MR4 armed forces train hard for search and rescue operations

PANO - Every year, six provinces in Military Region 4 (MR4) from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue often witness tornadoes and floods, causing heavy loss human lives and severe damage to people’s property. In order to respond to natural disasters and minimize losses for local people, the MR4 Command has required localities and units to promote training activities to master search and rescue skills to help people in any circumstances.

MR4’s troops show responsibility and sentiments towards people

MR4 checks task performance of search and collection teams

MR4 takes care of new recruits

Attending the training session of Battalion 3, Senior Colonel Vo Sy Cuong, Chief of Staff of Transportation Brigade 654, shared that apart from transportation tasks, the brigade performed search and rescue tasks at sea and on rivers in six provinces of MR4. Brigade 654 defined the search and rescue mission as "fighting the enemy" mission in peacetime, especially in harsh weather conditions. Therefore, the unit should enhance training and practice activities for troops to master their skills and expertise so that they would stay ready to complete all missions.

Battalion 3 of Transportation Brigade 654 under MR4’s Logistics Department practices throwing lifebuoys to save people.

Practicing saving drowning people on the river

Training first aid methods for drowning people

Thanks to pro-activeness in training search and rescue methods, over the past time, troops of Quang Tri province’s Standing Militia Naval Squadron have become a “fulcrum” for local fishermen to reach out to the sea. Fisherman Tran Van Tien from Hue city, Thua Thien Hue province, owner of trawler TTH 99999 TS, shared that on December 11, 2023, while fishing near Con Co Island, his trawler collided with a foreign ship. Informed about the case, Quang Tri province’s standing maritime militia troops rushed to the scene and help him repair the trawler. After that, his trawler was taken ashore safely.

According to Senior Colonel Pham Van Dung, Deputy Chief of Staff of MR4, conducting search and rescue operations at sea is a difficult and dangerous task. Therefore, every year, the MR4 Command requested localities’ maritime militia force, Brigade 654 and the military commands of the six provinces to coordinate with other forces, including army, navy, border and coast guards, and others, to organize training sessions on search and rescue at sea. Meanwhile, they should strengthen combat readiness posture and always stay ready to deal with any circumstances, contributing to becoming a firm fulcrum for fishermen during fishing at sea.

Quang Tri province’s maritime militia troops rescuing a distressed trawler

Maritime militiamen in Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province help fisherman reinforce his trawler.

With well-trained skills on search and rescue operations at sea, over the past year, Brigade 654 and troops on islands under the military commands of provinces and maritime militia forces of localities in MR4 have rescued tens of trawlers in distress at sea, thereby helping fishermen feel more secure to continue to reach out to the sea to develop economy and join hands to protect national sovereignty over sea and islands.

Translated by Quynh Oanh