Source: PLA News and Communication Center Rong Media
Tonganu Ku'alofa, 28 Jan (Xinhua) -- After a long-distance flight of more than 10,000 kilometers, an air transport squadron composed of two Y-20 aircraft of the Chinese Air Force to Tonga to carry out the task of transporting disaster relief materials arrived at its destination at 6:35 Beijing time on January 28 - Nuku'alofa International Airport, the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga.
On January 28, staff at Nuku'alofa Airport in Tonga's capital unloaded aid from Chinese Y-20 aircraft. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Zengyi
At the airport, the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Tang And some overseas Chinese pulled up the banner "Welcome the Chinese Government's Disaster Relief Materials to The Soup," danced the five-star red flag in their hands, and sang "Singing the Motherland" to welcome the arrival of our air transport formation.
After the volcanic eruption in Tonga caused a serious disaster, at the request of the Kingdom of Tonga for relief from the volcanic disaster, the Chinese army dispatched two Y-20 aircraft to Tonga to deliver emergency and post-disaster reconstruction materials such as food, drinking water, water purifiers, tents, folding beds, personal protective equipment and radio communication equipment.
Two Chinese Air Force Y-20 aircraft load relief supplies destined for Tonga at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (cellphone photo, Jan. 26). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Zengyi
Kunpeng spreads its wings and its mission will be achieved. At 8 o'clock on January 27, two Y-20 aircraft of the Chinese Air Force carrying more than 30 tons of relief materials took off from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, crossed the clouds and rain, crossed continents and oceans, and after more than 20 hours of long-distance flight, arrived in Nuku'alofa, the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga, on the morning of January 28, Beijing time.
My air transport formation has stopped three times along the way to refuel at national airports along the way. Bian Yufeng, director of the Support Department of a certain air force department who carried out this air transport mission, told reporters: "This time to Tonga to transport disaster relief materials, the voyage is long, the terrain, meteorology, and airport environment are complicated, but all our crew members are united and fighting, overcoming difficulties, and resolutely completing this task." ”
Due to the impact of the epidemic, the relief materials transported this time arrived at Tonganu Ku'alofa International Airport and were unloaded by the Chinese side. At the unloading site, the crew wore protective clothing and braved the high temperature, humidity and heat to quickly unload rescue materials.
Chinese Air Force Y-20 aircraft load relief supplies destined for Tonga at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (cellphone photo, Jan. 26). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Zengyi
A certain air force unit carrying out this mission participated in the transportation of anti-epidemic personnel and materials in Wuhan, delivering anti-epidemic relief materials to Pakistan, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and other countries, and going to South Korea to receive the remains of volunteer martyrs to return to China.
After receiving the mission to transport relief materials to Tonga, they quickly formulated a careful plan to overcome the adverse conditions such as strong convective weather in the rainy season in the South Pacific along the way, and a large amount of volcanic ash formed by the eruption of the Tonga volcano to ensure the safety and security of the transport mission.