A large-scale anti-terror exercise will be held tomorrow in Yunlin County, involving joint operations between the military, coast guard and police, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday.
The exercise will be the largest of its kind since fighting terrorism became a major concern of the government following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the US two years ago.
The joint operations involving the three branches is unprecedented in Taiwan.
The sixth naphtha cracking plant of Formosa Plastics Corporation -- the largest such plant in the country -- is to be the site for the exercise. The plant is located near the coast in Mailiao township, Yunlin County.
The exercise will simulate terrorist attacks on the plant in which chemical leaks from storage tanks are caused by the sabotage.
The "terrorists" will also set off a series of explosions at the establishment while seizing office buildings and taking people hostage.
The military is to be the major participant, mobilizing both ground troops and armed helicopters for the operation. The coast guard and police will play supporting roles in the drill.
It is the first time that the military has sent armed helicopters to join in an exercise of this kind. Armed helicopters used to be seen only in purely military exercises.
The Taichung-based 602nd airborne brigade is to send AH-1W and OH-58D armed helicopters to the drill. These helicopters will provide fire support to friendly forces on the ground.
The joint exercise was initially scheduled to be held in mid-May but was postponed because of the SARS infections that were then raging through the country.
Major-General Kuan Kuan-pao (
"The exercise is expected to become a model for anti-terror drills in the future. Such drills will be commanded by local government leaders," Kuan said.
Kuan made the remarks at a regular defense ministry press conference held yesterday. The reserve command is responsible for organizing the exercise.
Meanwhile, the annual Wanan No. 26 air raid drill will kick off tomorrow in Taipei. It will then be held on a rotational basis in other parts of the country until the middle of October.
For the first time, anti-terror operations are to be included in this year's drills.
The Wanan-series drills used to focus solely on simulation of responses to air raids. In recent years, they have been expanded to cover other subjects of concern, such as integration of civilian and military resources.
"Because of the change, local government leaders will become more and more important in the drills. They are to be commanders of the drills. They have to acquire a full understanding of the situation. The military will act as instructed," Kuan said.
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