Air Forces of the National People's Army

Air Forces of the National People's Army
Air Forces of the National People's Army
Luftstreitkräfte der Nationalen Volksarmee
	Roundel of the Luftstreitkräfte
Active	1 March 1956 – 2 October 1990
Country	East Germany
Type	Air force
Role	Aerial warfare
Size	44,000 personnel, 800 combat aircraft (1989)
Aircraft flown
Attack	Su-22
Fighter	MiG-15, MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29
Helicopter	Mi-2, Mi-8, Mi-14
Attack helicopter	Mi-24
Trainer	L-29, L-39
Transport	Il-62, An-2, An-26, Tu-134, Tu-154

The Air Forces of the National People's Army (German: Luftstreitkräfte der Nationalen Volksarmee; LSK) was the Air Force of East Germany. As with the Landstreitkräfte, the Volksmarine, 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 Czechoslovakian production were made available.[1]

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 Luftverteidigung (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.[2] On 1 June 1957 there was a merger of the two administrations in Strausberg, and the new headquarters was renamed the Kommando LSK/LV.

The name Luftstreitkräfte 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 'Luftwaffe' as used by the Nazi-era air force from 1935 to the end of World War II.

Organization

Kommando Luftstreitkraefte/Luftverteidigung (Kdo LSK/LV)

A number of military units and formations were under direct control of the Kommando LSK/LV, the Air Force Staff, and the Air Force Command of the NPA, with its HQ in Strausberg.

Transportfliegergeschwader 44 (TFG-44), Marxwalde
- I.Transportfliegerstaffel/TFG-44 (I.TFS/TFG-44), Tu-154M
- II.Transportfliegerstaffel/TFG-44 (II.TFS/TFG-44), Tu-134A
- III.Transporthubschrauberstaffel/TFG-44 (III.TFS/TFG-44), Mi-8S
- IV.Transportfliegerstaffel/TFG-44 (IV.TFS/TFG-44), Il-62M, Berlin/Schönefeld

1st Air Defence Division (1st LVD)

Soldiers of the Fritz Schmenkel fighter wing, 1985

The 1st Luftverteidigungsdivision (en: Air Defence Division), with its HQ in Cottbus, was in charge to provide air defence throughout the southern territory of the GDR. The following units were subordinated to that particular division:

Verbindungsfliegerkette 31 (VFK-31) An-2, Zlin-43, (Communication flight), Cottbus
Jagdfliegergeschwader 1 (JG-1) (English: 1st Fighter Wing) "Fritz Schmenkel", Holzdorf Air Base
- I.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-1 (I.JS/JG-1), MiG-21MF, MIG-21UM
- II.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-1 (II.JS/JG-1), MiG-21MF, MIG-21UM, MiG-21SPS-K
- III.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-1 (III.JS/JG-1), MiG-21MF, MIG-21UM
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 1 (FTB-1) "Willi Budich", Holzdorf (Jessen)
- Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 1 (NFB-1), Holzdorf
Jagdfliegergeschwader 3 (JG-3) "Wladimir Komarow", Preschen Air Base
- I.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-1 (I.JS/JG-3), MiG-29A, MIG-29UB
- II.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-2 (II.JS/JG-3), MiG-29A, MIG-29UB
- III.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-3 (III.JS/JG-3), MiG-21MF-75, MIG-21UM
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 3 (FTB-3) "Walter Stoecker", Preschen
- Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 3 (NFB-3), Preschen
Jagdfliegergeschwader 7 (JG-7) "Wilhelm Pieck", Drewitz Air Base (disbanded in 1989)
- I.Jagdbombenfliegerstaffel/JBG-7 (I.JBS/JBG-7), MiG-21MF, MIG-21UM
- II.Jagdbombenfliegerstaffel/JBG-7 (II.JBS/JBG-7), MiG-21MF, MIG-21UM
- Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 7 (NFB-7), Drewitz
Jagdfliegergeschwader 8 (JG-8) "Hermann Matern", Marxwalde
- I.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-8 (I.JS/JG-8), MiG-21bis, MiG-21UM
- II.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-8 (II.JS/JG-8), MiG-21bis, MiG-21UM
- III.Jagdfliegerstaffel/JG-8 (III.JS/JG-8), MiG-21bis, MiG-21UM
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 8 (FTB-8), Marxwalde
- Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 8 (NFB-8), Marxwalde
41. Fla-Raketenbrigade (41. FRBr) "Hermann Dunker", Ladeburg
- Fla-Raketenabteilungsgruppe 411 (FRAG-411), Badingen
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4121 (FRA-4121), Fürstenwalde
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4122 (FRA-4122), Prötzel
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4123 (FRA-4123), Klosterfelde
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4124 (FRA-4124), Beetz near Kremmen
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4131 (FRA-4131), Schönermark
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4132 (FRA-4132), Fehrbellin
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4133 (FRA-4133), Zachow
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4134 (FRA-4134), Markgraf-Pieske
- Funktechnische Abteilung 4101 (FuTA-4101), Ladeburg
- Technische Abteilung 4120 (TA-4120), Ladeburg
51. Fla-Raketenbrigade (51. FRBr) "Werner Lamberz", Sprötau
- Fla-Raketenabteilungsgruppe 511 (FRAG-511), Eckolstädt
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 5121 (FRA-5121), Dietersdorf
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 5122 (FRA-5122), Blankenburg
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 5123 (FRA-5123), Seebergen
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 5124 (FRA-5124), Remda
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 5125 (FRA-5125), Eckolstädt
- Technische Abteilung 5120 (TA-5120), Sprötau
Fla-Raketenregiment 31 (FRR-31) "Jaroslaw Dombrowski", Straßgräbchen
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 311 (FRA-311), Groß Döbern
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 312 (FRA-312), Großräschen
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 313 (FRA-313), Kroppen
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 314 (FRA-314), Großröhrsdorf
- Technische Abteilung 310 (TA-310), Straßgräbchen
Funktechnisches Bataillon 31 (FuTB 31), Döbern
Funktechnisches Bataillon 41 (FuTB-41) "Arvid Harnack", Holzdorf
Funktechnisches Bataillon 51 (FuTB-51) "Paul Schäfer", Sprötau
Funktechnisches Bataillon 61 (FuTB-61), Müncheberg
Nachrichtenbataillon 31 (NB-31) "August Willich", Cottbus

3rd Air Defence Division (3rd LVD)

The 3rd Luftverteidigungsdivision, 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:

Structure of the Luftstreitkräfte, 1988[3]

Verbindungsfliegerkette 33 (VFK-33) An-2, Zlin-43, (Communication flight), Trollenhagen Air Base
Musikkorps der LSK/LV, Trollenhagen
Jagdfliegergeschwader 2 (JG-2) "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
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 2 (FTB-2) "Herbert Baum", Trollenhagen
- Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 2 (NFB-2), Trollenhagen
Jagdfliegergeschwader 9 (JG-9) "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)
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 9 (FTB-9) "Käthe Niederkirchner", Peenemünde
- Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 9 (NFB-9), Peenemünde
43. Fla-Raketenbrigade (43. FRBr) "Erich Weinert", Sanitz
- Fla-Raketenabteilungsgruppe 431 (FRAG-431), Cammin/Prangendorf
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4321 (FRA-4321), Abtshagen
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4322 (FRA-4322), Barth
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4323 (FRA-4323), Hinrichshagen
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4324 (FRA-4324), Neuenkirchen
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4331 (FRA-4331), Barhöft
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4332 (FRA-4332), Nienhagen
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4333 (FRA-4333), Bastorf
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4334 (FRA-4334), Kirchdorf
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4335 (FRA-4335), Dranske
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 4351 (FRA-4351), Retschow
- Funktechnische Abteilung 4301 (FuTA-4301), Rövershagen
- Technische Abteilung 4320 (TA-4320), Sanitz
Fla-Raketenregiment 13 (FRR-13) "Etkar André", Parchim
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 131 (FRA-131), Warin
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 132 (FRA-132), Tramm
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 133 (FRA-133), Ziegendorf
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 134 (FRA-134), Steffenshagen
- Technische Abteilung 130 (TA-130), Parchim
Fla-Raketenregiment 23 (FRR-23) "Rudolf Breitscheid", Stallberg
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 231 (FRA-231), Altwarp
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 232 (FRA-232), Eichhof
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 233 (FRA-233), Burg-Stargard
- Fla-Raketenabteilung 234 (FRA-234), Weggun
Funktechnisches Bataillon 23 (FuTB-23) "Liselotte Herrmann", Pragsdorf
Funktechnisches Bataillon 33 (FuTB-33) "Fritz Behn", Pudagla
Funktechnisches Bataillon 43 (FuTB-43), Parchim
Nachrichtenbataillon 33 (NB-33) "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", Führungsorgan der Front- und Militärtransportfliegerkräfte). The following units were part of the FO FMTFK:

Su-22 of the FO FMTFK

Jagdbombenfliegergeschwader 37 (JBG-37) "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
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 37 (FTB-37), Drewitz
- Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 37 (NFB-37), Drewitz
Jagdbombenfliegergeschwader 77 (JBG-77) "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
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 77 (FTB-77), Laage
- Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 77 (NFB-77), Laage
Marinefliegergeschwader 28 (MFG-28) "Paul Wieczorek", 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
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 28 (FTB-28), Laage
- Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 28 (NFB-28), Laage
Transporthubschraubergeschwader 34 (THG-34) "Werner Seelenbinder", Brandenburg-Briest
- I.Transporthubschrauberstaffel/THG-34 (I.THS/THG-34), Mi-8T
- II.Transporthubschrauberstaffel/THG-34 (II.THS/THG-34), Mi-8T
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 34 (FTB-34), Brandenburg-Briest
Verbindungsfliegerstaffel 14 (VS-14), Strausberg
- Verbindungsfliegerstaffel 14 (VS-14), An-2, L-410UVP, Zlin-43
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 14 (FTB-14), Strausberg
Transportfliegerstaffel 24 (TFS-24), Dresden-Klotzsche Airport
- Transportfliegerstaffel 24 (TS-24), An-26
- Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 24 (FTB-24), Dresden-Klotzsche
Taktische Aufklärungsfliegerstaffel 47 (TAFS-47), MiG-21M, MiG-21UM, Preschen Air Base
Taktische Aufklärungsfliegerstaffel 87 (TAFS-87), MiG-21M, MiG-21UM, Drewitz Air Base

Offiziershochschule für Militärflieger

The Offiziershochschule für Militärflieger (OHS MF) with its headquarters at Bautzen was the command responsible for providing training, it had the following assigned units:

Fliegerausbildungsgeschwader 15 "Heinz Kapelle", Rothenburg
- I.Fliegerstaffel (I.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
- II.Fliegerstaffel (II.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
- III.Fliegerstaffel (III.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
- IV.Fliegerstaffel (IV.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
- V.Fliegerstaffel (V.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
- VI.Fliegerstaffel (VI.FS), MiG-21SPS, MiG-21SPS-K, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM/US
Fliegerausbildungsgeschwader 25 "Leander Ratz", Bautzen
- I.Fliegerstaffel (I.FS), L-39ZO
- II.Fliegerstaffel (II.FS), L-39ZO
- III.Fliegerstaffel (III.FS), L-39ZO
Hubschrauberausbildungsgeschwader 35 (HAG-35) "Lambert Horn", Brandenburg/Briest
- I.Hubschrauberstaffel/HAG-35 (I.HS/HAG-35), Mi-2
- II.Hubschrauberstaffel/HAG-35 (II.HS/HAG-35), Mi-8PS, Mi-8T
Transportfliegerausbildungsstaffel 45 (TAS-45), An-2, L-410UVP, Zlin-43, Kamenz

Insignia

A diamond-shaped symbol identified LSK aircraft – divided 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 Luftstreitkräfte from the West German Luftwaffe, which displayed a stylised Iron Cross similar to the emblem on German aircraft during World War 2

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 Luftwaffe ranks) and piping. West German uniforms, on the other hand, were blue with yellow insignia and more closely modelled on those worn by Luftwaffe personnel during World War II.

Aircraft

Personal log book of a Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter pilot

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. 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 Russia .

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 Luftstreitkräfte 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 Luftwaffe assumed control over Luftstreitkräfte 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 Luftwaffe did retain the MiG-29 in both air defense and aggressor roles because of its excellent capabilities.

LSK/LV equipment

An Antonov An-26T at Dresden in August 1990, one week before the Luftstreitkräfte was grounded.

An An-2 Colt with NVA markings

An MiG-21PFM with NVA markings

An MiG-21U at the Montélimar Ancône Museum in France

Equipment of the LSK/LV in 1989:

Category	Equipment	Country of origin	Number	Use by the Luftwaffe
Fighter aircraft/trainers	MiG-21F/F-13/PF/PFM/MF/bis/SPS/U/UM/US	Soviet Union	251
	MiG-23MF/ML/UB	Soviet Union	47
	MiG-23 BN	Soviet Union	18
	MiG-29A/UB	Soviet Union	24	until 2004. Then 22 sold on to Poland for one symbolic Euro.[4]
	Su-22M4/UM3K	Soviet Union	54
	L-39ZO/V	Czechoslovakia	52
	L-29	Czechoslovakia
Transport aircraft	An-2	Soviet Union Poland	18
	An-26T/S	Soviet Union	12	4
	Il-62	Soviet Union	3	until 1993
	Tu-134	Soviet Union	3	until 1992
	Tu-154	Soviet Union	2	until 1997
	L-410	Czechoslovakia	12	until 2000
	Z-43	Czechoslovakia	12
Helicopters	Mi-2S	Poland	25
	Mi-8T/PS/TB	Soviet Union	98	until 1997
	Mi-24D	Soviet Union	51	until 1993
	Mi-14	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

References

"Administration of the Aero Club (Federal Archive)
Engelhardt, Heinrich (1993). "NVA Luftstreitkräfte/Luftverteidigung". In Naumann, Klaus (ed.). NVA: expectations and reality according to selected documents mediator. Berlin / Bonn /... Herford. ISBN 3-8132-0430-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
"Die Nationale Volksarmee und die Grenztruppen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik Ende 1988" [The National People's Army and the Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic at the end of 1988] (PDF). www.relkite.com (in German). Alterfritz. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
Lemke, Bernd; Krüger, Dieter; Rebhan, Heinz; Schmidt, Wolfgang (2006). Die Luftwaffe 1950 bis 1970. Konzeption, Aufbau, Integration [The Air Force from 1950 to 1970. Conception, construction, integration] (in German). Munich: Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag. p. 833. ISBN 3-486-57973-8.

External links

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[1] "Administration of the Aero Club (Federal Archive)

[Naumann-2] Engelhardt, Heinrich (1993). "NVA Luftstreitkräfte/Luftverteidigung". In Naumann, Klaus (ed.). NVA: expectations and reality according to selected documents mediator. Berlin / Bonn /... Herford. ISBN 3-8132-0430-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

[3] "Die Nationale Volksarmee und die Grenztruppen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik Ende 1988" [The National People's Army and the Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic at the end of 1988] (PDF). www.relkite.com (in German). Alterfritz. Retrieved 5 February 2017.

[4] Lemke, Bernd; Krüger, Dieter; Rebhan, Heinz; Schmidt, Wolfgang (2006). Die Luftwaffe 1950 bis 1970. Konzeption, Aufbau, Integration [The Air Force from 1950 to 1970. Conception, construction, integration] (in German). Munich: Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag. p. 833. ISBN 3-486-57973-8.