TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Air Force has resumed overnight training for pilots to bolster their skills in night operations amid heightened tensions across the strait.
The program was previously suspended due to noise complaints from locals and lower cross-strait tensions. However, the geopolitical landscape has since shifted dramatically.
The latest series of overnight flights occurred from March 6 to March 7, featuring F-16, Mirage 2000, and Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) jets from Air Force bases in Hualien, Hsinchu, and Tainan.
Night flying introduces significant challenges due to the absence of external light, complicating pilots' visual orientation.
Former ROC Air Force flight instructor Yu Hao-wei noted that overnight training, akin to flying in clouds during daylight, significantly increases the risk of pilots experiencing illusions.
Ex-F-16 pilot trainer Huang Yang-te highlighted that certain maneuvers, like looking back, could disrupt a pilot's balance and cause disorientation or illusions, due to human physiological limits.
Past incidents have informed stringent safety protocols to mitigate risks associated with night flying.
The decision to restart overnight training aligns with China's emphasis on night readiness. Taiwan aims to expand the scope and frequency of these exercises.
Chieh Chung, an associate research fellow at the National Policy Foundation, mentioned that China plans similar air force drills, underscoring the importance of nocturnal combat preparedness.
He emphasized that vulnerabilities due to fatigue and decreased alertness from midnight to dawn highlight the critical nature of night combat capabilities.
Facing ongoing cross-strait tensions, the adjustment of the Air Force's training regimen is deemed essential.
