PLA Eastern Theater Command Enhances Joint Operations Through Resource Sharing

On August 9, 2024, fighter jets from an aviation brigade within the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command's air force were photographed preparing for a long-distance flight training exercise. The aircraft were seen taxiing on the runway.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command's aviation forces, encompassing the army, navy, and air force, have increasingly integrated their training activities. This includes the shared use of airfields, a practice deemed crucial for enhancing combat capabilities in joint operations.

The PLA Daily reported that the Eastern Theater Command has consolidated resources to establish "joint training domains." This allows aviation forces from different branches to regularly utilize the same airfields during drills. Numerous military airfields within the command are now accessible to all units, with hundreds of training grounds facilitating information sharing and collaborative use.

Examples of this airfield sharing were highlighted. In a recent joint exercise at an undisclosed air force base, various military aircraft from the army, navy, and air force coordinated takeoffs, landings, and maintenance at the same location. Another exercise involved navy warships acting as mobile maritime airfields, coordinating with an army aviation fleet to simulate strikes. Furthermore, a newly constructed army airfield hosted simultaneous training for a navy vessel-based aircraft unit and a drone unit from another army branch.

This shared approach provides pilots with greater flexibility in selecting takeoff and landing points within the operational airspace, improving mission execution. The implementation of this system has also necessitated upgrades in support capabilities. At one air force base, a significant percentage of troops are now trained to maintain multiple aircraft types, and equipment has been customized to support a wider range of aircraft.

According to the PLA Daily, a pilot noted that the joint sharing mechanism has reduced spatial and institutional barriers between military services, leading to an increase in the contribution of combat training resources to combat readiness.

Military expert Song Zhongping emphasized the importance of joint operations, highlighting that different services and branches previously had distinct command systems, coordination mechanisms, and support equipment. He also stressed the significance of shared airfields in the event of airfield damage during combat. Song further underscored the importance of joint logistics support, enabling different services to provide mutual support, resource sharing, and the generation of core combat capabilities.