Mount Red resounded with the sound of the charge.

Báo Quân đội Nhân dân•06/05/2023

From An Khe ( Gia Lai ), officers and soldiers of Battalion 2 (Regiment 1, Division 2) traveled a long distance to reinforce and support the Ninh Thuan Provincial Military Command in accelerating the construction of a system of fortifications, trenches, and a simulated combat base for the exercise.

Despite difficult living conditions, hot weather, complex terrain and geology, and sometimes inadequate specialized equipment and vehicles, after 50 days and nights racing against time, the officers and soldiers of Battalion 2 completed the construction and camouflage of the entire system of meeting tunnels, working tunnels, and hiding tunnels; repaired, filled with sandbags, and made camouflage nets along more than 3km of trenches...

Recently, during a visit to encourage the forces carrying out their duties at the Nui Do training ground, on behalf of the Ninh Thuan provincial leadership, Comrade Nguyen Duc Thanh, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Head of the Steering Committee for the Ninh Thuan Provincial Defense Zone Exercise, acknowledged, commended, and highly appreciated the spirit, responsibility, efforts, and dedication of the young people of the "Steel Division" in participating in and supporting the local area in building the (simulated) combat base.

Receiving orders to reinforce the armed forces of Ninh Thuan province and participate in repelling enemy airborne landings at the Nui Do training ground, upholding the tradition of "Once deployed, we will win," the officers and soldiers of the 574th Armored Brigade were determined to completely destroy the target with the first shots. After comprehensive training and preparatory firepower, from the northern flank, the mighty T54 tanks charged to seize the target; leading and supporting the infantry in encircling, dividing, and shattering the enemy formation.

Amidst the swirling dust and smoke, the deep tracks of the tank tracks on the ground clearly demonstrated the tank soldiers' unwavering dedication to training, enduring the sun and rain. Major Bui Anh Hung, Deputy Chief of Staff of the 574th Armored Brigade, stated: “After finalizing the firing plan, the unit mobilized all its personnel to actively survey, open roads, set up training grounds, install targets, and organize training to improve the soldiers' skills, coordination, and combat readiness. The hot weather caused the tires to overheat, making each battle arduous and challenging, but we never hesitated or gave up.”

As the sun reached its zenith, on the main attack direction, under the command of Corporal Chau Cong Nhien, Commander of Gun Crew 1, the 100mm mortar gunners quickly adjusted their firing elements, manipulated the fuses and charges, and prepared for orders. Not far away, the 82mm mortar crews (Permanent Militia Platoon, Nhon Hai Commune Military Command, Ninh Hai District) and the 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Platoon (896th Infantry Regiment) were also actively aiming and destroying targets. Regularly, twice a day, the Nui Do training ground resounded with the charge of the young soldiers.

According to Colonel Nguyen Tuy, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Ninh Thuan Provincial Military Command, in addition to the main forces reinforced by the Military Region, the personnel participating in the live-fire exercise were mainly officers from the B-level cadre and reserve forces, militia and self-defense forces from agencies, units, and localities within the provincial armed forces. Although each person had different jobs and circumstances, some comrades had just gotten married 3-4 days prior, but when the mobilization order came, they still enthusiastically set off to fulfill their duties.

Thanks to effective education , briefing, task deployment, training, joint exercises, small-scale drills, frequent practice, inspections, evaluations, experience sharing, and regular corrections, the soldiers have made rapid progress and matured. With their achievements and positive contributions during training, five outstanding individuals from the regular army, reserve forces, and militia were recently admitted to the Party by the Party branch right on the battlefield, serving as shining examples for other citizens to follow.

“With stone spikes, pit traps, and rock snares/ Determined to rise up and trample the evil villains/ The villages rejoice, beating gongs loudly/ Many joyful songs mingled with the sounds of the t'rưng instrument.” In the sun and wind of the training ground, the lyrics of the song about the national hero Pi Năng Tắc served as encouragement and motivation for the officers and soldiers of the Ninh Thuận Provincial Armed Forces to stand shoulder to shoulder, successfully completing the tasks of preparing, serving, and participating in the 2023 provincial defense zone exercise.

Text and photos: VIET HUNG

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