The air force's only operational reconnaissance force -- the fourth squadron -- has been selected as " model unit of the year" and is shortly to be introduced to the public for the first time, defense officials said yesterday.
The fourth squadron, comprised of six RF-5E aircraft and two F-5Fs, is to be opened to the press next week, the first of its kind since it was equipped with the RF-5Es in 1997.
The squadron, which used to be based at a Taoyuan air base, now operates at Taichung's CCK air base.
As one of the air force's top secret forces, the squadron is little known to the public.
The squadron started operating the RF-5Es in 1997. The RF-5Es were converted from F-5Es, which was the air force's main fighter plane before second-generation fighters such as F-16A/Bs, Mirage 2000-5s and IDFs came into service.
Only six F-5Es were converted into RF-5Es by a Singaporean defense company.
The squadron also has two F-5Fs, which are not capable of reconnaissance missions. It is not known why these two planes became part of the squadron.
Besides the fourth squadron, the air force has another similar unit -- the 12th squadron. The squadron is comprised of ten F-16 fighters, which are to be equipped with a reconnaissance system to be bought from the US.
The 12th squadron has yet to become an operational reconnaissance unit because all of its F-16s are still ordinary fighters without any special reconnaissance systems.
The ten F-16s are to be called RF-16s after they are equipped with the needed reconnaissance systems.
An air force official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he personally does not support the idea of converting ten F-16s into reconnaissance planes.
"It is wasteful to turn F-16s into reconnaissance planes. The F-16 fighter is designed mainly for combat. It is good for the air force to have powerful reconnaissance planes, but better not to use the F-16s for the purpose," the official said.
Before the 12th squadron can become operational, the fourth squadron has to serve as the eyes of the air force for some time to come.
Some air force officials said in private that the RF-5Es should be retired as early as possible since they are not very useful as reconnaissance planes because of their low speed and operational altitude.
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