Vietnam Military Helicopters Conduct Emergency Rescue Training Over Rach Gia Bay

A military helicopter unit in Vietnam recently conducted specialized emergency hoist training over the waters of Rach Gia Bay. The 917th Air Force Regiment, part of the 370th Air Division, executed drills designed to simulate critical rescue operations at sea and in isolated flood-prone areas.

The training involved Mi-171 and Mi-8 military helicopters, with crews practicing precise hovering techniques and rapid deployment of rescue personnel. Senior officers from the regiment, including Regiment Commander Colonel Truong Thanh Binh and Political Commissar Colonel Nguyen Truong Toan, oversaw the exercises, emphasizing the difficulty and importance of such missions.

According to Colonel Nguyen Truong Toan, this type of training is crucial for applying helicopter capabilities to real-world emergencies, particularly in maritime environments or regions affected by floods and landslides. The drills require a high degree of psychological resilience, extensive experience, and meticulous focus from pilots, crew members, and search and rescue personnel.

Through these regular training sessions, the airmen of the 917th Regiment hone their technical skills, especially in maritime flight operations. They improve their ability to quickly and accurately calculate positions, account for wind conditions, and execute precise hovering maneuvers for casualty evacuation. The exercises also involve coordination with naval assets, such as the landing ship 470 of the Naval Region 5, to ensure comprehensive preparedness.

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Hoisting people at sea for emergency rescue is one of the difficult training modules, applicable to maritime rescue and isolated areas affected by floods, landslides, or sea landings.