Source: Learning Xi Regiment • Chinese Military Trumpet
Flapping your wings in the sky and looking into the future
Reporter of the People's Liberation Army Daily: Ma Jialong
Pilots of a brigade of the Air Force of the Western Theater of Operations are waiting for takeoff. Photo by Wei Zhenxing
The years have passed, and before you know it, 2023 has come to an end.
The sun and the moon pass through the sky, and the rivers travel to the earth. Above the sunset of the long river, the war eagle returning from the sky. When the reporter visited pilot Shen Hao, he had just finished his busy flight training. On this day, he took the initiative to arrange himself for 3 sorties.
In a brigade of the Air Force in the Western Theater, Shen Hao has a title - "Flying is not enough".
Shen Hao cherishes every minute and second on the training ground very much, and always makes the best use of the flight time of each sortie. As an instructor, before each flight stage, Shen Hao will take the time to take the lead in flight preparations, ensure that each pilot has a detailed understanding of the technical tactics, subject requirements, major difficulties and risk points involved in the flight, and repeatedly simulate cooperative tactics in ground drills.
"Now that a number of tasks are pressing forward, we must seize all the time to strengthen our skills and do our best to do better. Shen Hao told reporters.
Sprint, sprint again - when we first enter 2023, every pilot in the brigade has a blueprint for annual capability upgrades in mind. When it comes to the ability indicators, they feel the same: "I don't have enough time, so I have to push myself." ”
Anchor the direction and seize the day. Shen Hao told reporters that in order to improve the combat effectiveness of the new equipment as soon as possible, he and his comrades-in-arms often spontaneously went to the simulator for training to strengthen the "tacit understanding" between man, machine, and ammunition. On days when there is no flight training, the simulator is almost always full.
Day by day, the thickness of the past year has been accumulated. Looking back, the combat capacity building goal set at the beginning of 2023 has become a thing of the past. "In October 2023, our brigade achieved all its goals. Talking about the results of a year's training, Shen Hao said proudly.
Accelerate, accelerate again – the world is boundless, and the road to victory is endless. In the past year, while cruising on a plane, Shen Hao and his comrades-in-arms have seen mountains and deep valleys, lonely desert smoke, and sea and sky...... They have accumulated the confidence to win battles and forged the ability to win battles in flight after flight.
Looking back on the one-year track, what impressed Shen Hao the most was a joint training that was different from the past.
At a certain shooting range in the northwest, under the guidance of the advance guide of a brigade of the army in the western theater, the fighters quickly broke into the battlefield with the help of the ground troops' fire cover and helped the ground troops destroy the targets and smoothly withdraw.
Once, during a coordinated training with an army unit, the brigade's fighters circled over the target for a long time before they could catch the target, and the combined firepower strike did not achieve the desired results. Later, in order to change the problem of poor communication between the forward guide and the pilot, they explored a new joint training model: the pilot participated in the training of the forward guide, helping the army comrades to have an in-depth understanding of the pilot's flight methods, communication processes and standard terminology, and improving the tacit understanding of the commander, the pilot and the guide.
After a period of joint training, a group of army instructors who are more familiar with air force operations have gone to the training ground, and the combined firepower of the ground and air has become more efficient. Later, in that joint training, their exploration achieved gratifying results. "We must continue to break through the past thinking and accelerate the polishing of every link in the chain of joint operations. Shen Hao said.
All the past is prologue. In the past year, although a lot of achievements have been made, Shen Hao always has a kind of "skill panic": "New equipment, new tasks, and new challenges are coming one after another, and we are always worried about whether we can fly fast enough and whether we can catch up with the pace of the times." ”
"In 2024, I hope that I can train more excellent tower controllers and work with commanders to improve our capabilities. When it comes to the goals of the new year, Shen Hao has firm eyes and full of confidence.
Seize the day and live up to the time
Jiefangjun Daily reporter Peng Bingjie
A certain army unit in the Central Theater carried out air-ground coordinated training. Photo by Xu Junqiang
Seeing He Lei again, he has a new identity - a staff officer of a certain army department in the Central Theater.
Compared with the last time they met, the young soldier looked more calm and reserved, but when the reporter mentioned air-ground integration and joint operations, his eyes did not change at all.
"In the new year, I hope that I will not forget my original intention. In the interview, He Lei mentioned his New Year's resolution, "Not afraid of change, take the initiative to adapt." ”
The first time I met He Lei was in the summer of 2023. On that day, on the training ground, the reporter experienced an actual combat training.
When the wind roared with a roar, the reporter saw the helicopter hovering in the air, four ropes hanging down at the same time, and the commandos quickly got out of the cabin and landed on the ground, with clean movements.
"The one who took the lead in landing was actually a pilot. I can't think of it!" In the exclamation of the people around him, the reporter knew He Leiqi.
In June 2021, pilot He Lei submitted an application to join the assault infantry company to the party committee of the organ, starting an unusual military journey. "If you want to accelerate the integration of open space and ground, someone has to break through, so let me go this way. He Lei told reporters.
From pilot to infantry company commander to agency staff officer...... In just over two years, He Lei has experienced 3 positions. But in his eyes, his combat position has never changed: "It's all for transformation and for the army to take off." ”
In a red-blue confrontation, He Lei, as the commander of the infantry company, led the team to seize control of key points. The Blue Square stronghold is a 10-storey building, but the roof platform is narrow, half the width of a helicopter, and the risk of a high-altitude rappelling is extremely high.
"Do you want to jump?" After hesitating again and again, He Lei finally decided to give it a try.
He repeatedly communicated with the helicopter pilot about the hovering altitude and the timing of the stay, and told the commandos the details of the action and tactical coordination.
The hatch opened, and the rope shook violently in the wind. He Lei jumped down, took the lead to reach the top of the building, and finally led the team to successfully complete the task.
"Were you scared?" the reporter asked him.
"The first attempt, I was more afraid than anyone else. But if you just want to be afraid, I don't know when the new quality combat power will be generated!" He Lei said.
During an air-ground cooperative training, He Lei took the initiative to apply for an increase in difficulty after completing the scheduled course, boldly tried new tactics, and created a record for a certain type of aircraft to quickly land at night. That day was less than a year after he served as the commander of an infantry company.
From a pilot who is proficient in flying technology to a new-type combat talent who has mastered the operational characteristics of ground detachments at the same time, this young "cross-border" company commander has brought about an endless stream of new tactics and completely new combat effectiveness.
Now, taking up a new post, He Lei has ushered in a new challenge: "There are many things to do in the organs, involving the operational characteristics and ability levels of multiple arms, and I am desperately 'charging' every day to learn Xi. When they met again, He Lei was in a hurry, but he was still full of energy.
Two leaps, 3 posts, He Lei left a series of shining footprints on the military road. The reporter saw that the high-spirited young soldier in front of him always ran hard with a sense of urgency, and every step was firm and powerful.
"Our generation is fortunate and should work harder. He Lei said.
Looking at He Lei's bright eyes, many youthful faces flashed in the reporter's mind: some people stuck to the border pass in the wind and snow, and continued to write the moving oath of "clear love, only for China" with their blood; some people fought in a foreign country and interpreted the peaceful mission of the people's army with actions; and some people buried their heads in theoretical calculations and outlined the magnificent future of strengthening the army with science and technology with pen and paper......
At that moment, from He Lei, the reporter saw the most beautiful appearance of the young people in the military camp in the new era - seize the day and live up to the time.
Dive into the deep sea and run into the distance
Reporter Xiang Liming
The submarine of a certain submarine detachment of the Navy in the Eastern Theater of Operations broke the waves and moved forward. Photo by Chen Zesheng
"To this reporter, the diesel engine squad you interviewed has been awarded a collective third-class meritorious service!" As the New Year approached, this reporter received a telephone call from the political commissar of a certain submarine detachment of the Navy in the Eastern Theater. "Because a project they have been exploring before has been verified and successfully promoted throughout the detachment!"
The joy on the other end of the phone was palpable, and the reporter also felt honored, and the memory was instantly pulled back to those moments when the crew was interviewing and bending over and shuttling in the submarine cabin. The seasons have turned, and a year has passed, and this group of submariners "sneaked" out of their own strong military acceleration in the quiet deep sea.
The reporter can still recall the first time he entered the diesel engine room, the roar was deafening, and the heat wave swept in. In order not to affect the work of the officers and men of the diesel engine squad, the reporter squatted in the corner and watched their busy and orderly figures.
Running to capture data, running to debug equipment, running to overhaul equipment, running to prepare for the attack...... The space here is narrow, but "running into the battle position and quickly completing combat preparations" is still an iron law that the officers and men adhere to.
"Why run?" the reporter asked.
"Only by running can we keep up with the rhythm of the battle and accelerate the generation of combat power. They replied.
The sweat beads on the faces of the officers and men were mixed with oil, and when they sneaked into the deep sea, they always felt that they were closely connected to the safety of the motherland.
In that interview, the reporter chatted for a long time with Wang Qingyao, a diesel engine soldier. "At first, I didn't even know who I was sweating for, let alone what I was supposed to do my job. He said.
Many years ago, Wang Qingyao, who had just arrived in the army, was not adapted to the tasks and rhythm in the submarine. In the first professional exam, he passed the passing line. Until a sea mission, the submarine he was in had a sudden diesel engine failure, and if it was not dealt with in time, it would not be able to reach the mission area on time.
That time, Wang Qingyao and his comrades-in-arms spent more than 10 hours inspecting and repairing in a cabin at more than 45 degrees Celsius. When the diesel engine was restarted, they sat down on the ground with exhaustion, but laughed happily.
"It suddenly occurred to me that the sound of the diesel engine was the most beautiful sound in the world. It was then that Wang Qingyao re-examined the responsibility on her shoulders. "In this life, I will do submarines!"
Today, Wang Qingyao is already a professional backbone. Under the surface of the water, far away from land and without sunlight, many submarine officers and men like Wang Qingyao have had the hesitation of growing up. But diving again and again made them determined, running with all their strength in training close to actual combat, and practicing their skills in a difficult and lonely environment.
When the reporter asked Wang Qingyao about his New Year's wishes on the phone, he thought about it and replied: "I hope that the New Year can run faster and farther with this buzzing 'big guy' around me! It's not that it can't do without me, it's that I can't do without it." ”
Only when you practice your fishing skills can you return to the cabin. With the leapfrog development of the Chinese Navy and the normalization of long-distance combat readiness patrols, submarine activities at sea have become more and more frequent. As witnesses and witnesses of the journey of strengthening the army, Wang Qingyao and his comrades-in-arms felt more and more that "they can't wait, can't be slow, and can't be weak". The passage of time day and night has urged them to constantly stimulate the surging motivation of training and preparing for war.
When 2023 passes and 2024 comes, the New Year's wish of "Wang Qingyao" is the confidence in business skills, the expectation of the future, and the pursuit of practical ability.
I still remember what the submarine officers and men often said during an interview: "Soldiers are born to win battles, and every drop of blood of submariners must flow into the sea of the motherland." Thinking of those figures fighting in the deep sea, the reporter's mind echoed the song "Song of Submariners" that they often sang -
"Don't ask me where I am, and I can't tell you if you ask, we are Chinese Navy submariners, sailing in the deep ocean......"
Guarding the runway and keeping an eye on the dream
■People's Liberation Army Daily reporter Chen Xiaojie
The maintenance staff of a certain air force station in the Southern Theater is repairing equipment. Photo by Lu Shiqiang
It was more than 6 o'clock in the morning, and the morning light was faint. The oncoming cold wind made the reporter wrap his military coat tighter.
On the eve of the New Year, the reporter went to a certain air force station in the Southern Theater of Operations, where he met an unfamiliar post -- a field keeper. Early in the morning, the reporter came to the field service company and set off with the field keepers to experience their daily work up close.
The sweeper had already swept through, and on the cold and silent runway, the officers and soldiers were carefully inspecting. "A small pebble can scratch an airplane tire, and if you suck in the engine, the consequences are even more serious, so we have to be careful. Squad leader Feng Jizhen told reporters.
What is the cement ratio of the airport runway, where has the pavement been repaired, where is uneven, and how to repair the damaged pavement without affecting the bearing capacity...... Years of work as a farm keeper have made Feng Jizhen an expert in runway maintenance.
In a huge airport, the pilot is always the focus of attention. As a security officer, Feng Jizhen is always deep behind the scenes.
Entering the field early in the morning, guarding the outfield during the day, inspecting the pavement between flights, and waiting for the end of all flights at night to check the runway - in such a marginal post in the eyes of others, Feng Jizhen and his comrades-in-arms worked extremely seriously, and walked all over every corner of the runway. It is their duty to welcome and send off every fighter safely, and it is also the most gratifying feedback for the maintenance staff.
"I found that the pavement was off. An announcement came over the walkie-talkie, and the reporter followed the officers and soldiers to the damaged area. Feng Jizhen took Private Xu Feifei to quickly clean up the edges and repair them. After tinkering, he pressed his fingers a few more times. "That's what we do every day. Feng Jizhen told reporters.
In recent years, the atmosphere of training and preparing for war has become more and more intense, and the pace of work at the stations has become faster and faster. The number of runways, the area of the flight area, the number of support sorties, and the number of joint field training units have all increased substantially, and Feng Jizhen and his comrades-in-arms are also working hard to speed up the pace.
In order to adapt to the new task requirements, Feng Jizhen worked overtime to learn Xi new majors: emergency repair and construction, mobile blocking net erection, emergency take-off and landing belt opening, emergency field service support, ...... In October 2023, he led his comrades-in-arms to research a multi-functional mobile pavement repair vehicle.
"Do you have any wishes for the new year?" the reporter asked.
"Teach the comrades-in-arms in the class well, so that everyone has the ability to work independently, and it is best to achieve one specialization and multiple abilities. Feng Jizhen said with a smile.
"What about your own expectations?"
"I hope to be like my master one day. ”
Feng Jizhen's master, Li Fenglong, has worked at the station for more than 20 years, completed countless flight support tasks, and summarized the working methods and modified equipment even extended to the whole air force. On the wall of the field service, there is a column of "Security Pioneer". Next to Li Fenglong's medallion-covered photo is a blank photo frame, and in the middle of the frame is written - "Who's next?"
When passing by this wall, Feng Jizhen always motivates himself to run a little faster, a little faster.
At the end of the interview, on the way back, the reporter received a message from the company instructor: In 2023, Feng Jizhen won the title of "Air Force Support Pioneer in the Southern Theater" under the recommendation of the unit.
The reporter remembered that when he inspected the pavement that morning, the golden morning light came from the east, poured on the long runway, and sprinkled on Feng Jizhen and his comrades. With one step at a time, they paved the way for fighters to reach the sky.
In Feng Jizhen's eyes, the moment when the fighter plane took off was the most beautiful, and when he left the field at night, the airport under the lights was the most moving. Seeing his perseverance, the reporter could not help but sigh: No matter where or what post he is, every officer and soldier is the protagonist of the stage under his feet.
Editor-in-charge: Zhou Zhou
(Produced by the Learning Xi Corps and the Chinese Military Trumpet)