Recently an aviation regiment of the air force of the Guangzhou Military Area Command successfully completed its missions in an actual troops exercise with its newly acquired fighters, indicating that its new fighters has generated combat power six months earlier than expected. Political Commissar Zhao Jianting told the reporter that this was the result of their constant efforts to improve the scientific and technological quality of the officers and men.

　　A year ago, the regiment was equipped with new type of fighters. In light of this situation, the regiment Party committee adopted a series of measures to improve the scientific and technological quality of its officers and men. For example, the regiment sent over 50 persons to the manufacturing factories and the related institutions to learn the latest aviation knowledge, invited famous experts and professors to give lectures on new armaments and new weapons. In addition, the regiment also organized its officers and men to study new knowledge pertaining to their own jobs. Every month the regiment would organize academic discussions and contests centering on how to improve combat power of the troops. Thanks to these measures, the professional quality of the officers and men had been greatly boosted, and the regiment cultivated a group of technological backbones and professional master hands. Besides the regiment also earmarked a special fund to reward those who had made outstanding achievements at their posts.

　　With acquirement of new equipment, the regiment also guided the officers and men to tackle key technical problems during their study and entrusted them with important missions during the exercises and during trans-regional ferry flight. In a mission to receive new planes, the regiment inspected and received 12 planes in a matter of 13 days, setting a new record in receiving so many fighter planes in such a short period of time with so few crewmembers.

　　By Lin Fei and Tan Jie

　　(December 22, PLA Daily)