TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Air Force Command Headquarters Taiwan's air force leadership (空軍司令部) conducted a solemn retirement ceremony at Hualien Base (花蓮基地) on Friday (July 4) for the storied F-5 series aircraft. Three RF-5E reconnaissance aircraft and two F-5F jets executed a final flyover above the venue, marking the honorable conclusion of these jets' decades-long service to Taiwan's defense.
The Air Force showcased RF-5E, F-5F, and related historical equipment during the ceremony while playing a commemorative video honoring pilots and maintenance teams. The event concluded with five jets completing their final cruise mission, landing to a traditional 'water gate ceremony' that symbolized their glorious exit from active service. Deputy Defense Minister Po Hung-hui (柏鴻輝) officially announced the retirement of the F-5F and RF-5E aircraft, declaring that these jets had served as the backbone of Taiwan's air force.
The Air Force plans to equip F-16 jets with MS-110 reconnaissance pods and deploy four MQ-9B drones to replace the RF-5E's reconnaissance capabilities and provide continued defense intelligence support. The United States began providing the F-5 series in November 1965 to replace the aging F-86 "Sabre" aircraft, later initiating the "Peace Tiger Program" (虎安計畫) in 1973 that produced 242 F-5Es and 66 F-5Fs by 1986. ◼