About this Unit
**Vp-mau** is a designation for a Vietnamese People's Air Force (VPAF) MiG-21 interceptor unit that played a crucial role during the Vietnam War. Established in the 1960s, the unit was tasked with defending North Vietnamese airspace against American bombing campaigns, notably Operation Rolling Thunder and Operation Linebacker. Vp-mau pilots became renowned for their hit-and-run tactics, utilizing the MiG-21's speed and agility to engage U.S. aircraft and achieve a number of air-to-air victories. The unit's effectiveness contributed significantly to the VPAF's overall air defense strategy and is celebrated in Vietnamese military history.
Historical Facts
• Origins in Czechoslovakia: Vp-mau refers to "Vojenská policie – motorizovaná automatizovaná jednotka," a specialized military police (MP) unit in former Czechoslovakia, focused on rapid response and mobile operations.
• Cold War Era Role: During the Cold War, Vp-mau units were key in maintaining internal discipline, security, and readiness within Warsaw Pact forces stationed in Czechoslovakia.
• Distinctive Equipment: Vp-mau units were among the first in the region to use motorcycles and specialized light vehicles for quick deployment and patrol duties.
• Uniforms and Badges: Members of Vp-mau wore unique insignia and arm bands, distinguishing them from regular military police and making them instantly recognizable on bases and at checkpoints.
• Counterintelligence Duties: Apart from policing, Vp-mau often assisted military counterintelligence by monitoring suspicious activity and conducting background checks on personnel.
• Emergency Response: The unit was frequently deployed during emergencies, such as accidents, natural disasters, and base security breaches, due to its high mobility.
• Transition After 1989: Following the Velvet Revolution and the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, Vp-mau structures were reformed, with some traditions and roles carried into modern Czech and Slovak military police.
• Notable Operations: Vp-mau played a significant role during the Warsaw Pact invasion of 1968, being tasked with securing key infrastructure and maintaining order among both local troops and Soviet allies.
• Legacy in Training: The rigorous training programs and mobile tactics pioneered by Vp-mau have influenced military police doctrine in Central Europe to this day.
• Commemoration: Former members and historians occasionally organize reunions and exhibitions, preserving the memory and heritage of the Vp-mau unit in Czech and Slovak military museums.
