The summer weather is harsh and the heat is very uncomfortable, but the training atmosphere on the sky-watching positions of Company 8, Battalion 3, Air Defense Brigade 214 is still lively. On the artillery platform, soldiers in each assigned position and responsibility skillfully use weapons and equipment, coordinate smoothly to move the 37mm cannon barrels up to the blue sky, continuously capture and follow the target according to the unit commander's orders. The heat combined with the high intensity of training makes sweat flow down the gunners' dark faces.

37mm anti-aircraft artillery battery of Company 8, Battalion 3, Air Defense Brigade 214 during training.

Taking turns correcting and drawing experience for each battery, Captain Mac Trung Thanh, Captain of Company 8, shared: “Air defense operations take place in a large space, in a short time, at high intensity, fiercely, requiring officers and soldiers to develop skills and techniques when using weapons and equipment and to coordinate and cooperate closely and rhythmically during combat so as not to miss the opportunity to destroy the enemy. Therefore, we have increased the organization of practical training; combining basic training in daytime conditions with night training, high-intensity training in foggy, drizzly, and hot weather to train soldiers closely to reality”.

“Practical training” is an important content of the “3 realities” in training that has been seriously implemented by units of the 214th Air Defense Brigade over the past time. Accordingly, the units strictly maintain the training plan, ensuring correct and sufficient content and time as prescribed. The training process must properly implement the viewpoints, mottos, principles, and combinations, closely following the functions, tasks, and combat objects of the air defense force. Organize systematic training from low to high, simple to complex; focus on training soldiers in the use of artillery, weapons, shooting skills, the ability to observe targets with the naked eye in combination with equipment in the establishment; combine training with physical training to improve the soldiers' physical strength to meet mission requirements.

Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Hong Quan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the 214th Air Defense Brigade, said: “The Brigade has increased surprise inspections and resolutely stopped training for units that do not ensure that all the conditions of the lectures are met. In addition, we have developed a plan to organize competitions and sports events after each subject, and to evaluate the actual results for each individual and each battery, as a basis for drawing experience to improve the quality of training content.”

“3 essences” cover the entire training process, from preparation to organizing training implementation and checking and evaluating results. Every year, the 214th Air Defense Brigade directs the renewal and supplementation of books, lesson plans, models of teaching aids, training grounds, and training grounds. Units are proactive, creative, and research many initiatives to apply in training, such as: Multi-function combat watches, azimuth board lighting equipment, water bubble lighting equipment for the foot of the gunner, night sighting unification equipment for gunners on 37mm anti-aircraft guns... In particular, the Brigade builds and maintains regularly and effectively the model of “Nguyen Viet Xuan Battery” with high criteria in training, raising awareness and responsibility for officers and soldiers to practice voluntarily, helping to improve the quality of training and become more substantial.

Identifying cadres as the “lever” and playing a decisive role in the quality of training, every year the 214th Air Defense Brigade organizes training for 100% of cadres from squad leader, battery leader and above; focusing on new, key content, weak content, and inconsistent content of the air defense profession. Units regularly do a good job of approving lesson plans, assigning experienced cadres to mentor and help newly graduated cadres. Currently, 100% of cadres in the Brigade are trained according to hierarchy, with 90% of battalion cadres, 75% of company and platoon cadres being trained well and excellently; squad leaders and battery leaders have a firm grasp of training and revision methods.

Colonel Truong Van Thanh, Brigade Commander of Brigade 214, affirmed: Implementing the motto "3 realities" has contributed to overcoming the disease of achievements in training, helping the unit's training quality to be continuously improved, going into depth and solidity. Every year, the unit completes 100% of the training content and programs for the subjects. The final examination of the subjects shows that 100% meet the requirements, of which over 83% are good and excellent. In particular, the Brigade successfully organized exercises, especially joint combat exercises with live ammunition with a number of units in the armed forces of Military Region 3. This contributes significantly to improving mobility and combat readiness, ensuring that the unit always takes control in all situations, firmly protecting the assigned airspace.

Article and photos: NGUYEN TRUONG

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/huan-luyen-3-thuc-chat-nang-trinh-do-san-sang-chien-dau-837883