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'{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{more footnotes|date=January 2013}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Air Forces of the National People's Army | native_name = {{lang|de|Luftstreitkräfte der Nationalen Volksarmee}} | image = [[Image:Emblem of aircraft of NVA (East Germany).svg|150px| ]] | caption = Roundel of the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' | dates = 1 March 1956 – 2 October 1990 | country = {{flag|East Germany}} | type = [[Air force]] | role = [[Aerial warfare]] | size = 45,000 personnel, 800 combat aircraft (1989) | motto = | colors = | battles = | anniversaries = <!-- Insignia --> | decorations = | notable_commanders = | identification_symbol = | identification_symbol_label = | identification_symbol_2 = | identification_symbol_2_label = <!-- Aircraft --> | aircraft_attack = | aircraft_fighter = [[MiG-21]], [[MiG-23]], [[MiG-29]] | aircraft_helicopter = [[Mil Mi-2|Mi-2]], [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]], [[Mil Mi-14|Mi-14]] | aircraft_helicopter_attack = [[Mi-24]] | aircraft_trainer = | aircraft_transport = [[Ilyushin Il-62|Il-62]], [[An-2]], [[An-26]], [[Tu-134]], [[Tu-154]] }} The '''Air Forces of the National People's Army''' ({{lang-de|Luftstreitkräfte der Nationalen Volksarmee}}; LSK) was the [[Air Force]] of [[East Germany]]. As with the {{lang|de|[[Land Forces of the National People's Army|Landstreitkräfte]]}}, the {{lang|de|[[Volksmarine]]}}, 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 [[Zlin Z-126|Z-126]] and [[Orličan M-1|M-1D]] from [[Czechoslovakia]]n production were made available.<ref>"Administration of the Aero Club (Federal Archive)</ref> 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 {{lang|de|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.<ref name="Naumann">{{cite book|first=Heinrich |last=Engelhardt |chapter=NVA Luftstreitkräfte/Luftverteidigung |editor-first=Klaus |editor-last=Naumann |title=NVA: expectations and reality according to selected documents mediator |location=Berlin / Bonn /... Herford |date=1993 |isbn=3-8132-0430-8}}</ref> On 1 June 1957 there was a merger of the two administrations in Strausberg, and the new headquarters was renamed the {{lang|de|[[Kommando LSK/LV]]}}. The name ''Luftstreitkräfte'' applied originally to the [[Luftstreitkräfte|air corps]] of the [[German Empire]] between 1910 and the end of World War I in 1918. However, the [[West Germany|West German]] [[German Air Force|Air Force]] adopted the name '<nowiki/>{{lang|de|Luftwaffe}}' as used by the [[Nazi Germany|Nazi-era]] [[Luftwaffe|air force]] from 1935 to the end of [[World War II]]. == Organization == === {{lang|de|Kommando Luftstreitkraefte/Luftverteidigung (Kdo LSK/LV)}} === A number of military units and formations were under direct control of the {{lang|de|[[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) === [[Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1985-0829-070, DDR, NVA-Truppenbesuch, Appell.jpg|thumb|Soldiers of the ''Fritz Schmenkel'' fighter wing, 1985]] The 1st {{lang|de|Luftverteidigungsdivision}} ([[English language|en]]: Air Defence Division), with its [[Headquarters|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]] * {{ill|Jagdfliegergeschwader 1 (JG-1)|de|Jagdfliegergeschwader 1}} ({{lang-en|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 ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 1 (FTB-1)}} ''"Willi Budich"'', [[Holzdorf (Jessen)]] ** {{lang|de|Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 1 (NFB-1)}}, Holzdorf * {{ill|Jagdfliegergeschwader 3 (JG-3)|de|Jagdfliegergeschwader 3}} ''"[[Vladimir Komarov|Wladimir Komarow]]"'', [[Preschen Airfield|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 ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 3 (FTB-3)}} ''"[[Walter Stoecker]]"'', Preschen ** {{lang|de|Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 3 (NFB-3)}}, Preschen * {{ill|Jagdfliegergeschwader 7 (JG-7)|de|Jagdfliegergeschwader 7}} ''"[[Wilhelm Pieck]]"'', [[Cottbus-Drewitz Airport|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 ** {{lang|de|Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 7 (NFB-7)}}, Drewitz * {{ill|Jagdfliegergeschwader 8 (JG-8)|de|Jagdfliegergeschwader 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 ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 8 (FTB-8)}}, Marxwalde ** {{lang|de|Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 8 (NFB-8)}}, Marxwalde * {{lang|de|41. Fla-Raketenbrigade (41. FRBr)}} ''"[[Hermann Duncker|Hermann Dunker]]"'', Ladeburg ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilungsgruppe 411 (FRAG-411)}}, Badingen ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4121 (FRA-4121)}}, Fürstenwalde ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4122 (FRA-4122)}}, Prötzel ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4123 (FRA-4123)}}, Klosterfelde ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4124 (FRA-4124)}}, [[Beetz (Kremmen)|Beetz]] near [[Kremmen]] ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4131 (FRA-4131)}}, Schönermark ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4132 (FRA-4132)}}, Fehrbellin ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4133 (FRA-4133)}}, Zachow ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4134 (FRA-4134)}}, Markgraf-Pieske ** {{lang|de|Funktechnische Abteilung 4101 (FuTA-4101)}}, Ladeburg ** {{lang|de|Technische Abteilung 4120 (TA-4120)}}, Ladeburg * {{lang|de|51. Fla-Raketenbrigade (51. FRBr)}} ''"[[Werner Lamberz]]"'', Sprötau ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilungsgruppe 511 (FRAG-511)}}, Eckolstädt ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 5121 (FRA-5121)}}, [[Dietersdorf]] ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 5122 (FRA-5122)}}, [[Blankenburg, Unstrut-Hainich-Kreis|Blankenburg]] ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 5123 (FRA-5123)}}, [[Seebergen]] ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 5124 (FRA-5124)}}, Remda ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 5125 (FRA-5125)}}, Eckolstädt ** {{lang|de|Technische Abteilung 5120 (TA-5120)}}, Sprötau * {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenregiment 31 (FRR-31)}} ''"[[Jarosław Dąbrowski|Jaroslaw Dombrowski]]"'', Straßgräbchen ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 311 (FRA-311)}}, Groß Döbern ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 312 (FRA-312)}}, Großräschen ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 313 (FRA-313)}}, [[Kroppen]] ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 314 (FRA-314)}}, Großröhrsdorf ** {{lang|de|Technische Abteilung 310 (TA-310)}}, Straßgräbchen * {{lang|de|Funktechnisches Bataillon 31 (FuTB 31)}}, [[Döbern]] * {{lang|de|Funktechnisches Bataillon 41 (FuTB-41)}} ''"Arvid Harnack"'', Holzdorf * {{lang|de|Funktechnisches Bataillon 51 (FuTB-51)}} ''"Paul Schäfer"'', Sprötau * {{lang|de|Funktechnisches Bataillon 61 (FuTB-61)}}, Müncheberg * {{lang|de|Nachrichtenbataillon 31 (NB-31)}} ''"[[August Willich]]"'', [[Cottbus]] === 3rd Air Defence Division (3rd LVD) === The 3rd {{lang|de|Luftverteidigungsdivision}}, with its [[Headquarters|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: [[File:East German Air Force.png|thumb|500px|Structure of the {{lang|de|Luftstreitkräfte}}, 1988<ref>{{cite web|title=Die Nationale Volksarmee und die Grenztruppen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik Ende 1988 |language=de |trans-title=The National People's Army and the Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic at the end of 1988 |url=http://www.relikte.com/_basis/docs/nva-4.pdf |website=www.relkite.com |publisher=Alterfritz |access-date=5 February 2017}}</ref>]] * Verbindungsfliegerkette 33 (VFK-33) An-2, Zlin-43, (Communication flight), [[Neubrandenburg Airport|Trollenhagen Air Base]] * {{lang|de|Musikkorps der LSK/LV}}, Trollenhagen * {{lang|de|[[Jagdfliegergeschwader 2|Jagdfliegergeschwader 2 (JG-2)]]}} ''"[[Yuri Gagarin|Juri Gagarin]]"'', [[Neubrandenburg Airport|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 ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 2 (FTB-2)}} ''"[[Herbert Baum]]"'', Trollenhagen ** {{lang|de|Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 2 (NFB-2)}}, Trollenhagen * {{lang|de|[[Jagdfliegergeschwader 9|Jagdfliegergeschwader 9 (JG-9)]]}} ''"[[Heinrich Rau]]"'', [[Peenemünde Airfield|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) ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 9 (FTB-9)}} ''"[[Käthe Niederkirchner]]"'', Peenemünde ** {{lang|de|Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 9 (NFB-9)}}, Peenemünde * {{lang|de|43. Fla-Raketenbrigade (43. FRBr)}} ''"[[Erich Weinert]]"'', Sanitz ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilungsgruppe 431 (FRAG-431)}}, Cammin/Prangendorf ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4321 (FRA-4321)}}, Abtshagen ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4322 (FRA-4322)}}, Barth ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4323 (FRA-4323)}}, Hinrichshagen ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4324 (FRA-4324)}}, Neuenkirchen ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4331 (FRA-4331)}}, [[Barhöft]] ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4332 (FRA-4332)}}, Nienhagen ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4333 (FRA-4333)}}, [[Bastorf]] ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4334 (FRA-4334)}}, Kirchdorf ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4335 (FRA-4335)}}, [[Dranske]] ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 4351 (FRA-4351)}}, Retschow ** {{lang|de|Funktechnische Abteilung 4301 (FuTA-4301)}}, [[Rövershagen]] ** {{lang|de|Technische Abteilung 4320 (TA-4320)}}, Sanitz * {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenregiment 13 (FRR-13)}} ''"[[Edgar André (politician)|Etkar André]]"'', Parchim ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 131 (FRA-131)}}, Warin ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 132 (FRA-132)}}, [[Tramm, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern|Tramm]] ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 133 (FRA-133)}}, Ziegendorf ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 134 (FRA-134)}}, Steffenshagen ** {{lang|de|Technische Abteilung 130 (TA-130)}}, Parchim * {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenregiment 23 (FRR-23)}} ''"[[Rudolf Breitscheid]]"'', Stallberg ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 231 (FRA-231)}}, [[Altwarp]] ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 232 (FRA-232)}}, Eichhof ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 233 (FRA-233)}}, Burg-Stargard ** {{lang|de|Fla-Raketenabteilung 234 (FRA-234)}}, Weggun * {{lang|de|Funktechnisches Bataillon 23 (FuTB-23)}} ''"Liselotte Herrmann"'', Pragsdorf * {{lang|de|Funktechnisches Bataillon 33 (FuTB-33)}} ''"Fritz Behn"'', Pudagla * {{lang|de|Funktechnisches Bataillon 43 (FuTB-43)}}, Parchim * {{lang|de|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", {{lang|de|Führungsorgan der Front- und Militärtransportfliegerkräfte}}). The following units were part of the FO FMTFK: [[Image:SU-22 Fitter.JPG|thumb|Su-22 of the FO FMTFK]] * {{lang|de|[[Jagdbombenfliegergeschwader 37|Jagdbombenfliegergeschwader 37 (JBG-37)]]}} ''"[[Klement Gottwald]]"'', [[Cottbus-Drewitz Airport|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 ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 37 (FTB-37)}}, Drewitz ** {{lang|de|Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 37 (NFB-37)}}, Drewitz * {{lang|de|[[Jagdbombenfliegergeschwader 77]] (JBG-77)}} ''"[[Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher|Gebhardt Leberecht von Blücher]]"'', [[Rostock–Laage Airport|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 ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 77 (FTB-77)}}, Laage ** {{lang|de|Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 77 (NFB-77)}}, Laage * {{lang|de|[[Marinefliegergeschwader 28|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 ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 28 (FTB-28)}}, Laage ** {{lang|de|Nachrichten- und Flugsicherungsbataillon 28 (NFB-28)}}, Laage * {{lang|de|[[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 ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 34 (FTB-34)}}, Brandenburg-Briest * {{lang|de|Verbindungsfliegerstaffel 14 (VS-14)}}, [[Strausberg]] ** Verbindungsfliegerstaffel 14 (VS-14), An-2, L-410UVP, Zlin-43 ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 14 (FTB-14)}}, Strausberg * {{lang|de|Transportfliegerstaffel 24 (TFS-24)}}, [[Dresden Airport|Dresden-Klotzsche Airport]] ** Transportfliegerstaffel 24 (TS-24), [[An-26]] ** {{lang|de|Fliegertechnisches Bataillon 24 (FTB-24)}}, Dresden-Klotzsche * {{lang|de|Taktische Aufklärungsfliegerstaffel 47 (TAFS-47)}}, MiG-21M, MiG-21UM, [[Preschen Airfield|Preschen Air Base]] * {{lang|de|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, Oberlausitz|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{{spaced ndash}}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 [[National Emblem of the German Democratic Republic|GDR coat of arms]]: a hammer and [[Compass (drawing tool)|compass]] surrounded by a wreath of yellow grain. The symbol differentiated the {{lang|de|Luftstreitkräfte}} from the West German {{lang|de|Luftwaffe}}, which displayed a stylised [[Iron Cross]] similar to the emblem on German aircraft during World War 2 == Uniforms == {{See also|Ranks of the National People's Army}} 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 {{lang|de|Luftwaffe}} ranks) and piping. West German uniforms, on the other hand, were blue with yellow insignia and more closely modelled on those worn by {{lang|de|Luftwaffe}} personnel during World War II. == Aircraft == [[File:Flight crew member's personal log book of a Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter pilot of the NVA - Image 001.jpg|thumb|Personal log book of a Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter pilot]] Starting in 1953, East Germany received [[Antonov An-2|An-2]], [[Lavochkin La-9|La-9]], [[Yakovlev Yak-11|Yak-11]], and [[Yakovlev Yak-18|Yak-18]] aircraft and the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15bis/UTI]], [[MiG-17]]/Lim-5P, [[Antonov An-14|An-14A]], [[Ilyushin Il-14|Il-14P]], [[MiG-9]], [[MiG-19]], [[Ilyushin Il-28|Il-28]], [[Mil Mi-4|Mi-4]], and [[Ka-26]] in 1956 which were provided by the [[Soviet Union]]. The first [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21s]] were delivered in 1962. The 1970s saw the introduction of the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23]], while [[Sukhoi Su-22|Su-22]] fighter-bombers were delivered in the 1980s. The latest addition was the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29|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 {{lang|de|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 {{lang|de|Luftwaffe}} assumed control over {{lang|de|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 {{lang|de|Luftwaffe}} did retain the [[MiG-29]] in both [[air defense]] and [[Aggressor squadron|aggressor]] roles because of its excellent capabilities. === LSK/LV equipment === [[File:East German Air Force Antonov An-26 Dresden Schleiffert.jpg|thumb|An [[Antonov An-26]]T at Dresden in August 1990, one week before the {{lang|de|Luftstreitkräfte}} was grounded.]] [[Image:Peenemunde AN-2 2007.jpg|thumb|An [[Antonov An-2|An-2 Colt]] with NVA markings]] [[Image:MiG 21 PFM 1.jpg|thumb|An [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21PFM]] with NVA markings]] [[File:Mongol East Germany.JPG|thumb|An MiG-21U at the Montélimar Ancône Museum in France]] Equipment of the LSK/LV in 1989: {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- class="hintergrundfarbe5" ! style="text-align:left" | Category ! Equipment ! Country of origin ! Number ! Use by the <br />{{lang|de|[[German Air Force|Luftwaffe]]}} |- | style="text-align:left" rowspan="6" | '''Fighter aircraft/trainers''' | [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21F/F-13/PF/PFM/MF/bis/SPS/U/UM/US]] | {{USSR}} | 251 | &nbsp; |- | [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23MF/ML/UB]] | {{USSR}} | 47 | &nbsp; |- | [[MiG-23|MiG-23 BN]] | {{USSR}} | 18 | &nbsp; |- | [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29|MiG-29A/UB]] | {{USSR}} | 24 | until 2004. Then 22 sold on to [[Poland]] for one symbolic [[Euro]].<ref>{{cite book|first1=Bernd |last1=Lemke |first2=Dieter |last2=Krüger |first3=Heinz |last3=Rebhan |first4=Wolfgang |last4=Schmidt |title=Die Luftwaffe 1950 bis 1970. Konzeption, Aufbau, Integration |language=de |trans-title=The Air Force from 1950 to 1970. Conception, construction, integration |publisher=Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag |location=Munich |date=2006 |isbn=3-486-57973-8 |page=833}}</ref> |- | [[Sukhoi Su-22|Su-22M4/UM3K]] | {{USSR}} | 54 | &nbsp; |- | [[Aero L-39|L-39ZO/V]] | {{flagcountry|CSR}} | 52 | &nbsp; |- | | [[L-29]] | {{flagcountry|CSR}} | &nbsp; | &nbsp; |- | style="text-align:left" rowspan="7" | '''Transport aircraft''' | [[Antonov An-2|An-2]] | {{USSR}}<br>{{flagcountry|PPR}} | 18 | &nbsp; |- | [[Antonov An-26|An-26T/S]] | {{USSR}} | 12 | 4 |- | [[Ilyushin Il-62|Il-62]] | {{USSR}} | 3 | until 1993 |- | [[Tupolev Tu-134|Tu-134]] | {{USSR}} | 3 | until 1992 |- | [[Tupolev Tu-154|Tu-154]] | {{USSR}} | 2 | until 1997 |- | [[Let L-410|L-410]] | {{flagcountry|CSR}} | 12 | until 2000 |- | [[Zlin Z-43|Z-43]] | {{flagcountry|CSR}} | 12 | &nbsp; |- | style="text-align:left" rowspan="4" | '''Helicopters''' | [[Mil Mi-2|Mi-2S]] | {{flagcountry|PPR}} | 25 | &nbsp; |- | [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8T/PS/TB]] | {{USSR}} | 98 | until 1997 |- | [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24D]] | {{USSR}} | 51 | until 1993 |- | [[Mil Mi-14|Mi-14]] | {{USSR}} | 14 | &nbsp; |- | style="text-align:left" rowspan="5" | '''Surface-to-air missiles''' | [[S-75 Dvina]] | {{USSR}} | 48 | &nbsp; |- | S-75 Volchov | {{USSR}} | 174 | &nbsp; |- | [[S-125 Neva/Pechora]] | {{USSR}} | 40 | &nbsp; |- | [[S-200 Angara/Vega/Dubna|S-200 Vega]] | {{USSR}} | 24 | &nbsp; |- | [[S-300 (missile)|S-300]] | {{USSR}} | 12 | &nbsp; |} == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{Commons category|Air force of the German Democratic Republic}} * [http://home.snafu.de/veith/index.html Home.snafu.de] * [http://www.transportflieger.eu Transportflieger.eu] * [http://www.luroko.de Luroko.de] {{Authority control}} [[Category:Air Forces of the National People's Army| ]] [[Category:1956 establishments in East Germany]] [[Category:1990 disestablishments in Germany]] [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1956]] [[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1990]]'