Ministry of National Defense has stated today (17^th) that in order to respond to the potential impact of “Tropical Storm Danas” to Taiwan, the Emergency Operation Center of Ministry of National Defense and the Central Emergency Operation Center have simultaneously completed level 1 preparedness at 11:30 this morning.

Ministry of National Defense pointed out that at 8:30 this morning, Minister Yen Teh-fa gathered the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff Enforcement Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff of Air Force, commanders of the Armed Forces, commanders of various commands and combat zone commands, and joint directors of the ministry to convene a disaster prevention preparedness meeting. Minister emphasized on the principle of “disaster prevention over disaster relief, and evacuation over disaster prevention”, and requested the supervisors of various units to remind local governments to complete citizen evacuation in potential disaster areas ahead of time under safe circumstances.

Minister Yen also requested to pre-station a total of 12 units of AAV7 Amphibious Assault Vehicles of the Marine Corps in 5 areas including Xiahuxi Camp of Linkou (2 units), Zhongzheng Base of Su’ao (2 units), Chiayi Airport (2 units), Guantian Camp of Tainan (2 units), and Pingtung Defense and Training Center (4 units), cooperating with the preset troops in various combat zones to assist with instant rescue missions during disasters.

Ministry of National Defense pointed out that the Armed Forces currently consist of more than 31,000 soldiers, and more than 4,500 units of various vehicles and machinery; in addition, a total of more than 1,800 preset soldiers have been dispatched by various combat zones to a total of 99 potential disaster areas that are prone to landslide and flood. Furthermore, Army Aviation and Special Forces Command as well as the Marine Corps Special Operations Team have planned to preset 22 units that consist of 135 soldiers in 18 potential disaster areas including Wulai of New Taipei City, Fuxing of Taoyuan, as well as Namasia and Taoyuan of Kaohsiung, in order to implement instant disaster prevention and rescue missions swiftly.

In addition, taking into account the safety of cadets receiving trainings, the 14 camps from the National Defense Education “Summer Combat Camp”, including Kinmen and Penghu Combat Camps and Huilan Shooting Experience Camps, and Amphibious Warrior Challenge Camp, will be finished in advance.

Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the Armed Forces will continue to closely follow the subsequent development and route of “Tropical Storm Danas”, and in the premise of ensuring the safety of fellow comrades, flexibly adjust the troops and machinery in each combat zone, and fully assist local government in implementing disaster prevention missions, ensuring the safety of citizens and assets.