BEIJING, Aug. 5(Xinhuanet)-- Recently, a brigade of motorized troops of the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) crossed a desert in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and conducted a series of drills to test its fighting capabilities under very tough natural conditions.

It has been the first time that a PLA unit has crossed a desert, according to military sources.

During the exercise, hundreds of tanks, cannons and troop carriers trekked across the desert, which is about 360 kilometers long east to west, and 130 kilometers wide north to south, covering 21,400 square kilometers.

The motorized brigade, of the PLA Beijing Military Area Command, braved sweltering temperatures of 40 Celsius degrees in the air and over 50 Celsius degrees on the ground. None of the officers and soldiers had heatstroke, thanks to proper preventive measures including the use of water resources, medicine and self-made heat-proof equipment.

Meanwhile, iron- or wood-chains, as well as other equipment and materials were used to resolve problems common to motorized vehicles moving over deserted land. Tractors and ordinary vehicles were also used to drag vehicles trapped in sand.

The brigade is also armed with GPS and other satellite communications technologies and intranets to ensure reliable communication between different units and commanders at different levels.

While maneuvering in the desert, the troops practiced a series of tough drills including"survival","camouflaging","encampment","electric confrontation","aerial defense", and"firepower covering". Enditem