Hsinchu Air Base Taiwan, 499th TFW

The Taiwan Air Force (RoCAF) is home to many major bases on it's West Coast, but the only fighter/interceptor base to fly the M-2000 is Hsinchu Air Base, 86km South West of Taipei City.

Formally a F-104 "Starfighter" base, Hsinchu is now home to the fleet of Dassault Mirage 2000-5Di/Ei, with 60 aircraft assigned over 3 Tactical Fighter Groups (TFG), the 41st, 42nd and 48th TFG's, these all operate in the 2nd (499th) Tactical Fighter Wing (TFG).

A pleasant but chilly morning was spent at Hsinchu AB, with first departures being a pair of F-16As, then followed by many groups of M-2000's departing and returning, finally before leaving the 2018 demo display jet flew, a very spirited display with lot's of high speed climbs and tight turns but a little far away to get any close up photographs. No photo's this time but great to sit back and enjoy the display. Upon the demo Mirage 2000 landing it was time to pack up the steps, photography gear and head further North to our next Air Base.

Author  Adrian Railton

Photography by Mark Forest & John Alexander