Kinmen County troops conduct live-fire exercises

Troops stationed in Kinmen County conducted live-fire exercises early yesterday morning, deploying armored vehicles and artillery to engage simulated sea and air targets, the Kinmen Defense Command said.

The drills, conducted at forward positions on Kinmen Island’s southern coast and in waters off the island’s southern coast, were part of efforts to improve combat capabilities and troops’ ability to respond swiftly to threats, the command said.

On Tuesday, units of the Kinmen Garrison Battalion carried out live-fire drills that simulated several combat scenarios, including supporting friendly forces, conducting reinforcement operations and repelling enemy special forces, the Kinmen Defense Command said in a statement.

Soldiers conduct live-fire drills in Kinmen County yesterday.

Photo courtesy of the Kinmen Defense Command

Unexpected scenarios simulating enemy amphibious landings and special operations were among those used to train troops to respond to “gray zone” threats, it said.

Among the weapons deployed were 20mm cannons, 4.2 inch mortars, 105mm howitzers, 105mm tank guns, 120mm mortars, 155mm cannons and eight-inch howitzers, it said.

The drills dispersed weapons across multiple positions to establish overlapping fields of fire and provide cover for the movement of armored vehicles, it said.

Air defense units and the Beiding Garrison were involved in the exercise, providing fire support and coordinating defensive operations with the Kinmen Garrison Battalion, the statement said.

All units used the Team Awareness Kit to facilitate improved communications and command coordination during the exercise, it said.