F-16s, Hercules to use civilian airport in drillsHAN KUANG EXERCISES: Military runways might be attacked during wartime, so civilian airports would play a critical role, a retired air force officer saidStaff writer, with CNAF-16 jets and C-130H Hercules transport aircraft are to take part in an emergency landing and takeoff drill next month held for the first time at a civilian airport, a military source said on Friday. An F-16V takes off from Hualien Jiashan Air Force Base during live-fire exercises on March 20. Taitung Fengnian Airport was ideal for the exercises, as it would be difficult to practice such drills at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) or Kaohsiung International Airport given how busy they are, Chang said. The runway is only 400m shorter than the one at the Air Force Academy in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District (岡山), he said. The landing distances for a F-16V Block 20 and Mirage 2000 are 810m and 610m respectively, he said.
