Missile launches do not distinguish between male and female soldiers
On the afternoon of the 15th, in the training shed under the scorching sun, a "heavy rain" suddenly began. This artificial rain is not used to cool down the soldiers, but to test the missile soldiers' launch mission in the rain.
Under the heavy rain, several female trumpeters stood ready next to a launch vehicle. With an order, they quickly took action and quickly completed various launch preparations such as missile erection, support plate installation, equipment inspection, and missile aiming.
After preparations were completed, trumpeter Long Xiaohui and commander Wang Xiaotong retreated to a distance and began the final operations before launch.
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1, fire!" Long Xiaohui quickly pressed the launch button. On the big screen, two missiles broke through the sky and accurately destroyed their targets.
Long Xiaohui and his teammates were already soaked to the skin.
"The mission is completed, I am very excited." said this 21-year-old female soldier from Mianyang, Sichuan. In addition to pressing the launch button, she is also responsible for instrument performance inspection and testing to ensure that the missile is in a launchable state.
At the end of 2011, the "First Conventional Missile Brigade" established the army's first female missile launch company, responsible for operating tactical ballistic missiles.
The training is conducted for both men and women, regardless of venue, time and weather, and is conducted in a fighting manner. "One time that impressed me deeply was when it rained heavily for four days in a row, so we trained for four days in the rain." Long Xiaohui said that although the medical protection measures were adequate, some people still fell ill. No one backed down from training.
While the female trumpeters were practicing launching in the rain, the other two groups of male trumpeters demonstrated launching under full protection. Wearing gas masks, they completed their tasks amid acrid and eye-smelling smoke.
Brigade Chief of Staff Zhao Jinsong said: "The training environment is closer to actual combat, so that we can better fulfill the actual combat requirements of 'reading for combat at any time, launching on time, and effectively damaging'."
Scar Wall of Honor
There is a special operations team in the "1st Conventional Missile Brigade". Their mission is to defend the camp and ensure the absolute safety of the command post.
A wall in the dormitory building of the special operations team is densely covered with photos taken when the team members were injured - it is called the "Scar Wall of Honor."
"If anyone doesn't have a few scars on his body, he would be embarrassed to say that he is a member of the special operations team." Hu Jun, a member of the training team, told reporters that some scars were caused by slipping and poking while running in the jungle, and some were caused by slipping and poking while running in the jungle. Some of them were injured during the hunter's will training, and some were cut by glass while swimming with weapons.
Hu Jun himself was also honored to be on the list. At the end of last year, during a 10-kilometer mountain cross-country confrontation, the corner of his mouth was scratched by a thin wire used to dry clothes, causing blood to flow. However, he did not stop to check the wound, but continued running so as not to delay the team.
After the confrontation, the corners of his mouth were numb and he went to the hospital for 6 stitches.
No matter it is hot or cold, the rigorous training never stops. "If we can't protect the brigade, how can we protect the country and the people?" Hu Jun said.
Starting from this year, the special operations team has an additional task, which is to act as the "Blue Army" to destroy the missile launch mission of the "Red Army", thereby forming a real combat confrontation environment.
At first, the "Blue Army's" attack success rate was very high, but later it became lower and lower, and they suffered a lot. Hu Jun said that they were also happy to see the improvement in the combat effectiveness of the "Red Army". "This proves that our hard work has not been in vain, and we have realized our own value on another battlefield."
The missile vanguard is also a "literary and fresh person"
The missile is usually serious and rough Officers and soldiers will also be transformed into fashionable and cool "literary and fresh people".
In the training center in the brigade, there are a variety of handicrafts, including feather paintings, platycodon paintings, 3D printed products, and models of tanks and missiles, all made by the soldiers themselves.
In the art studio of the center, communications soldier Luo Kai is creating sand paintings on a smooth glass table. He fiddled with the sand quickly, and the picture that immediately appeared was: a missile flying into the sky with billowing smoke. He named this sand painting "Excalibur".
Luo Kai, 27, has been in the army for 5 years. He studied painting for a period of time in high school. When he arrived in the army, he was selected to learn sand painting from professional teachers. Now he can perform independently and is also responsible for teaching "students".
"Sand painting has enriched my life in the military camp. Even if I retire from the army in the future, I will still be able to acquire a craft." He said.
After practicing calligraphy for a period of time, 23-year-old Zhou Yi recently became obsessed with seal cutting. He said that seal carving can calm his mind and hone his patience, which will also help him better perform missile launch missions.
The favorite of female soldier Xu Ye is the electronic keyboard. Before joining the army, Xu Ye was a student at the Conservatory of Music. Now, she spends most of her break time practicing in the center's music studio. She and several comrades formed a rock band called "Ignition." The band members can write, sing, play guitar, drums, and hip-hop. They are good at everything. Last year, the "Ignition" band won the annual championship of CCTV's "Who is the Warrior Star" program with an original rock song "Brothers".