TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An inspection by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Friday confirmed earlier reports of the deployment of Taiwan Marines to Taipei's Songshan Airport. 

Lai was joined by Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) in conducting an inspection tour of the 66th Marine Brigade's Second Garrison at Songshan Airport, per CNA. The Marines were equipped with Stinger surface-to-air missiles, Javelin anti-armor missiles, 20mm autocannons, and 40mm grenade launchers.

Earlier this year, Taipei MRT passengers on the Brown line noticed military personnel wearing the Marine Corps' tiger-stripe camouflage uniforms at a compound inside the Songshan Airport. 

On Jan. 28, the Military News Agency released a photograph showing Marine Corps personnel patrolling Songshan Airport in a Humvee. Liberty Times reported on Feb. 5, that Marine units had been moved forward from the Political Warfare Academy into urban Taipei, with over 100 Marines stationed at the airport. 

Military sources told CNA the 66th Marine Brigade has stationed a combat team at Songshan Airport with company-level forces to augment the Air Force's Military Police squadron since late last year. The Marines are responsible for amphibious warfare, counter-landing, and guarding key military positions in Taipei, while the Air Force Military Police unit remains tasked with security at the airport's military facilities. 

MND spokesperson's Facebook post shows Lai delivering remarks to troops: