The Vietnamese Air Force currently has 3 military helicopter regiments (using Russian aircraft) located within the 370th, 371st, and 372nd Air Divisions of the Air Defense - Air Force Command, and helicopters of the 18th Brigade (Vietnam Helicopter Corporation) under the Ministry of National Defense .
In March 1956, the first delegation of Vietnamese cadres was sent to study aviation in the Soviet Union, including 30 people who went to the Soviet Union to study military transport (Li-2, Mi-4). In 1958, the former Soviet Union provided Vietnam with 5 transport aircraft, including one Mi-4 helicopter. In May 1959, the 919th Air Transport Regiment was established. The helicopters were managed by the 919th Regiment.
Mi-6 helicopters airlift Mig fighter jets for evacuation.
In 1960, a group of 67 officers and soldiers went to the Soviet Union to learn helicopter flying, in preparation for establishing a helicopter regiment. They returned to Vietnam in 1964, but due to a lack of helicopters and equipment, the regiment could not be established.
Mi-6 helicopters carrying ground artillery to support the battlefields in Southern Vietnam during the resistance war against the US.
In 1965, the Mi-6 helicopter was introduced to the Air Force. By early 1966, the 919th Regiment had 14 Mi-4 crews and 7 Mi-6 crews. The helicopters' initial missions were to tow cranes, evacuate MiG aircraft from airfields, and rescue pilots.
A Mi-6 helicopter lifts welding equipment from the Nhat Trai dike (Luong Tai, Bac Ninh ) during the 1971 flood season.
In late 1966, Mi-6 helicopters were used to transport supplies to the Northwest region to serve the people and for the campaign taking place in neighboring Laos.
Later, the helicopter crew transported radar equipment to Thoi Mountain to establish an observation station west of Hanoi. The crew led by Le Dinh Ky and two other crews trained while simultaneously working on connecting oil pipelines from the Vietnam-China border 20 km inland.
President Ho Chi Minh poses for a commemorative photo with the helicopter crew of the presidential aircraft.
During the war for the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country, helicopters were primarily used to rescue downed pilots and transport delegations of officials for field inspections and research. In the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, Mi-6 and Mi-8 helicopters actively participated in the airlift to support South Vietnam, taking over airfields and transporting high-ranking leaders on official duties.
Air Force officers and Mi-8 helicopter crews landing and taking over Da Nang airport, 1975.
917th Helicopter Air Regiment
At the end of 1975, the Ministry of Defense reorganized the air force units, including the helicopter force.
On May 21, 1975, the 917th Helicopter Air Regiment was established to protect the airspace and maritime areas of the South. Initially, the 917th Regiment was stationed at Tan Son Nhat Airport, using captured aircraft and helicopters (L-19, U-17, UH-1, CH-47...). Currently, the 917th Regiment is stationed in Tra An Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City.
Helicopters of the 917th Regiment are on duty in the southwestern sea region.
During the war to defend the Fatherland on the Southwestern border, participating in the Southwestern border counter-offensive campaign and providing support in the Cambodian battlefield against the Khmer Rouge, the 917th Air Regiment participated in 253 battles, with 758 sorties and 1,286 flight hours; directly supported friendly units with 317 sorties and 325 flight hours; and participated in transporting troops, weapons, medicine, and food with 25,804 sorties and 20,207 flight hours.
The flight technical support force of the 917th Regiment receives its assignment.
Currently, Regiment 917 is part of the combat formation of Air Force Division 370, with its central political mission being combat readiness and combat; flight training and ensuring flight safety; and training pilots, pilot trainees, and international pilot trainees.
In addition, the regiment also performs special flight, transport, search and rescue, fire prevention and control, and emergency medical services when ordered, within its operational area both on land and at sea, from latitude 13 degrees to the southwestern region, the Spratly Islands, and the southern continental shelf.
Helicopter crew
916th Helicopter Air Regiment
On December 19, 1975, the 916th Helicopter Air Regiment (Ba Vi Air Force Unit) was established based on 10 Mi-6 and Mi-8 helicopters and more than 10 flight crews from the 4th and 5th Battalions of the 919th Transport Air Brigade.
Armed helicopters of the 916th Regiment
Over the past 49 years, the 916th Helicopter Air Regiment has overcome all difficulties and challenges, achieving many accomplishments in combat, combat support, protecting the southwestern and northern borders, and fulfilling international missions.
Helicopters of the 916th Regiment deliver food and supplies to flood-isolated areas in Bao Lam District (Cao Bang Province), September 2024.
In particular, Regiment 916 has successfully carried out many important tasks assigned by the Party, State, and Army, such as: combat training and readiness; flying special aircraft to transport leaders of the Party, State, Government, and Ministry of National Defense on official trips; flying to serve parades and military reviews commemorating National Day on September 2nd and other major events; flying search and rescue operations, flood and storm prevention; participating in forest fire fighting; conducting joint exercises with military regions, corps, branches, and services… and being ready to perform other unexpected tasks as assigned.
930th Regiment
The 930th Regiment was established on October 8, 1977, with the mission of combat training and combat readiness. On April 17, 1986, by decision of the Commander of the Air Force, the regiment ceased operations; its personnel, aircraft, weapons, and technical equipment were transferred to the 916th and 917th Regiments.
Relief supplies were dropped from helicopters of the 930th Regiment.
In 2013, in order to strengthen the Air Force and Navy, and to meet the requirements of national defense and maritime security in the new situation, the Ministry of National Defense issued a decision to upgrade the 954th Air Regiment to the 954th Air Brigade and transfer it to the Navy.
Simultaneously, the higher command established the 930th Air Regiment under the 372nd Division, based on a portion of the forces, aircraft, and equipment of the 954th Regiment.
Air rescue practice, conducted from military helicopters of the 917th Regiment.
On July 3, 2013, at Da Nang Airport, Regiment 930 held a ceremony to announce its re-establishment with the following missions: Observation, reconnaissance, and target designation in the air, on the ground, on the water, and over islands; military transport in the Central and Central Highlands regions; special flight operations; search and rescue, emergency response, flood and storm prevention; carrying out combat missions in the Central and Central Highlands battlefields; and helicopter pilot conversion training...
18th Army Corps
On April 20, 1979, the Vietnam Helicopter Service Company was established. On March 11, 1985, the Helicopter Company for Oil and Gas Services was established. In 2005, it was transferred from the Air Defense - Air Force Command to the Ministry of National Defense, and in 2009, it was assigned the military designation of the 18th Brigade under the Ministry of National Defense.
Helicopters of the 18th Army Corps landed on Truong Sa Island.
As a service unit, the helicopters of the 18th Brigade operate in the following areas: Flights for oil and gas exploration and exploitation; flights for the search program for missing American soldiers (MIA); sightseeing and tourism flights; flights for planning photography, crane hoisting, emergency medical services, rescue helicopters... and also flights serving national defense and security such as: transporting high-ranking leaders - leaders of the Ministry of National Defense, providing emergency medical care to the wounded and sick, search and rescue, transporting relief supplies...
Some images of the air force helicopters.
Military helicopters of the 917th Regiment are coordinating with landing ships of the 5th Naval Region.
Soldiers of Regiment 917 complete air rescue mission.
Mi-171 helicopters of the 917th Regiment transport airborne landing forces on mission.
Helicopters of the 916th Regiment transport relief supplies to Cao Bang province, September 2024.
Mi-171 helicopters of the 917th Regiment carry out air rescue missions in Truong Sa.
Delivering relief supplies to flood-affected areas, September 2024
Military helicopters practice flying in formation with flags flying, celebrating a major holiday.
Flying over the skies of Hanoi
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khong-quan-truc-thang-185241203100115494.htm
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