7 helicopters practice raising the national flag for the opening ceremony of the National Defense Exhibition
Báo Dân trí•11/12/2024
(Dan Tri) - At the opening ceremony of the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, 7 helicopters of Air Force Regiment 916 (Air Defense - Air Force Service) will perform a demonstration of raising the national flag and exhibition flag over the stands of Gia Lam airport.
The 2nd Vietnam International Defense Exhibition (2024) will take place from December 19 to 22. At the opening ceremony, the Vietnam Air Force will perform a welcome flight over the stands of Gia Lam Airport (Hanoi) with a force of 7 helicopters of various types such as Mi8, Mi171 and Mi172 belonging to Division 371 (Air Defense - Air Force) and 7 SU-30MK2 fighters. These days, at Air Force Regiment 916 (Air Force Division 371 - Air Defense - Air Force Service, Ministry of National Defense), officers and soldiers continue to complete training exercises, practice flying to raise the national flag and the exhibition flag to serve in the opening ceremony of the important event on the morning of December 19. Many months ago, after receiving instructions and guidance, Air Force Regiment 916 organized a review and selection of pilots and flight crew members, ensuring the qualifications and technical capacity to fly in formations of 3 and 4 aircraft. To develop the plan, Regiment 916 (Division 371) added pilots and instructors from Regiment 917 (Division 370), Regiment 930 (Division 372) to train pilots and fly in formation. A total of 9 helicopters (7 official, 2 reserve) participated in the exhibition. During the past 3 weeks, Regiment 916 built flight plans, continuously trained, especially training on formation spacing and how to handle unexpected situations during the flight. During the practice flight, there was a flag raising, a helicopter performing a meteorological inspection flight returned to the training area, and reported the weather to ensure the flight crew could perform the training flight.
The national flags and exhibition flags have the same size: about 20 square meters, 5.4 meters long and 3.6 meters wide. The flag is made of polyester - a fabric that is tough, durable and breathable, ensuring good performance during the march. After being spread out, the helicopter flag will be retracted and hung by a cable. The 8m long cable will be fixed to the hook outside the helicopter along with a 120kg counterweight to ensure the flag rope is tight, straight, and keeps the flag flying beautifully when the helicopter flies at a speed of 80-120km/h. After the preparation and strict inspection by all levels (team leader, squadron and battalion), the flight organization began training the formation of 7 helicopters. The formation of 3 helicopters flew in front in an arrow shape, the 4 helicopters behind in a diamond shape. The front formation consisted of 1 national flag in front and the rear formation consisted of 2 national flags and 2 exhibition flags. A total of 7 helicopters flying 3 national flags and 4 exhibition flags were on duty. National flags and exhibition flags flutter in the sky over the suburbs of Hanoi. Vast ornamental plant gardens (Van Giang district, Hung Yen) under the national flag fluttering in the sky. In just over 15 minutes, from Hoa Lac airport, the two flight squadrons arrived at a position across the Red River (southeast of Hanoi), bordering Hung Yen province. Here, the two squadrons reorganized their formation and then entered the capital. Two groups of helicopters flew over the Gia Lam airport grandstand, where the formation training for the opening ceremony of the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 was taking place. According to the plan, the helicopters flew over the grandstand at an average speed of 120km/h and an altitude of less than 200m.
Then, two helicopter squadrons with flags flew across Long Bien district, flew over Dong Tru bridge... and returned to Hoa Lac airport. Up to now, the officers, pilots, and flight crew have practiced the training thoroughly, determined to bring a special performance to serve the delegates and international guests as well as the large audience watching at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024.
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