“The Overview of 0206 Hualien Earthquake Operation, the Rescue of Disconnected UH-60M Helicopter of the National Airborne Service Crops, and the Rescue of Disconnect Captain He, Tzi-Yu, Air Force 2^nd Tactical Fighter Wing,” News Information (February 13^th, 2018)

I.Hualien Earthquake Operation:

Hualien Area was shaken by a 6.0 magnitude earthquake at midnight of February 6^th and it caused the tilt of Marshal Hotel, Yunmen Tsuiti Building, and the houses on Guosheng 6^th Street. The Army sent the military officers to rescue in the first place. Tank Battalion and Medical Company of Hua-tung Defense Command, the 5^th Tactical Fighter Wing of Air Force, and Air Education Training & Discipline Development Command all participated in the disaster areas to rescue immediately at midnight of February 7^th.

Moreover, in order to send military officers and rescue members to operate the rescue mission in the disaster areas soon, the Minister Feng, Shih-kuan appointed Air Force to arrange the equipment at 01:25 and send the first C-130 aircraft with General Chen, Bao-yu, Deputy Chief of Staff and Executive Officer, firefighters, and different types of rescue equipment to Hualien at 03:18.

In order to send the rescue military force to the disaster areas quickly, President Tsai took Air Force One to Hualien with the Army military officers together to inspect the disaster areas at midnight of February 7^th, hoping to save life during the golden window.

Until now, 2,943 military officers, 28 aircrafts including C-130 aircrafts, 800 tents, and other 8 categories with 82 pieces of rescue equipment, had been sent to the disaster areas to operate the rescue mission, maintain security, clean the areas and move the stone away, and provide the medical and counseling service. The Army will continuously cooperate with Hualien County Government to disinfect the environment and allocate people in the barracks (currently 45 families can be located at Chengshin Barracks).

The military officers made all-out efforts to operate the rescue mission in the disaster areas caused by the earthquake in Hualien in such a cold weather with ceaseless aftershocks, and we wish the whole society to give them encouragement and support for their hardship.

II.Rescue of Disconnected UH-60M Helicopter of the National Airborne Service Crops

From February 6 until today (02/13), totally 18 ships of Navy and 16 aircrafts of Air Force had been sent to operate the rescue mission. The pilot Kang,Wan-Fu and co-pilot Tang, Wen-Yan are our previous colleagues, and they have been carrying on the hard work to drive the helicopter for rescue after retirement. The Army will keep sending the military officers from Navy and Air Force to continue the rescue mission and hope to find the pilot Kang, Wan-Fu, the crew members, and passengers soon.

III.Rescue of Disconnect Captain He, Zi-Yu, Air Force 2^nd Tactical Fighter Wing

From November 7^th, 2017 to February 13^th, 2018, totally 232 ships and 46 cruise ships from Navy, 276 aircrafts of Air Force, 7 aircrafts from National Airborne Service Crops, 3 Poralis Australis, and 4 Polaris had been sent to operate the rescue mission.

Captain He, Zi-Yu is our colleague and the Army will keep sending the military officers from Navy and Air Force to continue the rescue mission and hope to find He, Zi-Yu and the aircraft, Mirage 2000-5.

As the most powerful support of the civilians, the Army will never fear and retreat when a severe disaster happens. Therefore, the Army will be the first to arrive at the disaster areas to operate the rescue mission, and will also be the last to depart from there.