Taiwan Exercises

Strike from the Clouds! An Aviation Brigade of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force Conducts Aerial Combat Adversarial Training

凌云出击！东部战区空军航空兵某旅开展空战对抗训练

PLA Daily (解放军报) 26 July 2026

Summary

An aviation brigade of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force conducted cross-day-and-night aerial combat adversarial training, featuring multi-aircraft intercept-and-pincer tactics with immediate post-sortie after-action review (复盘) in which pilots analyzed flight-parameter playback down to two-second cut-in timing errors. The article documents the brigade's integration of real-time data debriefs into the training cycle — a practice the PLA has emphasized as a corrective to rote, scripted exercises — though the specific aircraft type, location, and exercise scale are not identified. The framing centers on tactical self-critique rather than political messaging, placing this closer to a readiness-building report than a deterrence-oriented media product.

Translation

War Eagles Roar, Striking from the Clouds — Images from Aerial Combat Adversarial Training of an Aviation Brigade of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force

■ Photography report by Zhu Yunlong and Yan Haoyu

Engines thunder as fighter jets pierce through the cloud layer, their exhaust nozzles trailing swirling vortices in the dusk. On a summer evening, a cross-day-and-night flight training exercise of an aviation brigade of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force opens its battle curtain.

"Maintain alert — intercept in echelon!" The lead pilot's order is short and forceful. He immediately maneuvers the aircraft into a steep-bank turn, cutting toward the incoming flight path of the "enemy" aircraft. After determining the enemy's infiltration intent, the lead aircraft immediately seizes an advantageous position, firmly holds the tactical situation, and establishes the first interception line. The wingman, in seamless coordination, opens up the interval and provides cover from the rear flank like a shadow. Faced with a multi-aircraft pincer attack, the first wave of "enemy" aircraft is forced back, and their tracks disappear from the radar.

The first round of adversarial engagement ends. The participating aircraft return to base, and the pilots stride quickly into the debrief room the moment they step off the aircraft. On the large screen, flight parameters and real-time footage are played back frame by frame. The lead pilot presses pause, points to a track point, and says with undisguised regret: "In this round of engagement, if the cut-in timing had been two seconds earlier, the interception effect would have been better." How to make two-ship coordination more seamless, how to seize the moment of attack more precisely — in the after-action review (复盘), every detail is placed under a "magnifying glass" for repeated deduction, continuously refining offensive and defensive plans.

On the apron, maintenance personnel lean in close to the aircraft, carefully inspecting pipelines, probing component temperatures, and completing pre-flight preparations for the next round.

Formation flight (video screenshot).

Pilots conduct tactical discussion.

Parachute recovery personnel retrieve drag chutes.

Pre-flight aircraft inspection before night flying.

As night falls, navigation lights flicker one by one in the darkness. With the issuance of the control tower's orders, multiple fighter jets lift off again in succession, merging into the star-studded canopy of the sky. Above the clouds, a new round of aerial combat adversarial engagement immediately commences.

Original Chinese

战鹰呼啸凌云出击 ——东部战区空军航空兵某旅空战对抗训练影像 ■朱云龙严浩誉摄影报道引擎轰鸣，战机冲破云层，尾喷口气流在暮色中留下道道涡纹。夏日傍晚，东部战区空军航空兵某旅一场跨昼夜飞行训练拉开战幕。 “保持警戒，梯次拦截！”长机飞行员口令短促有力，随即操纵战机大坡度转弯，切向“敌”机来袭航线。判明其渗透企图后，长机立刻抢占有利阵位，牢牢掌握态势，构建起第一道拦截线。僚机默契拉开间隔，如影随形在侧后方掩护。面对多机夹击，首批“敌”机被逼退，航迹从雷达上消失。首轮对抗结束，参训战机返航，飞行员一下飞机便快步走入讲评室。大屏幕上，飞行参数和实时录像逐帧回放。长机飞行员按下暂停键，指着一个航迹点不无遗憾地说：“这个回合对抗，若切入时机再早两秒，拦截效果会更好。”双机协同如何更默契、进攻时机如何抓得更准……复盘中，每一个细节都被置于“放大镜”下反复推演，不断优化攻防方案。停机坪上，机务官兵俯身贴近战机，仔细检查管路，探测部件温度，做好新一轮飞行前准备工作。空中编队飞行（视频截图）。飞行员进行战术研讨。保伞员回收阻力伞。夜间飞行前检查战机。夜幕降临，盏盏航灯在夜色中闪烁。随着塔台指令下达，多架战机再次接续升空，融入星辰点缀的天幕。云端之上，新一轮空战对抗随即打响。