TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Troops from the 66th Marine Brigade’s 2nd Battalion recently conducted live-fire exercises simulating real combat scenarios in southern Taiwan.

At the Joint Operations Training Base in Pingtung, the battalion deployed grenade launcher vehicles, Humvees equipped with M2 machine guns, and 120mm and 81mm mortars, Youth Daily News reported. Troops were assigned random scenarios by instructors and carried out drills including suppressive fire, volley fire, and simulated assaults.

Soldiers also practiced taking cover, returning fire, and maintaining coordination under pressure.

Captain Huang, commander of the battalion’s 4th Company, said troops were required to complete fire missions within strict time limits, strengthening their ability to respond rapidly to evolving battlefield conditions.

The 66th Marine Brigade has restructured its former tank and artillery battalions, phasing out tanks and heavy artillery in favor of a drone battalion and a firepower battalion.