During the transition from regular to high combat readiness, when the formation had just moved to the evacuation area, under the pouring rain, Captain Thai Van Nam, Captain of the 8th Armored Company (taking on the "role" of the Platoon Leader of the Armored Platoon for the training frame) closely commanded the deployment and guided each vehicle crew to their positions.

The vehicle crews pursued and fought the enemy in a group during the exercise.

“Where we are standing is at level 130, the East Southeast slope of the X high point. In the direction I point, about 300m away, the truncated pyramid-shaped high-voltage power pole erected on the mountain top is the North, other directions you comrades can determine yourselves...”. Under the canopy of the humid old forest, Captain Thai Van Nam’s voice was clear and decisive. Following closely the drill situations, we noticed that during the stage of organizing combat preparations, the contents of making determination, drafting documents, assigning combat tasks, organizing coordination, providing security regulations, organizing security on all aspects, approving combat plans for vehicle commanders... were all carried out by Captain Thai Van Nam skillfully, accurately, in accordance with the tasks and hypothetical situations set by superiors.

For the first time participating in the tactical exercise with the topic "Armored platoon in the armored company formation assigned to the infantry regiment attacking the airborne enemy", with the attention, direction and specific guidance of superiors, Lieutenant Nguyen Le Thai Duy (Vehicle leader) and Lieutenant Phan Ngoc Nghia (M113 armored vehicle driver) made efforts to complete the task well. Based on the time points prescribed by the Platoon Leader, Lieutenant Nguyen Le Thai Duy and the vehicle leaders calculated and made a detailed schedule for field reconnaissance, completed the combat plan, reported the combat plan to superiors... With a proactive spirit in work and sharp tactical thinking, the vehicle leaders always coordinated and coordinated, studied and grasped the situation of our country and our friends, the locality; assigned forces on duty, closely observed and guarded, took maximum advantage of time to maintain vehicles and motorbikes, calibrate weapons, radio communications, receive additional materials...

On the night of N-7, after nearly 3 hours of maneuvering, moving the formation from the combat assembly area to the combat deployment area to ensure absolute secrecy and safety, the vehicle crews quickly cut tree branches, dug camouflage fortifications and continued to do a good job of combat preparation, ready to wait for orders. The weather was harsh, with daytime temperatures sometimes reaching 40°C. In the armored vehicle, sweat, salt, mud, and engine oil covered the uniforms, but the officers and soldiers always worked hard, encouraged and supported each other to overcome difficulties and hardships to best complete the mission.

The Commander of the 3rd Armored Battalion, 574th Armored Brigade (Military Region 5) informed the crews of the exercise intention.

At exactly 8 o'clock on N day, when the "enemy" helicopters began to lower their altitude to practice airborne landings, from all directions, the anti-aircraft artillery and ground artillery of the main force opened fire simultaneously, forcing the "enemy" to land in the area we had planned. Grasping the situation, Captain Thai Van Nam quickly commanded the mobile force platoon to occupy the deployment line to start the assault. When the superior's prepared firepower had just changed lanes, two red flares were fired to signal the opportunity to open fire on the enemy. From the shelter, the armored vehicles launched simultaneously. With thick armor, strong firepower, and fast maneuverability, the vehicle crews continuously charged left and right, supporting and leading the infantry to gradually develop combat, completely destroying the targets in the assigned area. During the practice exercise, the difficult situations given by the superiors were all identified and handled promptly and accurately by the Armored Platoon Leader and the vehicle crews.

This exercise aims to improve the level and capacity of command organization and coordination of the unit in mobility, preparation and combat practice of command officers at all levels; at the same time, train soldiers close to actual combat, practice mobility and fighting spirit in all terrain and weather conditions. Major Le Duong Vuong, Battalion Commander of the 3rd Armored Battalion commented: "We acknowledge and appreciate the efforts, endeavors, spirit of solidarity, coordination and collective achievements and the results of performing tasks of officers and soldiers of the vehicle crews throughout the preparation and practice of the exercise. This is an important premise and basis for the unit to continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of training, exercises, combat readiness and mobility to perform tasks when there is a situation".

Article and photos: THUAN AN

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/khi-thiet-giap-xuat-quan-846585