A Coast Guard ship crew conducts live-fire training with a 23mm naval gun during the drill. — Photo courtesy of Việt Nam Coast Guard

HCM CITY — The Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command based in HCM City has successfully conducted its annual tactical and live-fire exercise at sea, enhancing combat readiness and strengthening maritime security and sovereignty protection.

This year’s exercise from September 8 to 17, the largest of its kind to date in terms of ship deployment, focused on improving overall training quality, command and coordination capabilities, technical and tactical skills, and joint combat readiness.

Participating ships and units carried out a wide range of scenarios, including maritime patrol, inspection and law enforcement; sovereignty protection operations; anti-piracy and armed robbery drills; search and rescue missions; and combat readiness transitions.

Crews also engaged in live-fire training, hitting both low-flying aerial and sea-based targets with precision.

Colonel Nguyễn Minh Khánh, Deputy Commander of the Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command, directly supervises the exercise at sea. — Photo courtesy of Việt Nam Coast Guard

Colonel Nguyễn Minh Khánh, Deputy Commander of the Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command, said the success of the exercise reflected careful and practical preparations from planning to coordination.

“The drill not only fulfilled its annual training objectives but also served as a comprehensive test of the professionalism, resilience, and capability of our officers and soldiers under near-real combat conditions,” he said.

The exercise allowed the force to sharpen its ability to respond flexibly to complex maritime situations, evaluate the effective use of weapons and equipment, and draw valuable lessons to improve future training, he said.

Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command ships coordinate closely in tactical formations as part of the exercise. — Photo courtesy of Việt Nam Coast Guard

The results of the drill, he stressed, demonstrated the political will, military expertise, and overall strength of the Việt Nam Coast Guard, while laying a solid foundation for the force to continue playing its core role in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security, and safety at sea. — VNS