The Training Squadron of 2024 visited Kaohsiung Port on March 9 and 10, Hualien Port on March 12 and 13, Su’ao Port on March 14 and 15, and Keelung Port on March 16 and 17, and will visit Magong Port on March 19 and 20, Taichung Port on March 22 and 23, Anping Port on March 24 and 25. And then set off to visit ROC’s Pacific islands diplomatic allies next month.
Three warships, including the Kang Ding-class frigate (based on French La Fayette-class), Dihua (PFG-1206，迪化), a Cheng Kung-class frigate (based on US Oliver Hazard Perry-class), Cheng Kung (PFG-1101，成功) and a Panshih-class fast combat support ship, Panshih (AOE-532，磐石) were assigned to the Training Squadron of 2024.
Parts of the three ships, such as fore decks, aft decks, helicopter hangars and flight decks, and bridges, were opened to the public to take a close look at the weapon systems and other equipment. An S-70C ASW helicopter was also showcased on the flight deck of the Cheng Kung-class frigate.
Because the Training Squadron will visit Taiwan’s Pacific island diplomatic allies later, an exhibition about Taiwan’s navy, defence policy, history of the Training Squadron, achievement of developing indigenous weapon systems, Taiwan’s culture, and high-tech industrial products is also available in Panshih’s exhibition hall, with explanations written in both Taiwanese Mandarin and English.
On the land part of the naval base, there were shows performed by the Naval Academy cadets’ band, Marine Corps Honor Guards, and martial arts demonstration team. Other naval major commands and ROC armed forces recruiting offices provided games and quizzes for the visitors, to collect stamps then get free souvenirs after completing the games and quizzes.
About the Midshipmen Cruising and Training Squadron (MCTS)
According to the information provided by the Taiwanese navy, the Chief of the Philippine Navy, Commodore Francisco, led a squadron to visit Taiwan in May 1953. Then the ROC Navy requested permission from the defence ministry to dispatch a squadron for a return visit later, and this became the first record of “goodwill cruising (敦睦遠航)”.
The Midshipmen Cruising and Training Squadron (MCTS) became an annual routine in 1967. MCTS provides training opportunities to the graduating officer cadets of the naval academy and has built up a solid training foundation for the ROC Navy, and because of the harsh diplomatic situation of ROC, the foreign ports that MCTS can visit have been extremely limited.
