On the morning of 11 July, at Hualien Air Base, Taiwan’s Armed Forces carried out a “hot refuelling” operation — a technique involving the refuelling of aircraft while their engines remain running — on F-16 fighter jets from the 5th Tactical Fighter Wing.
The activity formed part of the Han Guang-41 military exercise, aimed at testing the readiness and endurance of Taiwan’s defence forces in realistic combat scenarios.
During the operation, mechanics and pilots worked in perfect coordination, simulating real wartime conditions. Shortly after refuelling, the jets took off again to carry out additional missions, showcasing the Taiwanese Air Force’s ability to sustain continuous air operations even under pressure or imminent threat.
Source and images: 國防部 Ministry of National Defence, ROC (Taiwan) | X @MoNDefense
