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Delegates attending the gathering |
Attending the event were Senior Lieutenant General Le Huy Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defense; leaders and former leaders of the Air Defense - Air Force Service across different periods; veterans; and Heroes of the People's Armed Forces.
At the gathering, delegates recalled the proud tradition of the missile troops. In the fierce phase of the resistance war against the U.S. for national salvation, under the direction of the Party Central Committee, on January 7, 1965, the Ministry of National Defense issued a decision to establish Regiment 236, the first missile regiment of the Vietnam People's Army.
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Maj. Gen. Bui Thien Thau speaking at the gathering |
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An art performance during the gathering |
After only a few months of organizational consolidation and intensive training, on July 24, 1965, Regiment 236 achieved its first combat victory by successfully shooting down a formation of U.S. F-4 fighter aircraft. Since then, generations of officers and soldiers of the air defense missile troops have made significant contributions alongside the entire nation and people to fulfill the national liberation and reunification cause.
In peacetime, the troops have continued to uphold their tradition of pro-activeness and creativity in managing weapons and technical equipment, building the force, improving training quality, maintaining discipline, and strengthening regularity and overall combat capability.
Over the past 60 years, the achievements of the air defense missile troops have been honored by the Party, the State, and the military with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces and many other noble awards.
Speaking at the gathering, Major General Bui Thien Thau, Deputy Commander of the Air Defense - Air Force Service, emphasized that the history of the combat, victories, and development of the air defense missile troops is inseparable from the history of the Vietnamese people, the Vietnam People’s Army, and the Air Defense - Air Force Service.
The bravery and wisdom of the missile troops are vividly reflected in their glorious victories, which are forever a source of pride for every Vietnamese citizen.
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Delegates posing for a joint photo |
Upholding this tradition, the air defense missile troops continue to thoroughly grasp the Party’s guidelines on national defense and military, while meeting the requirements for national construction and defense in the current context. They actively study and promote Vietnam’s military traditions and arts, enhance training quality, maintain combat readiness, master modern weapon systems, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty.
Translated by Trung Thanh