Leading the air echelons are the Early Warning and Command Aircraft Echelon. Coming first are KJ-500A early warning aircraft and J-16 fighters. Next are the KJ-600 early warning planes and J-15T ship-borne fighters. The development and deployment of the latest, domestically made early warning aircraft has significantly improved the PLA's capacities in command and control, early warning and detection, and coordinated strike.

Escorted by J-16 fighters, the Y-9 anti-submarine patrol aircraft, electronic reconnaissance aircraft and radar-jamming aircraft form three V-formations.

Various types of special-purpose aircraft have greatly increased the PLA's abilities in maritime and air reconnaissance, patrol and surveillance, and electro-magnetic neutralization.

Y-20A and Y-20B transport planes form two groups in the Transport Aircraft Echelon. These new-type and multifunctional transport aircraft, equipped with new, domestically made engines, feature long flight range, high loading capacity and high speed. They have carried out multiple major missions at home and abroad.