"Tearing the rain" takes off

At 7:00 a.m. on July 24, the 916 Air Force Regiment Command received orders from Major General Vu Hong Son - Commander of the Air Defense - Air Force, to immediately use helicopters to provide relief to the people of Nghe An in the flooded area.

Immediately after receiving the order, at the same time, steps such as: Reporting to the Division Command, planning the flight route, official flight crew, reserve flight crew, search and rescue team, air rescue, ensuring logistics goods... were deployed and performed proficiently as regularly practiced in the unit.

Helicopters of the 916th Air Force Regiment fly into the flood area.

Sitting on the plane waiting for the command to turn on the engine to get ready for takeoff, looking out at the pouring rain, Colonel Nguyen Ba Duc, Deputy Regiment Commander and Chief of Staff of the 916th Air Force Regiment, smiled gently with eyes full of confidence when I asked, can we fly in this weather? He said: “The army was born from the people. Therefore, in the hearts of every soldier of ours, the oath to sacrifice ourselves for the people is always imbued. Especially when people are in trouble, the greatest desire is to come to the people as soon as possible to help. We know it is very difficult, but through the harsh training of soldiers, especially pilots, we are confident enough to successfully carry out all assigned tasks.”

At exactly 7:55 a.m., the Mi-171 helicopter with registration number Sar-03, commanded by Colonel Nguyen Ba Duc - Deputy Regiment Commander and Chief of Staff of the Regiment; Major Vuong Dinh Long - Deputy Squadron Commander of Squadron 1, main pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Thanh - Co-pilot, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Minh and Senior Lieutenant Colonel Do Ngoc Duong - Air Mechanic, took off to fly to the Central region as planned. Looking at the wings "tearing through the rain" flying towards the waiting people, we were filled with immense pride.

“The more you love... the more you have to try”

Major Vuong Dinh Long said that on July 24, immediately after landing at Vinh Airport Base Battalion, the flight crew and other units quickly loaded 2 tons of goods including necessities such as instant noodles, dry food, water, milk and took off towards flood-isolated areas in the West of Nghe An province such as Muong Xen, Ky Son, Tuong Duong... After flying to and approaching the Muong Xen area, the unit coordinated with local authorities to transfer more than 2 tons of necessities to provide timely relief to deeply flooded areas. Immediately after that, the flight crew returned to Vinh Airport and continued to load goods and carry 2 more flights to provide relief to people in Tuong Duong, Nghe An.

Helicopters of the 916th Air Force Regiment bring relief goods to people in isolated flood areas.

“Flying in the sky, looking down at the vast red water. In some places, only a few roofs protruded from the floodwaters, we felt very sad. In some places, despite the slippery mud, we were still determined to land to bring relief goods to our compatriots. In other places, the plane could not land, we had to winch the goods from the allowed height to ensure the safety of the plane and the people below, which was also very difficult. The more it was like that, the more we had to concentrate to fly safely, bringing necessary necessities to the people as quickly as possible. Looking at the arms of the people reaching out to the plane, we on the flight felt like it was our own house, our relatives in the flood, and told each other to try harder...”.

Together with the people, welcoming the relief shipment under the wings of the 916th Air Force Regiment, Mr. Nguyen Hong Tai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong commune, was moved: "Tuong Duong is a very difficult commune. This historic flood has caused great damage to the locality, making the difficulties even more difficult. However, the spirit of defying danger to bring relief to the people as soon as possible of the Air Defense - Air Force made the Party Committee, government and people very moved. We will always remember this gratitude to overcome difficulties and confidently move forward."

Helicopters of the 916th Air Force Regiment bring relief goods to people in isolated flood areas.

It is known that as of 4:00 p.m. on July 25, Air Force Regiment 916 has flown 5 relief flights with tons of goods and essential necessities to the people in the flooded areas of Nghe An. It is expected that in the following days, the unit will continue to fly to transport relief goods and carry out rescue missions there when ordered.

Article and photos: NGO TIEN MANH

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/bay-ve-phia-nhan-dan-838607