At this location, both ships coordinated smoothly, executing joint exercises at sea to enhance their cooperation and coordination, thereby strengthening the solidarity, friendship, and peace between the navies of the two ASEAN nations.
Training to firmly defend the national seas and skies
Ship 17 slowly sailed through the Long Tau River, with mangrove forests on both banks, part of the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. On the journey out to sea, Captain Nguyen The Hung, Second-in-Command Officer and Chief-of-Staff of Brigade 171, Naval Region 2, and head of the Vietnamese Navy delegation, shared, "From the moment we received the order, we recognized the importance of this joint exercise between the Vietnamese and Indonesian Navies in defense external affairs. Brigade 171 took all necessary steps to ensure the successful completion of the exercise."
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Ship 17 and KRI Bung Tomo-357 practice signals by hand-held flags. |
Ships 17 and KRI Bung Tomo-357 reached the designated training area under favorable weather conditions, with calm seas and light winds. The first exercise involved maneuvering formations at sea during the day. From the command cabin of Ship 17, fishing boats were seen bustling with activity. This scenario posed a challenge for the naval ships, requiring them to execute exercises while maintaining stability in speed and direction according to the plan, and avoiding obstacles. The task demanded quick and accurate decision-making while adhering to the required formations and timing. At a speed of 10 knots, both ships switched from a horizontal formation to a vertical one.
As night fell, the sound of Ship 17's anchor chain tore through the stillness of the sea. Before beginning the night exercise, which involved light signal communication, Captain Nguyen The Hung emphasized from the command post: "Every fishing boat is like a lighthouse affirming our nation's sovereignty. Be alert and cautious to avoid collisions with fishing vessels during the night." He immediately ordered his troops to inform Ship KRI Bung Tomo-357 to pay special attention to this matter.
During the joint debriefing, Lieutenant Pradipta Her R, Deputy Captain of Ship KRI Bung Tomo-357, stated, "The area where we conducted the exercise has a lot of vessel traffic, so the night exercise was quite dangerous. However, I am glad that we successfully and safely completed the exercise."
Naval Region 2 manages a vast maritime area. To firmly safeguard the nation's sovereignty over its seas, islands, and continental shelf, every unit, officer, and sailor must remain resolute and ready to fulfill their duties. Under the blazing sun, the crew of Ship 17 remained focused on observing and detecting any potential distress signals at sea. When KRI Bung Tomo-357 reported the coordinates of a person in distress, Ship 17 quickly and skillfully performed a rescue amidst the waves, successfully completing the mission.
Commander Nguyen Dinh Tien, Captain of Ship 17, Brigade 171, shared, "Through this joint exercise with KRI Bung Tomo-357, our crew gained valuable experience and improved their skills. The results were highly appreciated by our Indonesian partners."
Solidarity, trust, and friendship
Captain Do Quang Hiep, Deputy Political Commissar of Brigade 171, said, "A new feature of this year's joint exercise was that both sides sent officers to each other's ships to train together. We facilitated the Indonesian officers during their time aboard Ship 17. Additionally, the commanders of both ships reviewed training content and introduced our Indonesian friends to the activities of the Vietnam People's Navy."
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Joint exercise at sea contributes to enhancing and strengthening the relationship and friendship between the navies of the two countries. |
During the time that Indonesian officers, Ensign Musa Roessita and Lieutenant Junior Grade Muhammad Nur Arfan, lived and worked on Ship 17, it was evident that this exchange not only helped the ships bond and understand each other better but also served as a cultural exchange opportunity between the two countries.
Ensign Musa Roessita shared joyfully, "Muhammad Nur Arfan and I had a meaningful and enjoyable time aboard Ship 17. This joint exercise improved the skills of sailors from both countries. The Vietnamese crew was very professional, and I really enjoyed the food, especially the fishcakes and chicken porridge, along with the friendly atmosphere on board."
During the days of the joint exercise, the crew of Ship KRI Bung Tomo-357 paid courtesy visits to the Naval Region 2 Command, toured Ho Chi Minh City's landmarks, and participated in sports and cultural exchanges with the officers and sailors of the Vietnam People's Navy.
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Farewell to Ship KRI Bung Tomo-357 as it heads home after the joint exercise |
Lieutenant Commander Le Quy Vu, Deputy Captain of Ship 17, shared, "On the sports field, I deeply felt the spirit of friendship between the two teams. The players of both countries mixed together, competing in a spirit of fairness and friendship. After the games, we enjoyed Vietnamese cuisine together."
As the exercise concluded, Ship 17 sounded three farewell horn blasts, and the crew of KRI Bung Tomo-357 sang the song "Cartel," symbolizing the spirit of mutual cooperation during the joint exercise. Sailors from both ships lined up along the decks, waving farewell as the music faded, and KRI Bung Tomo-357 sailed toward the horizon.
Translated by Trung Thanh