In response to this situation, on July 3, 1965, the Ministry of National Defense issued Decision No. 114/QD-QP establishing the 26th Signal Regiment (the predecessor of the 26th Signal Brigade), under the Air Defense-Air Force Command, based on the merger of the 26th Signal Battalion of the Air Defense Command and the 92nd Signal Battalion of the Air Force Department.

The commander of the 26th Signal Brigade inspects and encourages the unit's signal training troops. Photo: QUOC CUONG

Following the decision of the Ministry of National Defense, after a period of preparation, on July 20, 1965, the Air Defense and Air Force Command held a ceremony to announce the establishment of the 26th Communications Regiment. In the early days, the unit faced many difficulties, such as: rudimentary equipment, inexperienced officers, a wide operating area, and many sudden mobile missions... However, with the spirit of "staying at the radio and station," the officers and soldiers of the Regiment quickly stabilized the organization, consolidated forces, strictly maintained the duty roster, and developed combat plans to ensure smooth and reliable communication to serve combat command and combat readiness. A notable achievement was the Regiment providing communication support to the 236th Missile Regiment, which won its first battle (July 24, 1965), and to the air defense group that ambushed and shot down 5 enemy aircraft (July 27, 1965).

During the war against the US, the Regiment consistently performed its duties well in ensuring communication and communications, serving the Air Force Command in commanding combat operations and achieving victory. It contributed to defeating US air raids on Hanoi, Hai Phong, and neighboring provinces; defeating the technical, tactical, and electronic warfare tactics of the US Air Force, culminating in the "Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu in the Air" campaign (December 1972). The more it fought, the more rapidly the Regiment matured and strengthened in all aspects – political , ideological, and organizational, technical and tactical – improving the quality of communication and communications support for the Air Force. Many exemplary individuals emerged during the fighting, such as: Martyr Le Van Tho, who resolutely stayed at the radio until his last breath; and Comrade Phan Hanh Thoa, who sent out over 100,000 accurate messages. Female pilot Nguyen Thi Huong - the person who marked the first group of B52 aircraft on the night of December 18, 1972...

Training on the operation and use of the data transmission information system at Battalion 16, 26th Signal Brigade. Photo: QUOC CUONG

After the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country, in accordance with the Presidential Decree of 1977, the Air Defense and Air Force Command was divided into two branches: Air Defense and Air Force. Accordingly, the 26th Communications Regiment provided communications support to the Air Defense Command, while a part of it separated to form the 252nd Regiment of the Air Force Command. During the period 1977-1999, both regiments continued to uphold their traditions, successfully fulfilling their communications support duties in all situations.

On March 3, 1999, President Tran Duc Luong signed a decree merging the two Air Defense-Air Force branches into the Air Defense-Air Force branch. On July 21, 1999, the Minister of National Defense decided to merge the 26th Signal Regiment and the 252nd Regiment into the 26th Signal Brigade, marking a new stage of development in the organization and strength of the communications force within the Air Defense-Air Force branch. Accordingly, the officers and soldiers of the Brigade have always upheld the spirit of solidarity, overcoming difficulties, and demonstrating high determination to successfully complete the task of ensuring communications to serve combat command, airspace management, flight operations, and combat readiness, contributing to the firm protection of the sacred airspace, sea, islands, and continental shelf of the Fatherland.

With outstanding achievements in the resistance war, the unit was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces (in 1978); and received many prestigious awards: 6 Military Merit Orders of various classes, 19 Combat Merit Orders, First, Second, and Third Class Orders of National Defense; and many commendations from the Prime Minister... Notably, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its founding (July 20, 1965 / July 20, 2025), the President signed a Decision awarding the First Class Order of National Defense to the 26th Signal Brigade.

Entering a new phase with increasingly demanding requirements for national defense, and upholding the heroic traditions of the unit, the 26th Signal Brigade is determined to strive to successfully implement five key tasks: 1. Building a clean, strong, and exemplary Party organization; a comprehensively strong and "exemplary" Brigade; enhancing political fortitude, self-reliance, overcoming difficulties, and excellently fulfilling its nhiệm vụ. 2. Effectively implementing Resolution No. 8 of the Central Committee (13th Congress) on the National Defense Strategy in the new situation; strictly maintaining combat readiness, suppressing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), protecting assigned targets, and ensuring uninterrupted communication in all situations. 3. Improving the quality of training according to the motto "basic, practical, solid, safe, and economical"; training troops to be proficient in traditional communications and master high technology; maintaining strict discipline and preventing any safety incidents.

4. Thoroughly implement resolutions on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; build high-capacity transmission infrastructure, apply new technologies, and gradually digitize command and control operations comprehensively; develop the "digital soldier" model, build a digital culture, and ensure cybersecurity and confidentiality. 5. Organize well-planned emulation movements and propaganda campaigns to celebrate major events of the country, the Army, and the Air Force; promote increased production, practice thrift, improve the living standards of soldiers, and ensure logistics and financial support for regular and unexpected tasks.

Colonel DANG VAN PHUOC, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the 26th Signal Brigade

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/bam-may-bam-dai-bao-dam-lien-lac-thong-suot-836841