Building an all-strong, “exemplarily and typically” unit has been identified as a key and regular mission for all agencies and units throughout the military. For Naval Region 2, completing this mission excellently serves as a crucial motivator to enhance its overall quality and combat strength, meeting the increasingly demanding requirements of safeguarding the sovereignty of the country’s seas and islands.  

Being known as the unit tasked with the mission of training, maintaining combat readiness, and protecting sovereignty over the southern seas, islands, and continental shelf of the Fatherland, over the past few years, the cadres and soldiers of Naval Region 2 have consistently upheld their responsibilities, overcoming difficulties to fulfill the assigned missions. For many consecutive years, the Party Committee of the Region has been recognised for its clean and exemplary integrity, the Unit achieving the status of “exemplary, typical” and all-strong, creating motivation and foundation to fulfill all assigned missions, earning high praise and numerous prestigious awards from the Party, the Government, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, and the Navy. However, in the current context, the situation in the East Vietnam Sea is forecasted to remain complex, with potential risks of instability and unpredictability; foreign forces are increasing their military presence and engaging in resource exploration and exploitation activities, unilaterally violating international laws and the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea;... posing significant difficulties, challenges and heighten the demands of managing and safeguarding the sovereignty of the nation’s seas and islands. Aware of these challenges, the Party Committee and the High Command of Naval Region 2 have proactively implemented comprehensive leadership and directive measures, leveraging their experience and achieved results, continuing to maintain and strengthen the construction of an all strong, “exemplary and typical” unit, laying the foundation for improving its overall quality, combat strength, and successfully accomplishing all assigned tasks in any situation.

Leader of Naval Region 2 checks combat readiness status of Brigade 167

Stemming from the specific mission of safeguarding the sovereignty of the nation’s seas and islands, naval cadres and soldiers, even in peacetime, often carry out prolonged missions at sea and on islands under challenging, arduous conditions, harsh weather, many complex and dangerous situations, and even the risk of sacrificing their lives which directly impact the sentiments, emotions, and mindset of cadres and soldiers. To address the above realities, Naval Region 2 focuses on creating a breakthrough in building political strength. The Party Committee and the High Command of the Region continue to focus on intensifying leadership and guidance to promote political and ideological education, helping cadres to deeply understand the missions, duties of the Navy and the Region, the honour and responsibilities entrusted to them; thoroughly grasp the viewpoints, policies, and strategies of the Party, the Government, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defence regarding maritime and island sovereignty protection in the new situation. At the same time, encouraging and motivating cadres to embody the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers – Naval Soldiers”, fostering a solid political standpoint, unwavering determination to proactively overcome difficulties, and vigilance against the schemes of hostile forces, particularly actions violating national sovereignty over seas and islands. To effectively grasp, manage, guide, and address soldiers’ thoughts and morale, the Region requires its subordinate party committees and commanders at all levels to adhere to the principle of “Close to the soldiers, understand the soldiers, trust the soldiers”; successful implement models such as the “5 Proactives in ideological work”, “7 Together, 5 Grasp”, and “Resolve one ideological issue every week”; regularly ensure the material and spiritual life of officers and soldiers, particularly those stationed on DK1 platforms and aboard combat ships. The goal is for 100% of cadres and soldiers to possess a solid political standpoint, dedicate to their duties, and absolute loyal to the nation, the Party, the Government, and the people; clearly identifying targets, partners, and the schemes of hostile forces, ensuring readiness to handle maritime situations in line with the Party and Government’s guidelines, policies and strategies. Additionally, concentrate on strengthening and enhancing the leadership capacity of party organisations, especially within units tasked with specialised duties in key areas; continue to focus on breakthroughs in “2 Qualities, 2 Enhancements”, building party cells that meet the “4 Goods” criteria, and upholding democratic centralism principles, collective leadership, and individual responsibility. Strengthen inspection and supervision according to the motto of “Expanded supervision, focused inspections”. Therefore improving the leadership and combat effectiveness of party committees and organisations, fostering responsibility among cadres and party members with the goals: over 90% of party members completing their missions effectively to excellently (with more than 20% excelling); 100% of party departments completing tasks effectively to excellently; over 88% of party cells completing their missions effectively to excellently, with no party cells or committees failing to complete the missions.

Maintaining the AK630 Artillery Complex on ship

Pursuing the goal of becoming “elite, compact, strong”, Naval Region 2 continues to perfect its organisational structure in accordance with Decision No. 1368/QĐ-BQP, dated 24 April 2020, issued by the Minister of National Defence, and Directive No. 5580/CT-BTL, dated 5 May 2020, issued by the Naval High Command on restructuring agencies and units under Naval Region 2 Command by reducing excess personnel in intermediate and service units, prioritising manpower, weaponry, and technical equipment for combat-ready units and personnel stationed at DK1 platforms. At the same time, place great attention on improving the quality of training and drills at all levels. To achieve this, units are required to enhance the leadership and direction of party committees and commanders over training activities; proactively perform the preparation work, especially cadres training and developing, building training plans and schedules, as well as creating lecture plans, teaching materials, models, tools, and training grounds. During training, the Region adheres to the principle of “basic, practical, firm”, emphasising comprehensive, in-depth training and the “3 Realities” approach in training; continuing to focus on mastering newly introduced and specialised weaponry. Combat ship brigades, in particular, are trained with integrating missions such as patrolling and reconnaissance in assigned maritime zones. Training content focuses on launching and dropping mines, lifting and retrieving torpedoes, combat missiles on ships and on guard duty; technical training and enhancing mobility, combat deployment, and coordination with other forces (Air Force, Submarine Force, and Special Forces,...); proficiently operate advanced long-range electro-optical equipment and radar systems, enabling precise target acquisition for ships in maritime combat training. The Region aims to achieve 100% satisfactory performance across all training content and categories, with over 85% attaining good to excellent ratings, ensuring absolute safety throughout all activities.

In addition to regular training, the Region has intensified its organisation of exercises, particularly live fire exercises and combat exercises conducted under complex weather conditions; prioritising the ultimate goal of firmly safeguarding the sovereignty of the nation’s seas, islands, and continental shelf.  Simultaneously, the Region enhances surveillance and firmly grasps the situation at sea, promptly adjusting and refining operational plans and combat scenarios, organising training sessions to improve the command, coordination, and combat capabilities of various forces; strictly maintaining combat readiness of forces and means, particularly patrol ships and combat-ready vessels stationed at sea, in areas of platforms, and at monitoring stations; regularly alert and inspection to check the operation of communication, air defence, and radar forces for stations and on-duty ships, ensuring their capability to effectively respond to any situations arising at sea.

To maintain and build upon achievements in formality construction and discipline enforcement over the years, Naval Region 2 continues to strengthen the implementation of Directive No. 83/CT-BQP dated 8 November 2022, by the Minister of National Defence on enhancing the work of preventing and combating against violations and crimes within the Military; Resolution No. 1683-NQ/ĐU dated 9 June 2020, by the Military Party Committee on “Strengthening the construction of regular order, discipline management, and safety assurance to meet the requirements of tasks in the new situation”. To achieve effective outcomes, the Region requires all agencies and units to strictly adhere to routines in activities, study, and work; closely manage personnel, weapons, and equipment; and combine proactive prevention with stringent disciplinary actions against violations. Regular construction and discipline enforcement are closely integrated with forming a cultural environment; constructing and maintaining “regular, green, clean, and beautiful” barracks, ships, and stations to foster soldiers’ attachment to their units. At the same time, commanders and officers at all levels are required to actively engage with and supervise their personnel, educate soldiers to build a strong sense of self-discipline in adhering to government laws, military regulations, and unit policies; perform duties with a strong sense of responsibility, and act in accordance with regulations, under the motto: “Leaders lead by example, subordinates actively follow”, contributing to bring about positive and sustainable changes in this crucial work.

Alongside the above solutions, the Region effectively guides the implementation of logistics and technical work. First and foremost, ensuring the regular management, preservation and maintenance of material reserves and logistical equipment to support missions, prioritising forces engaged in combat readiness and long-term missions at sea; improving the quality and efficiency of both regular and emergency logistical support, with particular attention to stabilising and enhancing the living conditions and health of soldiers. At the same time, promote the implementation 50 Campaign, two breakthroughs of the Naval Engineering sector and the movement to build exemplary standardised ships, vehicles, warehouses, and stations; continue to perfect the modernisation plan, integrate new ships, weapons, and equipment into combat units; enhance the quality of maintenance inspection, modification of vessels, weaponry, technical systems and strengthens the self-repair capabilities of technical stations at the Regional and brigade levels; upgrade warehouses, stations, and workshops to align with standardised practices. Strictly adhere to the “Technical Day” regime and the regulations on the maintenance, preservation, and inspection of the technical condition of equipment and vehicles before, during, and after missions. Regularly inspect measurement and testing equipment, especially those with strict safety requirements. Furthermore, promotes the movement of innovation and technical advancements, applying technology to the maintenance, preservation, and repair of weapons and equipment, effectively supporting training, combat readiness, and unforeseen missions.

With scientific, synchronised, and practical solutions, it is believed that Naval Region 2 will continue to maintain and enhance the quality of building an all-strong “exemplary and typical” unit, meeting the demands of modernising the Navy and fulfilling the mission of managing and safeguarding the sovereignty of the country’s southern seas, islands, and continental shelf.

Senior Colonel LE BA QUAN, Commander of Naval Region 2