Promoting the tradition of the Northwest Artillery Corps in the past and the tradition of the heroic Artillery Corps, in response to the urgent requirements of the combat mission to protect the northern border, the officers and soldiers of the Regiment overcame all difficulties, both receiving equipment and organizing training and building the unit. In early 1979, the Regiment organized into artillery clusters to directly support combat units on the main defensive direction of Military Region 2 in the Lao Cai area.

Due to the need to develop forces, in November 1979, the Regiment was reinforced, supplemented with forces, equipment and implemented the decision of the Ministry of National Defense to organize into the 168th Artillery Brigade. The unit focused on the tasks of training, combat readiness (SSCD), fighting and building the Brigade to meet the requirements of the mission in the new situation. In the face of the enemy's increasingly expanding border invasion war, from the end of May 1984 to the beginning of 1986, the Brigade was assigned by Military Region 2 to establish a Campaign Artillery Cluster, directly supporting the combined arms units participating in combat, while restraining and suppressing the enemy's artillery positions in the rear. During this period, the Brigade participated in major campaigns of the front and excellently completed its tasks, receiving praise from superiors, trust from the local government, people and friendly units. After successfully completing the task of combat readiness and fighting on the border, the Brigade returned to Phu Tho province. Since then, the Party Committee, Brigade commander, Party committees and commanders at all levels have focused on leading and directing the building of a comprehensively strong peacetime mixed artillery brigade in accordance with the requirements from above.

Artillery Brigade 168 conducts live-fire drills with BM-21 artillery, 2023. Photo: NGUYEN NGOC PHUONG

Promoting the glorious tradition of combat readiness and victorious combat, over the years, the officers and soldiers of the Brigade have always been united, united, actively studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style, proactively overcoming difficulties, constantly improving the overall quality and combat strength of the unit. In all circumstances, officers and soldiers always have a strong political stance, are absolutely loyal to the Party, the State and the people. The Brigade strictly maintains combat readiness regimes. In training, the Party Committee and the Brigade command determined to continue to thoroughly grasp and strictly implement Resolution No. 1659-NQ/QUTW dated December 20, 2022 of the Central Military Commission on improving the quality of training in the period 2023-2030 and the following years. Focus on building a team of training officers at all levels with comprehensive qualifications and capacity, attaching importance to synchronous, in-depth training, close to combat reality; Focus on practice, quality and efficiency; actively and quickly apply science and technology to improve management, command, operation and training quality; closely combine military training with political education. Strengthen physical training, night training, training to improve mobility and combat readiness.

The Brigade participated in many tactical exercises, competitions, and sports events organized by the Ministry of National Defense and Military Region 2, all of which achieved high results. At the same time, it strictly maintained the order of regular construction, strictly complied with the laws of the State, and the discipline of the Army. Along with that, the Brigade actively participated in building political bases in the area, propagating and mobilizing people to implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, and actively participated in building new rural areas. The officers and soldiers of the Brigade always proactively helped people prevent, combat, and overcome the consequences of natural disasters, storms and floods, stabilize their lives and production. Promoting the potential and strengths of the unit, the Brigade always promoted production and livestock farming with many creative methods and models, contributing to significantly improving and enhancing the lives and health care of soldiers. The unit has fully and promptly ensured weapons and technical equipment (VKTBKT) for the missions. The focus is on combat readiness, training and drills. Improve the quality of management, preservation, maintenance, repair and storage of military equipment and technical means associated with the implementation of the 50 Campaign. Implement well the contents of regular construction of technical work, ensuring absolute safety of warehouses, military equipment and technical means and traffic safety.

After 45 years of building, fighting and growing, the officers and soldiers of the 168th Artillery Brigade have created the tradition of "Solidarity, discipline, mobility, victory". The Brigade was honored to be awarded the Second and Third Class Military Exploit Medals by the Party and the State; First, Second and Third Class Military Exploit Medals; Third Class Fatherland Protection Medals. The 2nd Artillery Battalion was awarded the title of Heroic Unit of the People's Armed Forces for its outstanding achievements in fighting to protect the border. In recent years, the Brigade has always been awarded the "Excellent Training Unit" and "Excellent Unit in the Emulation Movement to Win" flags by the Ministry of National Defense and Military Region 2. In 2023, the Brigade was honored to be awarded the Second Class Fatherland Protection Medal by the Party and the State.

In the new revolutionary period, the Brigade's tasks are very heavy, with increasingly high demands. To be worthy of the trust and love of the Party, the State, and the people, to respect and be grateful for the great contributions of previous generations, the officers and soldiers of the 168th Artillery Brigade continue to maintain their faith, uphold their responsibilities, and are determined to strive to establish new achievements and feats, ensuring that the unit is always ready to receive and excellently complete all assigned tasks, continuing to write glorious history and embellishing the Brigade's tradition.

Colonel TRAN VAN MINH

Brigade Commander of the 168th Artillery Brigade

*Please visit the National Defense and Security section to see related news and articles.