By Hu Xiaoyu, Wang Guanbo
At 7:30 a.m. one April day on an air force base of the Chengdu Military Area Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), engines roared on two runways. To the east, cargo aircraft were taking off; to the west, helicopters were coming and going. This was the PLA Air Force's first two-runway airport.
On Nov. 29, 2012, the PLA Air Force held its first IT-based logistics support maneuver at this base. Over five hours, 85 aircraft, including fighters, bombers, air freighters and early warning aircraft, from nine other bases flew a total of 229 sorties, about one every minute. It signaled a new phase of the air force operation support model.
High-density operations
"We are exploring new models of logistics support bases by having two runways that can handle high density operations day and night," said Zhang Hong, head of the base when it began operating two runways in October 2012.
Before 2005, the base had been an alternate airport for helicopters. Once it started to serve as a division of the air force, it was able to handle two air regiments with its single runway. It is now ready for nationwide deployment and regional response.
Zhang spent three days and nights drafting the plan and sent it to all sectors of the base before they analyzed and tested it.
“The new management model provides the theoretical and practical basis for the air force in building a comprehensive logistics base,” he said.
However, he was still apprehensive after an aircraft almost landed on a ground vehicle on one runway.
“We should practice more to improve procedures and ensure a seamless and effective daily logistics chain.”
As well as providing meals for the air crews, the base provides the main aviation fuels and 37 kinds of aviation oil. Other facilities include the sanitation works.
They have drafted more than 10 procedures manuals to cover areas such as logistics and emergencies involving different types of aircraft.
A full-time team works on keeping birds away from the base.
“We specify the functions of each position and operational motions, so everyone is clear about what they should do,” said Wan Shu, director of the base perimeter grounds.
Practical test On April 21, 2013, the second day after a 7-magnitude Lushan earthquake in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, two air freighters took off from the eastern runway to the quake zone, while a survey aircraft landed on the western runway. An aircraft carrying a medical team took off shortly after. A three-level command system – in the quake rescue headquarters, a runway command post and the control tower – enabled a quick and effective emergency response. “As the closest air force base, we were at the forefront of disaster relief. It was an important practical test,” said the base’s Political Commissar Yin Guijun. He has a map showing designated areas for each type of aircraft, where they can rapidly refuel and prepare to fly out again. They can also organize air drops. Parking bays, loading and unloading areas and waiting areas are clearly marked to support operations around the clock. “Every operation was coordinated and if one aircraft was out of order, the whole relief mission could have been held up,” said Regiment Commander Kong Chaohui. On the second day of the relief mission, an executive jet and six helicopters returning from the quake zone were due to land on the western runway simultaneously. The control tower commander quickly adjusted the landing circuit of the helicopters and ensured the relief mission continued smoothly. The base had never previously catered for non-military aircraft, so personnel drafted support procedures for such a contingency in future. Three months later, the base participated in a joint air-ground exercise. All fighters took off with weapons mounted. Personnel were trained in the storage, transport and loading of ammunition. After the drill, it hosted the 37th Skydiving Championship of the Conseil International du Sport Militarie. Last year, the base was honored as an advance unit of the PLA Air Force. It has also been graded for three consecutive years as a first-level unit for air force training.
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