Han Kuang Exercise: Hot Refueling Under Simulated Enemy Fire, 601st Aviation Brigade's Three Helicopter Types Return to Battlefield Within 15 Minutes

The Han Kuang 42 exercise entered its seventh day today (the 11th), advancing into the stage of phased resistance. The Army Aviation Special Operations Command's 601st Brigade conducted fuel replenishment drills in the Taoyuan area, deploying three types of helicopters—OH-58D scout helicopters, UH-60M Black Hawks, and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters—for hot refueling, completing all operations within 15 minutes.

During the 'Joint Defense Drill' in July, the 601st Brigade used the UH-60M Black Hawk to perform sling-load missions in Taoyuan. In this Han Kuang 42 exercise, the same UH-60M helicopters delivered fuel bladders via sling load. However, unlike in July, after deploying the fuel bladders, the Black Hawks immediately departed. Subsequently, OH-58D scout helicopters, UH-60M Black Hawks, and AH-64E Apaches arrived to conduct hot refueling drills, with Hellfire missiles mounted on both the UH-60M and AH-64E helicopters.

The exercise scenario now simulates the phase following enemy landings, involving staged resistance. The drill assumes that after dispersing and preserving combat power, helicopters conduct hot refueling during gaps in enemy fire and rapidly redeploy to the battlefield. Military officials explained that to maximize efficiency, refueling and arming occur simultaneously, with the entire process—from landing to refueling, rearming, and takeoff—completed within 15 minutes under standard procedures.

Each fuel bladder holds 400 gallons, sufficient to fully refuel three helicopters. Typically, temporary field refueling points prepare four bladders. Ground-based fuel replenishment teams manage command at these temporary sites, while pilots perform visual landings. The safety distance between helicopters is maintained at 30 meters.

According to on-site observations by Storm Media, the AH-64E Apaches, UH-60M Black Hawks, and OH-58D scout helicopters approached using terrain masking, avoiding standard wide approach patterns. This low-altitude, rapid ingress simulates wartime evasion of enemy radar and anti-aircraft fire, significantly testing pilots' flying skills.

Additional exclusive reports from Storm Media: · Han Kuang Exercise: Strengthening Protection of Critical Infrastructure, Cyber and Electronic Warfare Command Mobilizes Civilian Experts for Joint Defense · Han Kuang Exercise: Reserve Training Intensifies! Simulated Blockade of Enemy Airborne Troops Near Songshan Airport, Military Police Reserve Brigade Conducts Rooftop Shooting Drills · Han Kuang Exercise: Army Apache Helicopters Conduct Drills with Coast Guard, Validating Dispersed Deployment and Inter-Agency Coordination