Also attending were Lieutenant General, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Duc Soat, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army; Lieutenant General Tran Ngoc Quyen, Political Commissar of the Air Defense - Air Force; comrade generals, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces; leaders, former leaders of the Air Defense - Air Force; representatives of generations of officers and soldiers of Regiment 257 through the periods.

Delegates attending the celebration.

General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense sent a letter of commendation to the officers and soldiers of the Regiment.

In 1965, to save the defeat on the Southern battlefield, the US imperialists massively sent expeditionary troops to the South, expanding the escalating war to destroy the North. The enemy air force focused on attacking traffic targets in the provinces of Ninh Binh, Son La, Lao Cai , Phu Tho... to prevent our army and people from supporting the South and going to Laos.

Faced with requirements and tasks, on November 13, 1965, the Ministry of National Defense decided to establish Missile Regiment 257.

Authorized by the President , Lieutenant General Tran Ngoc Quyen pinned the Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal on the Victory Flag of Regiment 257.
Authorized by the President, Lieutenant General Tran Ngoc Quyen awarded the Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal to Regiment 257.

After a period of active and urgent preparation, on April 1, 1966, the Regiment officially held its founding ceremony in Canh Nau commune, Yen The district, Ha Bac province (formerly Bac Giang province, now Bac Ninh province). The Regiment's combat formation consisted of 4 firepower battalions: 76, 77, 78, 79 and the 80th Engineering Battalion.

On August 7, 1966, Battalion 76 launched its first successful battle, shooting down an F-105D on the spot, capturing the pilot. During the resistance war against the US, to save the country, the Regiment mobilized and fought in 9 provinces and cities, fought 450 battles, and shot down 74 US aircraft of all types. Notably, during the "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air" campaign in December 1972, the Regiment shot down 11 B52 "flying fortresses" (8 crashed on the spot).

Lieutenant General Tran Ngoc Quyen spoke at the ceremony.

After 60 years of building, fighting and growing, under the leadership of the Party, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, the Air Defense - Air Force, Divisions 365 and 363, and directly and regularly under the leadership and direction of the Party Committee and command of Division 361; the care, support and assistance of the Party Committee, government and people of the locality where it is stationed, Regiment 257 has continuously grown in all aspects, achieved many feats and outstanding achievements, and built the glorious tradition of the heroic Red Flag Group.

With its outstanding achievements and feats of arms, on August 29, 1985, the Regiment was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and the State. In addition, the Regiment was also awarded 47 medals, 54 badges of various types, and many other noble awards.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Hung Cuong, Commander of Regiment 257, presented a commemorative speech.

In 2025, the Regiment will successfully complete the tasks of combat readiness and airspace management; develop an air defense plan to protect key targets; complete and supplement the system of documents in accordance with the organization of the two-level local government apparatus. Regularly organize training and practice to improve the level of soldiers, meeting the requirements and tasks of protecting the Fatherland in the new period.

The regiment carried out mass mobilization work well with many practical activities, leaving a good impression and image on the local Party committees, authorities and people where it was stationed.

Speaking at the ceremony, on behalf of the Standing Party Committee and the Air Defense - Air Force Command, Lieutenant General Tran Ngoc Quyen commended and congratulated the achievements of officers and soldiers of Regiment 257 over the past 60 years.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Cong Suc, Political Commissar of Regiment 257, read the Letter of Commendation from the Minister of National Defense to officers and soldiers of the Regiment.

Faced with the requirements and tasks of building a "revolutionary, disciplined, elite, and modern" Army, Lieutenant General Tran Ngoc Quyen requested the Regiment to focus on building officers and soldiers with strong political will; absolute loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland, and the people; constantly raising awareness of the situation and tasks in the new revolutionary period; focusing on building a comprehensively strong "exemplary, typical" Regiment; officers and soldiers with qualifications, capacity, and moral qualities equal to the requirements and tasks; building a spirit of solidarity and high determination, successfully completing all assigned tasks.

At the ceremony, authorized by the President, Lieutenant General Tran Ngoc Quyen awarded the Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal to Regiment 257.

News and photos: LE HIEU

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/tin-tuc/thuong-tuong-le-huy-vinh-du-le-ky-niem-60-nam-ngay-truyen-thong-trung-doan-257-su-doan-361-1011789