Exercises

Iron Wings Spinning: An Armed Helicopter Search-and-Rescue Training Exercise Gets Underway

铁翼飞旋，一场武装直升机搜救训练正在展开

PLA Daily (解放军报) 9 May 2026

Summary

PLA helicopter units at an airfield in northeast China conducted a combined search-and-rescue and fire support exercise, designated 'desert search-and-rescue plus fire support' (荒漠搜救+火力支援复合课目), incorporating both daytime and nighttime scenarios at ultra-low altitude over desert terrain. The exercise tests the integration of armed helicopter fire cover with personnel recovery operations under simulated combat conditions, reflecting a continued PLA emphasis on composite training subjects that link maneuver, fires, and sustainment functions within a single exercise iteration. The article is routine in character and contains no named units or officials, limiting its analytic value beyond confirming ongoing combined-arms helicopter training activity in a northeast China garrison.

Translation

At an airfield in northeast China, combat aircraft stand arrayed in formation, iron wings spinning, the roar of engines deafening. Several armed helicopters lift off in sequence and head toward an unfamiliar area of operations, as a search-and-rescue training exercise closely aligned with actual combat gets underway.

The formation completes a hover check before departing. (Photo by Yang Pan)

The helicopters depart and rapidly descend to conduct ultra-low-altitude flight. Pilots quickly plot their routes based on the direction of survival signals from "distressed" personnel and advance to begin the search.

The helicopter formation flies toward the search-and-rescue airspace. (Photo by Yang Pan)

After detecting the signals from "distressed" personnel, the aircraft formation disperses and each aircraft rapidly moves to its assigned position.

The helicopter tasked with the rescue mission descends to approach the target; after the rescue personnel confirm the identity of the individual, they rapidly execute the rescue. The helicopter tasked with fire support, guided by the covering aircraft, detects enemy personnel on the ground, locks onto the target, and launches an attack.

Above a vast desert, the aircraft formation flies toward the target at ultra-low altitude. (Photo by Yang Pan)

This training exercise closely reflects a real combat backdrop, distinguishing between daytime and nighttime scenarios and incorporating the composite subject of "desert search-and-rescue plus fire support" (荒漠搜救+火力支援复合课目). Rescue missions are conducted under the fire cover of armed helicopters, comprehensively testing search-and-rescue capabilities in complex environments.

Helicopters carry out strikes against ground targets. (Photo by Yang Pan)

As night falls, helicopters lift off to conduct nighttime search-and-rescue training. (Photo by Yang Pan)

Nighttime training complete, the aircraft return safely to base. (Photo by Yang Pan)

Authors: Yang Pan, Yang Zhengjun, Zou Yuxi

Original Chinese

东北某机场战鹰列阵，铁翼飞旋，轰鸣声震耳欲聋，数架武装直升机依次升空，奔赴某陌生地域，一场紧贴实战的搜救训练正在展开。编队完成悬停检查后出航。杨盼摄直升机出航，迅速贴地实施超低空飞行，飞行员根据“遇险”人员救生信号方向，迅速规划航线，前出展开搜索。直升机编队飞向搜救空域。杨盼摄发现“遇险”人员信号后，战机编队解散，迅速飞向各自阵位。担负救援任务的直升机下降高度靠近目标，救生员确认人员身份信息后迅速展开救援；担负火力支援任务的直升机在警戒机的引导下，发现地面“敌”有生力量，锁定目标并发起攻击。茫茫荒漠之上，战机编队超低空飞向目标。杨盼摄此次训练紧贴实战背景，区分昼夜间场景，融入“荒漠搜救+火力支援”复合课目，在武装直升机的火力掩护下实施救援任务，全面检验复杂环境下搜救能力。直升机对地面目标展开打击。杨盼摄夜幕降临，直升机升空展开夜间搜救训练。杨盼摄完成夜间训练，战机安全返航。杨盼摄作者：杨盼杨政军邹於希