TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The C-130 transport aircraft flew across the sky in Pingtung County, Taiwan, as 12 military instructors performed an airborne drill at 1,250 feet high on Sept. 14.
With 6 instructors per team, the paratroopers directed their parachutes toward the sea as they aimed for their designated positions. This exercise marks the first time an airborne drill was conducted at Pingtung County's Dapeng Bay.
Understandably, this rare event attracted many military enthusiasts, many of whom arrived two hours earlier just to get a glimpse. "This is the first time I've seen them jump with parachutes into the sea; I thought it would be very dangerous at first, but it wasn't," one said.
Another remarked that getting to the spot earlier ensured better views of the exercises. "We can know beforehand if our spots are good. If it's not, we can find another spot." The Aviation and Special Forces Command began conducting their drills at the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area.
The exercises were conducted amid mountains, seas, and forests to prepare themselves. During the jump, paratroopers need to pull their body straps and unhook the parachute's hook.
Then, they need to adjust their saddle and unfasten their chest and leg straps so that they can immediately detach when they land in the water. Originally scheduled at the beginning of September, the airborne drills were ultimately pushed back after two typhoons swept across Taiwan.
Today's drills are merely the first leg of another official exercise set to take place on Sept. 16.
