US observers watch over live-fire drill in Taimali

US observers watch over live-fire drill in Taimali

2026-03-25

The Army’s Huadong Defense Command Second Combat Zone carried out a live-fire exercise early Wednesday morning at the estuary of the Taimali River in Taitung. Various armored and tank units were fully deployed, creating a thunderstorm of explosions that left spectators in awe. It is the second artillery drill held in the area since last December. US personnel were present throughout the drill as low-profile observers, highlighting the close military cooperation between Taiwan and the US.

At daybreak, the roar of artillery fire breaks the coastal silence, followed by the banging of machine guns.

Four armored vehicles fire in turns, the rapid explosions echoing in the coast as smoke drifts from the barrels. It’s an impressive sight to behold.

Ms. Chen
Taitung resident
It was very shocking. Our Armed Forces are working so hard. The sounds startled me, they really did. Even with earplugs, it was scary.

Early Wednesday morning, the Army’s Huadong Defense Command Second Combat Zone conducted the live-fire “Justice Exercise” at the Taimali River estuary in Taitung, deploying M60A3 tank guns, 155mm howitzers, and 120mm and 81mm mortars and filling the area with flashes and smoke. Locals say that during the rehearsal the day before, their windows had already shaken, but seeing the actual exercise made waking up early worthwhile.

Ms. Chen
Taitung resident
Yesterday, when we were at home, our windows were shaking. Today, seeing it in person here, it’s truly impressive.

Wellington Koo
Minister of National Defense
We assign each combat zone to conduct exercises within their operational areas. This aligns with our goal of progressively advancing toward realistic combat training. As for whether US personnel were present, Taiwan and the US have always maintained close exchanges.

The drill marks the second time the military has held exercises in Taimali since last December, and US personnel were present in plain clothes observing the operations and underscoring the close military cooperation between the two countries.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#taiwan #us #military #beach #taimali #taitung

台美合作緊密! 太麻里實彈"正義操演" 美方低調觀摩

2026-03-25

陸軍花東防衛司令部第二作戰區，今天清晨，在台東太麻里溪出海口，實施"正義操演"實彈射擊，各式裝甲、戰車部隊全出籠，讓現場觀看的民眾直乎震撼。繼去年12月後，軍方再度到太麻里舉行火砲演習，現場更有美方人員全程觀摩，顯見台美在軍事合作上的緊密程度。

天才剛亮，海邊砲擊聲就劃破寧靜，接著輪到機槍隊上場。

四輛裝甲車輪流射擊，噠噠噠聲響不絕於耳，槍口飄出的煙硝隨風飄散，震撼度滿分。

[[當地居民陳小姐]]
“非常震撼，也辛苦我們的國軍。有嚇到，真的有嚇到，雖然有戴耳塞還是嚇到。”

陸軍花東防衛司令部第二作戰區，週三清晨，在台東太麻里溪出海口，實施"正義操演"實彈射擊，M60A3戰車砲、155公厘榴彈砲，以及120、81迫擊砲輪番上陣，火光、砲煙交織，親自前來觀看的當地居民說，前一天預演時，家裡窗戶就已經被震動，如今實際看到操演，更覺得早起是值得的。

[[當地居民陳小姐]]
“昨天是在家裡，我們家裡的窗戶也是被震動，今天親自來到這裡來看的時候，真的也震撼到。”

[[國防部長顧立雄]]
“我們交由各作戰區，在他們的作戰地境內，然後來進行這樣子一個操演，是符合我們逐步在推動實戰化訓練的目標，至於相關有美方的人員在場與否，我想台美之間，一直在有進行緊密的交流。”

繼去年十二月後，軍方二度在太麻里海灘演練，更有美方人員低調著便服全程觀摩，台美在軍事合作，盡在不言中。

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