PLA Air Force's first air division innovates training concepts, tactics

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)'s first air division has been continuously making innovations in training concepts and methods, as well as tactics, carrying forward the military 's indestructible spirit of fighting and forging ahead bravely.

Monday marks the 75th founding anniversary of the PLAAF. Born in June 1950, the PLAAF's first air division had various outstanding military exploits, including the air force's first victory in air combat, the first close combat annihilation of the enemy, and the first night combat victory.

The brigade recently organized an air combat exercise, in which pilots took off in the new generation domestically-made stealth fighter jet, the J-20 fighter jets. For this exercise, both the red and blue forces improved their tactics. Commanders for air missions must respond to the situation and make flexible deployments according to the battlefield situation in order to achieve the final victory.

"I used to fly J-11B fighter jet, and I was only responsible for the tactics of my J-11B. But now, as an air mission commander, I have higher authority and greater responsibility, so I have to consider more complicated factors," said Hu Haoyu, an officer from the brigade.

As the PLAAF accelerates its progress towards a strategic air force, J-20 was put into service in 2021. The brigade was among the first batch of units equipped with the domestically-made stealth fighter jet, the J-20, and its officers and soldiers have been leading the stride forward on the path of building a strong armed force.

In the face of the opportunities and challenges brought by the new-generation fighter jets, the brigade has actively made changes in training concepts, training modes and combat thinking, to break through traditional tactics and innovate tactical warfare methods.

They have been exploring a new path for joint operations in systematic confrontations and actual combat training.

"We increasingly feel that we should not fight alone. It must be a combination of all services and arms. We should clench the five fingers into a fist and maximize its effectiveness," said Lu Quansheng, also from the brigade.

PLA Air Force's first air division innovates training concepts, tactics

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday described the military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran as a "violation of international law" and a "politically fatal error."

Speaking at an event marking the 75th anniversary of the re-establishment of the German Foreign Ministry, Steinmeier said the war was "avoidable and unnecessary" if the intended goal was to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Steinmeier said international law remains "a regulatory framework, a rule book, and a source of legitimacy" for both Germany and Europe. "This Europe would be lost in a world without law and rules, as the European Union itself is built on them," he noted.

Steinmeier pointed to a deep rift that has emerged in the transatlantic relationship since the beginning of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term, calling on Germany and its European partners to reduce "dependencies that make us vulnerable," specifically in the fields of security and technology.

"Achieving European sovereignty in defense and technology is a project that will take generations to complete," Steinmeier said, stressing that the magnitude of this task must no longer serve as an excuse for delay.

German president says US-Israeli strikes on Iran violate int'l law