Regarding the possible effects brought by Typhoon Maria, Ministry of National Defense claimed today (9^th), General Lee, Hsi-ming, Chief of Staff held a meeting for preventing damages from typhoon at 8.30 am, and requested all units to closely keep controlling the dynamic conditions of Typhoon Maria and the potential disaster areas and contact the local government leaders actively to do the most comprehensive disaster prevention and minimize the damages.

Ministry of National Defense argued that there were about 34,000 military forces standby and 4,182 vehicles in 40 categories were ready to operate disaster prevention when required. Moreover, extra 2,200 more military forces had been organized to locate at the second (Hualian and Tatung), third (North), fourth (South) and fifth (Central) combat zones. Two AAV7 amphibious assault vehicles were separately located at Hsiahu Barracks, Linkou, and Chongcheng Base, Suou. Aviation and Special Forces Command and Marine Crops had also organized the preset force dispatch planning for special welfare team. 141 military forces in 23 teams would be appointed to 19 potential disaster areas including Wulai District of New Taipei City and Fuxing District of Taiyuan City in order to operate disaster prevention in the first place.

Ministry of National Defense emphasized that Typhoon Maria was very dangerous that any residents and military officers and soldiers should not neglect the possible effects brought by it. The National Army would continue to pay close attention to the follow-up development of the typhoon and uphold the positive action of “advanced deployment, preset force, and immediate prevent and rescue” to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.