Air Forces Of The National People's Army

The Air Forces of the National People's Army ( [], ) was the air force of East Germany. As with the , the , and the Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic, Border Troops, it was a military branch of the National People's Army (NVA).

At the end of November 1953, a reorganisation of air units saw air units transferred from the Ministry of the Interior directly to the Deputy Minister and Chief of the Volkspolizei, People's Police. The air regiments were reorganized into the Aero Club 1 (Cottbus), 2 (Drewitz) and 3 (Bautzen), which in turn were divided into two sections. Starting in 1954, additional Z-126 and M-1D from Czechoslovak production were made available.

On 1 March 1956 the air force was officially established as part of the National People's Army, following the GDR's entry into the Warsaw Pact alliance. Initially the air force (LSK), with its headquarters at Cottbus, was separate from the (Air Defence, headquartered at Strausberg. It was intended to establish three fighter divisions, an attack aircraft division and an anti-aircraft division. However, eventually only the 1st and 3rd Aviation Divisions and the 1st Flak-Division were created. On 1 June 1957 there was a merger of the two administrations in Strausberg, and the new headquarters was renamed the .

The name applied originally to the air corps of the German Empire between 1910 and the end of World War I in 1918. However, the West German Air Force adopted the name '' as used by the Nazi-era air force from 1935 to the end of World War II.

Organization

A number of military units and formations were under direct control of the , the Air Force Staff, and the Air Force Command of the NPA, with its HQ in Strausberg.
* ''" Arthur Pieck"'', Marxwalde
** 1st Transport Squadron (I.TFS/TFG-44), Tu-154M
** 2nd Transport Squadron (II.TFS/TFG-44), Tupolev Tu-134A
** 3rd Helicopter Squadron (III.TFS/TFG-44), Mi-8S
** 4th Transport Squadron (IV.TFS/TFG-44), Il-62M, Berlin/Schönefeld

1st Air Defence Division (1st LVD)

The 1st ( en: Air Defence Division), with its HQ in Cottbus, was charged with providing air defence throughout the southern territory of the GDR. The following units were subordinated to that particular division:
* Liaison Company 31 (VFK-31) An-2, Zlín Z 43, Cottbus
* ''" Fritz Schmenkel"'', Holzdorf Air Base
** 1st Fighter Squadron (I.JS/JG-1), MiG-21MF, MiG-21UM
** 2nd Fighter Squadron (II.JS/JG-1), MiG-21MF, MiG-21UM, MiG-21SPS-K
** 3rd Fighter Squadron (III.JS/JG-1), MiG-21MF, MiG-21UM
** ''""'', Holzdorf (Jessen)
** Communications and Air Traffic Control Battalion 1 (NFB-1), Holzdorf
* ''" Wladimir Komarow"'', Preschen Air Base
** 1st Fighter Squadron (I.JS/JG-3), MiG-29A, MiG-29UB
** 2nd Fighter Squadron (II.JS/JG-3), MiG-29A, MIG-29UB
** 3rd Fighter Squadron (III.JS/JG-3), MiG-21MF-75, MiG-21UM
** ''" Walter Stoecker"'', Preschen
** Communications and Air Traffic Control Battalion 3 (NFB-3), Preschen
* ''" Wilhelm Pieck"'', Drewitz Air Base (disbanded in 1989)
** 1st Fighter-bomber Squadron (I.JBS/JBG-7), MiG-21MF, MiG-21UM
** 2nd Fighter-bomber Squadron (II.JBS/JBG-7), MiG-21MF, MiG-21UM
** , Drewitz
* ''" Hermann Matern"'', Marxwalde
** 1st Fighter Squadron (I.JS/JG-8), MiG-21bis, MiG-21UM
** 2nd Fighter Squadron (II.JS/JG-8), MiG-21bis, MiG-21UM
** 3rd Fighter Squadron (III.JS/JG-8), MiG-21bis, MiG-21UM
** , Marxwalde
** Communications and Air Traffic Control Battalion 8 , Marxwalde
* ''" Hermann Dunker"'', Ladeburg
** , Badingen
** , Fürstenwalde
** , Prötzel
** , Klosterfelde
** , near Kremmen
** , Schönermark
** , Fehrbellin
** , Zachow
** , Markgraf-Pieske
** , Ladeburg
** , Ladeburg
* ''" Werner Lamberz"'', Sprötau
** , Eckolstädt
** , Dietersdorf
** , Blankenburg
** , Seebergen
** , Remda
** , Eckolstädt
** , Sprötau
* ''" Jaroslaw Dombrowski"'', Straßgräbchen
** , Groß Döbern
** , Großräschen
** , Kroppen
** , Großröhrsdorf
** , Straßgräbchen
* , Döbern
* ''" Arvid Harnack"'', Holzdorf
* ''""'', Sprötau
* , Müncheberg
* ''" August Willich"'', Cottbus

3rd Air Defence Division (3rd LVD)

The 3rd , with its HQ in Trollenhagen, was in charge to provide air defence throughout the northern territory of the GDR. The following units were subordinated to that particular division:

* Verbindungsfliegerkette 33 (VFK-33) An-2, Zlín Z 43, (Communication flight), Trollenhagen Air Base
* , Trollenhagen
* ''" Juri Gagarin"'', Trollenhagen Air Base
** I.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-2 (I.JS/JG-2), MiG-21M, MiG-21UM
** II.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-2 (II.JS/JG-2), MiG-21M, MiG-21UM
** III.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-2 (III.JS/JG-2), MiG-21M, MiG-21UM
** ''" Herbert Baum"'', Trollenhagen
** , Trollenhagen
* ''" Heinrich Rau"'', Peenemünde Air Base
** I.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-9 (I.JS/JG-9), MiG-23ML
** II.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-9 (II.JS/JG-9), MiG-23MF, MiG-23UB
** III.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-9 (III.JS/JG-9), MiG-23ML
** Zieldarstellungskette 33 (ZDK-33), L-39V, L-39ZO, (Target towing flight)
** ''" Käthe Niederkirchner"'', Peenemünde
** , Peenemünde
* ''" Erich Weinert"'', Sanitz
** , Cammin/Prangendorf
** , Abtshagen
** , Barth
** , Hinrichshagen
** , Neuenkirchen
** ,
** , Nienhagen
** , Bastorf
** , Kirchdorf
** , Dranske
** , Retschow
** , Rövershagen
** , Sanitz
* ''" Etkar André"'', Parchim
** , Warin
** , Tramm
** , Ziegendorf
** , Steffenshagen
** , Parchim
* ''" Rudolf Breitscheid"'', Stallberg
** , Altwarp
** , Eichhof
** , Burg-Stargard
** , Weggun
* ''" Liselotte Herrmann"'', Pragsdorf
* ''""'', Pudagla
* , Parchim
* ''" Max Christiansen-Clausen"'', Trollenhagen

FO FMTFK

All fighter-bomber aircraft, transport aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft and transport helicopters were under the control of the FO FMTFK (roughly translates into: "Lead unit of the Frontal and Military air units", ). The following units were part of the FO FMTFK:

* ''"Klement Gottwald"'', Drewitz Air Base
** I.Jagdbombenfliegerstaffel/JBG-37 (I.JBS/JBG-37), MiG-23BN, MiG-23UB
** II.Jagdbombenfliegerstaffel/JBG-37 (II.JBS/JBG-37), MiG-23BN, MiG-23UB
** , Drewitz
** , Drewitz
* ''" Gebhardt Leberecht von Blücher"'', Laage Air Base
** I.Jagdbombenfliegerstaffel/JBG-77 (I.JBS/JBG-77), Su-22M-4, Su-22UM-3K
** II.Jagdbombenfliegerstaffel/JBG-77 (II.JBS/JBG-77), Su-22M-4, Su-22UM-3K
** , Laage
** , Laage
* ''""'', Laage Air Base
** I.Marinefliegerstaffel/MFG28 (I.MFS/MFG-28), Su-22M-4, Su-22UM-3K
** II.Marinefliegerstaffel/MFG28 (II.MFS/MFG-28), Su-22M-4, Su-22UM-3K
** , Laage
** , Laage
* ''" Werner Seelenbinder"'', Brandenburg-Briest
** I.Transporthubschrauberstaffel/THG-34 (I.THS/THG-34), Mi-8T
** II.Transporthubschrauberstaffel/THG-34 (II.THS/THG-34), Mi-8T
** , Brandenburg-Briest
* , Strausberg
** Verbindungsfliegerstaffel 14 (VS-14), An-2, L-410UVP, Zlin-43
** , Strausberg
* , Dresden-Klotzsche Airport
** Transportfliegerstaffel 24 (TS-24), An-26
** , Dresden-Klotzsche
* , MiG-21M, MiG-21UM, Preschen Air Base
* , MiG-21M, MiG-21UM, Drewitz Air Base

Offiziershochschule für Militärflieger

The (OHS MF), with its headquarters at Bautzen, was the command responsible for providing training. It had the following assigned units:
* " Heinz Kapelle", Rothenburg
** (I.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
** (II.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
** (III.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
** (IV.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
** (V.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
** (VI.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
* " Leander Ratz", Bautzen
** (I.FS), L-39ZO
** (II.FS), L-39ZO
** (III.FS), L-39ZO
* (HAG-35) "", Brandenburg/Briest
** (I.HS/HAG-35), Mi-2
** (II.HS/HAG-35), Mi-8PS, Mi-8T
* (TAS-45), An-2, L-410UVP, Zlin-43, Kamenz

Insignia

A diamond-shaped symbol identified LSK aircraftdivided into vertical black, red, and gold stripes corresponding to the horizontal fesses or bars on the GDR state flag. The centre of the diamond portrayed the GDR coat of arms: a hammer and compass surrounded by a wreath of yellow grain. The symbol differentiated the from the West German , which displayed a stylised Iron Cross similar to the emblem on German aircraft during World War I.

Uniforms

The uniforms of the two German air forces were also different: following an older German tradition, LSK/LV uniforms were the same stone gray worn by army personnel, modified by distinctive blue insignia (similar in style, but not colour, to World War II ranks) and piping. West German uniforms, on the other hand, were blue with yellow insignia and more closely modelled on those worn by personnel during World War II.

Aircraft

Starting in 1953, East Germany received An-2, La-9, Yak-11, and Yak-18 aircraft and the MiG-15bis/UTI, MiG-17/Lim-5P, An-14A, Il-14P, MiG-9, MiG-19, Il-28, Mi-4, and Ka-26 in 1956 which were provided by the Soviet Union. The first MiG-21s were delivered in 1962, being the MiG-21F-13. The 1970s saw the introduction of the MiG-23, while Su-22 fighter-bombers were delivered in the 1980s. The latest addition was the MiG-29 in 1988. The inventory also included Soviet-built helicopters along with trainers and other light aircraft manufactured in the Soviet Union.

The East German Air Force was unique among Warsaw Pact countries in that it was often equipped with the most advanced Soviet fighters, instead of downgraded export models. As an extension of the Soviet 16th Air Army deployed in East Germany, the was expected to play a front-line role in any war with NATO. As a result, it was under closer Soviet control than the air forces of other Warsaw Pact states.

After German reunification in 1990, the assumed control over equipment and enlisted some of its personnel. Many of the GDR's military aircraft were obsolete or incompatible with NATO technical standards, and were sold to other countries. However, the did retain the MiG-29 in both air defense and aggressor roles because of its excellent capabilities.

LSK/LV equipment

Equipment of the LSK/LV in 1989:

Equipment before 1989

* MiG-15bis - 57 (regular)
* MiG-15UTI - 120 (regular)
* MiG-17 - 15 (regular)
* MiG-17F - 173 (regular)
* Lim-5P - 40 (regular)
* MiG-19S - 12 (regular)
* MiG-19PM - 12 (regular)
* MiG-21F-13 - 76 (regular)
* MiG-21PF - 53 (regular)
* MiG-21SPS - 84 (regular)
* MiG-21SPS-K - 55 (regular)
* MiG-21U-U66-400 - 14 (regular)
* MiG-21U-U66-600 - 31 (regular)
* MiG-21US - 17 (regular)
* MiG-23S - 1 (regular)
* MiG-23MF - 12 (regular)
* Il-28 - 12 (regular)
* Il-28U - 1 (regular)
* Yak-11 - 100 (regular)
* Yak-18 - 20
*Yak-18U - 45
* An-14A - 4 (regular)
* Il-14P - 80 (regular)
* Mi-4A - 55 (regular)
* Ka-26 - 24 (regular)

References

Citations

Bibliography

* (March 1987) "East Europe Report", pp. 76–81, ''Foreign Broadcast Information Service''.

External links

Home.snafu.de

Transportflieger.eu

Luroko.de

{{Authority control

1956 establishments in East Germany
1990 disestablishments in East Germany
Military units and formations established in 1956
Military units and formations disestablished in 1990