In late 1973, the Saigon–Gia Dinh Intelligence Unit devised a secret plan to use American helicopters to drop explosives on the Independence Palace. The aim was to demoralize soldiers of the South Vietnamese regime and bolster the fighting spirit of Vietnamese troops on all fronts.
In 1968, under the guidance of the spy network, Chin Chinh—also known as Ho Duy Hung—joined the South Vietnamese military. In August of that year, he was admitted to the Thu Duc Infantry Officer School and, in late 1969, was selected for helicopter pilot training in the United States. In early 1973, he proposed a daring plan to his superiors: use a UH-1 helicopter for a major strike that would shake the heart of Saigon.
Mr. Ho Duy Hung recalls the hijacking of a UH-1 helicopter near a lakeside in Da Lat on November 7, 1973.
According to the mission, Mr. Ho Duy Hung was primarily responsible for piloting a UH-1 helicopter seized from the enemy and flying it back to the liberation base in Loc Ninh, Binh Phuoc. Meanwhile, Mr. Hoang Don Banh (also known as Tu Den) had been infiltrated into the Air Force of the Saigon regime as a helicopter technician. His role was to provide rear cover, with authority to fire if pursued by enemy forces in support of Mr. Ho Duy Hung. Although there were unexpected complications at the outset, Mr. Ho Duy Hung was eventually able to bring the UH-1 helicopter safely back to Loc Ninh.
When Da Nang was liberated, more enemy helicopters were captured, allowing more pilots to train on the UH-1—a type of aircraft Vietnam had never operated before. Quietly, the UH-1 squadron began preparing for its secret mission: a surprise strike on the very heart of the enemy’s command center.
Around the same time, at Da Nang Airport, the Vietnamese army also seized several enemy fighter aircraft, specifically A-37s . This development led to the formation of a new, top-secret mission. The Command of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign tasked the Air Defense – Air Force Service with selecting a unit to carry out this special operation. The Fourth Squadron of the 923rd Regiment, 371st Division, was chosen for the assignment. Colonel Tran Manh, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Defense – Air Force Service, formally assigned the squadron to train on operating the captured A-37 aircraft in preparation for a major strike using these very planes. The unit, known as the Quyet Thang Squadron—or simply the A-37 Squadron— consisted of pilots Nguyen Thanh Trung, Nguyen Van Luc, Han Van Quang, Tu De, Hoang Mai Vuong, Tran Van On, and Nguyen Van Xanh. They began with theoretical flight training, studying the A-37's features, functions, and onboard systems.
The squadron included seasoned pilots such as Nguyen Thanh Trung, Nguyen Van Luc, Han Van Quang, Tu De, Hoang Mai Vuong, Tran Van On, and Nguyen Van Xanh. They began intensive theoretical studies to understand the A-37’s mechanics and weapons systems.
At Da Nang airport, two secret squadrons coexisted: the UH-1 helicopter squadron and the Quyet Thang A-37 squadron. The UH-1 unit operated two fully armed helicopters with rocket launchers and six-barreled machine guns, flown entirely by Vietnamese pilots.
On April 29, 1975, the Command of the Air Defense – Air Force Service made the difficult decision to cancel the mission and disband the UH-1 Helicopter Squadron, much to the regret of its members. Although the squadron did not take part in the special secret mission that contributed to the liberation of Southern Vietnam in 1975, its legacy lived on. In the years that followed, the UH-1 Squadron participated in several critical battles to defend Vietnam's southwestern border. More importantly, its members became the first instructors to train new generations of helicopter pilots for the Vietnam People's Army. Through their efforts, they played a vital role in safeguarding the nation's maritime sovereignty and contributing to the country's economic development.
The heroic former pilots are deeply moved as they reunited with their comrades.
Half a century has passed, but in the eyes of these former aviators—heroes of the Vietnamese Air Force—the silent pride remains. They once soared into the smoke-filled skies, overcoming adversity to defend the nation.
Although they are no longer in flight, their patriotic flame and heroic spirit remain undiminished. As living witnesses of history, they helped write golden pages in the nation's chronicle. Time may move on, but their love for the homeland remains timeless and true.
