficult task.

It was an opportunity to train brigade-, battalion- and company-level officers in handling issues encountered during the reservist call-up process, Chen said.

According to the colonel, the rate of which reservists were called up to participate in this year's exercises exceeded 98 percent.

Chieh Chung (揭仲), a researcher at the Association of Strategic Foresight, praised the reservist training and its effectiveness in transforming civilians into mission-ready soldiers.

Chieh, who observed the exercises in Taoyuan, said the training scenario crafted by the military was "highly necessary," as it simulated potential enemy attacks on ammunition supply points and material storage sites.

Separately, the Army's Penghu Defense Command also carried out a drill in the Penghu Islands late Thursday night by deploying its CM21 armored vehicles to join forces with local garrison troops to simulate a counter-sabotage support mission.

In the face of evolving threats, units must maintain combat readiness and conduct joint operation drills during peacetime to effectively guard against enemy sabotage and infiltration, an officer in Penghu said.

Meanwhile, a similar battle readiness exercise was held in Taiwan's offshore Matsu Islands on Thursday.