The annual National Day celebrations are one of the highlights of the year in Taipei, with live performances, a parade, and military displays. This year’s celebrations won’t take place until Saturday, but Taipei residents were given a special preview show earlier this week.
On Thursday, people across Taipei heard the sound of helicopters—lots of them. Looking out from rattling windows, they could see seven Black Hawk helicopters flying in a tight formation. Alongside them were two Chinook transport helicopters, each with a giant national flag suspended beneath.
This show of patriotism was part of a preview performance held in the run up to this year’s National Day celebrations. Spectators in downtown Taipei too excited to wait for the real thing got a taste of what to expect. Highlights included a performance of traditional bayin music, a rifle-twirling routine courtesy of the honor guard at an elite high school, and of course, plenty of displays by military and police units.
Spectators also got to meet the “epidemic-prevention heroes”, a group of 100 medical professionals and others who have been instrumental in Taiwan’s successful fight against COVID-19.
Topping it all off were flyovers by Taiwan’s newest F-16V fighter jets and the air force’s Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team.
News Source：RTI
Editor：John Van Trieste
Source: RTI
