Published: 8:00pm, 5 Dec 2024Updated: 12:08am, 6 Dec 2024
US personnel have been spotted training an elite coastguard squad in southern Taiwan, as the two sides step up cooperation to counter mounting pressure on the island from mainland China.
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United Daily News (UDN) reported on Wednesday that US personnel helped the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration’s Special Task Unit (STU) simulate a boarding exercise off the port city of Kaohsiung.
The report was based on sightings and information from military enthusiasts, with one photo showing three US personnel aboard a large assault boat alongside members of the STU, a paramilitary special police unit.
The STU was set up in 2005 and is responsible for high-risk operations such as counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling, and air-sea rescue missions.
According to witnesses, the US personnel were seen aboard the STU’s active-duty M109 assault boat; a newly developed, larger assault speedboat; and the M96 speedboat used by Taiwan’s Navy Marine Corps Special Service Company.
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They were seen training the STU and the Marine Corps company separately over two consecutive days.
It quoted the Coast Guard Administration as saying the activities were part of the STU’s “routine specialised training”, but the administration did not confirm or deny US personnel were involved.