China: March 14, 2001

Archives

Taiwan has completed a second underground aircraft shelter, this one at Chihhang Air Base in Taitun. Like the first such base at Chiashan, the base is carved into a mountain and can contain dozens if not hundreds of aircraft. The runways face a huge opening protected by reinforced concrete doors, and pilots landing at the base have the unnerving experience of flying directly into the side of a mountain and into a hole less than 100 feet high. The bases (at least two more are under construction) are completely self-contained with their own power supplies, barracks, mess facilities, and hospitals. They are designed to keep the Taiwan Air Force in the fight after a massive Chinese missile attack on their usual bases. --Stephen V Cole

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close