PANO – General Phung Quang Thanh, Minister of Defence, yesterday visited families of three pilots who sacrificed their lives in training last year.

The Minister presented gifts to relatives of Colonel Nguyen Van Vinh, Captain Dang Hong Vinh and Captain Tranh Thanh Nghi.

These three military pilots died in training accidents in 2009.

General Phung Quang Thanh extended his condolences to the families and praised the brave acts of the three pilots.

He also said that the brave acts of the three pilots showed the true nature of Uncle Ho’s soldiers in peace time.

These three pilots tried to fly the planes out of built-up, populated areas when their planes had technical problems.

The three pilots died in two separate trainings last year.

On the same day, General Phung Quang Thanh also visited and presented gifts to families of Lieutenant Do Anh Tuan, who is serving on Truong Sa Island and Lieutenant Tranh Manh Son, who is serving in Border Post 229 in Lai Chau Province. These two officers are among tens of thousands of troops who will be on duty during this Tet (Lunar New Year).

Translated by Ngoc Hung