On September 16th, Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, reviewed preparations for the deployment of the two units.

Engineering Unit No. 3, consisting of 180 troops, will depart for the UNISFA mission in the Abyei area on September 24th via a UN-chartered flight from Noi Bai Airport. Their equipment and supplies will be shipped in the fourth quarter of 2024, with an expected arrival in the first quarter of 2025, taking about 120 days for transportation.

On the same day, 63 personnel from Field Hospital No. 6 will depart for the UNMISS mission in South Sudan from Noi Bai Airport on a C-17 aircraft, provided by Australia.

Their equipment and goods will be transported by air with the personnel on the C-17 and by sea in the fourth quarter of 2024, with an estimated travel time of 90 days.

Major General Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, stated that all officers and personnel of Field Hospital No. 6 and Engineering Unit No. 3 are ideologically prepared and ready for their mission. Political and military preparations, along with logistical support, have been addressed according to regulations.

Training for both units has been completed as per plan, meeting the United Nations' standards and requirements.

In the time remaining before deployment, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department will conduct additional training, including generator operations and equipment repair for Engineering Unit No. 3, enhancing their capabilities to meet the practical demands on-site.

Return of Engineering Unit No. 2 and Field Hospital No. 5

Engineering Unit No. 2 will return in two phases: the first group of 165 troops is scheduled to arrive home on September 28th, 2024, on an Ethiopian Airlines flight arranged by the United Nations.

The second group of 15 troops will stay for an additional month for handover and will return on a commercial flight, also funded by the United Nations. Four members of Engineering Unit No. 2 will remain at the UNISFA mission to assist Engineering Unit No. 3.

Field Hospital No. 5 is expected to return in two phases as well. The first group of 51 troops will arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport on September 28th on a C-17 aircraft, while the remaining 12 troops will stay for handover and return on October 10th via a commercial flight sponsored by Australia.

Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan directed the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department to continue working closely with related units to ensure thorough preparations for the deployment ceremony.

This includes tasks related to decoration, reception, logistics, securing the C-17 aircraft parking, and coordinating security and safety plans, particularly regarding the transportation of personnel and equipment.

Tran Thuong