The 80th national day marked a significant return: fighter jets soared over Ba Dinh square for the first time since 2/9/1985. The event also showcased a groundbreaking performance, with Su-30MK2 and Yak-130 pilots executing a flare drop over the capital's heart.

In early July, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Hai, Political Commissar of the 940th Regiment, Air Force Officer School, received the assignment to participate in the 80th National Day parade with a mix of emotions. Three months prior, the regiment's Yak-130 squadron had participated in the parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam. However, the 80th National Day held special significance. For the first time, the unit's aircraft would fly over "Area A," the airspace above Ba Dinh, a sacred space reserved for a select few.

The flight formation would pass the grandstand, following the same route as the military vehicles and over 16,300 soldiers, along the West Lake - Thanh Nien Road axis. Following the opening display by flag-bearing helicopters and CASA aircraft, three types of jet aircraft would perform complex maneuvers for the nation.

The 80th National Day also marked several firsts for the Vietnam People's Air Force. It was the first time in 40 years, since the 1985 National Day, that fighter jets and transport aircraft returned to Ba Dinh's skies. The Su-30MK2 and Yak-130 executed their first-ever flare drop over the square. A formation of four L-39NG aircraft also made their debut at the grand celebration.

The Yak-130 squadron at Kep Airport, 8/2025. Photo: Giang Huy

The Vietnam People's Air Force began incorporating the Yak-130 into its fleet in late 2021. This modern training aircraft, equipped with advanced electronics and operational characteristics similar to modern Russian fighters like the Su-30SM, Su-35S, and Su-57, simplifies training and reduces costs. After four years in service, the Yak-130s of the 940th Regiment have taken on increasingly complex training missions. In 2023, a Yak-130 squadron deployed to the north, participating in live-fire exercises at Kep Airport.

"Until now, the Yak-130 had never performed a 6-aircraft formation flight; even during the 50th-anniversary celebration, it only flew in a three-aircraft formation," Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hai said, highlighting the biggest challenge for the pilots involved in the 80th National Day celebration.

Experienced flight instructors from the Air Force Officer School developed the training curriculum, and seasoned pilots with extensive mission experience were selected for the task. After two weeks, the Yak-130s began practicing 6-aircraft formation flights at Phu Cat Airport, Dak Lak, before deploying north.

At the end of July, the Yak-130 squadron from the 940th Regiment and the L-39NG from the 910th Regiment, both units of the Air Force Officer School, deployed to Kep, Bac Ninh, to train alongside the Su-30MK2s of the 927th Regiment. Concurrently, helicopter squadrons practiced flag-bearing maneuvers at Hoa Lac Airport, while CASA transport aircraft practiced formation takeoffs from Gia Lam Airport.

31 aircraft from the Vietnam People's Air Force practiced formation flying and complex maneuvers, preparing for their 15-minute performance over Ba Dinh.

Yak-130 fighter jet takes off for training at Kep Airport, 8/2025. Photo: Giang Huy

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Hai piloted aircraft number 2104, positioned as the fourth aircraft, flying in the middle of the base of the triangular formation of six Yak-130s. While the formation appeared "uniform, beautiful, and effortless" from the ground, maintaining the correct distances and flying over Ba Dinh at the precise scheduled time was exceptionally challenging.

The distance between the tail of the leading aircraft and the nose of the trailing aircraft was 30 meters, the lateral spacing between two aircraft was 20 meters, and the altitude difference was 3-5 meters. The formation's speed was approximately 530 km/h when passing over Ba Dinh Square and increased to 650 km/h after passing to begin separating into smaller formations. Discrepancies in commands between aircraft were measured in centimeters.

The Yak-130 squadron was tasked with the first takeoff among the jet aircraft departing from Kep Airport to Ba Dinh. The pilots had to calculate their flight to arrive at the grandstand at the precise time, with a margin of error no greater than two seconds. Simultaneously, they had to maintain a safe distance from the L-39NG and Su-30MK2 squadrons that would take off later.

Training journey of the Yak-130 squadron for the 80th National Day celebration. Video: Huy Manh

The pilots, having traveled from the south to train in the north, had to adapt to the changing weather conditions. Air turbulence caused by the complex urban terrain and numerous high-rise buildings posed the biggest challenge, especially during descent.

To maintain formation, pilots required intense concentration. Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hai's hands constantly adjusted the joystick and throttle. After each training session, his hair and clothes were drenched in sweat, despite the air conditioning in the cockpit. The notebooks he kept in his flight suit pockets were filled with detailed notes on how to perfect the formation.

The six Yak-130 aircraft flew over Ba Dinh four times: during the second combined rehearsal on 24/8, the preliminary rehearsal on 28/8, and the general rehearsal on 30/8. The pilots gradually familiarized themselves with the terrain, gaining confidence with each flight.

Ba Dinh appeared only "in a split-second glance" for the pilots. Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hai's gaze remained fixed ahead, with occasional glances to the sides to observe his teammates, maintaining absolute focus on keeping the correct distance, balancing the formation, and ensuring flight safety.

Su-30MK2 squadron training at Kep Airport, 7/2025. Photo: Giang Huy

Before the combined rehearsals over Ba Dinh in late August, reconnaissance flights were conducted starting on the afternoon of 30/7. A Su-30MK2 fighter jet made five passes over the square, flying over the National Assembly building, the West Lake area, and Thanh Nien Road, the assembly point for the parade formations and military vehicles. The fighter circled once before returning to Kep Airport.

These meteorological reconnaissance flights aimed to study weather conditions and the terrain of the central area. Pilots assessed cloud types, wind direction, visibility, and turbulence that could impact flights over the square. They also calculated the optimal viewing position for the grandstand so formations could maneuver at the correct time, 1.5 minutes apart.

The 80th National Day marked the first time the Su-30MK2 flew in a 5-aircraft formation. The numerous high-rise buildings in the Ba Dinh area, combined with high speeds, could easily overwhelm pilots. Before the event, the pilots visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and conducted ground surveys, developing flight plans and calculating a gradual descent to 150 meters when approaching Ba Dinh while ensuring safety.

Compared to the south, the northern weather during this season is often foggy and rainy, with hot afternoons. High temperatures can fatigue pilots. Therefore, they were required to be mentally prepared and get adequate rest before each training session.

Su-30MK2 squadrons participating in the 80th National Day mission. Video: Huy Manh

On board the reconnaissance helicopter on the afternoon of 30/7, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Hoang, Deputy Political Commissar of the 916th Air Regiment, flew over Ba Dinh Square for the first time. This was also the only time during the entire 80th National Day mission that he had a clear view of the area below, from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to the National Assembly building and surrounding areas. During this initial survey, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang's task was to identify altitude benchmarks and obstacles to brief the helicopter formation for training.

At that time, helicopters from the 917th and 930th Air Regiments had deployed from the south to Hoa Lac to join the 916th Regiment. The mission for the 10-helicopter formation was to carry the Party flag and the national flag over the grandstand, initiating the air force's flypast salute. Some Mi helicopters had undergone several days of training in the south before deploying north. As training progressed, the formation gradually increased from two to three or four, then to seven, and finally to ten aircraft.

Colonel Hoang explained that the helicopters' route from Hoa Lac to Ba Dinh passed through several streets densely packed with high-rise buildings. The limited airspace and significant air turbulence made maintaining formation difficult. To overcome this, pilots trained by gradually increasing altitude, progressively raising the difficulty level. This process ensured safety and built their confidence for flying in large formations.

Helicopter training for flag-bearing flights for the 80th National Day. Video: Huy Manh

The helicopter squadron faced challenges due to aging equipment and some less-experienced members participating in large formations for the first time. However, the most unpredictable factor was the northern weather. From training days to the actual event, the weather was mostly hot with unexpected rain and heavy cloud cover, limiting visibility. At times, storms even disrupted joint training with other aircraft types.

Therefore, flight crews always paired northern pilots with their southern counterparts for mutual support. Flight commanders observed from the ground, guiding the formation to maintain proper spacing.

The unpredictable weather limited the number of times the air force squadrons could fly over Ba Dinh. In over two months of training leading up to the event, they flew over the square only four times: on 24/8, 28/8, and during the general rehearsal on 30/8. Nevertheless, nearly 100 days of training instilled confidence in the pilots selected from across the military, all eager for the moment they would fly over Ba Dinh during the historic parade.

Su-30MK2 releasing flares over Ba Dinh during the general rehearsal. Photo: Giang Huy

At 3:30 AM on 2/9, 34 pilots from the Su-30MK2, Yak-130, and L-39NG squadrons awoke to prepare for the National Day flypast. At 5:40 AM, Su-30MK2 number 8583 took off for a weather reconnaissance mission. At Kep Airport, all eyes followed the reports from the cockpit. The reddish dawn gave Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Hai hope for clear skies and dissipating clouds for a flawless flypast.

However, by after 6 AM, as the weather reconnaissance jet returned, fog and clouds rolled in. The pilot reported foggy conditions and a low cloud ceiling. The plan for 4, 5, and 6-aircraft formations for the jet aircraft, as practiced during the general rehearsal, seemed impossible. According to the event schedule, the air force flypast was to begin at 7:15 AM. The jet formation, consisting of Yak-130s, L-39NGs, and Su-30MK2s, would take off from Kep Airport and fly over the Ba Dinh grandstand after the flag-bearing helicopters and transport aircraft had performed.

Due to the adverse weather, only the helicopter squadron flew with a full complement of 10 aircraft, carrying flags through the clouds to Ba Dinh Square on time to commence the ceremony. The jet aircraft's takeoff was delayed by over an hour, but the fog persisted. Flying in 4 and 6-aircraft formations as planned was impossible. The final decision was made: only one aircraft of each type would fly over Ba Dinh. The Yak-130 and Su-30MK2 would still release flares but would not perform the planned three-circle maneuver.

Helicopters flying through clouds towards Ba Dinh grandstand on 2/9. Photo: 916th Regiment

At Hoa Lac Airport, the helicopter squadron took off. Each aircraft carried a flag nearly 20 square meters in size and a 125 kg counterweight. En route to Ba Dinh, dense clouds made maintaining formation challenging, sometimes requiring pilots to rely on instruments due to limited visibility. The crew members remained highly focused, constantly observing and supporting each other. As they approached the square, the clouds thinned, and the weather improved compared to surrounding areas. Upon receiving the command to proceed, the helicopter squadron flew through the clouds, saluting the grandstand.

At Kep Airport, Colonel Nguyen Tat Thang, Deputy Regiment Commander of Training for the 940th Regiment, taxied Yak-130 onto the runway at 8:01 AM. This was the only aircraft from the six Yak-130s to fly over the grandstand on National Day. For the first time since its deployment, Yak-130 number 2103 flew solo in Hanoi's skies.

Upon reaching the capital's airspace from Dong Anh and crossing the Red River, the aircraft descended from 500 meters to 300 meters. Upon reaching the cloud base, the turbulence caused a noticeable flapping sound in the cockpit. The Yak-130 continued its descent, stabilizing at 200 meters until it flew past the grandstand at 8:16 AM, coinciding with the military vehicles parading past the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

The 200-meter altitude had been carefully calculated by the command center, well within the capabilities of a fighter pilot. 26 years of experience and hundreds of training flights gave Senior Lieutenant Colonel Thang confidence in flying low under challenging weather conditions.

The pilot released flares over Ba Dinh before circling back to Kep Airport. In the fog, Colonel Thang couldn't see the entire scene below but was still struck by "a vibrant red" surrounding Ba Dinh. The Yak-130 remained in the clouds until leaving Hanoi's airspace and landing safely at Kep Airport. The backup plan to land at an alternate airport due to adverse weather was not needed.

Fighter jet releasing flares during the National Day celebration, viewed from the Hanoi Flag Tower. Photo: Tung Dinh

Following the Yak-130, the L-39NG and Su-30MK2 flew past the grandstand. Colonel Nguyen The Dung, Political Commissar of the 371st Division, and Senior Lieutenant Colonel Do Toan Thinh, Political Commissar of the 927th Regiment, piloted the two fighter jets, respectively, each releasing flares over the square, concluding the air force's flypast salute.

The flare drop over Ba Dinh marked the first time the Yak-130 and Su-30MK2 had performed this maneuver over the capital's center. "If only the weather had been a bit clearer that day, the people below would have seen a more complete performance. The pilots could have flown in larger formations and performed the three-circle maneuver we had practiced for months," Colonel Nguyen Tat Thang said, expressing his only regret about the 80th National Day mission.

While the air force's performance on National Day wasn't fully realized due to adverse weather, Colonel Thang, Colonel Hai, and their comrades consoled themselves that "being chosen to fly for the 80th National Day was a great honor." Fortunately, the weather was clear during the general rehearsal, allowing the fighter jets to perform the flare drop, formation splitting, and three-circle maneuver to the enthusiastic cheers of the public.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang expressed pride in having the opportunity to "fly over a historic place during a historic moment." Flying over Ba Dinh, whether during the official ceremony or not, was a sacred moment in his military career. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining absolute focus during the mission. During each pass over the square, aware of the excitement below, the pilots allowed themselves only a brief glance before returning their attention to the controls. They fully enjoyed the festive atmosphere on the ground by watching videos captured by the public of the aircraft flypast, only after completing their mission.

"Seeing the people's anticipation for the air force every time we fly is truly fulfilling; there's nothing to regret," he said.

Pilots of the 940th Regiment who participated in the 80th National Day mission pose for a photo after the general rehearsal. Photo: 940th Regiment

After National Day, the squadrons returned to their units to continue their mission of protecting the nation's skies. On 5/9, the Yak-130s safely returned to Tuy Hoa (Dak Lak). Having completed the 80th National Day mission, the officers of the 940th Regiment focused on establishing their new base after relocating from Phu Cat Airport to Tuy Hoa. Only after completing their demanding tasks did they take leave.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Tat Thang and Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Hai continued training while welcoming new cadets to the Air Force Officer School. Their experience from the National Day flypast provided valuable lessons to share with the next generation of pilots. These instructors believe that "if chosen for the 100th anniversary, their students will perform even better than they did this year."

Hoang Phuong - Giang Huy