Air Force Hosts Farewell Ceremony for RF-5E Fighter Jet

TaiwanPlus News

Taiwan’s air force is saying goodbye to the RF-5E, a variant of the F-5 fighter jet that has been in service for almost 50 years. A farewell ceremony was held in Hualien so the public could see them in action one last time before they retire.

Transcript

00:00These fighter jets are taking off for the last time.

00:10At this base in eastern Hualien, the military is holding a farewell ceremony to honor its RF-5Es,

00:16which have been in service for over 50 years.

00:19Many people here remember when the aircraft was first delivered,

00:22and defense officials say they're an important part of the country's history.

00:26I think today is a history.

00:31Our aircraft will always be one and one.

00:36We are strong.

00:38The safety of our aircraft is our duty.

00:41Across from the airbase, military enthusiasts started camping out as early as 5am to see the aircraft.

00:48While the F-5Es have been in service since the 1960s,

00:51it wasn't until 1973 that they really made their mark here.

00:56Under the Tiger Peace Project, Taiwan partnered with the United States to co-produce the F-5E,

01:03and more than 300 of the jets were built here through the 1980s.

01:07This version, the RF-5E, is mainly used for reconnaissance

01:11and takes pictures using special cameras and sensors under the nose of the plane.

01:16Pilots here say it's bittersweet, as those kinds of missions with the F-5 are officially done.

01:21My heart is very excited and very nervous.

01:25It's the last task.

01:26I know it's the last task.

01:28But we still need to complete this task.

01:32We need to complete this task.

01:34We need to complete it.

01:35China has been upping its military pressure on Taiwan,

01:38with its People's Liberation Army, or PLA, sending hundreds of military aircraft around the country every month.

01:44In response, Taiwan has been trying to modernize its armed forces

01:48and can now be looking to use newer F-16s to defend the country's airspace.

01:53A move analysts say is likely.

01:55It's a sign of the times.

01:57I think the threat from the PLA obviously is very different now than when the F-5 was, you know,

02:01really a frontline fighter for Taiwan.

02:03And I think it's indicative of the fact that both the United States and Taiwan together have recognized that,

02:07OK, we need to cooperate where we can to make sure that Taiwan is ready to defend itself against an attack by the PLA.

02:13Most of the pilots here say the airplane is a close part of their identity,

02:17but are excited for their next set of missions with a new aircraft.

02:20While it's a bit of a sad day for many here as they say goodbye to their beloved jet,

02:24the military is optimistic.

02:26And they say that changes like these are needed if it's set to continue handling the threats of today.

02:30Ryan Wu and Jaime Ocon in Hualien for Taiwan Plus.

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