Vietnam's first Military Level 2 Field Hospital left Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport early Tuesday morning for a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
The military doctors, most of whom are from Military Hospital 175, pose for a photo in front of Nha Rong Wharf in Ho Chi Minh City after they offered flowers to late President Ho Chi Minh ahead the departure. (Photo: VNA)
The Vietnamese peacekeepers and equipment was transported by Australia’s largest military transport aircraft C-17A Globemaster III to South Sudan. The second airlift, which transports the remaining military personnel and equipment, is expected to take place in two weeks. In total, the two airlifts will fly the 63 personnel and 64 tonnes of cargo needed to support the first military level 2 hospital’s deployment to South Sudan.
The contingent was farewelled on October 1 at a ceremony held at Tan Son Nhat International Airport which was attended by Vietnam’s Vice Minister of Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Australia’s Deputy Chief of Joint Operations Command, Major General Gregory Bilton and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, HE Craig Chittick.
Speaking at the ceremony, Major General Bilton said, “Vietnam’s first deployment of a contingent to a UN Mission is an important milestone. This airlift and other Australian Defence Force assistance to help Vietnam prepare for the deployment demonstrates our shared commitment to the UN, global security, as well as the strength of our bilateral relationship”.
The strategic airlift is the first time the Vietnam People’s Army has partnered with another nation to transport its forces overseas. It is the culmination of Australia’s support to Vietnam to achieve its goal of deploying to a UN peacekeeping mission. Australia also provided specialist peacekeeping and English language training and essential equipment for the deployment of the field hospital.
“The airlift shows the high-level cooperation and trust between the Australian Defence Force and Vietnam People’s Army. This is a great way to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam and the 20th anniversary of defence cooperation between the two countries,” said HE Mr Craig Chittick, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam.
