Han Kuang Embedded: Civilian Trucks Transport Tanks! On-Site Coverage of Military-Civil Integration – Flatbeds Enable Rapid Cross-Zone Reinforcement

The Han Kuang 42 exercise emphasizes realistic combat training. This year, for the first time, it adopted the U.S. military model by introducing an embedded journalist system, allowing civilian reporters to follow military units 24/7 and conduct strategic communication through media coverage.

Storm Media accompanied the Second Combat Zone for on-site reporting. The exercise has now entered Phase Three: the Joint Anti-Landing phase. Today (9th), the Second Combat Zone conducted its first cross-zone reinforcement using civilian flatbed trucks, rapidly deploying forces to northern regions.

Currently, Han Kuang 42 has advanced to the Joint Anti-Landing phase. During earlier readiness drills in June and July—Immediate Combat Readiness and Joint Defense Operations—the Second Combat Zone verified that all armored vehicles, tanks, and artillery could conduct cross-zone reinforcement via self-mobility. This year’s exercise marks the first validation of military-civil integration, testing whether civilian flatbed transport can project forces more rapidly to Yilan and Taipei.

Storm Media’s embedded coverage revealed multiple civilian flatbed trucks stationed within the base, with dozens of military vehicles—including M60A3 tanks, CM21 Armored Personnel Carriers, CM22, 120mm mortar carriers, CM23, 81mm mortar carriers, and CM26 command vehicles—preparing to board. The truck drivers are civilians, but after loading, they assist military personnel in securing the vehicles, achieving true military-civil integration.

Once loaded, the convoy moves at night under the protection of military police and combat zone escort units, delivering forces to Yilan for offloading, after which units proceed to their tactical positions.

The primary goal of this first-time test using civilian flatbeds is to enable faster troop deployment. Compared to self-mobility, this method reduces administrative wear and tear—such as track damage from prolonged high-speed travel—and flatbeds travel significantly faster than armored vehicles, ensuring rapid delivery of tanks to combat positions.