The air force's only operational reconnaissance unit -- the fourth squadron -- was put under the spotlight for the first time yesterday, providing a rare chance to view its operations, past and present.
The fourth squadron, known as the "Red Fox Squadron," used to be renowned for its reconnaissance missions against China, but now mostly taking aerial photos of natural disasters in Taiwan.
The squadron has been selected as the air force's model unit of the year, which is the reason it was made public for the first time. The unit, based in Taichung's CCK air base, is comprised of six RF-5Es and two RF-5Fs.
The three services have a long tradition of selecting their respective model units each year. These units are often introduced to the press in August.
As the air force's model unit of the year, the fourth squadron yesterday displeased several RF-5Es and a number of aerial photos taken by the squadron's planes for examination by the press.
The fourth squadron's planes have been taking aerial photos of the island since the 921 earthquake in 1999.
Before the earthquake, the squadron's main job was to carry out reconnaissance missions against China. At the time, crossing the middle line of the Taiwan Strait happened often, if not on a regular basis.
A pilot with the squadron, who spoke in private, said it is seldom if ever over the past two years that their planes have crossed the middle line of the Strait to take photos of China's military infrastructure .
"We will act according to orders from above. Besides, the middle line of the Strait is only imaginary, not a real and clear-cut line," the pilot said.
"For the moment, our planes will fly along the imaginary line of the Strait if we want to collect information on China," he said.
The fourth squadron started in 1934, but was deactivated in 1973 for lack of new reconnaissance planes to replace aging ones, such as the RF-101A.
The squadron was reactivated in 1998 after the air force successfully converted some active F-5Es into reconnaissance planes with technical assistance from Singapore.
It is currently the only operational reconnaissance unit of the air force. A second reconnaissance unit might soon come into service, since the air force has a 12th squadron that is in transition.
The 12th squadron, based in Hualien, is to be comprised of reconnaissance planes converted from active F-16 fighters. The squadron's F-16s have not acquired reconnaissance capabilities, since relevant equipment has yet to be bought from the US.
Meanwhile, the army also introduced yesterday its model unit of the year. The unit was the aviation communications company of the Tainan-based aviation command.
The company launched a live drill demonstrating its capability to provide guidance for assault helicopters to locate its targets on the ground.
The aviation command also took advantage of the occasion to showcase its newly bought simulator for the AH-1W helicopter. The simulator, bought in in June last year, was made public for the first time.
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