The five members of the “Clear Sky” team are Vietnamese cadets learning at the Russian Military Academy of Army Air Defense AM Vasilevsky in Smolensk. In the “Clear sky” event, the team will compete with its counterparts from Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Laos, Cambodia, and Pakistan in the following contents, namely hurdle crossing, shoulder-fired missile shooting, AK-12 shooting, 7.62mm machine-gun shooting.
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The "Clear Sky" team and their instructor Egorob Ebgenyi Aleksandrovich |
The “Clear Sky” team of Vietnam was formed a little later than those of other countries due to the decision on the competition events of Russia. The late formation means little time for training. Despite that disadvantage,Vietnam still sends its team to join the event. This shows the strong support of the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam for the Ministry of Defense of Russia in organizing the International Army Games 2020.
Staff Sergeant Nguyen Ha Nam, the team’s machine gunner revealed that the team has started training for the event since mid-July. During the training for the games, the team has always received wholehearted guidance from Russian instructors of the academy as well as the staff of the Vietnamese Defense Attaché Office in Russia.
He shared, “The Vietnamese military cadets’ eagerness and pro-activeness in learning has won the heart of the Russian instructors. Therefore, they always encourage us to promote our capabilities to the fullest and pinpoint our shortcomings that need fixing.”
After finishing training at the academy, the team moved to Yeysk city to familiarize themselves with the competition environment and weapons. The team has been provided with favorable conditions in all aspects, from accommodations to COVID-19 prevention measures. The team members have their body temperature checked three times a day.
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The “Clear Sky” team of Vietnam will try their best for the pride and honor of the nation |
Joining the International Army Games for the first time, the team obviously faces challenges. Normally, each official team has several substitutes. However, due to the shortage of time, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia have decided to form their teams by using their cadets studying in Russia, without any substitutes.
Therefore, each member of the team keeps an indispensable role, not to mention the fact that the weapons to be used at the games are different from those used at military academies and educational institutions. “In Vietnam, we use AK-47 in training. At the Military Academy of Army Air Defense AM Vasilevsky, AK-74 is the assigned weapon for cadets, while the weapon to be used at the games is AK-12, the best Russian individual assault rifle now. Our Russian instructors have provided us with a table comparing and contrasting techno-tactical features of all the three rifles so that we can apply to real competitions,” Staff Sergeant Nguyen Ha Nam said.
Nam continued to say without thorough preparation of both mental and physical strength, athletes would be exhausted, as the “Clear Sky” event this year will be held in three days in Russia instead of one day in China in 2019.
Despite hardships, all team members are highly determined to obtain best results. For them joining the games this year gives them a chance to train and compete with international peers, which will be a special milestone in their study in Russia. It also helps affirm the capabilities and wisdom of the Vietnam People’s Army in the international community.
Dao Van Tung, Head of the “Clear Sky” team of Vietnam, stressed, “Joining the Army Games for the first time, all of us will try our best for the pride and honor of the nation.”
PAN reporters from Russia
Translated by Huu Duong