On a snow-covered plateau at an altitude of 4,200 meters, a model plane was carrying a 10-cm infrared target some 500 meters above the ground. In less than five seconds, Corporal Dou Zhanhui had targeted and fired a missile, blasting the tiny object to pieces.
This result, Dou’s first such hit, was beyond his own expectations. After all, Dou was still a new hand and the least experienced in missile operation in his regiment.
Missile operation is time-consuming and needs a lot of practice as the operator must steadily complete all steps from launcher holding, aiming, tracking to shooting. One slight error and the missile will deviate from its target. The operator must be strong physically and mentally as well as skilled.
The screening tests for missile operators are strict. Would-be missile operators must be big and burly, with good eyesight and sharp ears, excel in torso flexibility, and resistant to stunning blows and hardships. During the last round of tests, many candidates were forced out because they failed to land their feet on two ping pong ball-sized points after whirling around 30 times. A competent operator must be able to hold the 20-kg launcher absolutely still on one shoulder for more than two hours, blinking his right eye -- the aiming eye -- once at most in a minute. Such physical requirements have stumped many.
The challenges are doubled on the plateau. The training gets more intense, with mountain climbing, sandbag carrying and team exercises. Moreover, operators are graded on their training performances. They cannot hit their bunks unless they finish routine martial arts training. The most challenging drill for Dou Zhanhui was being whirled around on another man’s shoulders. Dou vomited after 100 revolutions.
Physical agility is only the first threshold a missile operator must overcome. Skills training is more brutal. Many of Dou’s comrades had left in tears. Operators who acquired the aiming skills moved on to target interception and tracking. They also had to complete shooting training in different conditions and become familiar with different air currents, models and firing data. Computers would grade their final scores. The last test required new operators to hold the missile launcher and track a red signal grenade that exploded suddenly in the air. One blink and the target would be lost.
