The afternoon light gradually falls, when everyone returns home, gathers with their families, it is also the time for officers and employees to change shifts, preparing to enter the electronic reconnaissance shift at the unit. In the electronic warfare command automation system control room, Captain Do Van Viet, Station Chief of Station 1 (Battalion 97) and the operators on duty arrive 10 minutes before the shift change to check the machinery and equipment system. They divide each person into an area, carefully and meticulously observe each line, part, and electronic detail on the equipment, accurately assess the operating status to promptly detect damage, quickly come up with a repair plan, and overcome when an incident occurs.

Officers, staff and soldiers of Battalion 97 (General Staff of Military Region 3) are practicing reconnaissance and target detection.

“These are very modern, high-tech devices that have to operate frequently, so they are prone to breakdowns. Therefore, we have to check them carefully to ensure that they are always working well. Just one second of downtime can cause some important electronic situations to be missed,” said Captain Do Van Viet.

After completing the inspection and handover, the on-duty crew began to carry out their duties. At this time, in the on-duty room, there was only the sound of static waves and the sounds of signals from our reconnaissance equipment. Each operator went to a position, focused on listening and taking notes in the logbook. If you just looked at it, many people might think that this was a simple, less strenuous job, but when you study it carefully, you will understand the stress and hardship of the electronic warfare soldiers.

Lieutenant Do Van Phu, Station 1's Engineer, shared: "When entering the shift, we determine that we are entering a combat position, so we must concentrate highly, forget everything, time, space, all surrounding noises, do not talk, do not use cell phones, put all our intelligence and strength into our ears to listen, our brain to analyze and our hands to take notes."

Officers, staff and soldiers of Battalion 97 (General Staff of Military Region 3) are practicing reconnaissance and target detection at night.

According to Comrade Phu, each operator is assigned 3 to 4 reconnaissance devices, 6 notebooks to monitor and manage hundreds of frequencies at the same time. During the on-duty process, they must listen, analyze signals, target characteristics, determine target location frequencies to update the notebook and report to superiors when there is an emergency. These operations must be performed within a few seconds, ensuring accuracy and speed so that the operator can continue to handle other situations. Sometimes, many signals appear at the same time, they must be tense, quickly handle them and forget about the shift change time.

Each shift at the unit of officers and staff of Battalion 97 usually lasts from 3 to 4 hours, in a small room with an area of ​​nearly 40m2 , with fewer troops than a squad, but they manage, monitor, and grasp all information and signals in the air, at sea, and on land with an area of ​​tens of thousands of km2 .

In addition to maintaining regular duty at the unit, Battalion 97 also mobilizes reconnaissance forces to grasp the electronic situation in provinces and cities in Military Region 3 and performs the task of protecting security and safety for major events, activities of delegations of heads of state and leaders of the Party, State and Army taking place in Military Region 3. With a high spirit of combat readiness, officers and employees of Battalion 97 always strictly follow the duty regime, ensuring weapons and equipment are in the best condition to carry out tasks when ordered.

Major Nguyen Van Hiep, Deputy Battalion Commander - Chief of Staff of Battalion 97, said: “The unit usually organizes the maneuver 3 to 4 days before the event takes place. Transporting equipment and weapons weighing tens of kilograms to a height of tens or hundreds of meters to carry out the mission. Once the arrangement is complete, we are on duty at the location 24/7, regardless of hot weather or thunderstorms, not leaving the location and only returning to the unit after the event ends.”

Officers and staff of Battalion 97 (General Staff of Military Region 3) decorate the unit's landscape to welcome party congresses at all levels.

With a sense of responsibility and competitive spirit towards party congresses at all levels, officers and employees of Battalion 97 always grasp the electronic situation in the area, promptly report to superiors and handle situations well, contributing to maintaining political security, order and social safety in the area.

Lieutenant Colonel Bui Hung Manh, Party Secretary and Political Commissar of Battalion 97, said: “To achieve practical results towards the Party Congress at all levels, we conduct propaganda and education to raise awareness and responsibility of cadres, employees and soldiers. The unit considers completing political tasks as the most practical and meaningful thing to do to welcome the congress. In addition, we are implementing construction works and renovating the unit campus. The cadres, employees and soldiers of Battalion 97 always express their belief and expectation for a successful Party Congress with many innovations, bringing the country into a new era.”

Article and photos: PHAM QUYET

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/bo-doi-97-tich-cuc-thi-dua-chao-mung-dai-hoi-821655