Shining victory to protect the sky

During his lifetime, Lieutenant General Nguyen Xuan Mau (1922-2025), former Deputy Head of the Central Military Party Committee's Inspection Commission (now the Central Military Commission's Inspection Commission), once told us about the early days of the 285th Regiment. At that time, as Deputy Political Commissar of the Air Defense - Air Force Service, he directly announced the decision to establish and the list of key cadres of the regiment at the service's cadre conference. After nearly 2 months of actively preparing to ensure logistics and accommodation for the troops, the unit basically stabilized its organization, forces and barracks. The regiment began studying basic contents to equip cadres and soldiers with the necessary knowledge to absorb modern military techniques. Along with Soviet experts instructing in missile technology, comrades from the Polytechnic University were assigned as teachers of electricity and radio.

To ensure secrecy and prevent enemy aircraft from attacking, classes were arranged in the forest in Mo Chen (Ha Tay). Although studying in evacuation conditions, lacking in many aspects, everyone actively sought ways to overcome difficulties and studied enthusiastically. On September 12, 1965, witnessed by representatives of the local government, people and Soviet experts, the founding ceremony of Regiment 285 took place in Hop Tien commune, Dong Hy district, Thai Nguyen province. That same afternoon, Commander of the Army Phung The Tai visited and assigned the task: Urgently train, within 3 months, the regiment's officers and soldiers must grasp and use weapons and technical equipment to shoot down enemy aircraft from the first battle, with the first bullet.

The launcher team of Battalion 71, Regiment 285 practices unloading and loading missiles. Photo: QUANG TU

The presence of Commander Phung The Tai on the founding day was a strong encouragement for officers and soldiers to overcome difficulties and challenges, quickly complete the training session, and be ready to enter combat according to the assigned mission at that time, which was to protect important targets in Hai Duong and Hai Phong. Even more honorable was that one afternoon in January 1966, Battalion 72, Regiment 285 welcomed General Vo Nguyen Giap, Minister of National Defense, to visit and give instructions on the determination to fight with certainty and the combat command ideology for missile troops. Before the General, the strong promise of the Political Commissar of Battalion 72, Do Dang Khoi, expressing the will to destroy enemy aircraft and protect the sky of the Fatherland, was responded to by hundreds of raised arms and loud shouts on the training ground.

Realizing that promise, the 285th Regiment entered the battle with a spirit of volunteerism, bravery and continuous achievements. The first battle was on March 3, 1966, coordinated with the 238th Missile Regiment, the 71st Battalion ambushed and attacked the enemy at Bai Bua battlefield (Hoa Binh). With 2 shells, the unit shot down an American F-105 aircraft on the spot. Two days later, under the command of Regiment Commander Vu Thanh and Political Commissar Nguyen Tan Thuat, Deputy Battalion Commander Nguyen Lan, Political Commissar Do Dang Khoi, the 72nd Battalion shot down an F-4 aircraft at Nam Trieu estuary (Bach Dang River). This was the first victory of the 72nd Battalion and also the first victory directly commanded by the Regiment. To commemorate this outstanding achievement, the Regiment was honored to be named Doan Nam Trieu.

Break time after training of officers and soldiers of Regiment 285. Photo: QUANG TU

In addition to deploying to the battlefield, organizing many high-performance battles to protect the sky of the North, Regiment 285 also mobilized forces to the battlefield of Zone 4, participated in combat and shot down dozens of enemy aircraft, protecting the strategic supply line Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail. Summing up the resistance war against the US, saving the country, Regiment 285 marched through 16 provinces and cities, fought in 431 battles, shot down 143 US aircraft, and captured many pilots. The Regiment and 2 groups and 4 individuals were awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces. Notably, in the Hanoi-Hai Phong Air Defense Campaign in December 1972, the Regiment excellently shot down 8 US aircraft, including 2 B-52s, contributing to the victory of "Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu in the air".

Recalling the historic battle of the unit, Lieutenant Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Pham Van Chat, former Battalion Commander of Battalion 72 (currently in Hai Phong City), said: "After the battle on December 26, 1972, Battalion 72 only had 2 rockets left, while Division 361 and the Regiment in Hai Phong were also seriously lacking in ammunition, and had no conditions to provide more. With encouragement from above, the Battalion Command did ideological work for the troops, determined to shoot down the B-52 with the remaining ammunition. On the night of December 27, Deputy Regiment Commander Nguyen Dinh Lam assigned the task to Battalion 71 to attack the B-52 group from the North of Tam Dao, while my battalion attacked the enemy from the Southeast. Battalion 71 launched 2 rockets but had no results. At our position, the combat team consisted of control officer Nguyen Van Dung, azimuth observer Tran Dang Khoa, and angle observer Nguyen Duc Chieu, Range gunner Nguyen Van Tuyen did not leave his position. When I determined that I had accurately tracked the B-52 jamming band, I ordered to attack the enemy using the T method. Two shells hit the B-52 target before it could release the bombs, falling into Huu Tiep Lake, Hanoi.

Firmly step on the new path

Talking to us, Hero Pham Van Chat clearly remembered each of his comrades who fought side by side in life-and-death battles along with many happy and sad memories in Battalion 72. He said: “Battalion 72 is one of two battalions along with Regiment 285 that were honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces. Having been out of work for many years, every time we return to meet and exchange traditions with today's young generation, we are very happy to know that the unit has maintained its achievements, always being the leading flag of the division and the service.”

The day we arrived at Regiment 285 was the peak of the summer heat wave. The temperature outside sometimes exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, but the combat crews were still actively practicing to fight the enemy's air raids. Their faces were sweaty and darkened by the sun and wind of the training ground, but their eyes were steadfast and highly focused, each action was always precise, and their commands were clear...

Combat crew of Battalion 72, Regiment 285 searching for the target. Photo: QUANG TU

Talking with Lieutenant Colonel Le Dinh Khang, Political Commissar of the Regiment, we learned that since September 1980, Regiment 285 has been under the direct control of Division 363. Continuing the tradition of the heroic unit, with the determination of the officers and soldiers, and the enthusiastic support of the Party Committee, government and local people, the Regiment has focused on training and building a stable unit in all aspects. For 10 consecutive years (2015-2024), the Regiment was awarded the flag "Excellent Training Unit" by the Ministry of National Defense. In the period 2019-2024, the Regiment had 10 collectives awarded the title of Victory Unit; 139 individuals awarded the title of Emulation Fighter. Participating in competitions and sports events at the service and army levels, Regiment 285 always won high prizes.

Continuing the words of the Political Commissar, Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Quang Hoa, Deputy Regiment Commander and Chief of Staff, said: In March 2023, the Regiment was honored to be the first unit of our Army to receive 3 sets of S-125VT missile equipment improved by the Military Industry-Telecoms Group. In just a short time of proactive and active training, the unit has completely mastered the equipment and put it on combat duty. Participating in the DT-23 exercise, the Regiment excellently destroyed the target and was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Minister of National Defense. The Regiment Commander and Battalion Commander of the combat team were individually awarded certificates of merit. Currently, some members of the unit are also teachers participating in instructing the use of this new equipment set for handover to units throughout the army...

While we were chatting with Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Quang Hoa, Lieutenant Colonel Bui Tuan Minh, the Deputy Regiment Commander, returned from inspecting the battlefield. Looking at his muddy uniform, we couldn't help but wonder. Understanding what he meant, he immediately said: "The day before yesterday there was a heavy rain, and now it's hot and sunny. Seeing the brothers working hard to reinforce the battlefield, I also jumped in to help. While working, I also inspected, and I can directly instruct the brothers on how to do it correctly, killing two birds with one stone." Having been with the unit for many years, having commanded combat teams participating in many competitions, sports and drills, Lieutenant Colonel Bui Tuan Minh provided more information: Over the past 5 years, the unit has detected 204,370 target groups, the rate of observing, detecting and reporting targets reached 100%, without any mistakes, omissions, delays or false reports. Notably, 100% of the Regiment's combat-ready duty units have met the standard of "Good duty unit".

We learned that to achieve the above results, the Party Committee and the Regiment's command have taken many synchronous measures. Every year, before entering training, the unit always proactively does a good job of preparation, focusing on organizing training for cadres at all levels, especially cadres directly participating in training on command and training management skills, methods, working style, communication skills, etc. When organizing to receive soldiers and then train new soldiers, the Regiment always conducts a review, grasps the quality, classifies specialized training according to specialties, as a basis for timely supplementing the combat crews of the fire squads. Thanks to that, the Regiment always has 2 to 3 combat crews that meet the standards of good training, ready to participate in and complete well the assigned drills and live-fire missions. “We have just received information that the combat team of Battalion 75 of the Regiment has just won third prize in participating in the tactical exercise of the S-125M air defense missile technical squad in 2025 in Da Nang city. So, on the upcoming 60th anniversary of its founding, along with receiving the Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal, the golden page of achievements of the unit continues to be extended,” Lieutenant Colonel Le Dinh Khang proudly said.

SONG THANH - THUY NGAN

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/xung-danh-doan-nam-trieu-anh-hung-843032