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Delegates at the flag-saluting ceremony |
Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang and Director of the General Department of Political Affairs (GDP) General Luong Cuong attended the event.
Division 371, founded on March 24, 1967, is the first military unit selected by the Ministry of National Defense and the GDP to launch this drive. This is the first air force division of the Vietnamese air force.
In the 12-day and night operation in December 1972, Division 371 shot down seven U.S. aircraft, including two B-52 bombers. It also broke the enemy's offensive formation eight times, creating conditions for the air defense force to destroy B-52s, contributing to the resounding “Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air” Victory (Vietnam’s victory over Operation Linebacker II of the U.S. invaders in 1972).
At the launch, the division’s affiliated agencies and units signed the emulation agreement. Accordingly, they will raise awareness and show responsibility, and determination at the highest, try their best to achieve the highest possible results in task performance, and strictly observe force regularity building and discipline observance. In addition, they vow not to violate the State’s laws, military discipline and avoid unsafety in task performance and traffic participation. The drive will last till December 28, 2022.
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Agencies and units under Division 371 sign the emulation agreement. |
Addressing the event, General Phan Van Giang recalled the spirit of the “Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air” Victory five decades ago.
The defense minister said that in December 1972, the U.S. launched Operation Linebacker II (the infamous Christmas bombing campaign) in the North of Vietnam with an attempt to force Vietnam to sign Paris Peace Accords with articles favorable to the U.S. During this operation, the U.S. Air Force dropped more than 100,000 tons of bombs and ammo over Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen and other Northern cities and townlets. That period witnessed the most intense bombing raids and one of the most intense air raids in the history of wars in the world.
The defense chief highlighted the wise leadership and direction of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense as well as the ADAF Service’s active and timely development of combat plans and proactive preparation for the fight against the enemy with the highest resolve of winning a victory.
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Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang addresses the event. |
In 12 days and nights, the ADAF Service’s units and local troops and people bravely fought and creatively downed 81 U.S. aircraft of different kinds, including 34 B-52s, making resounding “Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air” Victory, forcing the U.S. to negotiate to sign the Paris Peace Accords on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam in early 1973.
General Giang confirmed that the "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air" Victory was one of the most glorious feats-of-arms, a great epic in the 20th century, becoming a symbol of the willpower, wisdom and bravery of Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh Era and a brilliant mark in the Vietnam history of combating foreign invaders, leaving a number of precious lessons in the past resistance wars and in the present national construction and protection cause.
In order to victoriously completing the defense-military tasks in 2022, General Giang asked agencies and units in the whole military to promote the victory, increase dissemination about the national patriotism, bravery, and unyielding will of the nation and the military, realize higher levels’ resolutions, directives and regulations on party building and rectification. He also urged them to actively implement mass mobilization and gratitude-paying work, overcome consequences of natural disasters, diseases, and take search and rescue missions, contributing to building a firm people’s heart disposition, and beautifying the image and virtue of Uncle Ho’s soldiers in the new period.
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Exchanging with Hero of the People's Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Pham Tuan (second from right, first line) |
Defense agencies and military units were also asked to keep a close watch on situational developments, make precise forecasts, give timely recommendations, observe combat readiness regulations, strongly safeguard national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
In addition, they should continue to renovate their emulation activities, multiply creative and effective models and exemplary troops and award outstanding groups and individuals in a timely manner, General Giang added.
On the sidelines of the launch, troops exchanged with heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, historical witnesses in the 12-day and night operation in late December 1972, including Lt. Gen. Pham Tuan and Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Phiet.
Translated by Mai Huong