Military stages full-scale National Day flyover rehearsal in Taipei

Taipei, Oct. 2 (CNA) Taiwan's military conducted a full-scale National Day flyover rehearsal over Taipei on Friday, culminating in a display by five Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers trailing red, blue and white smoke over the Presidential Office.

The Ministry of National Defense held its first half-scale rehearsal on Sept. 30 with a full rehearsal staged this morning and a final one scheduled for Oct. 5.

Around 6 a.m., an Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter flew over the capital as part of an aerial observation mission, followed by a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter.

At 7:05 a.m., a CH-47SD Chinook carrying a giant national flag flew north to south over the Presidential Office, accompanied by two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.

A 12-helicopter formation soon followed the same route, comprising Apache and Cobra attack helicopters, S-70C anti-submarine choppers and Black Hawks.

Minutes later, they were joined by a P-3C anti-submarine aircraft and two C-130H transport aircraft from behind, and also three five-jet formations of Mirage 2000s, Indigenous Defense Fighters and F-16Vs.

At 7:40 a.m., the Air Force' Thunder Tiger aerobatic team brought the rehearsal to a close with five Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers flying west to east over the Presidential Office while trailing red, blue and white smoke.