Seeing off the warship for 30 years, this time he finally boarded the ship.
At a naval observation station in the Eastern Theater Command, First Class Sergeant He Chunlin has guarded the island for 30 years but harbors a wish in his heart... In the spring of 2026, let's witness the dream journey of the "Soldier King."
Guarding the island for 30 years
His wish has finally come true
June 2025
He Chunlin was interviewed
The reporter asked him what his wish was
This "Soldier King" was a bit shy and a bit melancholic
He said
“I have been a sailor my whole life
but have never been on a warship
When people ask what our ships are like
I don’t know, it’s quite embarrassing…”
His answer touched countless netizens
and made more people aware
that there is a group on the maritime defense line
rooted in the mountains and seas, watching over the deep blue as naval observation soldiers
This New Year
He Chunlin finally fulfilled his wish to board
the Type 054A missile frigate Ziyang
which has been on the front line in the East China Sea performing combat readiness patrols
and tasks such as maritime and aerial vigilance
When he first boarded the warship, Sergeant He was still a bit reserved
until he met another "Soldier King" on board
First Class Sergeant Ma Shaoli, the main gunner of the Ziyang
The two "Soldier Kings" began to discuss technology
and their eyes sparkled
This boarding experience
added a touch of deep blue to his nearly thirty years of “Mountain and Sea Diary”
“This is the ship of my dreams
It has fulfilled my dream”
Whenever a warship comes by, I will go to see it
It’s been 30 years, and it’s getting bigger and better
The observation station
officially known as the “Coastal Observation and Communication Station”
is often built on high mountains
islands or isolated highlands
This is also the reason why Sergeant He, as a sailor,
has not been on a warship for nearly 30 years
The soldiers day after day
guard the eastern gate of the motherland
in a silent electromagnetic battlefield
The observation station is very small
so small that running 3 kilometers
requires going around several loops
Yet Sergeant He has spent 30 years
familiarizing himself with the quirks of every piece of equipment
guarding the passage of the sea
planting himself on the island
becoming a stable coordinate on the maritime defense line
This year marks the 30th year of Sergeant He guarding the island
and it is also the year he faces retirement
The observation station decided to have him carve the words “Steadfast” on a boulder beside the tunnel
as a commemoration
Over the years
Sergeant He has always stood on the island
watching over the motherland's maritime territory
“Whenever a warship comes by, I will go to see it
It’s been 30 years
and it keeps changing
getting bigger and better”
This Spring Festival
Sergeant He still steadfastly guards his post
He feels very reluctant to retire
reluctant to leave this island
reluctant to part with his military uniform
and even more reluctant to let go of the responsibility on his shoulders
His New Year wish is simple yet firm
He hopes to mentor a few more apprentices before retirement
to ensure the safety of the station's equipment
With youthto fulfillthe mission
With a devoted heartto protectthe mountains and rivers
Salute!
Senior Chief Petty Officer He Chunlin fulfilled his long-held dream of boarding the 054A-class missile frigate Ziyang after 30 years of service on an island. This event occurred during the 2026 New Year, marking a significant personal milestone for He, who had never been on a warship despite his extensive naval career. The report emphasizes the commitment of naval personnel to coastal defense operations in the East China Sea.
- Senior Chief Petty Officer He Chunlin has served on an island for 30 years without boarding a warship.
- He finally boarded the 054A-class missile frigate Ziyang during the 2026 New Year.
- He expressed his long-held wish to experience being on a warship after years of service.
- The report highlights the dedication of naval personnel in coastal defense operations.