"Kunpeng" sent me to military school
2024-08-08
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Flight trainees line up to board the plane. Photo by Wang Ruijie
On the morning of August 2, two "Kunpeng" aircraft were parked at an air force southwest airport, quietly waiting for their "new comrades". Looking through the window of the "Kunpeng" aircraft to the terminal hall, the slogan "2024 Newly Admitted Pilots Farewell Ceremony" printed on the rostrum was particularly eye-catching.
The venue was surrounded by red carpets, and 36 flags with recruitment slogans fluttered in the wind on both sides of the rostrum. In the center of the venue, new pilots, wearing blue flight suits, with "Flying into a New Era" ribbons on their shoulders and big red flowers on their chests, sat upright in their seats. There were also many relatives of flight trainees on both sides of the venue, rushing to see their children off to join the blue sky formation.
In order to enhance the sense of honor of the new flight trainees, on August 1 and 2, the Air Force dispatched Y-20 aircraft to transport the new flight trainees to the Air Force Aviation University in Changchun for the third year, and set up six boarding points in Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Jinan, Nanjing, Changsha and Chengdu. On the morning of August 2, two "Kunpeng" aircraft picked up new flight trainees from western provinces at the Chengdu boarding point and flew them to the Air Force Aviation University.
A recruitment promotional video was played continuously on the LED screen on site. The flight trainees looked forward to the future and ignited their fighting spirit in the mission training scenes. The flight crew members took to the stage to share their growth experiences, learning experiences, and flight stories... The flight trainees in the audience listened attentively and raised their hands to ask questions from time to time. During the interactive communication, the crew members and the flight trainees completed the "First Lesson in the Blue Sky" together.
"It's like seeing myself back then! Seeing their youth and energy, I can imagine them fearless of difficulties and moving forward courageously!" pilot Wang Yanran exclaimed.
"I have had a military dream since I was a child. Three years ago, I passed the Air Force's recruitment selection and was admitted to the Youth Aviation School. Listening to their exchanges, my desire to become a pilot has become stronger. Next, I must study harder and, like them, fly a warplane to guard the motherland's airspace!" said Wu Junjie, a graduate of the Aviation Experimental Class who was watching the ceremony.
At the ceremony, flight student Liu Le solemnly swore on behalf of all the students: "Let us march towards our blue sky dream and the glory of the people with heroic enthusiasm and fearless courage. We will live up to everyone's expectations..."
Afterwards, to the stirring "Air Force March", the cadets marched in unison through the "Gate of Dreams" printed with the slogan "Fly for the Party, Chase Dreams" to board the plane, and the slogan "Youth has a bright future, and I will make the country strong" they shouted echoed over the airport.
"Train well in the army, don't worry about me! Being able to fly well is what I want most!" The mother of flight student Chen Jianxiong waved goodbye to her son. Chen Jianxiong was the top scorer in the college entrance examination among the flight students admitted by the Air Force in Chengdu. He was raised by his mother alone. Before the child boarded the plane, his mother repeatedly told her son to train hard and work hard to grow into an excellent Air Force pilot.
The Western Theater Air Force Aviation Regiment, which is responsible for the flight mission, has carried out many major exercises and training missions at home and abroad and is an important force of the Air Force. This is also the third consecutive year that they have carried out the task of transporting new flight trainees to the Air Force Aviation University.
During this mission, they made a lot of careful designs: adding floors, televisions and seats to the cabin, hanging a sign saying "Welcome to the People's Air Force" in the tail cabin, and distributing postcards with the words "Soaring to 90,000 miles" to each flight trainee, striving to let the trainees feel the care and warmth of the army from these details.
At around 9:30, amid a deafening roar, the "Kunpeng" took off from the airport one after another, and this group of new flight trainees officially embarked on the first leg of their military journey.
"Dear comrades, welcome to join the People's Air Force! Congratulations on overcoming all obstacles and becoming the chosen ones among thousands. The sky is where heroes grow, and flying is a glorious career..." After the Y-20 took off, the captain's affectionate message inspired every flight trainee in the cabin.
"Dear comrades, I am a new friend who will follow you to the Air Force Aviation University. I am very happy to participate in your first military journey..." As the plane climbed steadily, the political cadre on board began to tell everyone about the development history and relevant knowledge of the Air Force, and played short films such as "More Than Courage" and "Expectations".
"I have longed for the blue sky since I was a child. After watching the video, I feel more and more that my choice is correct. As a young person of the new era, I should contribute to national defense and military construction. I will work harder and strive to become an excellent air force pilot as soon as possible." said flight student Yan Yifan.
During the flight, under the guidance of the aircraft political cadres, the young flight trainees shared their original intentions of joining the army. "I like this military uniform very much. I will study hard, fly well, and be a good role model for my brothers and sisters!" Tibetan flight trainee Danzeng Deler said that he is the pride of his whole family as an air force pilot. In his future studies, he will not be afraid of hardships and strive to grow into a "Tibetan eagle."
It is reported that in 2024, the enthusiasm of young people of appropriate age across the country to apply for the Air Force recruitment has increased. All 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) have achieved flight operations, the distribution of students has become more balanced, and their academic scores have steadily increased. 46% of the candidates ranked in the top 10% in the college entrance examination in each province, and 18% ranked in the top 5%. The proportion of those with scores above 600 increased by 4% over last year.
During the nearly 4-hour flight, the flight trainees from various provinces gradually became familiar with each other. In the future, they will become each other's wingmen and fight hand in hand in the air.
"Look, the Air Force Aviation University is right below!" a flight trainee shouted. The trainees in the cabin looked out of the cabin one after another. As the plane landed lightly and slid to the designated location and slowly came to a steady stop, the captain's message came over the radio: "Comrades, we have successfully arrived at the Air Force Aviation University. When you were young, you lived up to your youth. I hope you will be firm in your ideals, fear no difficulties, continue your glory, move forward courageously, become us soon, surpass us, and use your outstanding youth to paint a magnificent path in your life!"
At the rear of the cabin, under the slogan "Welcome to the People's Air Force", the rear cabin door slowly opened. The young cadets lined up neatly and walked towards the military academy of their dreams, enthusiastically welcoming the arrival of their combat career. Watching the flight cadets leave, the crew members once again sent sincere blessings to the cadets with a military salute.
Liu Shu, Li Chao, Gao Siyuan, China Youth Daily and China Youth Network reporter Gong Ayuan
(Source: China Youth Daily)
