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, 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 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."Administration of the Aero Club (Federal Archive)

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 "Willi Budich", 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: Category Equipment Country of origin Number Note Fighter aircraft/trainers MiG-21F-13/PF/PFM/MF/bis/SPS/U/UM/US Soviet Union 227 The breakdown includes 87 MiG-21Ms, 62 MiG-21MFs, and 14 MiG-21bis75A, 27 MiG-21bis75B, 37 MiG-21UM. MiG-23MF/ML/UB Soviet Union 43 The breakdown includes 32 MiG-23ML, and 11 MiG-23UB. MiG-23 BN Soviet Union 22 Although deployed as a fighter-bomber, it was capable of flying at Mach 2 compared to the Soviet MiG-27. MiG-29A/UB Soviet Union 24 The breakdown is 20 MiG-29A (9.12A) and 4 MiG-29UB.until 2004. Then 22 sold on to Poland for one symbolic Euro. Su-22M4/UM3K Soviet Union 54 The breakdown is 48 Su-22M4s and 8 Su-22UM3Ks. L-39ZO/V Czechoslovakia 54 The breakdown is 52 L-39ZO and 2 L-39V. L-29 Czechoslovakia 51 Transport aircraft An-2 Soviet Union 18 An-26ST/SM/M Soviet Union 12 The breakdown includes one SM type with electronic warfare specifications, one M type with air surveillance specifications, and 10 ST types with troop transport specifications. Il-62M/MK Soviet Union 3 until 1993.The breakdown is two M-type aircraft and one MK-type aircraft. Tu-134A/AK Soviet Union 3 until 1992.The breakdown is two A-type aircraft and one AK-type aircraft. Tu-154M Soviet Union 2 until 1997 L-410 Czechoslovakia 12 until 2000 Z-43 Czechoslovakia 12   Helicopters Mi-2S Poland 25   Mi-8T/TB/TBK/PS/BT・Mi-9 Soviet Union 144 until 1997. The breakdown includes 6 radio relay type Mi-9s, 14 mine-laying M-8BTs, 5 Mi-8Ts, 10 Mi-8TBs, 50 Mi-8TPSs, and Mi-8TVKs. There are 50 aircraft. Mi-24D/P Soviet Union 54 until 1993.The breakdown is 42 D-type aircraft and 12 P-type aircraft. Mi-14PL Soviet Union 14   Surface-to-air missiles S-75 Dvina Soviet Union 48   S-75 Volchov Soviet Union 174   S-125 Neva/Pechora Soviet Union 40   S-200 Vega Soviet Union 24   S-300 Soviet Union 12  

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)