01: Entrance of CCK AFB, with a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter gate guard.
Ching Chuan Kang (CCK) Air Force Base (空軍清泉崗基地), located in Taichung, opened its doors to the public from 7.30am to 4pm on 12 August 2023, attracting over 100,000 visitors. This is the first open house event by the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) since the pandemic, with the previous held in Tainan Air Base in 2019 (our report here).
There were 36 hardware on static display this year. From ROCAF, there were two Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs), two F-16AM(V)s, two Mirage 2000-5s, two T-BE-5 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT), AT-3 and T-34 trainer jets, P-3C Anti-submarine aircraft, E-2K Airborne Early Warning aircraft, C-130 transport aircraft and UH-60M rescue helicopter. On display from Army Aviation were AH-64E and AH-1W attack helicopters, UH-60M utility helicopter, OH-58D light helicopter and a wide array of ground-based air defence equipment. Notably, this was the first time the T-BE-5 “Brave Eagle” AJTs were revealed to the public in an open house.
At Hangar 2, three IDFs with different loadouts were showcased, as well as the “Sharp Kite” and Cardinal III UAVs. The F-5E/F Tiger II, which was scheduled for retirement and replacement by the AJTs this year, was neither part of the static nor flying display.
Five IDFs from the resident unit, 3rd Tactical Fighter Group, took off at 8.20am for the opening ceremony. This was followed by the Thunder Tigers Aerobatics Team (空軍雷虎特技小組) aerial display at 9.20am. The Thunder Tigers Aerobatics Team consists of seven AT-3 advanced trainers which was a routine crowd favorite. The IDF then performed a single demonstration after the Thunder Tigers touched down at 10am.
The Mirage 2000-5Ei and F-16V performed single demonstrations each lasting about 15 minutes from 11.10am. All ten jets returned to the apron after the performance, aircrew being greeted by the crowd with waves, loud cheers and request for photos. Subsequently, five T-BE-5 “Brave Eagles” performed a formation fly-past over show center.
Beyond the aerial and static displays, visitors were also treated to performances on the ground, the program being identical in the morning and afternoon. The Tri-Service Honour Guards performed military precision drills with accompanying music by the Air Force band. This was followed by a combined school street dance then the Honor Guard display by Ming Dao High School. Tents were also set up with booths for military recruitment, food, beverages and the sale of souvenirs, complementing the carnival atmosphere.
At 2.05pm and 2.30pm, five Mirage 2000-5s and five F-16AM/BMs flew over the show center respectively. The event concluded with a four-ship IDF formation performing a high pitch break landing sequence, in appreciation of the visitors’ support for the event.
Below, we bring to you the highlights of the open house and the complete collection of military hardware from both flying and static displays.
AIDC F-CK-1 IDF – Opening Ceremony
02: F-CK-1D, dual seater version of the IDF taxiing to the runway.03: F-CK-1C, single seater version of the IDF taxiing to the runway.04: 2-ship takeoff.
05: 5-ship fly past as part of the opening ceremony.
Thunder Tigers Aerobatics Team
06: The Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team (空軍雷虎特技小組) was established in 1953.
07: The team currently uses 7x AIDC AT-3B “自強 (Tzu-Chung)” jet trainers for their display.08: A “dirty” pass in arrow formation.08: Leaving colorful smoke trails as they break-off from a vertical loop.
AIDC F-CK-1C IDF – Solo Demonstration
09: The Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) is also given the name “經國 (Ching-Kuo)”.10: Headed into the vertical after taking off.11: Pulling Gs while demonstrating a minimum radius turn.12: High speed transonic pass.13: Pilots from the IDF Solo Demo posing for photos.14: Excellent teamwork between aircrew and ground crew of the IDF Solo Demo.
Mirage 2000-5Ei – Solo Demonstration
15: Thumbs up from the pilot of the Mirage Demo.16: ROCAF acquired 60 Mirage aircraft in 1993, these aircraft are known for their high maneuverability. 17: The distinctive delta wing of the Mirage is showcased during the high alpha pass.
F-16V – Solo Demonstration
18: The F-16V emerges from the hanger.19: ROCAF has converted its fleet of 141 F-16AM/BM to F-16V, and is seeking to acquire 66 more.20: An added touch from the pilot, a wave from the cockpit, during the high speed pass.21: The clean topside of the F-16V.22: Punching through the clouds with full afterburner.23: Entire lineup of aircraft that took part in aerial demonstrations.
Formation Fly Pasts
24: 5-ship formation of AIDC T-BE-5 “勇鷹 (Brave Eagle)” jet trainers.25: 5-ship formation of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets.26: 5-ship formation of F-16AM/BM fighter jets.
Hanger 2 Static Display
27: Decorated entrance of Hanger 2, welcoming visitors to the aviation carnival.28: F-CK-1C mounted with MK-82 and AIM-9, together with other compatible weapons laid out.29: F-CK-1D in Combat Air Patrol (CAP) configuration.30: F-CK-1C in Combat Air Patrol (CAP) configuration.31: “Sharp Kite” UAV.32: Cardinal III, a smaller family of UAV capable of being launched by hand.
Outdoor Static Display and Activities
33: AIDC AT-3 Tzu-Chung, flanked by a similar miniature model in the foreground.34: The flight and ground crew of the AT-3 pose for a photo with their jet.35: Beechcraft B-1900C turboprop transport aircraft.36: Beechcraft T-34C Turbo Mentor trainer aircraft.37: Instructor Pilot of the T-34C.38: AIDC T-5 Brave Eagle, shown to the public in an open house for the first time.39: AIDC F-CK-1C Ching-Kuo, decked out in 1TFW high visibility colors.40: AIDC F-CK-1D Ching-Kuo, armed with Wan-Chien air-to-ground cruise missile.41: Dassault Mirage 2000-5Di, with tail-art commemorating 20 years of operation in ROCAF. 42: Dassault Mirage 2000-Ei.43: Lockheed Martin F-16AM(V).44: Lockheed Martin F-16AM(V).45: A closer look at the flashy tails of the aircraft on static display.46: Northrop Grumman E-2K Hawkeye.47: Lockheed P-3C Orion.48: Lockheed C-130H Hercules.49: An aircrew in the C-130H greets spectators as they taxi out of the tarmac. 50: Bell AH-1W Super Cobra.51: The AH-1W and her aircrew are from the Army 602 1st Attack Group.52: Boeing AH-64E Apache.53: Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.54: Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk, in utility configuration.55: Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk, in SAR configuration.56: CM-11 Brave Tiger Main Battle Tank.57: M60A3 Main Battle Tank.58: CM-32 Clouded Leopard Infantry Fighting Vehicle.59: Thunderbolt-2000 Artillery Multiple Launch Rocket System.60: MIM-104F (PAC-3) Patriot missile launcher.61: Sky Bow III (Tien-Kung III) surface-to-air missile system.62: Ground-Based Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missile launcher.63: Ground-Based Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile launcher.64: Oerlikon 35mm twin cannon towed anti-aircraft gun.65: Oerlikon Skyguard Sky Sentinel Fire Control Radar, used in tandem with the 35mm cannon.66: ROCA operators of the Skyguard Sky Sentinel FCR.67: M56 Coyote Smoke Generation Vehicle.68: AN/TWQ-1 Avenger Air Defense System.69: Military precision drills by the Tri-Service Honour Guards.70: Honour Guards from Ming Dao High School.71: A young spectator decked out in flight suit and cap from the open house.72: Various tentages selling souvenirs, food and drinks.73: Concluding the CCK Open House 2023 and we look forward to the next one.
