Kaohsiung: President Lai Ching-te attended a solemn funeral service for Air Force colonels Lu Chi-yu and Kuo Chun-nan at the Air Force Academy, honoring the officers who lost their lives in a trainer aircraft crash earlier this month. During the ceremony, President Lai presented posthumous commendations and offered condolences to the grieving families.

According to Focus Taiwan, both Lu and Kuo were posthumously promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel on June 2, the day of the crash. The tragic incident occurred when their T-34 trainer aircraft went down during a training mission. Military officials confirmed that the officers' ashes will be laid to rest at the Republic of China Air Force Martyrs' Cemetery.

In a heartfelt message on Facebook, President Lai expressed gratitude for the officers' dedicated service in training military personnel and protecting Taiwan's airspace. He assured their families of ongoing support from the Ministry of National Defense during this challenging time.

The Air Force reported that the aircraft, with tail number 3414, was performing a simulated engine-failure training exercise when it crashed 21 minutes after departing from Gangshan Air Base in Kaohsiung. The investigation into the cause of the crash continues, as stated by the Air Force on June 13.