TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Air Force Air conducted rapid response drills at Chiayi Air Base on Wednesday.

Troops from the 795th Air Defense and Artillery Brigade manned Skyguard systems after their radars detected simulated enemy targets, CNA reported. The Air Force said one radar can serve as the command hub for the Skyguard system and is used to search for, identify, and lock onto enemy aircraft. It can link up to two Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannons and two Sparrow missile launchers, forming one firing unit. 

The twin cannons are primarily used to intercept incoming aircraft and cruise missiles, providing medium- and low-altitude protection with an effective range of 4,000 meters, per CNA. Each Sparrow missile launcher can carry four missiles, with a range of 2,000 to 16,000 meters.

The Air Force’s 4th Tactical Fighter Wing conducted rapid turnaround operations for two F-16V fighter jets. The aircraft were each armed with AIM-120 and AIM-9M missiles before taxiing out of their hardened hangars. A separate single-seat F-16 was equipped with an AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod.

Wu Po-chih (吳柏志), a master sergeant and weapons team leader said rapid recovery is vital to maximizing the F-16’s combat power. It ensures that aircraft can complete arms replenishment and refueling in the shortest possible time and quickly carry out sorties.