China begins aircraft carrier flight training
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China has begun flight training on its first aircraft carrier, seen in this Sept 22, 2012 file photo, with photographs posted on websites showing navy pilots practicing touch-and-go landing exercises. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
BEIJING (AP) - China has begun flight training on its first aircraft carrier, with photographs posted on websites showing navy pilots practicing touch-and-go landing exercises.
Military enthusiast websites posted pictures on Monday of a J-15 fighter-bomber executing the manoeuvre.
It wasn't clear when the pictures were taken, and they did not appear on the Defence Ministry's website or in official media.
The exercises, in which the plane makes brief contact with the flight deck, mark the latest move to provide a combat capability for the carrier, which was launched last month without aircraft or an accompanying battle group.
