TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Air Force on Tuesday staged a six-minute emergency scramble of F-16 fighters to demonstrate its response to Chinese military aircraft.
The drill was conducted by the Chiayi-based 4th Tactical Fighter Wing during a Ministry of National Defense media event, per CNA. The exercise featured F-16V fighter jets and highlighted combat readiness ahead of the Lunar New Year, per Liberty Times.
Lt. Col. Shih Shun-teh (施順德) said Chiayi Air Base is tasked with six-minute or 15-minute scrambles depending on mission requirements. He said the base covers airspace over central and southern Taiwan as well as the southwestern air defense identification zone.
Emergency scrambles are triggered when radar detects Chinese or unidentified aircraft approaching Taiwan’s airspace or crossing the median line, Shih said. Pilots must take off within strict time limits.
The base maintains 24-hour readiness with separate daytime and nighttime alert shifts to ensure constant coverage. Pilots remain fully equipped in G-suits and survival vests while on duty, keeping helmets in the cockpit to save seconds, he said.
Shih said two F-16s assigned to emergency duty are armed with AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles and a cannon, while the lead aircraft is equipped with a Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod. He said the system enables long-range identification and integrated intelligence.
The Air Force also highlighted its OTS-600 cold-weather flight suit, issued to both fighter and rotary-wing units. The dry suit is fire-resistant and waterproof, designed to reduce the risk of hypothermia if pilots fall into the sea.
