preface  acronyms and abbreviations  introductionchapter 1  the amazing speed of troops from sky: the birth of the  plaaf airborne troops  the power of parachutists  the speed of chinese airborne troops  "do not be a parachutist if you fear death"  hero's patron saintschapter 2  hardships in pioneer work: the growth of the plaaf  airborne troops  the birth of the elite troops in combats of shangganling  campaign  a hundred how-to's  airborne troops = infantry + parachuting  "daggers" and "iron fists"chapter 3  sharpened swords of refined steel: arduous training  of airborne troops  fly into the skies after intense training  800 meters and 5,500 meters  hell-like training by "devil brigade commander"  troops from sky trained to fightchapter 4  tiger's wings: equipment of the plaaf airborne troops  fledged wings: complete sets of parachutes  sharpened beak: individual combat gear develops into systems  spreading of eagle's wings: transport aircraft and helicopters  heavy equipment shock: airborne combat vehicle and airdrop  systemchapter 5  duty calls: when people need  decisive battle on the yangtze river  rescue in wenchuan earthquake  born to serve the peoplechapter 6  highlights: glamour of the plaaf airborne troops  heritage: we are comrades with huang jiguang  aggressive: first as always  dignity: five-starred red flag flies forever  elites: assault team "thunder"  girls in the airborne troops  hero from sos children's villagechapter 7  exceeding the limit: plaaf airborne troops embarks on the  "fast lane" of development  versatile soldiers  seeking for peace  bibliography