Posthumously promoted 2 pilots involved in Su-22 crash in Nghe An

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 performing a training flight mission.

Specifically, pilot Pham Giang Nam was posthumously promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel; pilot Khuat Manh Tri was posthumously promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel.

Pilot Pham Giang Nam (left) and pilot Khuat Manh Tri. Photo: Ministry of National Defense

Previously, at noon on July 26, Su-22 aircraft, serial number 8551 of Air Force Regiment 921 (Division 371, Air Defense - Air Force), conducted a training flight. However, 19 minutes after take-off, the aircraft lost contact. The aircraft was later determined to have crashed in the area of ​​Dua village (Nghia Yen commune, Nghia Dan district, Nghe An).

Lieutenant Colonel Khuat Manh Tri is Deputy Chief of Staff of the Regiment, and Lieutenant Colonel Nam is Flight Commander of Regiment 921.

Both pilots are experienced in training flights. Lieutenant Colonel Tri has accumulated more than 1,130 flight hours, while Senior Colonel Nam has accumulated 1,178 flight hours. Both have flown aircraft such as L-39, MiG-21Bis, Su-22M….

The funeral of 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 28. The memorial service for the two fallen pilots will begin at 7:00 a.m. on July 28. After the memorial service, the coffins will be cremated at the Universe Crematorium in Hanoi and buried in their hometown.