The strength of the Vietnam Air Force in 1979
The history of the Vietnam People's Air Force clearly records that after the border war broke out, units stationed in the South were ordered to urgently reinforce.
In 1979, the main force protecting the Northern sky was still the "iron fists" that had achieved many feats in the resistance war against the US, typically the 921 Red Star Regiment with MiG-21 or the 925 Regiment equipped with J-6.
But in response to new mission requirements, the air force was tasked with mobilizing many captured second-generation fighter planes from the South to the North to strengthen the force and create an advantage over the enemy.
The history of the Vietnam People's Air Force (1977 - 1999) clearly states: On February 20, 1979, Noi Bai airport base organized the reception of 2nd generation bombs and ammunition transferred from the South and prepared a plan to receive 2nd generation mobile aircraft to coordinate combat in the North.
Also on the 20th, the Air Force Commander briefed the leading officers on the main features of the enemy and instructed agencies and units on the immediate tasks including:
Exercise control of the air; Support the army and navy in combat; Transfer personnel and combat vehicles of the Ministry; Conduct reconnaissance, defend airports and take advantage of training according to combat plans.
Part of the 372nd Air Division's forces were sent to the North to carry out new missions, including: 1 squadron of F-5 aircraft (10 aircraft); 1 squadron of A-37 aircraft (10 aircraft) and 1 squadron of UH-1, U-17 (UH-1: 7 aircraft, U-17: 3 aircraft).
From February 22 to March 3, 1979, the entire mobile combat force of Division 372 moved to Noi Bai airport as planned.
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| Captured F-5E fighter of the Vietnam People's Air Force |
In February 1979, the Service focused on carrying out large-scale air transport missions.
Dozens of C-130, C-119, C-47 transport planes and passenger planes of Regiment 919 made hundreds of flights transporting people, weapons, and technical equipment of the main army corps from the South to the North.
From the second half of January to mid-February 1979 alone, the Air Force carried out 805 transport flights, carrying 8,900 people and nearly 1,000 tons of cargo, making an important contribution to transporting troops to adjust the Ministry of National Defense's battle formation.
When some infantry units stationed in the South were ordered to move to the North, Mi-6 and Mi-8 crews of Air Regiment 916 coordinated with units transporting troops from various places to Tan Son Nhat, Can Tho, and Da Nang airports.
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| C-130A transport aircraft established an air bridge to transport troops from the South to the North. |
The troops then marched north by aircraft of the 918th Air Regiment and by several other means.
Some Mi-6 teams on duty at Tan Son Nhat airport were ordered to go North to carry out new missions, An-2 flight crews continued to train new navigators and fly to serve the parachute team of the Army.
The Ka-25 squadron of Air Force Regiment 916 moved to Cat Bi airport for recovery and inspection flights.
In addition, Air Force Regiment 916 also created all conditions for U-17 and UH-1 flight crews of Air Force Regiment 917 to perform combat duty at Hoa Lac airport.
After the number of aircraft and helicopters of the 2nd generation were mobilized to the northern airports, the 372nd Air Division urgently organized command stations at a number of airports and sent officers to air force staff groups in military regions and corps.
Comrade Dao Dinh Luyen, Commander of the Air Force, came to the headquarters of the 372nd Air Division to inspect combat readiness preparations and listen to the division's report on its fighting determination.
By promptly transferring forces from the South to the North, the air force has done a good job of protecting airspace, controlling the sky at sea and on land, dealing with large air forces and protecting ground troops in action.
