Second Squadron

Biodata

Background & History

The Second Squadron first appears as one of the Special Services units whose veteran personnel meet and assess incoming recruits. Fang Huai, Han Yong, Song Lin, and Xiao Haishan later arrive at the Second Special Services Squadron, where Xiong Jie and Liu Jianfeng temporarily supervise them before formal squad assignment 86 96.

Following problems with the new-recruit squad's management, the squadron dissolves its original Second Squad and assigns recruits two months early. At that point, it consists of four officers and twenty-five soldiers, reorganized into four squads 146.

Its strong performance in the detachment competition leads the brigade to designate it as a model training unit responsible for heavier provincial physical-fitness and skills-training tasks. The decision also brings He Zhijun back to the squadron to help form an elite instructor team 213. The squadron subsequently anticipates expanded jurisdiction, prioritized special vehicles, additional personnel, and new facilities 214.

After participating in Sichuan earthquake relief, Fang Huai proposes converting the unit into a comprehensive rescue force with specialized teams, unified physical training, and personnel capable of one or multiple specialties 310 312. The squadron is then ordered to assist with flood disaster response in Wangmo, Qianxinan 315.

Old Instructor He announces a major transformation: the squadron is to expand to a complement of sixty personnel within three months, with reforms and project implementation to follow. Ten positions are designated for annual rotation, intended both to spread experienced personnel to other units and replace underperformers 330.

The squadron is later named a national pilot squadron. Its renovation, enlarged staffing, and planned specialization are intended to support firefighting, natural-disaster response, and broader emergency operations 421 423. It eventually becomes a full battalion-level staffed squadron 504.

Organization & Operations

Specialized rescue development

The squadron's long-term plan calls for multiple specialized rescue squads alongside routine incident response. Personnel may overlap between teams and are intended to develop proficiency in one, two, or three specialties 312.

• It is tasked with handling daily alarms while preparing for major provincial and cross-provincial disasters 312.
• Its national-pilot role emphasizes multi-disaster and large-scale emergency response 421.
• The squadron is used for major fires, flood rescue, landslide reinforcement, and other external deployments after its expansion 516.
• During a chemical-plant fire drill, it serves as one of two main combat squadrons and simulates four separate reinforcement forces 526.

Training and experimentation

The Second Squadron is treated as an experimental unit for advanced equipment, management experience, and large-unit duty systems before wider implementation 331.

• Fang Huai introduces a research-based training method focused on improving drill technique and coordination with adjacent teammates 426.
• The unit conducts high-intensity physical training, including the Ironman Triathlon 437.
• Its expansion creates new management requirements for a much larger mix of personnel, including contract firefighters and rotating firefighters 331.
• Party Branch meetings are formalized twice monthly, with Party members given a standing role in discussing and voting on squadron work 421.

Facilities and equipment

• The expansion plan includes a new training ground and building space on land behind the squadron compound 214.
• Renovation expands the training area, tears down outer walls, redraws the basketball court to football-field size, and begins construction of a new building 449.
• The squadron seeks specialized equipment and organizes equipment records through “three tables and one warehouse” management 331.
• Fang Huai pursues helicopter funding by wagering that he can break three of four individual records 442.

Personnel

• Fang Huai — Former Special Operations Squad Leader; later Acting Deputy Squadron Leader and a central planner of the squadron’s expansion, training reforms, and pilot program 214 423.
• Cao Yi — Political Instructor and Party Branch Secretary; supports the squadron’s expansion and oversees its political and organizational work 330 421.
• Ye Jiahong — Squadron Leader; participates in planning the squadron’s transformation and supports its training development 313 464.
• Hao Chengbin — Veteran leader and Fang Huai’s mentor; helps maintain morale and supports Fang Huai’s leadership within the squadron 237 347.
• He Zhijun — Returned to the squadron after its competition success to help establish an elite instructor team 212 213.
• Xiong Jie — Former squad leader whose health issues lead to his transfer to the City Brigade 237 238.
• Huang Yong — Former squad leader who steps down to concentrate on competition training, later serving as Fang Huai’s assistant 214 238.

Recognition

Relationships

• First Squadron — Competitive rival; its members envy the Second Squadron’s rapid expansion, resources, and specialized training, while later attending its rescue classes regularly 424 507.
• Special Services Brigade — Parent formation; the Second Squadron remains subordinate to the brigade throughout its expansion and reforms 316 330.
• Detachment leadership — Provides personnel, funding, equipment support, pilot-program approval, and recognition for the squadron’s development 330 423 463.
• Other provincial squadrons — Expected to benefit from the Second Squadron’s training responsibilities and experimental management practices 213 331.

Notable Events

• The squadron conducts a water-gate funeral send-off for Xiao Hei, using eight water cannons to form four alternating water gates at its entrance 235.
• Its members return from the Sichuan earthquake relief mission to a welcome that reinforces the squadron’s role as their home and shared community 310.
• During the 12-kilometer full-gear march toward an earthquake epicenter, the squadron pushes to be the first unit into the disaster zone despite competing detachments having departed earlier 347.
• The squadron’s reputation becomes strong enough that other units describe it as a future battalion-level force and training center before its formal restructuring is complete 347.