Military holds half-scale National Day aerial rehearsal in Taipei

Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) With the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) approaching, military units participating in the Oct. 10 celebrations are stepping up rehearsals, with a half-scale aerial rehearsal held over downtown Taipei on Wednesday morning.

The rehearsal featured formations carrying the national flag, helicopters, slow-moving aircraft, fighter jets and the Air Force Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team, which flew over the Presidential Office between 7 a.m. and 7:40 a.m.

The national flag formation, comprising a UH-60M Black Hawk and a CH-47SD Chinook transport helicopter, passed over the area at 7:05 a.m.

The helicopter formation followed at 7:20 a.m., consisting of two AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, two AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters, two S-70C helicopters and two UH-60M Black Hawks.

At 7:23 a.m., the slow-moving formation of a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft and a C-130H transport aircraft was followed by the fast-moving formation of three Mirage 2000-5 fighters, three Indigenous Defense Fighters and three F-16Vs.

The Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team, flying three Brave Eagle Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft, concluded the rehearsal at 7:40 a.m.

As previous National Day aerial displays have caused anxiety among some Taipei residents, the Ministry of National Defense urged people living in the city not to be alarmed by the roar of aircraft engines.

Two full-scale aerial rehearsals have been scheduled for Oct. 2 and Oct. 5 from 6:05 a.m. to 7:40 a.m., according to the National Day Preparation Committee.