Building upon the traditions of the former Northwest Artillery Corps and the heroic Artillery Corps, and in response to the urgent demands of the task of defending the northern border, the officers and soldiers of the Regiment overcame all difficulties, simultaneously receiving equipment, organizing training, and building the unit. In early 1979, the Regiment organized itself into an artillery group directly supporting combat units on the main defensive direction of Military Region 2 in the Lao Cai area.

Due to the need for force development, in November 1979, the Regiment was reinforced with additional personnel and equipment, and, in accordance with the decision of the Ministry of National Defense, was reorganized into the 168th Artillery Brigade. The unit focused on training, combat readiness, combat operations, and building the Brigade to meet the requirements of the new situation. Faced with the enemy's increasingly expanding border invasion, from the end of May 1984 to the beginning of 1986, the Brigade was assigned by Military Region 2 to establish a campaign artillery cluster, directly supporting combined arms units participating in combat, while simultaneously suppressing and containing enemy artillery positions in the rear. During this period, the Brigade participated in major front-line campaigns and successfully completed its mission, earning praise from superiors, and gaining the trust of local authorities, people, and friendly units. After successfully completing its combat readiness and border fighting missions, the Brigade returned to its base in Phu Tho province. Since then, the Brigade's Party Committee and command, along with Party committees and commanders at all levels, have focused on leading and directing the comprehensive development of a strong mixed artillery brigade in peacetime, in accordance with the requirements of higher authorities.

The 168th Artillery Brigade conducts live-fire exercises with BM-21 artillery, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Phuong

Building upon the glorious tradition of combat readiness and victorious battles, in recent years, the officers and soldiers of the Brigade have always been united, actively studying and following the thoughts, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh, proactively overcoming difficulties, and continuously improving the overall quality and combat strength of the unit. In all circumstances, the officers and soldiers always maintain firm political resolve and absolute loyalty to the Party, the State, and the people. The Brigade strictly maintains combat readiness regimes. In training, the Brigade's Party Committee and command have determined to continue to thoroughly understand and strictly implement Resolution No. 1659-NQ/QUTW dated December 20, 2022, of the Central Military Commission on improving training quality in the period 2023-2030 and beyond. Emphasis is placed on building a team of training officers at all levels with comprehensive qualifications and capabilities, prioritizing synchronized, in-depth training that is closely aligned with actual combat situations; Prioritize practical application, quality, and efficiency; actively and rapidly apply science and technology to improve management, command, and operational skills, as well as training quality; closely integrate military training with political education. Strengthen physical training, night training, and training to improve mobility and combat readiness.

The Brigade participated in numerous tactical exercises, competitions, and sports events organized by the Ministry of National Defense and Military Region 2, achieving high results. Simultaneously, it strictly maintained a disciplined and orderly military structure, strictly adhering to state laws and military discipline. Furthermore, the Brigade actively participated in building political foundations in the area, propagating and mobilizing the people to implement the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations, and actively participating in the construction of new rural areas. Brigade officers and soldiers always proactively assisted the people in preventing, combating, and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, storms, and floods, stabilizing their lives and production. Leveraging the unit's potential and strengths, the Brigade consistently promoted agricultural production and livestock farming with many innovative methods and models, significantly contributing to improving the living standards and health care of the troops. The unit ensured the timely and adequate supply of weapons and technical equipment for all tasks, with a focus on combat readiness, training, and exercises. Improve the quality of management, preservation, maintenance, repair, and storage of weapons and technical equipment in conjunction with the implementation of the 50 Campaign. Effectively implement the contents of building a standardized technical work system, ensuring absolute safety of warehouses, weapons and technical equipment, and traffic safety.

Over 45 years of building, fighting, and maturing, the officers and soldiers of the 168th Artillery Brigade have written a tradition of "Unity, discipline, mobility, and victory." The Brigade is honored to have been awarded the Second and Third Class Military Merit Orders; the First, Second, and Third Class Combat Merit Orders; and the Third Class Order of National Defense by the Party and the State. The 2nd Artillery Battalion was awarded the title of Heroic Unit of the People's Armed Forces for its exceptionally outstanding achievements in border defense. In recent years, the Brigade has consistently been awarded the "Excellent Training Unit" flag and the "Outstanding Unit in the Emulation Movement for Victory" flag by the Ministry of National Defense and Military Region 2. In 2023, the Brigade was honored to have been awarded the Second Class Order of National Defense by the Party and the State.

In this new revolutionary period, the Brigade's tasks are extremely challenging, placing increasingly high demands on its personnel. To be worthy of the trust and affection of the Party, the State, and the people, and to honor and appreciate the immense contributions of previous generations, the officers and soldiers of the 168th Artillery Brigade will continue to uphold their faith, demonstrate high responsibility, and strive to achieve new accomplishments and victories, ensuring that the unit is always ready to receive and successfully complete all assigned tasks, writing a new glorious chapter in the Brigade's history and enhancing its glorious traditions.

Colonel TRAN VAN MINH

Commander of the 168th Artillery Brigade

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