Control Yuan members yesterday assailed the army for lax management and not enforcing security procedures at the Airborne Special Forces brigade in Taoyuan where the Apache AH-64E helicopter squadron is based.
A Control Yuan panel has been investigating alleged breaches of military security arising from the so-called“Apache VIP Tour,” centering on Army Lieutenant Colonel Lao Nai-cheng (勞乃成) and other officers of the 601st Air Cavalry Brigade.
The panel summoned three commanding officers for questioning on Tuesday, including the former commander of the brigade, Major General Chien Tsung-yuan (簡聰淵), brigade Chief of Staff Tan Chia-cheng (談家成) and Captain Tseng Ming-hsiung (曾明雄).
It was the third time the panel has summoned officers related to the case for questioning; the previous sessions were held on April 21 and Wednesday last week.
The panel is headed by Control Yuan members Liu Te-hsun (劉德勳), Wang Mei-yu (王美玉) and Chang Kuei-mei (仉桂美).
They have focused on the brigade’s management and enforcement of security procedures at the main entrance to its base and other checkpoints, as well as alleged violations of military regulation and disciplinary measures.
Following yesterday’s session and after examining related documents and other materials, panel members said they determined there had lax enforcement of safety checks and serious security lapses at the 601st Air Cavalry Brigade.
The panel also looked into Lao wearing one of the helmets worn by Apache pilots, known as an integrated helmet and display sight system (IHADSS) and costing NT$2 million (US$64,977) each, to a private family gathering in October last year.
One panel member said it was “unbelievable” that the brigade’s entry and exit security checks were so sloppy and negligent that Lao was able to take home an IHADSS helmet, a tightly restricted piece of military equipment that requires ID registration and tight security when being transported off base.
Lao reportedly told the panel when he was questioned on Thursday last week that he thought the helmet was “personal equipment” for each pilot, and did not know it was a restricted item.
The lieutenant colonel was questioned for six-and-a-half hours, and reportedly told the panel that he would take full responsiblity for the VIP tour that triggered its investigation.
The panel member said the panel has gathered enough material and information to finalize the report of the investigation, although a visit to the brigade as part of the probe in the near future had not been ruled out.
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