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Xinjiang Military Command conducts flight training in harsh winter conditions

China

China

China

Xinjiang Military Command conducts flight training in harsh winter conditions

2025-03-18 22:28 Last Updated At:23:07

A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Xinjiang Military Command brigade recently carried out high-difficulty flight training tailored to the seasonal weather conditions to explore tactical methods and refine pilots' combat skills in complex environments.

The training aims to enhance the troops' ability to operate in all weather conditions and improve their overall combat readiness.

Several helicopters hovered in sequence for inspection at an airport located on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The pilots skillfully operated the controls. As the rotor blades whipped up snow, the aircraft ascended one after another, heading toward their designated target airspace.

"In snowy weather, with ground references becoming unclear, pilots must maintain a high concentration level and precise control. Particularly during formation flying, where visibility is obstructed, maintaining the formation becomes more challenging and requires seamless coordination and precise communication among the crew members," said Jie Yongxiang, an officer with the brigade.

The training was further complicated by snowfall, which caused turbulence in the air. Helicopters experienced noticeable bumps, and pilots kept their eyes fixed on the instrument data, constantly adjusting their flight posture.

With real-time weather reports from the ground, they completed a series of tactical maneuvers, including low-altitude penetration, simulated attacks, and formation flying.

"On the battlefield, we can encounter various harsh weather conditions at any time, especially the slippery runways and reduced visibility caused by snow, which are real factors affecting combat operations. Therefore, only by actively adapting to and overcoming these challenges in daily training can we ensure that our troops can operate in all weather conditions during wartime," said Officer Qiao Qingyue.

After completing the flight, the crews worked closely together, following instructions through communication channels, and landed one by one through the snowstorm.

The training was smooth and efficient, from pre-flight preparations and executing aerial tactical maneuvers to post-landing support coordination. It effectively tested the pilots' technical skills and equipment performance throughout the entire process.

This training reflected the brigade's commitment to preparing for all-weather operations, ensuring its personnel can maintain combat effectiveness even under challenging environmental conditions.

Xinjiang Military Command conducts flight training in harsh winter conditions

Xinjiang Military Command conducts flight training in harsh winter conditions

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Hailstorms hit multiple districts of Beijing

2025-05-14 14:58 Last Updated At:15:07

Severe convective weather hit Beijing on Tuesday evening, resulting in thunderstorms, hailstorms and strong winds in multiple districts of the capital city.

The harsh weather started around 20:20 local time, moving from northwest to southeast across the capital and ending after the midnight.

Fangshan District was hit by hailstones as large as palm-sized, while Haidian district experienced thunderstorms accompanied by hail.

The hail weather in Shijingshan District lasted about 10 minutes. A section of the released video shot by a resident near Shougang Exhibition Center showed that hailstones, about the size of a table tennis ball, pouring down, smashing onto roads with a loud crackling sound.

A senior engineer at Beijing Fire Brigade said by Tuesday night they had not received any emergency call for rescue or help because of the hail and rain.

Earlier the same day, the Beijing Meteorological Service issued a yellow hail warning, a yellow thunderstorm warning and a blue wind warning, and advised the public to take shelter from hail.

Hailstorms hit multiple districts of Beijing

Hailstorms hit multiple districts of Beijing

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