Two pilots who died in the Su-22 crash in Nghe An province have been posthumously promoted.
(Baonghean.vn) - Lieutenant Colonel Khuat Manh Tri is the Deputy Regiment Commander and Chief of Staff, while Colonel Nam is the Head of Flight Operations of Regiment 921.
On July 27, the Minister of National Defense signed a decision to posthumously promote the officer rank of the pilot of Regiment 921, Division 371 (Air Defense - Air Force) who died while on a training flight mission.
Specifically, the promotion of officer rank was from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel for pilot Pham Giang Nam; and the promotion of officer rank from Major to Lieutenant Colonel for pilot Khuat Manh Tri.
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| Pilot Pham Giang Nam (left) and pilot Khuat Manh Tri. Photo: Ministry of National Defence. |
Earlier, at noon on July 26, a Su-22 aircraft, serial number 8551, of the 921st Air Regiment (371st Division, Air Defense - Air Force Command) was conducting a training flight. However, 19 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft lost contact. The plane was later confirmed to have crashed in the area of Dua village (Nghia Yen commune, Nghia Dan district, Nghe An province).
Lieutenant Colonel Khuat Manh Tri is the Deputy Regiment Commander and Chief of Staff, while Colonel Nam is the Head of Flight Operations of Regiment 921.
Both pilots are highly experienced in training flights. Lieutenant Colonel Tri has accumulated over 1,130 flight hours, while Colonel Nam has accumulated 1,178 flight hours. Both have also flown aircraft such as the L-39, MiG-21Bis, and Su-22M.
The funerals for the two pilots will be held at the Funeral Home of Military Hospital 4, Military Region 4 (Vinh City) according to military protocol on the morning of July 28th. The viewing of the two deceased pilots will begin at 7:00 AM on July 28th. After the memorial service, their remains will be cremated at the Hoan Vu Crematorium in Hanoi and then interred in their hometowns.
