On the specialized training ground of the 409th Tank Brigade, the cracked ground after a series of hot, dry days suddenly received a "cooling" rain. Instead of being covered in brown and yellow dust, the training ground was covered with large and small puddles and slippery mud. This greatly affected the force on duty to supply ammunition when they had to carry artillery shells weighing more than 30kg during the maneuver. However, the tank crews' practice of loading ammunition and loading ammunition was still full of enthusiasm.

The Commander of the 409th Tank Brigade briefed and assigned tasks before entering training and shooting tests.

Taking on the task of supplying ammunition to the crews participating in the sports event, Sergeant Duong Van Tuyen, Company 3, Battalion 1, Tank Brigade 409, said: "Moving in slippery road conditions is quite dangerous, requiring us to be highly focused, both to ensure the fastest time and to avoid unsafe situations during training."

On the turret and in the control compartment of the tank, the numbers, positions, and people all coordinate their work very smoothly, skillfully, and precisely from the position of transferring ammunition, receiving ammunition, and loading ammunition into the rack. The above operations taking place in a narrow space are indeed not simple, requiring each officer and soldier to be trained very basically.

In his sweat-soaked uniform, Private Pham Khac Tu, the loader of the second vehicle, could not hide his joy when he learned that his crew achieved the best results. "Moving heavy bullets in a narrow space with many details and equipment requires soldiers to operate with extreme precision. In addition, in hot weather conditions, performing the task is even more difficult, consuming a lot of physical strength because the temperature in the engine compartment is several degrees higher than outside," Private Pham Khac Tu confided.

At the end of the sports festival, the rewards for the high-achieving crews were recognition from the unit commander; cool glasses of water to quench the thirst and heat of the summer, and rounds of applause from teammates...

Tank crew practice training on ammunition receiving and loading.

Lieutenant Tran Dinh Toan, Platoon Leader of Platoon 9, Company 3, Battalion 1, Tank Brigade 409, shared his experience: To improve the quality of training, the unit thoroughly imbues its members with the motto "one minute of enthusiasm is better than a whole day of formality"; at the same time, it regularly organizes sports and competitions between crews, creating a vibrant competitive atmosphere. In particular, after each training session, each crew discusses, draws experience, finds out the limitations and solutions to focus on overcoming in the following training sessions.

Learning about the training work at the unit, we learned that training and combat readiness are tasks that the Party Committee and the Brigade command attach special importance to, and are identified as a breakthrough in the resolution building. Accordingly, the Brigade focuses on leading and directing the implementation of training right from the stage of training preparation, organizing training for cadres at all levels; conducting through lesson plans and lectures in a strict manner. In particular, the Brigade regularly assigns and directs commanders to closely monitor and inspect the troops throughout the training process, promptly correcting and encouraging the troops during the training process.

Unit leaders and commanders encouraged officers and soldiers of tank crews to complete their missions.

To maintain good health for soldiers training in harsh weather conditions, the unit has built a flexible schedule, accordingly, based on weather conditions, it will proactively train 30 minutes earlier in the morning and 30 minutes later in the afternoon to avoid the hottest time of the day.

The Brigade directs the logistics sector to ensure adequate regimes and standards for officers and soldiers. Directs the medical force to train in the prevention of heatstroke and sunstroke right before the training season begins; at the same time, assigns medical forces and materials to stay on the training ground with the soldiers, promptly handling heatstroke and sunstroke situations that may occur.

In addition, units regularly maintain a training regimen of marching; organize concentrated physical training; encourage soldiers to actively and voluntarily practice sports at the eighth hour every day to improve endurance, enhance physical strength, and meet the requirements of high-intensity training.

Lieutenant Colonel Dao Van Chung, Brigade Commander of the 409th Tank Brigade, affirmed: In the coming time, the Brigade will continue to promote training according to the motto "basic, practical, solid"; gradually increase training intensity from low to high; focus on night training, training close to actual combat. Not only will it train to use the old T54B tank system proficiently, it will also organize training for troops to use the improved T54B tank, serving well the task of joint exercises with live ammunition and the task of cross-fire with the improved T54B tank in the near future.

Article and photos: BUI HIEP - QUOC HA