Thanks ... or my just following my stomach-feeling I think they already formed some kind of Operational Conversion Unit - or at least detachment - that prepares the crews for the later operational service but sadly so far we've only seen that single image.
Overall I would be interested to know if this unit (or if all units based on a carrier, esp. the J-15 unit) will be new units and what designation they will have or if they will be assigned to existing units and only form operational detachments.
Currently all PLANAF Z-8's are assigned to the 5. AR / 2. Naval Air Division (former 6. Indep. AR - 9xx6-serials) based at Qingdao-Licang (NSF) and the 26. AR / 9. Naval Air Division (former 7. Indep. AR - 9xx7-serials) based at Sanya (SSF).
Deino