Pilot recounts the moment 'flying over the sea of red flags on April 30, his heart trembled for the Fatherland'

A beautiful moment from the cockpit: tens of thousands of Ho Chi Minh City residents waved flags, cheered, and gave strength to the air force soldiers.

"When we looked down and saw people cheering and waving red flags with yellow stars, our hearts were filled with pride and excitement. We understood that this was not just a demonstration flight but a historical moment recreated in the peaceful sky...". That was the sharing of helicopter and fighter pilots of the Vietnam People's Air Force opening the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification on April 30 (A50).

Emotions surged when performing at the ceremony

Sharing of two pilots leading the Su-30MK2 fighter formation on the morning of April 30

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Truong Toan, political commissar of Regiment 917, shared that after more than three months of careful preparation, the A50 flight plan was fully and emotionally carried out by the air force. The flight routes not only required skillful flying techniques but also the skillful coordination of each flight crew.

A squadron of aerobatic fighters began a demonstration of dropping heat traps in the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

Colonel Nguyen The Dung - political commissar of Division 371, leader of the Su-30MK2 formation - said that although he had flown demonstrations at many major events, this time was a special pressure and honor.

"We flew over the stage at 'G-hour', emotions were running high, but immediately after that we had to quickly concentrate, maintain formation, and keep every second of flight precise to complete the mission," said the colonel.

Lieutenant Colonel, pilot Dang Dinh Kien - deputy political commissar of Air Force Regiment 935, Division 370 (standing in the middle)

At an altitude of hundreds of meters, amid the roar of engines and the gazes of tens of thousands of people below, every pilot feels pride.

Lieutenant Colonel Dang Dinh Kien - Deputy Political Commissar of Regiment 935 - said: "After flying in circles, pulling up at a 45-degree angle and releasing heat traps, we saw joy shining from the air of the people below. That was the biggest reward for days of hard training."

Colonel Vi Xuan Hung - Regiment 927, born in 1975 - shared: "Flying in the sky where my father fought is an indescribable feeling"

As for Colonel Vi Xuan Hung - head of flight safety of Regiment 927 - this flight has a very unique color.

Born in 1975, and flying over the land where his father fought, Mr. Hung was moved: "From the practice and rehearsal sessions, I seemed to see my father's figure in every street corner and tree canopy. That is the motivation for us to fly beautifully, fly safely, and fly proudly."

Logistics team refuels helicopter, preparing for flight from Bien Hoa to Ho Chi Minh City

Preparing for the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country

Captain Nguyen Van Lang - pilot of Regiment 916, Division 371 - is one of the typical young faces participating in a demonstration flight for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of April 30.

Mr. Lang shared: "As a young pilot, being trusted to join the flight formation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification is a great honor. I am fully aware that this is not only an opportunity to express myself but also a responsibility to follow in the footsteps of my fathers and brothers."

Before the official takeoff on April 30, the flight crew focused on reviewing the technical specifications, every small detail could determine the safety and success of the mission.

Flying into Ho Chi Minh City's airspace for the first time, a densely populated city with many high-rise buildings and limited airspace conditions, Mr. Lang and his teammates spent a lot of time preparing carefully.

"We carefully studied the flight route, climate, and safety measures. During the training period at the unit and joint training at Bien Hoa airport, I always tried to learn and absorb from my seniors. The common spirit is that everyone is looking towards the South, flying accurately, beautifully, and safely."

Colonel Do Viet Hung - Deputy Chief of Political Affairs of Division 371 - smiled brightly after the successful flight.

Behind each performance are hundreds of hours of practice, days without rest, even on weekends. Colonel Do Viet Hung - Deputy Political Commissar of Division 371 - affirmed that despite the great pressure, the air force soldiers always focused highly, ensuring the distance and time, while feeling the enthusiastic cheers from the people.

"It is that sentiment that gives us the strength to complete our mission in the sky of Ho Chi Minh City today."

The ceremony has ended, but the emotions remain. The sky warriors will continue to train, preparing for bigger missions such as the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2nd this year. And the proud roars of April 30th will surely echo forever in the hearts of the people of the whole country.

Watching helicopters raise the flag, fighter jets roar and drop heat traps in the sky of Ho Chi Minh City on the great day of April 30, 2025

Images of helicopter and fighter jet flights practicing and performing for the April 30th celebration:

Pilots prepare for a formation flight with a Su-30MK2 aircraft model.

Check helicopter engine before and after flight time

The helicopter cockpit consists of 3 people, carefully prepared before takeoff.

Mi-17 with its characteristic yellow and green colors flying in the sky of Bien Hoa on April 30, 2025

Helicopters begin raising flags from Bien Hoa to Ho Chi Minh City

A fighter jet began to taxi down the runway as the sun rose.

Pilots perform flights according to the overall program scenario, maintaining a steady flight distance.

Fighter jets soar, tearing through the sky over central Ho Chi Minh City

Special moment fighter jets drop heat traps in the sky of Ho Chi Minh City

Days without rest on Bien Hoa runway

According to Tuoi Tre , before officially taking off on the April 30 holiday, the pilots of the Air Defense - Air Force underwent a rigorous and intensive training journey. At Bien Hoa airport, where the pilots practiced, the squadrons continuously conducted test flights, adjusted formations, and coordinated between many types of aircraft at different speeds.

From studying the meteorological characteristics of the Ho Chi Minh City area, to calculating altitude, wind direction, air clearance... every factor is carefully analyzed. The flight crews also practice on Saturdays and Sundays. It is a journey of dedicated and disciplined preparation to have a successful and extremely impressive performance on the great day of April 30, 2025.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phi-cong-ke-lai-giay-phut-bay-qua-bien-co-do-ngay-30-4-tim-rung-len-vi-to-quoc-20250502170803771.htm#content-15