Taipei, Dec. 18 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian presided over a ceremony marking the commissioning of the nation's first F-16 fighter wing into service held Tuesday at Chiayi Air Base in southern Taiwan.
After viewing 24 F-16 fighters roar overhead in six groups in combat formation flying at an altitude of 1,000 feet and at a speed of 300 nautical miles, the president inspected 18 F-16 fighters on the ground as well as more than 300 military personnel from within a grand marshal limousine.
The president also boarded one of the F-16 fighters to learn more about the war plane, which is equipped with 20-mm cannons, AIM-7M radar guided missiles, AIM-9M air-to-air missiles, harpoon missiles and the LANIRTN (low-altitude navigation and infrared targeting for night) pod.
President Chen said he was gratified to preside over the commissioning of the 455th tactical combat aircraft wing, adding that nine years passed between the initial signing of contracts and the formal commissioning of the wing, which marks the deployment of a new generation of fighter jets forming a modernized force that can maintain air superiority in the Taiwan Strait.
The president also said the air force buildup is for the purpose of national survival and development, stressing that Taiwan has no intention of engaging in an arms race with mainland China. The buildup aims to establish a stable strategic situation in the Taiwan Strait, he said, pointing out that one must have a sufficient defensive capability to prevent wars from taking place.