The navy’s Hsiaohsuehshan (小雪山) radar station — one of only a few high-altitude radar installations — plays a key role in securing Taiwan’s western seas, Chinese-language newspaper the United Daily News (UDN) reported on Sunday.
The station is perched atop Hsiaohsuehshan, a lesser peak of the rugged Hsuehshan Range (雪山山脈) that straddles the border between Taichung and Miaoli County.
At 3,020m from the mountain’s foot, the station’s horizon is 20km in the distance, bringing ships passing through the Taiwan Strait within its range, the report said.
The facility was built to replace an old navy and air force joint radar station on Hsinchu County’s Leshan (樂山), which passed to the exclusive jurisdiction of the air force after a US-made phased-array radar system was installed, the UDN said.
The Hsiaohsuehshan site used to house a Chinese Television System (CTS) TV antenna, but was taken over by the navy following its abandonment in the aftermath of the 921 Earthquake in 1991, it said.
The site was a boon to the navy, as the new radar station’s elevation is 400m higher than its predecessor’s, improving its detection range, the newspaper said.
The inaccessible location of the base poses unique challenges for the navy and marine corps personnel stationed there, as supplies from military stores in Taichung’s Taiping District (太平) have to be transported through difficult terrain that is covered by snow in winter, it said.
No commissary or medical officers are available on base and the personnel carry their own snacks and medicines on the way up, it said.
The sailors and marines often need to fight against the elements, as the antenna masts have to be taken down before typhoons and during summer they are constantly called on to repair lightning damage caused by thunderstorms, it said.
In consideration of the austere conditions, troops stationed on Hsiaohsuehshan are on a 30-day rotation, where they are allowed 10 days of rest and recreation for every 20 days on duty, it said.
Due to the base’s remoteness and the garrison’s small size, troops on the mountain develop ties of strong brotherhood, station commander Lieutenant Commander Hsieh Chi-ho (謝吉和) told the UDN.
“Disciplinary problems stemming from personal conflict rarely occur,” he was quoted as saying.
Chuang Chung-neng (莊忠能), a naval electronic warfare specialist with a non-commissioned rank, told the newspaper that he had been deployed to 18 radar stations under the Naval Maritime and Surveillance Command before volunteering for Hsiaohsuehshan four years ago.
“I am used to the discipline and life in the mountains. If they let me, I would choose to serve here until retirement,” he said.
‘FRIENDSHIP FLEET’: A CGA official is scheduled to meet with the president of the Pacific nation, while one of the ships is to host a banquet and National Day event Two Coast Guard Administration (CGA) patrol vessels have docked at Malakal Harbor in Palau as part of an expedition exercise and diplomatic visit, during which a senior official is expected to meet with Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr, the agency said yesterday. The two vessels, the 4,000-tonne-class Chiayi and the 1,000-tonne-class Penghu, set sail for Palau from Taiwan last week and arrived on Tuesday at Malakal Harbor, the CGA’s Fleet Branch said in a statement. The journey marks the second time the CGA has dispatched a “friendship fleet” to another country, after it sent its first-ever goodwill fleet, comprising the Hualien and
The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) today said that two of its patrol vessels have docked at Palau's Malakal Harbor as part of an expedition exercise and diplomatic visit, during which a senior official is expected to meet with the Palauan president. The two vessels, the 4,000-tonne-class Chiayi (嘉義) and the 1,000-tonne-class Penghu (澎湖), set sail for Palau from Taiwan last week and arrived at Malakal Harbor yesterday, the CGA's Fleet Branch said in a statement. The journey marked the second time the CGA has dispatched a "Friendship Fleet" to another country, after it sent its first-ever goodwill fleet, comprising the Hualien (花蓮)
Had I Not Seen the Sun (如果我不曾見過太陽), a coming-of-age mystery romance, yesterday won best series at the Seoul International Drama Awards in South Korea. The show's producer, Phoebe Ma (麻怡婷), accepted the award on behalf of the production team. "Telling this story was difficult," Ma said. "There were moments when I doubted my strength to keep going, but I never doubted the story itself." Ma went on to thank the cast and crew of the show for making the win possible. Released in two parts on Netflix at the end of last year, the 20-episode drama starred Tseng Jing-hua (曾敬驊) and Alice Ko (柯佳嬿). The
DETAILED PLAN NEEDED: Relocating the airport would affect not just travelers, but also undermine national defense and emergency medical services, a legislator said Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) yesterday proposed relocating Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) and turning the site into an artificial intelligence (AI) park, drawing opposition from politicians across party lines. Chiang’s plan would turn the 300 hectares into an AI park featuring tech clusters, residential communities and green space. The industrial cluster would host 200 domestic enterprises, generate NT$12 trillion (US$376.47 billion) in output, and accommodate 65,000 jobs and 35,000 residents, he said. Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said the Executive Yuan was surprised by the announcement, as the Taipei City Government did not discuss the proposal with the central government before making
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