As the first group of the Vietnamese tank contingent to compete in tank team’s events, all three members of the group were fully aware of their responsibility to give the best performances which would serve as an encouragement for the other groups. Having received three T-72 B3 tanks from the host country, the tank contingent of Vietnam started getting used to new vehicles, weapons and equipment. They double-checked the equipped vehicles, weapons and equipment to ensure them in the best condition.
In the event, each tank has to overcome obstacles of different kinds, such as a zigzag, a ford, a high slope, an anti-tank ditch, a mine barrier and a track-bridge, among others and fire targets at different distances of from 1,600 to 1,800m, 700m, and 900m depending on different kinds of weapons. These obstacles of different levels of difficulty require the iron will of each gunman and perfect coordination between the three crewmembers.
All the members of the contingent are now used to the harsh weather in Russia’s Galovinoki training ground. After a light meal and taken a short break, all members of the Vietnamese tank contingent headed to the training ground to make the best preparations so as to get good results at the qualification round.
The preparation and training of the Vietnamese team were under the leadership and supervision of Senior Colonel Phan Hai Long, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Tank and Armored Corps and head of the team. They also received huge support from Russian experts.
This year, the Vietnamese team enjoyed certain favorable factors as some of its members had experiences of the Army Games and of driving Russian Military’s tanks T-72 B3 which were used in the Army Games 2018, while the other members have professional competence, youthfulness and high enthusiasm.
Despite limited time for preparing for the competition, all members of the Vietnamese tank contingent have mastered weapons and equipment. The Vietnamese team’s quick adaptation to the weather and local terrains, their professional preparation for the event as well as their determination to have best performances received high appraisal from Russian experts. Vietnamese team’s Russian interpreter who once helped the Vietnamese tank team during the Army Games 2018 highly appreciated Vietnamese officers’ ability to learn new things and applied acquired experience to the current mission. He said that he could feel the determination and aspiration to win the games of the Vietnamese team.
Senior Colonel Phan Hai Long said that having arrived in Russia the Vietnamese tank team started the preparation for the competition and affirmed that all the team members are in the best physical condition, have professional competence and highest resolve and are ready for the competition.
Below are several photos reflecting the Vietnamese tank contingent’s preparation of weapons and equipment for the qualification round of the “Tanks firing targets” event of the Army Games 2019.
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Vietnamese team’s tanks launched trial fire before the contest |
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The Vietnamese tank team checking equipment at Galovinoki training ground |
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Russian experts helping Vietnamese personnel to double-check equipment |
Reported by My Hanh (From Russia)
Translated by Tran Hoai