"All-seeing eye" protects the airspace.

“Radar officers and soldiers are always in a state of combat readiness, on duty 24/7 to monitor, manage, and protect the airspace of the Fatherland,” Lieutenant Le Xuan Phuoc, Political Officer of Radar Station 18, began his story with us about the mission of acting as the “all-seeing eye” of Radar Station 18, Regiment 290, Division 375, Air Defense - Air Force Command.

Radar operators must have even sharper eyesight.

Returning to Radar Station 18 on an early spring day, we were struck by the vibrant colors of the potted flowers adorning the clean, green, and orderly barracks grounds, from the guard gate onwards. Alongside the banners and slogans celebrating the Party and the spring, we were particularly impressed by the neatly arranged banners outlining the station's political mission, displayed between the unit's assembly halls: "High combat readiness, strict airspace management, strict discipline, unity, safety, and economy," and the gold lettering on a red background displayed in front of the station's command post: "We will not let the Fatherland be caught off guard by any airborne situations."

“In the vast sky, there are airborne pathways, seemingly invisible yet tangible to radar operators. These pathways are named like roads on the ground, using different symbols and markings to determine direction and the width of the flight corridor, where hundreds, even thousands, of flights pass through every day. Whether in wartime or peacetime, radar troops always maintain a high level of vigilance, never letting their guard down for a single moment,” said Senior Lieutenant Le Xuan Phuoc, Political Officer of Radar Station 18.

The officers and soldiers of Radar Station 18 are always in a state of combat readiness and on duty 24/7.  

Whether it's late at night or midday, whether working with agencies, units, or local authorities, or spending time with family and friends visiting at the unit, upon hearing the familiar "ding-ding" signal from the gong, all personnel at Radar Station 18 immediately switch to combat readiness.

With each step accompanied by the commander's resounding commands, the entire unit moved swiftly. The combat crew members performed their tasks precisely, their movements rhythmic, and their commands loud and clear, demonstrating a fervent spirit, unity of will, and determination to complete their assigned mission.

For radar officers and soldiers, time is a crucial factor in their work, requiring agility, discipline, professional expertise, a high sense of responsibility, and a determination to protect the Fatherland. To perform this task well, Lieutenant Le Xuan Phuoc, Political Officer, shared that the unique characteristic of radar troops is coordinated combat, operations in a wide area, and fast-paced, difficult-to-determine boundaries. Therefore, to avoid being caught off guard or missing opportunities in airborne situations, each officer must possess strong political resolve, a high sense of responsibility, be ready to fight in all situations, be well-trained, rigorously disciplined, master all assigned equipment and weapons, and at the same time, have a spirit of unity, cooperation, and collective achievement.

Lieutenant Le Xuan Phuoc, Political Officer, shared that, given the nature of their work and the need for constant high concentration, maintaining a state of combat readiness and fighting, radar officers and soldiers must cultivate a strong spirit, unwavering will, and unwavering belief, becoming more experienced and mature every day. Right in front of the gate of Radar Station 18, there is a quote from the late Prime Minister Pham Van Dong's advice to radar officers and soldiers: "The eyes of the Vietnamese people are inherently sharp, and the eyes of radar soldiers must be even sharper…".

"For radar officers and soldiers, this is both a reminder and a motivation and goal for us to strive to fulfill, keeping our eyes always sharp to perform the task of combat readiness and managing the airspace in the Central and Central Highlands regions, contributing to the firm protection of the skies of the Vietnamese Fatherland," affirmed Senior Lieutenant Le Xuan Phuoc.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/mat-than-bao-ve-vung-troi-1026413