2021/08/04
Olympic athletes return home triumphant. Mirage jet-fighters pay tribute as an escort.
Reported by: Military News Agency
Reporter: Chen Yen-Hua
Taipei City, 4th August
The Chinese Taipei Olympic delegation of athletes performed brilliantly at the Tokyo Olympics. The Air Force dispatched four Mirage 2000 fighters to accompany them on their flight back home, and set off hot flame bombs in congratulations as we thank them for their honor and glory while representing the country.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) arranged for Mirage jet-fighters to greet Wang Chi-lin and Li Yang, who won gold in the badminton men's doubles, and Tai Tze-ying, who won silver in the women's badminton singles, as well as coaches, trainers and others upon their return to Taiwan.
The MND stated that President Tsai Ing-wen directed the air force to accompany the national heroes on their return to the country in accordance with the protocol set by the 2018 Asian Games. It is an honor of the Armed Forces to welcome the national heroes back home. The escort flight is an expression of our gratitude to our nationals and the entire Olympic delegation.
The MND also dispatched a filming team and edited a 2.10 minute video called the "Welcome of Victory", which shows the crew of China Airlines greeting the athletes and coaches of Chinese Taipei with an applause as they boarded. The video then shows the Hsinchu Air Force Base where pilots of the Mirage 2000 fighter jets adorn their flight suits and helmets as they are briefed on the mission.
The scene then turns to the Mirage fighter jets as pilots conduct pre-flight inspections. A fighter then slowly slid out of the fort in torrential rain, and gauged sufficient horsepower on the runway for the afterburner to give out a flame. The fighter jets then flew to the mission area to release hot flame bombs on both sides of the China Airlines passenger plane, thanking Olympians and the team for representing the country.
The film narrator thanks the athletes for allowing the world to see the courage of the Taiwanese people in the Tokyo Olympic. "Now it is our turn, the Armed Forces, to protect you as you return home."
The phantom fighter flew to welcome the Olympic athletes home. (Photographed by Air Force Second Wing)