CHIAYI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's air force showcased the AT-3 advanced jet trainers in a thrilling aerial display on Thursday (June 27) as part of its annual training session. The event at Shuixi Shooting Range (水溪靶場) in Chiayi marked one of the final appearances for these aircraft, which are set to retire by the end of the year.
As the AT-3 jet trainers soared across the sky, they fired 2.75-inch rockets, captivating the audience with their precision and power. This session highlighted the impending transition to the newer Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers, a move aimed at modernizing Taiwan's military capabilities.
Early in the morning, a group of 20 to 30 military enthusiasts gathered to capture the action. "I've always enjoyed photographing aircraft here, so I came today to take a look," one enthusiast said. "However, I didn't expect it to be so lively. There's not much left of the rockets, so we don't know when it will end."
Yu Hao-wei, a former Air Force instructor, shared insights into the future training regimen: "In the future, all students from the Air Force Academy will go directly to flying the Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers after basic training. This will include the subjects to be covered by the departmental training teams and the advanced teams."