The Ministry of National Defense (MND) yesterday admitted to more security lapses at the army’s 601st Air Cavalry Brigade, after investigators uncovered at least two more instances of military officers giving civilian groups access to AH-64E Apache helicopters at the brigade’s restricted-access base earlier this year.
In addition to the much-publicized March 29 visit by 26 unauthorized civilians, officials said Lieutenant Colonel Lao Nai-cheng (勞乃成) also conducted another tour for 10 people on Feb. 22, while brigade commander Major General Chien Tsung-yuan (簡聰淵) led four people on a tour, all of whom entered the base in Taoyuan’s Longtan District (龍潭) to see the helicopters.
Ministry officials also announced further punishments for Lao and Chien at yesterday’s press conference, along with disciplinary measures for 19 other officers, most of them serving at the 601st Brigade, or at its authority body, the Army Special Forces Command’s Airborne Headquarters.
Photo: CNA
Lao was among the first class of six pilots sent to the US in 2013 for 18 months for training in operating the Apache attack helicopter.
Taiwan purchased a fleet of 30 of the helicopters from Washington for US$2.53 billion as part of an arms procurement package totaling US$6.4 billion.
Lao was found to have taken the helicopters’ integrated helmet and display sight system out of the base and worn it at a Halloween party in October last year, as well as for conducting the March 29 tour, headed by Lao’s wife, Chiu Ya-ching (邱雅靖), and showbiz personality Janet Lee (李蒨蓉).
The 26-member group included six foreign nationals.
MND spokesman Major General David Lo (羅紹和) said Chien was given three demerits, while Lao was given two major demerits, and both men were removed from their posts.
However, critics have called for Lao’s immediate dismissal, saying that his flouting of military regulations damaged the image of the armed forces, and demanded that he not be permitted to collect his full retirement pension if he is forced to retire.
At yesterday’s press conference, Minister of National Defense Kao Kuang-chi (高廣圻) apologized for officers having given privileged access to military installations to people perceived as wealthy and well-connected.
Kao promised the military would take stock of the matter and undertake broad reforms under a task force headed by Deputy Minister of National Defense Liu Chen-wu (劉震武), and would spare no effort to uncover problems and hold those involved accountable.
Separately yesterday, investigators from the Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office went to the 601st Air Cavalry Brigade base to conduct their probe into the security lapses.
Army Commander General Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) yesterday said he would take responsibility for these security lapses and violations by officers under his charge by requesting Kao to punish his negligence.
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