The first-class combat duty bell suddenly rang!

During the Spring Festival

on a small island in the South China Sea

the reporter was interviewing when

the first-class combat duty alarm suddenly rang

They are on the front line of air defense early warning

guarding the southern gate of the motherland

At a radar station of the Southern Theater Air Force

located on a small island in the South China Sea

the island is subject to typhoons and heavy rain year-round

The reporter arrived on the island

and met with the squad leader of the radar station's operational team

Radar operator Xu Youwen, who has been stationed for 18 years

During the interview

the urgent first-class combat duty alarm

suddenly rang

and the operational personnel immediately rushed to

the command room and radar cabin

In a cabin of less than 3 square meters

the operators stared intently at the display screen

They must complete the monitoring and analysis of air situations

in the first instance

Xu Youwen:

“Previously, when a certain country's reconnaissance aircraft approached our coast

we were able to detect it in time

and deal with the enemy situation”

Xu Youwen introduced

that his combat position

is connected to the airspace of the South China Sea

and linked to the command center

facing several military and civilian airports within the responsibility area

dozens of domestic and international flight routes

and cross-day-and-night flights from multiple cities

“Night duty is the norm

can't be sleepy and dare not be sleepy”

To maintain a high-quality state of combat readiness

the officers and soldiers practice sending telegrams every day

Xu Youwen said:

“If automated communication is interrupted

we use telegrams as a backup means

to report intelligence in this way

practicing at least 3 hours every day”

In the 18 years of service

Xu Youwen has witnessed the radar station

upgrading its equipment and support

but the officers and soldiers' steadfastness day after day has never changed

Here

they are either on duty every day

or preparing for duty

regardless of day or night

Xu Youwen:

“Night duty is the norm

can't be sleepy and I also dare not be sleepy

If I really feel sleepy

I apply some essential oil on my eyelids

and then on my temples

to wake myself up”

Since 1957

the officers and soldiers have been guarding the island for 69 years

with their daily vigilance

and a persistence ingrained in their bones

guarding the southern gate of the motherland

Salute!

Reporter from the Central Station丨Qian Jiang, Chen Yuxin, Li Bancheng, Tao Xinyang, Duan Wenxu, Liu Yichao, Guan Gaoliang