An economics-scientific-servicing complex, called Platform DK1, hasserved as the country’s sovereignty marker in the waters over the past25 years.
DK1 was set up on July 5, 1989 on thecontinental shelf belonging to the Vung Tau-Con Dao Special Zone (nowsouthern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province) with the task of defending thecountry’s sovereignty over the waters in the southeastern region.
It is a complex of structures of large steel pipes which strike rootsdeep into dry coral reefs. Covering these steel pipes is a living spacefor soldiers who guard the platform.
The establishmentof DK1 reflected the great determination of the Party and State todevelop the marine economy and create a connection between the mainlandand the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, thus affirming Vietnam’ssovereignty over this area and safeguarding the national territory andwaters.
A quarter of a century has elapsed withnumerous difficulties, hardships and sacrifices but DK1 soldiers haveovercome all to protect the country’s sovereignty and legitimateinterests.
The platforms now form a steel belt standing inthe East Sea to assert Vietnam’s sovereignty over its continental shelfand serve as a base for fishermen to work at sea.
The severe marine climate can stain and even damage materials andweapons, but cannot erode the spirit of DK1 soldiers who are day andnight defending the sacred sea and island sovereignty of the nation.
Major Bui Xuan Bong, Commander of DK1, one of thelongest-serving officers on the complex with 24 years, said that despitesevere weather conditions and heavy tasks, all soldiers there areenthusiastic with their job and ready to sacrifice their lives toprotect the national sea and island sovereignty.
Assignedto serve there for the first time, Sen. Lieut. Dau Cong Tuan, politicalcommissar at the platforms, confided that he feels very proud of goingto work at the complex, a heroic unit awarded the title “Hero of thePeople’s Armed Forces by the State.
“Despite heavy tasks, I will always stand side by side with my comrades in arms to safeguard the country,” he said.
Over the past 25 years, generations of officers and soldiers havedevoted their youth to building and preserving the platforms. Many ofthem laid down their lives to keep the national flag proudly flutteringat sea.
In addition to severe weather conditions,DK1 soldiers have also faced complicated and unpredictable situationsfrom the wicked schemes and tricks by hostile forces who always seek toinvade Vietnam’s waters.
To deal with all possiblecases, they must put place themselves under hard training to improvetheir capacity and combat readiness, and to harden their will to firmlydefend the national sovereignty as well as ensure a peaceful and stableenvironment in the East Sea.
Despite living farfrom the mainland, officers and soldiers on the DK1still maintain alltraining and normal daily activities. It is unimaginable that on an areaof over100 sq.m and in severe weather conditions, soldiers here stillgrow vegetables and raise livestock like in the mainland.
Beforeleaving for the platform, political commissar Tuan said he wants totell those in the rear that amid current tensions in the East Sea, heand his comrades in arms always consider the safeguarding of thenation’s continental shelf as the leading task.
“Wewill firmly hold our guns and be steadfast against the plots and tricksby hostile forces, confidently defending the continental shelf of thecountry,” he stressed.
Twenty-five years is not too longfor people living in the mainland but it is a very long period of timefor DK1 soldiers, witnessing all of their heroic struggles and silentsacrifices.
For their contributions, Battalion DK1 wasawarded the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces in the renewalperiod” in 2005, and various other honours and certificates of merit.-VNA
DK1 was set up on July 5, 1989 on thecontinental shelf belonging to the Vung Tau-Con Dao Special Zone (nowsouthern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province) with the task of defending thecountry’s sovereignty over the waters in the southeastern region.
It is a complex of structures of large steel pipes which strike rootsdeep into dry coral reefs. Covering these steel pipes is a living spacefor soldiers who guard the platform.
The establishmentof DK1 reflected the great determination of the Party and State todevelop the marine economy and create a connection between the mainlandand the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, thus affirming Vietnam’ssovereignty over this area and safeguarding the national territory andwaters.
A quarter of a century has elapsed withnumerous difficulties, hardships and sacrifices but DK1 soldiers haveovercome all to protect the country’s sovereignty and legitimateinterests.
The platforms now form a steel belt standing inthe East Sea to assert Vietnam’s sovereignty over its continental shelfand serve as a base for fishermen to work at sea.
The severe marine climate can stain and even damage materials andweapons, but cannot erode the spirit of DK1 soldiers who are day andnight defending the sacred sea and island sovereignty of the nation.
Major Bui Xuan Bong, Commander of DK1, one of thelongest-serving officers on the complex with 24 years, said that despitesevere weather conditions and heavy tasks, all soldiers there areenthusiastic with their job and ready to sacrifice their lives toprotect the national sea and island sovereignty.
Assignedto serve there for the first time, Sen. Lieut. Dau Cong Tuan, politicalcommissar at the platforms, confided that he feels very proud of goingto work at the complex, a heroic unit awarded the title “Hero of thePeople’s Armed Forces by the State.
“Despite heavy tasks, I will always stand side by side with my comrades in arms to safeguard the country,” he said.
Over the past 25 years, generations of officers and soldiers havedevoted their youth to building and preserving the platforms. Many ofthem laid down their lives to keep the national flag proudly flutteringat sea.
In addition to severe weather conditions,DK1 soldiers have also faced complicated and unpredictable situationsfrom the wicked schemes and tricks by hostile forces who always seek toinvade Vietnam’s waters.
To deal with all possiblecases, they must put place themselves under hard training to improvetheir capacity and combat readiness, and to harden their will to firmlydefend the national sovereignty as well as ensure a peaceful and stableenvironment in the East Sea.
Despite living farfrom the mainland, officers and soldiers on the DK1still maintain alltraining and normal daily activities. It is unimaginable that on an areaof over100 sq.m and in severe weather conditions, soldiers here stillgrow vegetables and raise livestock like in the mainland.
Beforeleaving for the platform, political commissar Tuan said he wants totell those in the rear that amid current tensions in the East Sea, heand his comrades in arms always consider the safeguarding of thenation’s continental shelf as the leading task.
“Wewill firmly hold our guns and be steadfast against the plots and tricksby hostile forces, confidently defending the continental shelf of thecountry,” he stressed.
Twenty-five years is not too longfor people living in the mainland but it is a very long period of timefor DK1 soldiers, witnessing all of their heroic struggles and silentsacrifices.
For their contributions, Battalion DK1 wasawarded the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces in the renewalperiod” in 2005, and various other honours and certificates of merit.-VNA
