Air Force transport squadron soars to elite status (4)

Aircrew and pilots who were members of the squadron in 1964, when it was awarded the title 'Kunlun Eagle Group'. CHINA DAILY

Traditions

Flying techniques, overseas experience and, most important, the qualities of courage, responsibility and serving the people have been handed down since the squadron was founded.

Senior Colonel Lyu Jibo has been teaching new pilots for about 20 years. In his 30 years of flying, he has taken part in many operations, such as providing disaster relief after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit Yushu, Qinghai province, in 2010, and a mudslide in Zhouqu county, Gansu province, in the same year.

"In fact, we (modern members) are not that good - the older generation opened up the routes on the plateau, flew over the site of a nuclear test to collect air samples, and made many, many other achievements," the 50-year-old pilot and trainer said.

"Our predecessors cultivated us, and just like my teacher, I will give everything I have to our younger members."

Lyu, who is now just about seven years from retirement, said he will do all he can to ensure that the group's new pilots inherit the good traditions of previous generations and strive for even greater achievements.