The Battle of the Navy Special Forces Brigade

The fierce whirlpools in Ha Long Bay or the collapse of Phong Chau bridge... all have the shadow of naval commandos silently rushing into danger.

Brigade 126 was established in 1966, and achieved glorious feats in the resistance war against the US, sinking hundreds of enemy ships. More than half a century has passed, and generations of soldiers today are still proud of that tradition. But they do not rest on their laurels.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, the Brigade promoted emulation movements, from training to improve quality, mastering modern equipment, to paying tribute to heroic martyrs and repaying kindness. That is their way of showing gratitude to history but at the same time it is also a way of "renewing themselves", adapting to the requirements of the times.

That is not only a mission, but also the identity of the 126th Naval Special Forces Brigade - a unit with a tradition of sinking hundreds of enemy ships during the war. In peacetime, the "Yết Kiêu" continue their combat mission. They fight against death, against natural disasters and enemies to save people and property for the people.

Race with death

In mid-July, the whole country was shocked by the capsized tourist boat in Ha Long (Quang Ninh). When darkness fell, the frogmen of Brigade 126 rushed into the sea, diving in the salty water, searching for each victim's body. They worked continuously, quietly tapping on the steel wall of the ship to signal their teammates each time they pulled up a person they had just found.

Military divers of Brigade 126 search for missing people, salvage Phong Chau bridge (left); search for victims of the capsized tourist boat Bay Xanh 58 in Quang Ninh (right). Photo: Duc Hoang, Pham Cong

Not long before, in the Phong Chau bridge collapse ( Phu Tho ), naval commandos expanded the search area for victims to a radius of 10km. The river water was flowing rapidly, the mud and sand were hazy, and the visibility underwater was almost zero, forcing them to search every meter of water.

One soldier said: “There was a time when my hand hit a log and I was startled, thinking I had found a person. Only when I lifted it up did I realize it was a log. But no one gave up.”

Those peacetime battles were no less fierce than the battlefields. The rescues took place in silence, when every second of delay meant the victims' chances of survival were shorter.

Colonel Mai Xuan Huong, Political Commissar of Brigade 126, called the rescue mission "a form of combat in peacetime."

“Helping people when they encounter natural disasters or fires is a command from the heart. When jumping into the water to save people, everyone feels like they are saving their own loved ones,” Colonel Mai Xuan Huong shared.

Colonel Mai Xuan Huong, Political Commissar of Brigade 126

The Political Commissar of Brigade 126 said that the most difficult thing in the water environment is the uncertainty. The current, depth, impurities... make visibility zero. Soldiers can only grope for every square meter of water. Therefore, the biggest lesson that the Brigade learned is to always be ready with forces and means; always have many response plans and, most importantly, the steely courage of the soldiers in emergency situations.

Helping people in times of natural disasters and fires is a command from the heart. When diving into the water to save people, everyone feels like they are saving their own loved ones. Colonel Mai Xuan Huong

For naval commandos, search and rescue is not just an “additional mission” but a responsibility that goes hand in hand with combat. The image of soldiers wading in the whirlpool is a symbol of the spirit of “sacrificing oneself for the people”.

Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Van Vinh, Deputy Brigade Commander and Chief of Staff of Brigade 126, said: “In peacetime, search and rescue is one of the important responsibilities of the Vietnam People's Army. It requires sacrifice and bravery from soldiers, originating from the people and always ready to serve the people.”

Military divers practice diligently, ready to take on missions. Photo: Navy

Lieutenant Colonel Vinh emphasized that the army has three functions: combat, work and production. The rescue mission is part of the work function, demonstrating the close bond with the people. After the rescue, the soldiers stay with the people to stabilize their lives, rebuild bridges and roads, and restore daily activities.

“Rescue and relief operations require thorough preparation and a readiness to fight at all times. Emergencies such as floods, capsized ships, or unexpected incidents such as the 2023 plane crash, often happen quickly and are unpredictable.

As soon as there is a forecast (of a storm), the army must maintain its forces and vehicles in a state of high readiness," said Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Van Vinh.

At Brigade 126, the 4 on-site motto (on-site command, on-site forces, on-site means, on-site logistics) is always thoroughly applied. When natural disasters or unexpected incidents occur, they can immediately mobilize. That is also the reason why in recent incidents, from Phu Tho to Quang Ninh, the Brigade has been present at the front line.

Building modern people is the core element of a modern army.

In addition to factors such as weapons, equipment and tactics, "people" is the factor that makes up the strength of the army.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Van Vinh, the selection of naval commandos is rigorous. The first thing mentioned is moral qualities and political courage, then comes outstanding health, swimming ability and knowledge.

After being recruited, soldiers embark on a rigorous training journey, from theory to practice. On the training ground, they must spend many days at sea, considering it as a future battlefield. All of this is to forge a steely will, a resilient spirit, and flexible adaptation to unpredictable situations.

Colonel Mai Xuan Huong added that building human resources is the political and ideological focus that the Brigade Party Committee has set. The soldier's bravery is forged from the tradition of the unit being a three-time Hero of the People's Armed Forces, from the example of previous generations. The commander sets an exemplary example, and subordinates actively follow. That is the way to keep the flame of bravery alive.

Soldiers of the Navy Special Forces Brigade live many days at sea, considering it a future battlefield.

In the new context, the army must not only rely on past experience but also apply it creatively in practice. Colonel Vinh said: “Combat situations in the past may not be the same as today, but experience from practice helps soldiers adapt and come up with effective solutions. The learning process, combining theoretical knowledge and practice, is an important factor for soldiers to develop modern thinking.”

Divers are trained at the Deep Diving Training Center.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Nhu Tuyen, Deputy Political Commissar of Brigade 126, emphasized: “In the process of carrying out missions, officers and soldiers of the Brigade always have to face dangerous and harsh situations. Therefore, training the will, spirit of overcoming difficulties, and readiness to sacrifice for the mission is a constant requirement.”

Lieutenant Colonel Tuyen believes that turning an ordinary soldier into a “miraculous” special forces soldier is not just a matter of skill training. It is a process of combining traditional education, training for superior health and honing tactical skills. Above all, it is nurturing pride and belief that they are continuing the extraordinary feats of their fathers.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/cuoc-chien-dau-voi-tu-than-cua-lu-doan-dac-cong-hai-quan-2434671.html