Vietnam People's Air Force: 70 years of guarding the Fatherland's sky

Over 70 years of building, fighting and developing, generations of the Vietnam People's Air Force have overcome all difficulties, dedicating their talent, intelligence and blood to the cause of guarding the Fatherland's sky.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of Dinh Mui (1967), President Ho Chi Minh visited and wished a happy new year to the officers and soldiers of Air Force Regiment 921 - Red Star Air Force - Photo: Document

Vietnam Air Force 70 years guarding the Fatherland's sky

Over 70 years of construction, fighting and development (March 3, 1955 - March 3, 2025), generations of officers, pilots and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Air Force have been brave, resourceful and creative in combat and in carrying out their missions, overcoming all difficulties, dedicating their talents, intelligence and blood to the cause of guarding the Fatherland's sky, worthy of the 16 golden words given by Uncle Ho: "Infinite loyalty - Resolute attack - Solidarity and coordination - Collective achievements".

On March 3, 1955, the Minister of National Defense, Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Army - General Vo Nguyen Giap signed Decision No. 15/QDA, establishing the Airport Research Board (code name C47), under the General Staff. This was the starting point for the process of building and maturing of the Vietnam Air Force and became the traditional day of the force.

After 70 years of establishment, fighting and development, the Vietnam Air Force has grown from having no aircraft, no commanding officers, technicians, pilots... to now, the air force has matured, modernized, and achieved many resounding victories in the mission of firmly protecting the airspace of the Fatherland.

In particular, in the December 1972 Air Defense Campaign, with the will of "Dare to fight, know how to fight and be determined to win", the Vietnam People's Air Force took off, fought many battles and achieved many outstanding feats.

Typically, in the night battle of December 27, 1972, pilot Pham Tuan piloted a MiG-21 through a dense barrier of enemy fighter planes, shooting down a B-52 bomber in the Northwest sky.

One day later, pilot Vu Xuan Thieu continued to take off and shoot down another B-52 in Son La and heroically sacrificed himself. This was the first and only time in the world that the MiG-21 had defeated the flying fortress of the US imperial air force, contributing to the historic victory of Hanoi 12 days and nights - Dien Bien Phu in the air.

National treasure, MiG-21 aircraft of Regiment 921 (Red Star Air Force), Division 371 used with serial number 4324, took part in combat to prevent attacks by the US Air Force in North Vietnam and shot down 14 US aircraft, so this aircraft was honored to carry 14 red stars - Photo: NAM TRAN

In the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the air force with the spirit of "Lightning speed, daring, surprise, determined to win" after only 6 days of training, in April 1975, the "Determined to Win Squadron" consisting of 5 pilots: Nguyen Van Luc, Tu De, Han Van Quang, Tran Mai Vuong of Regiment 923; Nguyen Thanh Trung (the pilot who bombed the Independence Palace on April 8, 1975 was sent to Da Nang to join the Determined to Win Squadron) and 1 pilot of the puppet regime who had been educated and reformed, Tran Van On, used an A-37 aircraft that had just been captured from the enemy, took off from Phan Rang airport, suddenly attacked Tan Son Nhat airport, destroyed 24 aircraft and other enemy war vehicles.

This outstanding feat affirmed the talent and combat command organization level of the air force, contributing to speeding up the attack on the battlefields, moving towards liberating the South and unifying the country.

After the country's reunification, in response to the new requirements of the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland, on March 3, 1999, the Air Defense Service and the Air Force Service were merged into the Air Defense - Air Force Service.

After the merger, air force units have always played the role of core force on the air front, assigned the task of managing and protecting the Fatherland's sky.

Su30-MK2 Cobra fighter pilots of Regiment 927, Division 371, Air Defense - Air Force - Photo: NAM TRAN

Su30-MK2 King Cobra fighter jet of the Air Defense - Air Force - Photo: NAM TRAN

Mi helicopter of the Air Force raises the flag at the 2024 International Defense Exhibition - Photo: NAM TRAN

General Phan Van Giang speaks at the ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Air Force Tradition Day - Photo: Air Defense - Air Force Service

Air Defense - Air Force continues to be organized in a lean, compact, and strong manner

Speaking at the ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Air Force Tradition Day on February 26, General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, expressed his gratitude and deep gratitude to the heroes and martyrs of the air force who fought and sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, building and defending the Fatherland, contributing to embellishing the tradition of "Infinite loyalty, resolute attack, solidarity and cooperation, collective achievements" of the heroic Vietnam People's Air Force.

In the new period, General Phan Van Giang also requested the Air Defense - Air Force to continue to fulfill its tasks well and resolutely implement the adjustment of forces, reorganize and structure in the direction of being lean, compact and strong, ensuring reasonableness and balance between components and forces, giving priority to combat-ready units, units performing tasks in border and island areas to have a suitable roadmap.

Currently, the Vietnam People's Air Force is equipped with many types of modern aircraft such as Su-30, Su-27, Su-22; helicopters, transport aircraft (C-295, C-212i, NC-212, An-2); training aircraft (YAK-130, L-39, IAK-52, T6C).

These are types of aircraft that can perform air defense fighter, attack, reconnaissance, transport, force mobility training, special aircraft and search and rescue missions within the tactical radius of each type of aircraft, capable of fighting the enemy throughout the territory, sea and airspace of the Fatherland.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khong-quan-nhan-dan-viet-nam-70-nam-canh-giu-bau-troi-to-quoc-20250303135606326.htm