Proud of a “special” mission
At just after 6 a.m., once the technicians signalled that all equipment parameters had been thoroughly checked, Colonel Vu Hai Nam, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Brigade No. 954, together with his crew, quickly approached their aircraft.
After inspecting and signing off the technical handover, they boarded and began the day’s flight training for the parade. The airfield reverberated with the roar of engines as Ka-28 helicopters rolled into position and suddenly sliced through the sky, climbing steeply. Moments later, the pilots had manoeuvred the Ka-28s into a tight formation, executing synchronised movements as part of the parade. Braving the fierce Cam Ranh Peninsula heat, the officers and pilots of Naval Air Brigade No. 954 were pushing themselves to perfect the skills required for the naval parade.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Van Thuyen, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of Brigade No. 954, the unit’s leadership immediately set about strict guidance and coordination as soon as the mission was assigned. They strengthened political education, raised awareness and built determination among officers and pilots regarding the significance of flight training for the parade. The Brigade issued detailed orders, quickly drew up a scientific and meticulous flight plan, and assigned clear responsibilities to each office and unit to ensure rigorous preparation and practice. “For the first time parading at sea alongside other units of the Naval Service, this is not only a special honour but also a source of pride for every soldier of Brigade No.954,” Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Van Thuyen stressed.
The Brigade also selected pilots with extensive experience, proven technical skills and substantial flying hours on aircraft such as the Ka-28 and DHC-6. Each individual assigned to the mission actively studied and revised their flight routines, with a particular focus on formation flying—maintaining precise distance, speed, altitude and direction. Every pilot understood that they were representing the image of the heroic Naval Service.
Stepping off the aircraft after nearly an hour of formation training, Colonel Vu Hai Nam remarked: “The 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day is a momentous political event for the country. It is a great honour to take part in the naval parade. We are determined to perform our training well and contribute to the collective joy of the armed forces and the people in this national celebration.”
Preparing and training with safety ensured
More than a month ago, Brigade No. 954 began formation flight training in preparation for the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. With the motto “Swift, serious, safe”, preparations were carried out comprehensively in terms of personnel, equipment and facilities. At the same time, the Brigade focused on tight implementation of training programmes, strictly adhering to flight regulations, technical manuals for each aircraft type, and all safety, engineering and communications protocols. Ground technical teams played a crucial role in maintaining high technical readiness and supporting each flight formation during training.
On training days, ground crews began work as early as 3 a.m., checking electrical systems and fuelling aircraft. To guarantee safe flight hours, support teams, technicians, flight controllers, radar surveillance operators, worked at full capacity. Before every take-off, all systems were thoroughly inspected to ensure the aircraft were ready for the skies.
In particular, to meet the demanding requirements of formation training for the naval parade, Brigade No. 954 constantly monitored the condition of each aircraft, enforced strict discipline and coordination in preparation and training, and maintained the effective operation of its Flight Methods Council. After each training session, every formation conducted assessments and drew lessons to further improve subsequent flights.
Directly overseeing the training, Colonel Vuong Dang Nam, Commander of Brigade No.954, emphasised that the greatest challenge in flying three- or four-aircraft formations was absolute precision. Each aircraft in the formation had to execute movements in perfect unison. As the formation shifted through different altitudes, pilots had to coordinate closely to maintain synchrony. Strict preparation and training are the foundation for accurate, stable and safe flights, showcasing the strength of Naval Aviation during the parade.
For the officers and pilots of Brigade No. 954, taking part in the naval parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day is both a significant mission and a profound honour. In the weeks ahead, the Brigade will continue to strengthen preparations and training, ensuring absolute safety and contributing to the success of the national naval parade.
