Work is not time-based
Our work is measured in minutes, in seconds, not in hours," Captain Le Dinh Quan, Radar Station 11, Regiment 292, Division 377 (Air Defense - Air Force Service) began the story while sitting under the square banyan tree next to the sovereignty marker on Truong Sa Lon island, Khanh Hoa province.
The mission of the station is to manage and monitor all air activities: from foreign military aircraft, our training aircraft to search and rescue flights. Whether day or night, rainstorm or harsh sun, absolutely do not be negligent, do not let the Fatherland be surprised from the air," Captain Le Dinh Quan shared.
Hometown in the South, used to work at Radar Station 21 on Song Tu Tay Island, after completing his mission, Captain Quan proactively asked to go to Truong Sa Lon Island. For him, continuing to stand in the ranks of "guarding the East Sea gate" is an honor.
According to regulations, each year officers and soldiers are arranged for two leave periods. However, due to the special nature of 24/24 combat duty, the station always has to maintain sufficient troops, so leave often has to be given to each other. During Tet holidays, rare leave slots are often prioritized for people in difficult circumstances or who have not returned home for a long time.
This Tet, Captain Quan stays in the unit, celebrating spring with his comrades in the open sea.
Taking care of "heaven's eyes" amidst the salt and wind of Truong Sa
Having worked on 17 islands in the Truong Sa archipelago, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Thuan understands very well the hardships of radar soldiers on remote islands. For him, the biggest enemy of weapons is not bombs and bullets, but... sea salt.
Salt in sea breeze is the nemesis of electronic components," said Mr. Thuan. The radar system is protected in two white composite balls, about 5cm thick, but still cannot avoid the invasion of moisture and salt vapor.
The station is stationed far from the island, while the regiment is on the mainland, 360km away from the unit. For all technical problems, the brothers have to work hard to fix them themselves.
The northeast monsoon season is the hardest. High humidity, strong winds carry salt. Overnight, tables, chairs, and equipment are white as salt. The brothers take care of the equipment even more carefully than taking care of young children. At 4:30 am, the machine must be turned on for inspection and cleaning. Wiping the dew in the morning, wiping the dust in the afternoon. Even a small drop of dust is not allowed to be left behind," Lieutenant Colonel Thuan recounted.
No mistakes allowed
Following Lieutenant Colonel Thuan, we stepped into the broadcasting room. Although it was summer outside, inside the closed room, a burning heat emanated. The space was pitch-black, only the light from the rotating round screen continuously scanned red streaks. The sound of the engine exploding loudly, echoing into the ears to the point of headache.
Two on-duty soldiers – a Professional Lieutenant, a Sergeant – in neat uniforms, sweat soaking their backs, their eyes glued to the screen. I had to lean close to my ears and ask loudly:
– How long is each shift?
– Report, two o'clock! – the young soldier also had to shout to cover up the engine sound.
Continuous exchanges were interrupted by the phone ringing indicating the target. Just a few minutes standing in the cramped, hot computer room, the mind was already dizzy. When stepping out into the light, everyone felt their body shaking, their feet not steady, as if they had just experienced a seasickness.
Witnessing a combat training session of the station, I fully understood the tension that the brothers had to endure. In the middle of the cold season, everyone's clothes were covered in sweat, and their eyes blurred after a long period of high concentration in front of the radar screen.
When asked what he was most proud of when going to Truong Sa to perform his duties, Lieutenant Khang, radar operator of Radar Station 11, did not hesitate: "Comradeship and military-civilian solidarity. Living in a remote island, everyone loves each other like family members".
Nearly two years attached to Truong Sa, Khang said that the more difficult it is, the more united the soldiers become.
For us, the island is home, the sea is homeland, and above our heads is the sky of the Fatherland. In any circumstances, we still maintain 24/24 duty so that radar waves always reach far, contributing to firmly protecting the sovereignty of the country's airspace and sea," the young man from Ninh Binh expressed.
