A note signed by President Hu Jintao read out at a meeting yesterday said a helicopter regiment has been awarded the "heroic quake-relief force" title.

The army aviation regiment under the Chengdu Military Command did an excellent job, carrying out relief missions, and showed great courage and dedication, the note said, adding that members of the Chinese military should learn from the regiment.

The regiment has operated 1,848 helicopter flights on rescue and transport missions.

One of its helicopters crashed in a forest ravine in Sichuan during a rescue mission on May 31, killing all five crew and 13 passengers.

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2008)