Captain Nguyen Hoang Hai Quang  (Photo courtesy of Nguyen Hoang Hai Quang)

In the 4 years since his first solo flight on April 20, 2021, Captain Quang has made hundreds of training and combat readiness flights. He currently serves as Deputy Squadron Leader and Chief of Staff of Squadron 1, Regiment 925, Division 372, Air Defense-Air Force Service.

Born in 1995 in Dai Loc district, Quang Nam province (now part of Da Nang City), Nguyen Hoang Hai Quang grew up near an airbase, where he often watched MiG-21 fighter jets soar into the sky. The thunderous roar of jet engines ignited in him the dream of one day becoming a fighter pilot.

"Since I was little, I’ve been captivated by the sound of fighter jets and the sight of them soaring through the sky. I fell in love with the ‘steel birds’ of the Vietnam People’s Air Force. Learning about the Air Force’s history and hearing tales of our predecessors’ heroic battles and victories deepened my admiration for pilots - men of intelligence, courage, exceptional strength, and sacrifice. All of this fueled my dream of becoming a pilot, and now that dream has come true," Quang said.

Captain Nguyen Hoang Hai Quang accumulates over 680 flight hours. (Photo courtesy of Nguyen Hoang Hai Quang)

At 18, Quang was accepted into the Air Force Officer Training School. On February 18, 2016, he made his first flight aboard a Yak-52 into the skies of Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa province.

After graduating, Quang was assigned to Regiment 925 of Division 372, where he continued his training on the Su-27, an advanced jet known for its agility and superior combat capabilities.

After serving as a pilot, a deputy squadron commander, and a squadron chief of staff, Quang was promoted to Level-2 Pilot in early 2024. In addition to maintaining his combat readiness to safeguard the skies over central Vietnam, he also serves as an instructor, training the next generation of young pilots.

Each training flight demands excellent physical condition, close concentration, complete composure, and an iron will, Quang said. “When performing complex maneuvers, we experience loads of five or six times our body weight, which means hundreds of kilograms pressing on us. Without solid physical strength, a pilot could lose consciousness and control of the aircraft. During live-fire missions, even a small mistake can lead to deadly consequences.”

In 2023, Quang won 1st prize at a navigation competition organized by the 372nd Division, and 3rd prize as an all-around pilot at an Air Force-wide navigation competition held by the Ministry of National Defense. Between 2021 and 2024, he consistently achieved top performance ratings and was honoured multiple times by the Minister of National Defence and the Air Defence – Air Force Command. In 2024, Quang was named one of 10 Outstanding Young Vietnamese Faces by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

Captain Nguyen Hoang Hai Quang and his comrades (Photo courtesy of Nguyen Hoang Hai Quang)

Not content with the achievements he has made, Quang constantly studies 3D flight simulation models and weather forecasting software, sharing his knowledge with his teammates to improve the safety and effectiveness of training. For him, technology is the weapon of intelligence and patriotism in the new era. He believes that to master the skies, one must first master oneself.

“We must dedicate ourselves to studying and training in every passing day to strengthen our courage, physical fitness, and knowledge, ensuring maximum safety in each flight. What drives me to keep conquering the skies is my love for the homeland, the Army, the people, and the sky itself. Every time we take off, we carry with us the trust and hopes of the people, and we are committed to fulfilling every mission entrusted to us by the Party, the State, the Army, and the people, safeguarding the sacred skies of our nation,” said Quang.