At exactly 7:45 a.m. on September 13, a military helicopter of Regiment 916, Air Division 371 (Air Defense - Air Force) took off from Gia Lam Airport (Hanoi), carrying food, provisions, life-saving equipment... to Bao Lam district (Cao Bang province), where traffic was cut off by landslides.
Overcoming clouds, dodging mountain passes into landslide-damaged areas
The two main pilots on the flight were Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ba Duc - Deputy Commander of Regiment 916 and Captain Vuong Dinh Long - Squadron Commander of Squadron 1, Regiment 916.
The flight crew studies the map and landmarks before takeoff. Photo: Dinh Hieu
According to Captain Vuong Dinh Long, the flight from Gia Lam Airport to Bao Lam district (Cao Bang province) is highly complicated due to the terrain being rugged forests and mountains.
“Before the mission, the flight crew carefully studied the map and landmarks, as well as calculation methods on the flight path,” said Captain Vuong Dinh Long.
Pilots have to fly along rivers to avoid high mountains. Photo: Dinh Hieu
Captain Vuong Dinh Long – the main pilot on the flight carrying relief goods to Bao Lam district. Photo: Dinh Hieu
Also according to Captain Vuong Dinh Long, during the flight to Bao Lam district, the flight crew often encountered thick clouds and had to fly around to avoid them.
“During the process of reducing altitude to prepare to land at Bao Lam district stadium, the flight crew encountered many high mountains. The two pilots and the navigation engineer had to concentrate to avoid them and fly along the river to ensure safety,” said pilot level 1 Vuong Dinh Long.
Airborne mechanical positions also continuously monitor maps and landmarks along the flight path. Photo: Dinh Hieu
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ba Duc - Deputy Regiment Commander, Chief of Staff of Regiment 916, for this flight mission, the flight crew had reached an agreement on the specific location.
“We will also coordinate with flight forecasters and notify all positions of the District Military Command to help us during takeoff and landing,” said Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ba Duc.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ba Duc directly piloted the Mi-17 military helicopter. Photo: Dinh Hieu
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ba Duc, Bao Lam district is a remote location with difficult terrain. The flight crew had to pass through many valleys during the mission, but the flight crew was very ready to carry out the mission.
Necessities reach people in isolated areas in time
After 1 hour of flying, the military helicopter of the Vietnam People's Air Force arrived at Bao Lam district (Cao Bang province). Looking from the helicopter, one can observe many landslides that washed away roads, causing traffic disruption. In fact, a 1km stretch of road had 4 landslides.
Landslides have disrupted traffic in Bao Lam district. Photo: Dinh Hieu
As soon as the helicopter landed at Bao Lam district stadium, district leaders, armed forces and a large number of people were waiting to welcome it.
Two tons of goods including: dry food, drinking water, canned meat... were unloaded by the district's armed forces and flight crew to the stadium and ready to be distributed to the people.
Goods were quickly unloaded at Bao Lam district stadium. Photo: Dinh Hieu
Mr. Bui Xuan Quy - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Bao Lam district held hands with Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ba Duc and said: "The gifts and attention from the Ministry of National Defense, the Air Defense - Air Force and the people of the whole country are extremely valuable sources of encouragement, at a time when the whole district is being cut off by landslides."
Unable to hide his emotions, Captain Vuong Duc Long said that as soon as he landed safely at Bao Lam district's stadium and saw the welcoming people, he felt very emotional.
Previously, on September 12, Regiment 916 also conducted flights to Nguyen Binh town (Cao Bang province) to deliver relief goods to people affected by floods and landslides.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/cung-truc-thang-vuot-may-lach-nui-dua-hang-cuu-tro-den-noi-tu-be-chia-cat-2321752.html
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