Han Kuang Exercise: No Highways! Marine 99th Brigade Conducts Long-Range Ground Maneuver from Kaohsiung to Greater Taipei to Validate Cross-Zone Reinforcement

Taiwan's annual major military exercise, Han Kuang 42, commenced yesterday with the first day focused on validating the feasibility of cross-zone reinforcement plans across operational theaters. Notably, the Marine 99th Brigade conducted long-range ground maneuvers in addition to aerial mobility, traveling entirely via surface roads from Kaohsiung to the Greater Taipei area to test cross-region reinforcement capabilities in the event that major highways are destroyed during wartime.

The first day of the Han Kuang 42 live drill tested the ability of each operational zone to execute cross-zone reinforcement missions. Reinforcement forces from the Fourth Operational Zone were transported via CH-47SD transport helicopters and UH-60M utility helicopters to designated areas, validating inter-theater troop deployment and rapid deployment capabilities. After landing, the forces quickly disembarked with their weapons and equipment, assembled, and under the guidance of ground liaison units, transferred to tactical vehicles to move to assigned positions—completing the full cycle of aerial insertion, ground transfer, and tactical deployment.

Notably, reinforcement troops from the 99th Marine Brigade also arrived via CH-47SD transport helicopters to strengthen overall defensive capabilities. According to Storm Media's observation yesterday, around 3:00 PM, the CH-47SD landed at Songshan Airport, and personnel immediately relocated to their designated positions.

The 99th Marine Brigade conducted aerial cross-zone reinforcement using CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters. (Photo provided by reader)

In addition to aerial mobility, the 99th Marine Brigade also adopted a long-range ground maneuver strategy, traveling from Kaohsiung to northern Taiwan without using national highways, relying solely on surface roads. This tested the feasibility of cross-zone reinforcement via alternative routes in the event that primary transportation arteries are destroyed during conflict.

Storm Media observed that between midnight and 1:00 AM on June 6, the 99th Brigade’s cross-zone reinforcement forces had already entered the Greater Taipei area and began setting up command posts. Vehicles involved included multiple medium tactical wheeled vehicles, Humvees, and mobile communication units. It was also reported that troops from the 99th Brigade who arrived in Taipei earlier that morning via aerial mobility would rendezvous with the ground-maneuvering units and subsequently carry out a series of joint missions.

More exclusive reports from Storm Media: · Han Kuang Exercise: Lai Qingde Participates in Drill for the First Time, Convoy Rushes to Ministry of Defense! U.S. Military Also Observes · Han Kuang Exercise: Marines Deploy 'Chinook Helicopters' for Northern Cross-Zone Reinforcement! Rarely Seen Alongside President Lai's Special Aircraft · Han Kuang Exercise: Hualien Defense Command Uses Civilian Cranes for Obstacle Deployment in Civil-Military Integration; Penghu Defense Command Simulates Power Plant Attack and Deploys Protection Units