Squadron 132 - the most elite fighting force of Brigade 172

In response to the mission of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, on October 19 and 20, 1979, with the support of the Soviet Union, the Vietnam People's Navy received two 205U type fast attack missile boats with the registration numbers HQ 354 and HQ 355.

To commemorate and strengthen the friendship between the Vietnam People's Navy and the Soviet Navy, on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the Great October Revolution (November 7, 1917 - November 7, 1979), Major General Giap Van Cuong, Commander of that Navy, signed a decision to establish a fast attack missile ship squadron with the code name 132. Since then, November 7 has been taken as the founding date of Squadron 132.

The fleet of ships of Squadron 132, Brigade 172, Region 3 training at sea. (Photo: Hoang Dieu)

Early days

Immediately after its establishment, Squadron 132 quickly stabilized its organization and staffing and was added to the Navy's No. 1 main combat force. With the help of Soviet experts, the Squadron immediately began combat training and maintained a high state of combat readiness to promptly meet the requirements and assigned tasks.

In September 1980, Squadron 132 received two more 205U fast attack missile boats with the registration numbers HQ 356 and HQ 357 and assigned them to the Squadron's combat formation. At this time, the Squadron's combat force was complete according to the correct organization and formation. Missile boat formations could coordinate with other forces or operate independently to carry out surprise missile strikes against the enemy.

At this time, the combat power of the Vietnam People's Navy was significantly enhanced, and the enemy significantly reduced provocative actions and violations of our sea and island sovereignty. This historical mark has demonstrated the great power of the Vietnam People's Navy in the task of firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

To improve combat readiness, in late 1980, the Navy organized a missile firing exercise. Ship HQ 354 of Squadron 132 was assigned to practice firing the P-15U missile and successfully fired the missile at the target, successfully completing the assigned task. This was the first time the Navy organized a sea-to-sea combat missile firing exercise. This milestone affirmed the combat strength of the Vietnam People's Navy and opened a new page in the history of the ability to exploit, master technical equipment and build a modern Navy.

In March 1988, the situation in the Truong Sa and DK1 archipelagos became more complicated. All four ships of the Squadron were ordered to replenish their combat reserves and quickly mobilize their forces to carry out the task of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland and successfully completed the assigned tasks.

To facilitate operations in the southern sea of ​​the Fatherland, on December 21, 1988, the entire Squadron left the base in Ha Long and moved to Da Nang. In 1989, the Squadron continued to maintain a high state of combat readiness, ready to carry out the task of protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands when ordered.

The above outstanding achievements and marks not only affirm the long tradition of the Squadron but also serve as a torch to light the way for the current generation of officers and soldiers of Squadron 132 to continue to promote the tradition of previous generations, be active, proactive, overcome difficulties, unite, and be determined to strive to excellently complete all assigned tasks.

After 45 years of construction and development, Squadron 132 has become the Squadron with the largest number of troops and the newest and most modern technical equipment of Brigade 172, Naval Region 3.

Constantly evolving

By 2016, in response to the mission requirements in the new situation, the organization and staffing of the Squadron had major changes. The 205U missile boats with serial numbers 354, 355, 356, 357 were successively handed over to Brigade 170 of Naval Region 1. During the period from 2016 to 2018, Squadron 132 was continuously expanded and equipped with new ships such as the TT400TP gunboat, Pohang-class anti-submarine patrol boat...

These are important milestones marking the great change and development of Squadron 132 in terms of mission, organization, personnel and technical equipment. From here, Squadron 132 became the Squadron with the largest number of troops, the newest and most modern technical equipment of Brigade 172, Naval Region 3.

The mission of Squadron 132 in the new situation is to be ready for combat, conduct combat training; build a regular, disciplined system; build "regular, exemplary ships"; patrol, manage, and protect the sovereignty of seas and islands; be ready to carry out search and rescue missions; carry out defense diplomacy missions and perform other missions when ordered.

Thoroughly grasping the situation and tasks and promoting the glorious tradition of previous generations, over the years, officers and soldiers of Squadron 132 have always been active, proactive, overcoming difficulties, united, determined to complete well and excellently all assigned tasks. The Squadron has always been the leading unit of Brigade 172 in the movement of researching initiatives, inventions, technical improvements and making models of teaching aids and training films; many individuals have won high prizes in participating in the Nguyen Phan Vinh Award and the annual Creative Youth Award in the Army.

During the patrol and management activities of the sea area, the ships in Squadron 132 have repeatedly conducted patrol trips in complex and stormy conditions, including many joint patrols with Chinese Navy ships in the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin and have all excellently completed their assigned tasks.

In particular, in defense diplomacy activities, Ship 20 of Squadron 132 successfully completed the mission of participating in the LIMA exercise in Malaysia in May 2023. This milestone affirmed that for the first time, Brigade 172, Naval Region 3 in general and Squadron 132 in particular sent ships to participate in international multilateral naval exercises and defense diplomacy, opening a new page in the history of the Squadron's construction, growth and development.

During the LIMA exercise in Malaysia in 2023, Ship 20 and the working group crossed the equator at 7:00 a.m. on May 31, 2023, marking the milestone of being the first ship of Naval Region 3 to carry out a multilateral foreign affairs mission and cross the equator.

Ship 20 of Squadron 132 participates in multilateral naval exercises.

In addition, the ships in the Squadron also participate in many other important defense foreign affairs missions, including many international missions such as: Organizing receptions, exchanges and joint training with the Navies of France, the US, Japan, India, China, South Korea, etc. when foreign ships visit Da Nang. These foreign affairs activities have improved the level of command and coordination and left many good impressions about the image of the Vietnam People's Navy to the Navies of other countries in the world.

With efforts, positivity, initiative, overcoming difficulties, solidarity, and high determination, over the years, Squadron 132 has always completed well and excellently the assigned tasks. The Squadron has been honored many times to welcome leaders of the Party, State, heads of the Ministry of National Defense, Military Services, and Regions to visit and congratulate the unit. The Squadron has been awarded the title of Determined to Win Unit, Advanced Unit many times, the Squadron Party Committee has achieved the title of Outstanding Unit, Outstanding Unit for many years, Successfully completed the task, Excellently completed the task.

Looking back at the glorious tradition and the marks of the Squadron throughout the 45 years of construction, growth and development, the generation of officers and soldiers of Squadron 132 today always remember the great contributions and contributions of previous generations; determined to maintain and promote the glorious tradition of the Squadron, to highly promote the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers - Navy soldiers", actively, proactively, overcoming difficulties, united, determined to build a comprehensively strong Squadron 132 "Exemplary, typical", the Squadron Party Committee has excellently completed its tasks, contributing significantly with the units of Brigade 172, Naval Region 3, and the Navy to firmly protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Tra Khanh

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/hai-doi-132-luc-luong-chien-dau-tinh-nhue-nhat-cua-lu-doan-172-ar905164.html