PM makes pre-Tet visit to Hanoi air defence division

The PM took the occasion to send his New Year greetings to officers and soldiers on duty in remote and island areas nationwide to safeguard national sovereignty.

He hailed Division 361 for fulfilling the task of firmly safeguarding the air space of Hanoi and consolidating internal solidarity.

The leader asked the whole army, the Air Defence-Air Force in general and Division 361 in particular to stay ready to safeguard border areas, air space, seas and islands of the nation, realise the Resolution adopted by the 13th National Party Congress, and the Resolution by the 11th Congress of the Army’s Party Organisation.

He required the Vietnam People's Army to build a revolutionary, regular, elite and gradually modern army, towards building an elite and strong army by 2030 to firmly safeguard national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity in all cases.

Division 361 must continually improve training quality, maintain close ties with people and well perform mass mobilisation in the new situation.

PM Phuc expressed his belief that on the back of the past achievements, Division 361 will continue overcoming challenges and accomplishing its assigned tasks, thus deserving the trust of the Party, State and people.

Founded on May 19, 1965, Division 361 fought in over 1,800 battles in more than 20 cities and provinces nationwide, shot down 591 enemy aircraft of various kinds, including 35 B52 aircraft. They also contributed to the “Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu on Air” victory in December 1972.