TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's 42nd annual Han Kuang military exercise reached its midpoint on Sunday, with troops encountering a simulated chemical weapon attack.
Upon receiving orders, troops from the Hualien-Taitung Second Combat Zone left their positions to provide cross-regional support when they were surprised by an enemy chemical attack, forcing them to divert to a decontamination station. The exercise tested their response and the ability to restore fighting capability as quickly as possible, per CTEE.
The drill involved M60A3 tanks and CM21 armored vehicles. During the operation, enemy forces infiltrated the unit and discharged chemical agents to disrupt the reinforcement mission, also causing simulated injuries to personnel.
Following the attack, the unit immediately enacted emergency response procedures, including the evacuation of injured personnel and the diversion of armored equipment to a decontamination station that operated like an assembly line.
Decontamination drills are rarely publicized, though this time media were present, witnessing seven key steps beginning with instruments detecting contamination and identifying affected areas with chalk. Vehicles then enter a disinfection pit where disinfectant powder is used to remove toxic agents from the chassis and tracks, followed by an initial hot-water wash, per CNA.
The vehicle then undergoes a chemical spray to neutralize toxic agents, followed by a settling and reaction stage and a final clean-water rinse. A final inspection uses detection paper or instruments to confirm that no toxic agent residue remains.
Soldiers also undergo a decontamination procedure. The procedure is designed to restore combat capability as quickly as possible while preventing further exposure, per CTEE.
A company commander of the chemical warfare unit said it takes about 30 minutes to set up a decontamination station from scratch. Once equipment enters the decontamination line, the entire process takes an average of five to eight minutes per vehicle.
The exercise was conducted despite the lingering effects of Typhoon Dolphin, which brought heavy, intermittent rain. Soldiers remained alert and ready for subsequent enemy attacks and also wore gas masks throughout decontamination procedures.
