US Releases Aerial Refueling Photos of Taiwan's F-16 Fighters... "A Month of Security Cooperation with Taiwan"

Images of Taiwan F-16s Training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, USA
Emphasizing a Month of Taiwan-US Security Cooperation... Seen as a Measure to Counter China

On the 27th (local time), an F-16 fighter jet belonging to the 21st Fighter Squadron of the Taiwan Air Force is undergoing aerial refueling training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, USA. [Image source=American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Facebook/facebook.com/AIT.Social.Media/]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which serves as the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan, recently released photos showing F-16 fighter jets acquired by Taiwan training at a U.S. military base and receiving aerial refueling. This is interpreted as a deliberate measure considering the escalating disputes with China in the South China Sea.

According to local media such as Taiwan's Apple Daily on the 28th, AIT posted on Facebook the day before images of F-16 fighter jets from Taiwan Air Force's 21st Fighter Squadron undergoing aerial refueling training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, USA. This is the first time U.S. authorities have publicly shown Taiwan Air Force pilots training on U.S. soil. Previously, it was known that since Taiwan purchased and deployed 150 F-16A/B jets in 1992, Taiwanese pilots have been training annually at U.S. air bases.

AIT emphasized that this month is the "Month of Security Cooperation" between the U.S. and Taiwan, also releasing photos of the first batch of 36 newly purchased amphibious assault armored vehicles arriving last month, annual joint military exercises, and meetings between officials from Taiwan Army Aviation Brigade and U.S. combat aviation brigades. Next month, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense is expected to announce additional weapons purchases from the U.S., including coastal defense missile systems.

The U.S. government's unusual public disclosure of joint air force training with Taiwan is seen as a response to heightened tensions with China in the South China Sea. On the 25th, after the Chinese government conducted missile launch drills involving the so-called "carrier killer" Dongfeng-26B and 21D missiles, the U.S. military responded by deploying reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea and dispatching the Aegis missile destroyer USS Mustin, demonstrating military power.