"Steel shield" at sea

For the past 60 years, generations of officers and soldiers of Brigade 171 have written a heroic tradition, contributing to safeguarding the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands.

Over 60 years of building, fighting, and maturing (July 9, 1966 - July 9, 2026), Brigade 171, Region 2 of the Navy, has achieved many glorious victories. From anti-submarine warships amidst the flames of war to the core force protecting the sovereignty of the southern sea and continental shelf today, generations of officers and soldiers of Brigade 171 have always upheld the heroic traditions of the People's Armed Forces.

Worthy of being called a Heroic Unit

On July 9, 1966, Regiment 171 (now Brigade 171) was established, marking the birth of the patrol and anti-submarine force of the Vietnam People's Navy. During the years of resistance against the US and for national liberation, the officers and soldiers of the unit overcame countless difficulties and hardships, achieving many outstanding victories.

In early 1967, following the directive of the Naval Command, patrol boats of the 171st Regiment were deployed to the Red River to participate in the defense of Hanoi against the US imperialists' air and sea attacks.

Under conditions of both combat and mobility, the unit's officers and soldiers demonstrated unwavering courage and determination to protect key targets and vital transportation routes in the North. Particularly during the struggle against the maritime blockade in 1972-1973, Regiment 171 was tasked with coordinating with naval forces to clear mines and magnetic bombs dropped by the US in river mouths, waterways, and ports in the North. The officers and soldiers of the anti-submarine warfare vessels, undeterred by danger, directly cleared thousands of mines, opening key shipping lanes in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, ensuring maritime transport and safely guiding numerous domestic and international cargo ships in and out of ports.

Following the 1973 Paris Agreement, the 171st Regiment continued its mission of monitoring the US Navy's mine-sweeping operations in the northern seas, maintaining a high state of combat readiness, and firmly protecting maritime sovereignty, islands, and coastal security. In the spring of 1975, the 171st Regiment participated in the naval offensive, coordinating the liberation and takeover of numerous naval bases and ports of the Saigon government in Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, and other strategic targets.

After the reunification of the country, the unit continued to sweep for mines, ensuring the smooth flow of maritime traffic and participating in combat to protect the sovereignty of the southwestern sea region, contributing to the liberation of Tho Chu Island from the invasion of the Khmer Rouge forces.

The victories in the war have forged the courage, will, and glorious traditions of generations of officers and soldiers of Brigade 171. The submarine hunters are always ready to accept and complete any assigned task, worthy of the title of Heroic Unit.

The ships of Brigade 171 are on duty day and night patrolling and protecting national sovereignty.

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The Navy conducts a demonstration test of the "three explosions" for new recruits.On the morning of May 12th, the Navy Command organized a model visit to the Training Center of the 4th Naval Region to observe the organization and methods of the "three-explosive test" for new recruits in 2026. Colonel Nguyen Quoc Doanh, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy Command, attended and directed the event.

Signing of the "Coast Guard Accompanying Fishermen" ProgramOn April 10th, in Can Tho City, the Command of Region 4 of the Vietnam Coast Guard, in coordination with the Standing Committee of the Can Tho City Party Committee, the Standing Committee of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee, and the Standing Committee of the Ca Mau Provincial Party Committee, signed the program "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen" for the period 2026-2030.

A shining symbol of loyalty.

Entering the period of national construction and defense, the tasks of Brigade 171 became increasingly arduous but also extremely glorious.

The brigade is tasked with managing and protecting a vast maritime area of ​​over 300,000 km², from Ba Kiem Cape to Ganh Hao estuary, including the DK1 offshore platforms, oil and gas facilities, and the waters adjacent to Indonesia and Malaysia. This is a particularly important strategic area for national defense, security, and maritime economy.

In that sea region, ships bearing the designation 171 patrol day and night, becoming a "steel shield" protecting sovereignty, safeguarding oil and gas exploration activities, and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for the development of the maritime economy. With its specialization as an anti-submarine warfare force, Brigade 171 undertakes many important tasks such as searching for, detecting, tracking, and destroying enemy submarines; ensuring the safe deployment and return of our submarines to base; providing anti-submarine escort for transport ships, landing ships, and other combat forces at sea; and detecting and neutralizing enemy sabotage activities in the maritime area.

Throughout the glorious course of history, the heroic sacrifices made on the southern continental shelf have become shining symbols of the loyalty, willpower, and sense of responsibility of naval soldiers.

In December 1990, Typhoon No. 10 destroyed the DK1/6 Phuc Nguyen offshore platform. Despite the extremely harsh conditions, the officers and soldiers remained steadfast, holding their positions until the very last moment. The fierce storm claimed the lives of Lieutenant Nguyen Huu Quang, Deputy Commander for Political Affairs; Lieutenant Le Duc La, a medical officer; and Sergeant Ho Van Hien, an electrical engineer. Their sacrifice has become an immortal symbol of the unwavering will of the Navy soldiers to defend the sea.

At the end of 1998, Typhoon No. 5 (Faith) continued to test the will of the soldiers at the DK1 platform. The DK1/2A Phuc Nguyen platform was toppled by fierce waves. Captain Vu Quang Chuong, the platform's commander, calmly led his troops in an evacuation, being the last to leave the platform after ensuring the safe evacuation of his comrades. He gave his life jacket to a fellow soldier, and later, along with Warrant Officer Le Duc Hong – radar operator, and Warrant Officer Nguyen Van An – electrical engineer, bravely sacrificed their lives at sea. The posthumous award of Hero of the People's Armed Forces to Captain Vu Quang Chuong is a tribute, reminding us of the dedication and heroic sacrifice of naval soldiers in peacetime.

Over 60 years of development and growth, Brigade 171 has had 8 collectives and 5 individuals awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces; 158 officers and soldiers bravely sacrificed their lives while performing their duties to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands. These sacrifices have contributed to enhancing the glorious traditions of the unit and creating the enduring values ​​of the Vietnamese People's Navy soldiers.

The soldiers of Brigade 171 always uphold the spirit of training and readiness for combat.

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Dân Chủ commune organized the collection of remains of unknown martyrs for DNA testing.On June 17th, at Bao Thanh Martyrs' Cemetery, authorities collected samples of the remains of unidentified martyrs for DNA testing, gradually identifying the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the wars to protect the Fatherland.

Proud to write new chapters in history.

With its exceptionally outstanding achievements, for many consecutive years, Brigade 171 has been awarded the Emulation Flag by the Ministry of National Defense; recognized as an excellent training unit at the Ministry of National Defense level; awarded the First Class Order of National Defense (for the second time); its Party Committee has consistently completed its tasks excellently; and the unit has met the standards of being a comprehensively strong, exemplary, and outstanding unit.

Many difficulties and challenges lie ahead, but with a glorious 60-year tradition, and with the courage and determination of the submarine hunters, the officers and soldiers of Brigade 171 are determined to write new chapters in history, uphold the national flag at sea, and firmly protect the sacred sovereignty of the nation's seas, islands, and continental shelf in all situations.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/la-chan-thep-tren-bien-196260620191737525.htm