Taiwan ran a full-scale air rehearsal over the presidential office ahead of its National Day celebrations, a show of military confidence that drew big crowds.

• Helicopters, transport planes and fighter jets flew north to south over the presidential office in sequence during the early-morning run.
• A Chinook helicopter carried a giant national flag, flanked by two Black Hawks, as the opening act.
• Apache, Cobra, anti-submarine and Black Hawk helicopters flew in formation, followed by Mirage 2000, IDF and F-16V fighters.
• The Thunder Tigers aerobatic team closed the rehearsal with five Brave Eagle trainer jets trailing red, white and blue smoke.
• Crowds gathered on Ketagalan Boulevard before dawn, and jet noise served as a wake-up call across greater Taipei.

Outlook: A third full rehearsal is set for October 5 before the October 10 National Day ceremony itself.