‘ACTUAL PARTICIPATION’:Taiwanese observers will participate in parts of the anti-submarine exercise, such as boarding US helicopters engaged in drills, an official said

Taipei Times
Date: Sep 11, 2017
By: Lo Tien-pin and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Taiwanese military observers will participate in a US Navy marine patrol exercise in March next year with unprecedented levels of access, a military official said yesterday, calling it “actual participation.”

The US military has previously only permitted observers to see the details of its anti-submarine tactics and technology during the exercise, the official said on condition of anonymity.

“Instead of spectating on the sidelines, observers will actually participate in parts of the anti-submarine exercise. For example, they are authorized to be present on US Navy helicopters that are actively engaged in anti-submarine drills,” the official said.

Taiwanese officers would observe how the US trains anti-submarine specialists and its operational procedures, the official added.    [FULL  STORY]