The 297th Air Defence Brigade, under Military Region 2 is the core force in managing and protecting the airspace and key targets in the Northwest provinces. During its task performance, besides advantages, the Brigade faces numerous difficulties due to the vast area of operation, the rugged and mountainous terrain which is prone to isolation; the degraded and unreliable weapons and equipment after long years of use. Meanwhile, the requirements of task are becoming increasingly high and demanding; the enemy’s tactics and means of attack are seeing outstanding developments. These have posed extremely heavy challenges for air defence units in general, and the Brigade in particular.

In this context, to fulfill its assigned mission, in recent years, the Brigade has focused on leading and directing the implementation of solutions to improve its overall quality and combat strength with the goal of “excellent training and high combat readiness”. With the drastic involvement of Party committees and commanders at all levels, coupled with scientific and appropriate solutions, the quality of its training and combat readiness have been gradually improved. As a result, it has earned the title of “Excellent Training Unit” for many consecutive years; won several high achievements in competitions and sports events at all levels; and ensured absolute safety for airspace and targets under its responsibility. Through its task performance, the Brigade has drawn the following lessons:

First, strengthening briefing to raise the awareness of troops about the task of training and combat readiness. The Brigade's Party Committee and commanders, and the Party committees and commanders of agencies and units thoroughly brief its troops about the resolutions, directives, and orders from higher authorities regarding training and combat readiness. They have actively developed and implemented specialised leadership resolutions on training; assigned specific tasks to each Party Committee member and Brigade commander. Each office and unit has been assigned specific tasks and power to implement. Simultaneously, education and indoctrination have been strengthened to make sure that its troops fully understand the importance of training and combat readiness to the successful accomplishment of its assigned tasks.

Sr. Lt. Gen. Le Quang Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Political Department visits and checks the Brigade

Secondly, making thorough preparation, especially in personnel. Before conducting training, the Brigade directs its agencies and units to make thorough preparations in terms of lesson plans, records, schedules, visual aids, training grounds, etc., especially personnel training. On a yearly basis, it conducts review, classification, and assessment of the quality of officers in each agency and unit, especially those of platoon and company levels and newly graduated ones, as a basis for choosing officers conducting training in a way that ensures a balanced and reasonable ratio between experienced and new officers in each battalion and company. At the same time, it strictly maintains the training regime according to hierarchical levels, especially in-depth training and refresher courses in specialised fields; emphasis is placed on training methods, and new and difficult content such as: observing, detecting, and identifying different types of UAVs; procedures for notification, alarming, coordination, and methods of engaging UAVs from the command post to the detachments, etc. Besides, it proactively coordinates with infantry units to learn and exchange experiences in combined arms technical and tactical training to make sure that its officers are capable in all fields, proficient in infantry technical and tactical skills, and in air defence tactics.

Moreover, the Brigade combines encouragement with task assignment, making it easy for officers to conduct self-study and self-research, effectively implementing the “One improvement a week” model; and strengthening the exchange and transmission of experience between generations of officers. Promoting competitions and sports events in training, especially competitions for excellent company and platoon leaders, to motivate the others in study and training. Currently, 100% of its officers are able to conduct training according to their level, with over 90% of battalion officers and 80% of company and platoon officers being rated good or excellent.

Thirdly, promoting innovation in training content and methods; and maintaining the combat readiness and duty seriously. Thoroughly understanding the requirements of air defence in the new situation, the Brigade proactively adjusts training content and methods. Emphasis is placed on specialised training, making it relevant with the target of combat and modern air defence warfare. During training, it adheres to the viewpoints, principles, and interrelationships in training, focusing on comprehensive and in-depth training, and the “three essentials” motto. In particular, the Brigade directs the Enemy Research Department to study air combat operations in recent conflicts to draw lessons and propose training content, build scenarios and exercise plans suitable with the characteristics and methods of new combat operations; regularly update and supplement training on skills for observing, detecting, and identifying various types of UAVs as well as camouflage and deception skills on the battlefield. To achieve high results, it directs its units to flexibly apply training methods, emphasising modeling methods directly on the battlefield. In addition, it promotes the “Digital universalisation movement” to improve scientific and technological levels as a basis for effectively utilising new and modern equipment and weaponry. It also conducts regular innovation of methods of checking and evaluating towards objective and substantive manner, resolutely avoiding negative manifestations. As a result, its annual training results always meet and exceed the targets set in the resolutions. In 2025, 83.5% of its test results are good or excellent.

Faced with the high demands of air defence combat missions, the Brigade directs its agencies and units to thoroughly understand the orders and guidelines from higher echelons, especially Directive No. 750-CL/TM, dated 19 November 2021 of the Chief of the General Staff on handling air defence combat situations and the 10 combat readiness regimes. They are required to proactively adjust and supplement combat readiness documents and plans, and conduct training and exercises in accordance with various scenarios; strictly maintain the combat readiness duty regime from the Brigade to the detachments, ensuring the “4 know, 4 effective” in managing airspace and engaging enemy airstrikes. Moreover, the brigade intensifies emergency alarm during holidays and breaks time, before and during major political events of the country and the Army; effectively exchanges information with friendly forces in the area. As a result, its intelligence gathering rate reaches over 98%, without any passivity or surprises. All combat readiness checks meets and exceeds the targets in terms of time.

Conducting exercise on changing combat readiness status

Fourth, ensuring effective logistical and technical support. The Brigade directs its agencies and units to proactively review and supplement the system of documents and work plans for logistical and technical support for training and combat readiness tasks, in accordance with existing capabilities. Promote agricultural production and livestock farming, exploit local logistical resources; effectively utilise the pricing board and processing stations, improve the quality of meals for troops, with priority being given to distant observation posts and combat-ready detachments. Perform well medical check and treatment, and disease prevention, maintaining healthy rate of over 99% annually.

In addition, the Brigade closely coordinates with superior agencies to receive, distribute, and transfer weapons and equipment strictly according to regulations; accurately assesses the state and condition of the existing weapons and technical equipment. Maintain strict discipline and procedures of daily and weekly maintenance, inspection, and adjustment of weapons, equipment, and technical means; enhance self-repair capabilities according to hierarchical levels. Proactively coordinate with the Military Industry and Telecommunications Group to receive technology transfer to quickly master and effectively utilise new equipment and weapons. Promote the implementation of the campaign “Good, sustainable, safe and economic management and operation of weapons and technical equipment and Traffic safety”; encourage and motivate officers and soldiers to research and apply technical innovations effectively in the management, exploitation, and maintenance of weapons and technical equipment.

The results achieved in training and combat readiness in the past period are clear evidence of the efforts, dedication, and high determination of the officers and soldiers of the 297th Air Defence Brigade, and at the same time, provide experience and a basis for the Brigade to firmly protect the airspace of the Northwest of the Fatherland in the new situation.

Senior Colonel VI HUNG SON, Brigade Commander