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US training pilots from Taiwan how to refuel in flight

Taiwanese pilots of the F-16 jet fighter have begun training in the US for mid-air refueling, suggesting the US may sell Taiwan airborne tankers, defense sources said yesterday.

A photograph recently posted on the US air force Web site shows four F-16 fighters, identified in the caption as part of the 21st squadron, the name given to the squadron the Taiwanese air force maintains in the US for training purposes.

The photograph shows the four jets flying in formation near a KC-10 refueling aircraft, with one F-16 refueling from the tanker.

The squadron is based at the Luke air base in Arizona, which accommodates pilot trainees from countries such as Singapore, the Philippines, Turkey and South Korea.

The squadron comprises around 10 F-16s, which all belong to Taiwan, and a similar number of F-16 pilots from Taiwan, who will return after completing their training to serve as F-16 instructors.

The training program is part of the agreement Taiwan and the US reached over the sale of the F-16s in 1992.

Erich Shih (施孝瑋), a senior editor with Defense International magazine, said the US may now be willing to sell Taiwan the refueling tankers, thereby extending the range of the fighters.

"The development could indicate the possibility that the US might plan to sell tankers like the KC-10 or KC-135 to Taiwan in the future," Shih said. "Otherwise, we cannot figure out why the US air force recently made public a photo showing the mid-air refueling practices of the 21st squadron."

A senior air force pilot who had trained at the Luke air base several years ago said in-flight refueling is not difficult for a well-trained pilot.

"Now that the US allows Taiwanese pilots to have access to mid-air refueling practices, it could really mean something," said the pilot, who declined to be identified.

"I personally do not think that the air force will buy tankers from the US. Tankers could indeed help extend the range of our fighter planes, but they could become easy prey to the enemy if they are operating in the Taiwan Strait or anywhere near China," he said.

Liu Wen-hsiao (劉文孝), owner of the Wings of China publishing company, also expressed doubts about the feasibility of the air force buying refueling tankers from the US.

"The air force considered buying tankers years ago for use by reconnaissance aircraft operating against China. The plan was dropped because it was impractical," Liu said.

"The situation now is not so much different. If the air force wants to launch a surprise or revenge strike at China, pilots tasked with the mission have to accept the fact that they might not have enough fuel to fly back to Taiwan," he said.
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