Through numerous changes in designation, organization, staffing, and deployment locations, generations of officers and soldiers of the Brigade have always remained united, overcoming all difficulties and hardships, successfully completing their tasks, and building a tradition of "Unity and cooperation, proactive attack, and unwavering victory."

The leader of Brigade 513 gives a traditional talk to the officers and soldiers of the unit. Photo: TRUONG NGUYEN

Born during the war of resistance against the US, the 25th Engineering Battalion quickly stabilized its organization and personnel, actively participating in combat and combat support. When the US imperialists intensified their war of destruction in the North, the unit's officers and soldiers demonstrated the determination: "The enemy destroys, we repair and move forward; the engineering bridges and ferries are ready, awaiting orders to attack," persistently staying on the roads and bridges, participating in over 1,000 days and nights at key transportation hubs, building over 50,000 meters of floating bridges, operating over 25,000 ferry trips, and constructing and repairing hundreds of kilometers of military roads.

With the country at peace, and facing the need to overcome the consequences of war, on July 15, 1976, the Combined Engineering Regiment of Military Region 3 was transformed into the 513th Engineering Regiment, undertaking the tasks of both training and clearing bombs, mines, and unexploded ordnance. In two years (1975, 1976), the unit searched for and neutralized more than 35,900 mines and torpedoes; liberating tens of thousands of hectares of land in Quang Tri province...

In the late 1980s, the situation on the northern border became complicated. Following the directives of the 3rd Military Region Command, the 513th Engineering Regiment provided 350 construction vehicles and 1,200 skilled technicians, building thousands of meters of tunnels, hundreds of combat fortifications, and over 120 kilometers of strategic access roads in the northern border provinces and neighboring Laos, contributing to the maintenance of the border.

Entering the period of industrialization and modernization of the country, to meet the requirements of the mission, in May 1989, the Ministry of National Defense decided to expand the organizational structure of the 513th Engineering Regiment into the 513th Engineering Brigade, carrying out the tasks of training, combat readiness, bomb and mine clearance, and construction of defense structures.

With outstanding achievements in its development, combat, and growth, the Brigade was honored to welcome President Ho Chi Minh during the Lunar New Year of 1966; it was twice awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, along with many other prestigious awards. In recent years, the unit has consistently been a leading force in the Emulation Movement for Victory of the Armed Forces of Military Region 3; it is a model unit awarded the emulation flag by the Ministry of National Defense.

The 513th Engineering Brigade consistently excels in political education, ideological motivation, and building determination among officers and soldiers in carrying out their duties. Party building is emphasized, helping to enhance the leadership capacity and combat strength of Party organizations, contributing to building a strong Brigade in terms of politics, ideology, organization, ethics, and personnel.

The brigade strictly implements the orders, directives, and combat readiness plans of its superiors; proactively develops a complete system of operational documents tailored to the specific situation. Agencies and units regularly replenish sufficient combat readiness materials; maintain strict personnel, weapons, equipment, and vehicles on duty as prescribed. The unit's officers and soldiers are the core force participating in assisting local Party committees, authorities, and people in preventing and combating natural disasters, epidemics, and in rescue and relief operations in the area.

Annually, the Brigade's Party Committee and command lead and direct training work according to the correct principles, viewpoints, and guidelines, closely aligned with the target audience, tasks, and organizational structure. The Brigade completes 100% of the training content and programs; the inspection results show that 100% of the subjects and modules meet the requirements, with over 80% achieving good or excellent results; for many consecutive years, it has been awarded the title of "Excellent Training Unit". The unit participates in competitions and sports events organized by higher authorities and achieves high results.

Over the years, despite undertaking many challenging and technically demanding construction projects in border and island areas, the unit has always completed them on schedule and to a high standard. The brigade has successfully completed projects to clear unexploded bombs and mines left over from the war, ensuring absolute safety.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/viet-tiep-chien-cong-o-don-vi-hai-lan-anh-hung-1040190