Captain Nguyễn Hoàng Hải Quang pilots a Su-27 fighter jet in the Air Force-wide Navigation Sports Competition and a live-fire bombing and shooting drill for the Air Force in 2023, held at Như Xuân Firing Range in Thanh Hóa Province. Photo tienphong.vn

BÌNH ĐỊNH At National Shooting Range TB2 in Tây Sơn, Bình Định, the 372nd Air Division of the Việt Nam People’s Air Force conducted a live-fire training exercise, demonstrating the precision and combat readiness of its pilots and aircraft.

Among them was Captain Nguyễn Hoàng Hải Quang, a fighter pilot from Regiment 925, who was assigned a high-stakes bombing mission using a Su-27 multi-role fighter jet, showcasing the intense training, skill and unwavering dedication required to defend Việt Nam’s airspace.

Hailing from Đại Hồng Commune, Đại Lộc District, Quảng Nam Province, Hải Quang grew up reading about the legendary pilots of the Việt Nam People’s Air Force. As a child, he would accompany his family to Đà Nẵng and gaze in awe at the fighter jets training in the skies, performing breathtaking aerial manoeuvres.

The sight of warplanes soaring overhead, banking sharply, and diving through the air like lightning bolts ignited his deep admiration and unwavering dream of becoming a pilot.

As soon as they received orders from ground command, the two Su-27s broke through the clouds and dived toward their targets at high speed, releasing their payloads with pinpoint accuracy before swiftly pulling away. The successful hits drew cheers and applause from those at the range.

Reflecting on the mission, Captain Hải Quang said that flying in formation is one of the most challenging aerial manoeuvres, requiring absolute precision and teamwork. Even the slightest mistake allows no room for correction. The harsh realities of flying mean that not every takeoff goes smoothly—bad weather can cause aircraft to lose sight of each other in the clouds, forcing pilots to skillfully regroup.

“Ground attack formation flying is even more difficult,” Quang explained.

“The aircraft operate in close proximity, diving steeply toward the target before releasing bombs—all within a window of fewer than ten seconds. The pilot must simultaneously maintain formation, aim, release ordnance and exit the attack run safely.”

Becoming a fighter pilot

To master precision bombing, pilots undergo rigorous and meticulous training, rehearsing every movement on the ground before taking to the skies. This includes numerous dry-run exercises—flying without live munitions—to refine techniques and reaction times.

Pilots must also train for malfunctions and adverse conditions, such as bombs failing to release, rounds not detonating or strong crosswinds affecting accuracy. Throughout the training, strict adherence to flight command directives is maintained, with pilots following precise manoeuvres while remaining prepared to handle any emergency.

Looking back on his journey, Hải Quang recalled his first step toward the cockpit in 2012, when he was in his final year of high school. A recruitment announcement for military pilot candidates appeared on television, prompting him to take a leap of faith and apply.

One month later, he joined more than 50 other young men from his district on a military transport to the 372nd Air Division in Đà Nẵng for rigorous medical and aptitude screening.

The selection process was highly demanding, assessing physical fitness, height, weight and medical history. Many candidates were eliminated early due to failing vision, balance or endurance tests.

“I thought I wouldn’t stand a chance,” Quang admitted. “But to my surprise, I passed every test, even the toughest ones—like solving logic puzzles under pressure or walking a straight line after spinning rapidly in a chair.”

However, a minor blunder nearly cost him his dream. During an eye test, he accidentally pressed too hard on one eye while covering the other, which caused his vision to blur. When it was time to switch eyes, he couldn’t read a single letter.

“I was devastated, thinking I’d been eliminated for such a foolish mistake,” Quang recalled. “But after 15 minutes, the doctors retested me—and I passed! I was the only one from my group to qualify.”

Shortly afterward, he was accepted into the Air Force Officer Training School, where he embarked on the long journey of becoming a fighter pilot.

Captain Nguyễn Hoàng Hải Quang at the Regiment 925 base after a flight mission in February 2025. Photo tienphong.vn

Defending the skies

By his third year at flight school, Quang was ready for his first solo flight. On April 21, 2016, he took off alone in a Yak-52, performing takeoff and landing circuits under the watchful eyes of his instructors.

Despite his initial nerves, he felt reassured by his commanders’ encouragement over the radio. After 30 minutes in the air, he landed safely—only to be greeted by his instructors, fellow cadets and unexpectedly, his own family, who had travelled from Quảng Nam to witness the milestone.

“Seeing my parents waiting on the tarmac, I ran to them and said, ‘I did it!’” Quang recounted with pride. “They had taken a bus overnight just to be there—but waited until after my flight to reveal themselves so I wouldn’t be distracted.”

Following his successful solo flight, Quang advanced to faster and more complex aircraft, training on the L-39 Albatros jet before graduating in 2019 and being assigned to Regiment 925.

Now a highly skilled fighter pilot with over 300 flights, Quang has completed advanced training, including night operations, maritime patrols and combat air patrol missions.

He has also participated in live-fire exercises, targeting both land and sea objectives, and represented his unit in national-level competitions and military drills.

Between 2021 and 2024, he consistently achieved top performance ratings and was honoured multiple times by the Minister of National Defence and the Air Defence – Air Force Command.

In 2024 alone, he logged 78 missions, accumulating over 71 flight hours, all executed with the highest standards of safety and precision. His outstanding performance earned him certification as a Level 2 Flight Instructor and formal recognition as an elite military aviator.

“For military pilots, training never stops,” he said. “Flight skills must be constantly honed. Every flight has an expiration date—if we don’t train regularly, our proficiency declines.”

With unwavering dedication to defending Vietnamese skies, Captain Hải Quang continues to train, fly, and push the limits of his abilities, ensuring he is always ready to protect the nation from above. VNS