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The first female has recently been appointed a Division Commander in the Chinese Air Force, marking it the first such promotion since 1949.
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s female Special-Class pilot Cheng Xiaojian, 46 years old, was appointed Division Commander of Air Transport Terminal of Air Force in Sichuan. She became the first female Division Commander of Chinese Air Force since 1949. Cheng Xiaojian was born in Jinan, capital city of Shandong Province. During her 28 years of serving in the Air Force, Cheng has been cited for meritorious service Second Class once and Third Class five times; honored the titles of Advanced Female Individual of the entire army and “March 8 Red-Banner Pacesetter”; as well as been Deputy to the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh National People’s Congress.
March 11th, 2008, Cheng went to participate in The 4th Plenary Session of the 1st Session of the 11th National People's Congress.
The best student
While studying in the aviation school, Cheng created many “first places”: she was the first to do parachute jumping, the first to do solo flight, the first to be admitted into the Party; she was also elected the only Captain among the students. Upon graduation, Cheng become the only student who got straight As through the entire training. In 1984, Cheng Xiaojian voluntarily went to serve in a First Response Mobile Army in a remote area of northwest Hubei Province.
Giving directions during many emergencies
In the year 1998, hundreds of civilians were beset with floods in Gong’an County, Hubei Province. Being Deputy Director of certain branch of air arm at that time, Cheng directed transport flights to fly back and forth the flood-stricken area. In 2000, the branch of air arm organized themselves to do emergency field training. However, out of a sudden, the weather changed dramatically, becoming hostile for airplane flying. Under such a situation, Cheng calmly directed the flights to return to base safely. At the end of 2001, Cheng was promoted to be Special-Grade Pilot and then in 2006, appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to certain Command Post. In the 2008 5•12 Earthquake, being Deputy Division Commander of Air Transport Terminal of Air Force situated in Sichuan, Cheng acted as Coordinator in Air Force’s Office of Headquarter for Earthquake Resistance and Disaster Relief.
May 25th, 2008, Cheng coordinated in the earthquake recue.
“Natasha” in the Joint Military Excise
In 2005, Cheng Xiaojian, as command pilot, participated in the China-Russia Joint Military Excise. After her flight, a Russian Regimental Command found Cheng and said: “The curve of your flight is as beautiful as you, but your name is too hard for me to pronounce.”
Cheng replied happily: “My Russian name is Natasha.”
Fly as long as I can
Shortly after Cheng becoming Division Commander, the division she was in began to equip itself with a medium-sized transport airplane. Under the direct of Cheng Xiaojian, the new type of airplane underwent its maiden flight within one month of being equipped with the division. In an interview, Cheng said: “For the target and ideal of establishing long distance strategic delivery capacity for the Air Force, I hope that I can fly as long as I can.”
By Li Jing
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