It was Tsai’s first military inspection since she was sworn in on May 20. She is also the first female commander-in-chief of the Republic of China (Taiwan) military.
“Beginning today, the honor and disgrace of the military are my honor and disgrace. I will join the effort to make the nation’s armed forces the pride of the people,” Tsai said when speaking to airmen and officers at the air base.
“In the future, the government will strive to improve the living conditions at military facilities and the methods of managing troops to attract young talent to military service.” It will also help service men and women develop secondary skills to boost their competitiveness in the job market once they leave the armed forces, she added.
To achieve the above-mentioned goals, Tsai said the government will lead the military into a new era through clear strategic guidance, meticulous planning, stable reforms, strong communication with the public and the provision of ample resources.
Hualien Jiashan Air Base, Tsai indicated, bears two major responsibilities for Taiwan’s national defense. The base is the staging ground for training exercises in eastern Taiwan. It also houses a substantial portion of the nation’s military hardware, including F-16 fighter jets and RF-5 reconnaissance aircraft.
After completing her inspection, Tsai said she was deeply impressed with the well-trained troops and expressed great confidence in their professionalism and discipline. “Solid combat readiness training is the best security guarantee for Taiwan’s 23 million people,” she said.
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