When the morning mist still drifts lazily over the border hills of A Mu Sung, the mine clearance team of Brigade 543 begins another day’s work. Before setting out for the clearance area, Deputy Chief of Staff of Brigade 543 Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Kim Son assembles the teams, inspects their equipment, and assigns tasks for the day.
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Engineer of Brigade 543 in a mine clearance operation |
According to the officer, the brigade’s engineering force are clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) along the border areas of Tuyen Quang and Lao Cai provinces. Their current worksite lies within A Mu Sung commune, classified as minefield type 1, forest type 2, and soil type 2, with a clearance depth of up to 3 meters. The terrain is mountainous and steep, near the border, with cliffs and ravines. UXO of various types are scattered irregularly across multiple layers and depths, especially in stream valleys.
Recognizing the complexity and danger of the task, Brigade 543 has coordinated with the Engineering Technical Vocational School of the Engineering Corps to train and certify team leaders and clearance personnel. The brigade has also conducted training sessions both at headquarters and directly on-site.
During clearance operations, engineers constantly face danger, rugged terrain, harsh weather and severe living conditions. Many must trek across mountains and forests to reach high-altitude clearance areas, eating and resting in the field before returning to camp at dusk.
Captain Nguyen Van Thong, Commanding Officer of Company 7, Battalion 3, Brigade 543, has many years of experience in mine clearance in border areas of Tuyen Quang and Lao Cai provinces. He shared that to perform this task well, engineers must possess firm stance, high sense of responsibility, strong will, and dare to cope with challenges. In addition, they must have good health, strictly adhere to safety procedures, and work with utmost caution and precision.
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Engineering troops head to clearance sites. |
He recalled an incident in early 2020 when his unit was clearing mines at Hill 1509 in Thanh Thuy commune, Vi Xuyen district, Ha Giang province (present Tuyen Quang province). During operations, a soldier reported an unidentified mine. Drawing on his experience, Thong inspected and identified it as a directional mine produced in China. He personally handled the device, ensuring safety, and later shared his methods with the entire team for future reference.
According to Thong, some types of ordnance, such as M79 grenades or stick grenades, are particularly difficult to handle, requiring extreme care and precision during clearance.
After more than six months of operations in A Mu Sung commune, the engineers of Brigade 543, with their responsibilities and high resolve, have successfully cleared and handed over 101.74 out of 150 hectares, making up nearly 70% of the assigned area. They have collected 297 rounds of ammunition, nearly 380 anti-personnel mines, and 308 grenades. Thanks to their efforts, local authorities have been able to allocate safe farmland to residents. For example, Ma Seo Lang of Lung Po village has recently received 2 hectares of cleared land, which he has successfully cultivated cassava.
Quietly but tirelessly, the engineers of Military Region 2’s affiliates continue their work of bringing life back to once-devastated hills and forests, contributing to peaceful, thriving border areas.
Translated by Mai Huong