Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Le Huy Vinh attended and spoke at the ceremony.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Le Huy Vinh speaks at the event. |
At the event, Commanding Officer of Division 361 Senior Colonel Le Anh Chien recalled the glorious history and outstanding achievements of the division over the past six decades.
In response to the requirements of the resistance war against the U.S. imperialists, on May 19, 1965, the Hanoi Air Defense Command (predecessor of Division 362) under the Air Defense – Air Force Service was established and played a crucial role in the fight against the U.S. Air Force’s war of destruction against Northern Vietnam.
During the resistance war against the American imperialists, Division 361 engaged in 1,800 battles, shooting down 591 enemy aircraft of various types, including B-52s. The division neutralized numerous enemy pilots and held the record for shooting down the most B-52s.
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Delegates joining the ceremony |
With its glorious victories and exceptional achievements, the division was honored to welcome President Ho Chi Minh to the unit eight times and was awarded many prestigious honors by the Party and State, including the title of "Hero of the People's Armed Forces," one First-class Independence Order, ten First-Class Military Exploit Orders, seven Second-class Military Exploit Orders, 17 Third-class Military Exploit Orders, one First-class and one Third-class Fatherland Protection Orders, and many other noble awards.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its foundation day, the State President signed a decision to award the First-class Fatherland Protection Order to Division 361.
In his speech at the ceremony, Deputy Defense Minister Le Huy Vinh acknowledged and congratulated the officers and soldiers of Division 361 on their achievements over the past 60 years.
To meet the new task requirements, Gen. Vinh called on the division’s officers and soldiers to carry forward the heroic spirit of their predecessors, uphold unity, overcome difficulties, keep learning, master weapons and equipment, and maintain high combat readiness, deserving to be one of the key forces defending the sky of the Fatherland.
He also requested the unit to thoroughly grasp the Resolution of the eighth plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee on the strategy for Fatherland protection in the new situation; clearly understand the missions of the military, the service, and the unit; build soldiers with firm political stance, absolute loyal to the Party, the Fatherland, and the people.
The division should pro-actively improve the overall quality of combat readiness observance and management of designated airspace. Efforts must also be made to improve the quality of training, competitions, drills, and live-fire exercises; promote unity, independence, resilience, dynamism, and creativity; and effectively implement the “Determined to Win” emulation movement and major campaigns launched by the Party, State, and military.
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Deputy Defense Minister Le Huy Vinh hands over the First-class Fatherland Protection Order to Division 361. |
General Vinh also emphasized the need to focus on building the Party Organization and comprehensively-strong, exemplary, and outstanding unit and successfully organize the upcoming Party Congress.
At the event, on behalf of the President, Deputy Defense Minister Le Huy Vinh handed over the First-class Fatherland Protection Order to Division 361.
Translated by Tran Hoai