Half a century of glory

On May 21, 1975, the Ministry of National Defense decided to establish the 917th Helicopter Regiment, in order to quickly take over, preserve and exploit a large number of captured aircraft and helicopters after the complete liberation of the South.

Under difficult conditions, lacking documents and experts, officers and soldiers of the Regiment promoted the spirit of self-reliance, overcoming difficulties, mastering techniques, quickly putting dozens of modern helicopters such as UH-1, CH-47 into operation, ready to fight, protecting the achievements of the revolution.

Aircraft of Regiment 917 participate in the "Airborne Landing" exercise with Special Forces Brigade 429.

At the end of 1975, Regiment 917 deployed armed flight crews to coordinate with the troops of Military Region 6 to effectively suppress reactionary groups. For the first time, UH-1 flight crews performed landing missions, providing fire support from the air, helping the infantry to push reactionary groups out of hot spots, maintaining security in the strategic Central Highlands region.

Spread your wings and fly on the Southwest border

In the face of provocations and invasions by the Pol Pot genocidal regime after 1975, Regiment 917 promptly mobilized to the areas of Tay Ninh, An Giang , Kien Giang, and Ha Tien. The unit organized reconnaissance flights, provided supplies, medical aid, and provided fire support for the infantry, contributing to defeating the attacks and firmly protecting the southwestern border of the Fatherland.

Aircraft of Regiment 917 practice live-fire.

On March 16, 1978, under the command of pilot Nguyen Luong Bang, the Regiment successfully organized a helicopter raid, supporting the liberation of many areas occupied by Pol Pot.

From 1979 to 1989, Regiment 917 performed international missions in Cambodia, participating in more than 250 combat battles, conducting hundreds of flights to transport forces, provide medical aid, and conduct reconnaissance in complex mountainous areas.

With more than 20,000 safe flight hours, the Regiment contributed with Vietnamese volunteer soldiers to help the Cambodian people escape the genocidal regime and build the country.

Training flight to take off and land on DK 1-10 platform.

After completing the international mission, the Regiment returned home and entered the training and construction phase under many difficult conditions. Without technical support, the unit still steadfastly maintained its operations, proactively improving and repairing equipment.

The regiment expanded its missions to include combat training, search and rescue, humanitarian aid, medical transport, and patrolling to protect the sovereignty of islands and seas. Many rescue flights at sea and on high mountains were carried out safely and promptly, demonstrating a sense of responsibility and service to the people.

Firmly step on the new path

Entering the 21st century, the Regiment continues to invest in modernization, receive new equipment, organize specialized training, fly at sea, fly at night, rescue and emergency flights on rooftops, LST ships, DK1 platforms, meeting mission requirements in all conditions.

Flight to test the landing field at Military Hospital 175.

Training work has been innovated synchronously, many young pilots have been trained systematically, continuing to promote the tradition of their ancestors, building the Regiment to be increasingly standardized, elite and modern.

With the motto "Good training, strict discipline, high combat readiness", Regiment 917 constantly consolidates its overall strength, improves its command and combat coordination skills, builds a clean and strong party organization, and a comprehensively strong unit.

The regiment regularly organizes live-fire drills, joint military and service drills, regional defense drills, special flight crew drills, etc. to improve combat readiness and firmly protect sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially the sacred seas and islands of the Fatherland.

Members of the 917th Regiment's flight crew after completing their mission of flying the flag at the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day.

With its outstanding achievements in combat and work, the 917 Helicopter Regiment has been awarded many noble prizes by the Party, the State and the Army: Second-class Military Exploit Medal, Military Exploit Medal, Emulation Flag of the Government, the Ministry of National Defense, along with dozens of certificates of merit and the title of Determined to Win Unit. Many pilots have achieved the title of "Excellent Pilot", many flight crews have been recognized as "Safe Flight Crew" for many consecutive years.

Following the heroic tradition, the officers and soldiers of Regiment 917 today continue to promote their bravery, will to rise up, the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers - Air Force soldiers", maintain their faith, and are ready to receive and successfully complete all assigned tasks in the new situation.

Lieutenant Colonel DO ANH TUAN , Deputy Chief of Politics , Regiment 917

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/trung-doan-khong-quan-917-50-nam-xay-dung-chien-dau-va-phat-trien-829108