German Army Aviators Corps
Encyclopedia
The German Army Aviation Corps (Heeresfliegertruppe) is a special unit within the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr
). The German Army Aviation Corps is part of the German Army
(Heer), containing all its helicopter
units. The German Air Force
and the German Navy
both also have their own helicopter units.
of the German Army Aviation Corps depicts a white eagle, swooping down whilst carrying a sword in its claws. Members of the Army Aviation Corps wear a burgundy
-coloured beret
. The badge on the beret is a wing, crossed vertically by a sword, surrounded by oak leaves. Their epaulette
s are lined in silver-grey. The sleeves of their uniforms show the flying wings, emphasizing their main task.
Due to their manifold tasks, the German Army Aviation Corps cannot be classified as having any of the classic tasks of army units, namely leading and supporting the leadership, fighting and supporting the fighting force.
Most units of the Army Aviation Corps are incorporated into the Airmobile Operations Division
(Division Luftbewegliche Operationen). This division was founded on 1 July 2002 and became operational on 8 October 2002.
During the next ten years, a great number of bases all over the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany were founded.
In the first instance, all the equipment was acquired from allied nations. However, from the late 1960s onwards, more emphasis was put on developing new technology with other European partners. Until 1990, the German Army Aviation Corps was restricted to see active service only during aid mission within Germany and NATO countries.
Since the unification of the Federal Republic of Germany with the German Democratic Republic
in 1990, there have been several rounds of re-organizations within the Bundeswehr, also affecting the German Army Aviation Corps. A number of bases were closed down, and their units either dissolved or merged with other units. In 2002, most remaining units of the German Army Aviation Corps were incorporated into the Airmobile Operations Division
(Division Luftbewegliche Operationen) .
Furthermore, the role of the German Army Aviation Corps changed as well. Since the mid 1990s, it has been increasingly deployed in a support rôle in several countries for as varying bodies as the United Nations
, NATO and the EU, first in Iraq
after the 1st Gulf War
, then on the Balkans
with IFOR
, KFOR, SFOR
and EUFOR, and most recently in Afghanistan
as part of ISAF
and most recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
as part of EUFOR RD Congo
to support the UN mission MONUC to monitor the general elections in 2006. This mission began in June 2006 and ended with the last soldiers returning in December of the same year.
The German Army Aviation Corps is equipped with:
:
The following units are part of Airmobile Brigade 1 of Airmobile Operations Division. The division's headquarters is in Fritzlar
:
The following unit is not part of the Airmobile Operations Division but part of Air Transport Wing 62:
The following units operate independently:
The following units are part of the Army Aviators School
. The school's headquarters is in Bückeburg
:
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
). The German Army Aviation Corps is part of the German Army
German Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
(Heer), containing all its helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
units. The German Air Force
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
and the German Navy
German Navy
The German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...
both also have their own helicopter units.
Identification
The coat of armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of the German Army Aviation Corps depicts a white eagle, swooping down whilst carrying a sword in its claws. Members of the Army Aviation Corps wear a burgundy
Burgundy (color)
Burgundy is a shade of purplish red associated with the Burgundy wine of the same name, which in turn is named after the Burgundy region of France. The color burgundy is similar to other shades of dark red such as maroon...
-coloured beret
Beret
A beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
. The badge on the beret is a wing, crossed vertically by a sword, surrounded by oak leaves. Their epaulette
Epaulette
Epaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations.Epaulettes are fastened to the shoulder by a shoulder strap or "passant", a small strap parallel to the shoulder seam, and the button near the collar, or by laces on the...
s are lined in silver-grey. The sleeves of their uniforms show the flying wings, emphasizing their main task.
Tasks
The main tasks of the Army Aviation Corps are:- support of own troops through anti-tank warfareAnti-tank warfareAnti-tank warfare was created by the need to seek technology and tactics to destroy tanks and their supporting infantry during the First World War...
. - transport, both internally and externally, of personnel and material.
- reconnaissanceReconnaissanceReconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
in combination with other units. - liaison between different units
- disasterDisasterA disaster is a natural or man-made hazard that has come to fruition, resulting in an event of substantial extent causing significant physical damage or destruction, loss of life, or drastic change to the environment...
relief, e.g. forest fires, floods etc.
Due to their manifold tasks, the German Army Aviation Corps cannot be classified as having any of the classic tasks of army units, namely leading and supporting the leadership, fighting and supporting the fighting force.
Most units of the Army Aviation Corps are incorporated into the Airmobile Operations Division
Airmobile Operations Division
Airmobile Operations Division is a division of the German Army. Its staff is based at Veitshöchheim near Würzburg. The division was founded on July 1, 2002 and reported for duty October 8, 2002 . It incorporates units from various branches of the German Army. These units are stationed all over...
(Division Luftbewegliche Operationen). This division was founded on 1 July 2002 and became operational on 8 October 2002.
History
After the foundation of the Bundeswehr in 1955, the first head of the department of the German Army Aviation Corps, Colonel Horst Pape, was appointed on 7 November 1956.During the next ten years, a great number of bases all over the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany were founded.
In the first instance, all the equipment was acquired from allied nations. However, from the late 1960s onwards, more emphasis was put on developing new technology with other European partners. Until 1990, the German Army Aviation Corps was restricted to see active service only during aid mission within Germany and NATO countries.
Since the unification of the Federal Republic of Germany with the German Democratic Republic
German Democratic Republic
The German Democratic Republic , informally called East Germany by West Germany and other countries, was a socialist state established in 1949 in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city...
in 1990, there have been several rounds of re-organizations within the Bundeswehr, also affecting the German Army Aviation Corps. A number of bases were closed down, and their units either dissolved or merged with other units. In 2002, most remaining units of the German Army Aviation Corps were incorporated into the Airmobile Operations Division
Airmobile Operations Division
Airmobile Operations Division is a division of the German Army. Its staff is based at Veitshöchheim near Würzburg. The division was founded on July 1, 2002 and reported for duty October 8, 2002 . It incorporates units from various branches of the German Army. These units are stationed all over...
(Division Luftbewegliche Operationen) .
Furthermore, the role of the German Army Aviation Corps changed as well. Since the mid 1990s, it has been increasingly deployed in a support rôle in several countries for as varying bodies as the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, NATO and the EU, first in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
after the 1st Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, then on the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
with IFOR
IFOR
The Implementation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a one-year mandate from 20 December 1995 to 20 December 1996 under the codename Operation Joint Endeavour. Its task was to implement the military Annexes of The General Framework Agreement for...
, KFOR, SFOR
SFOR
The Stabilisation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina which was tasked with upholding the Dayton Agreement. It replaced the previous force IFOR...
and EUFOR, and most recently in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
as part of ISAF
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
and most recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
as part of EUFOR RD Congo
EUFOR RD Congo
EUFOR RD Congo was a short European Union deployment in 2006 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 25 April 2006, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1671 , authorising the temporary deployment of a European Union force to support the United Nations Mission in the...
to support the UN mission MONUC to monitor the general elections in 2006. This mission began in June 2006 and ended with the last soldiers returning in December of the same year.
Equipment
- Bell UH-1DUH-1 IroquoisThe Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
, light transport helicopter. - Sikorsky CH-53G/GSCH-53 Sea StallionThe CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy-lift transport helicopters. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is also in service with Germany, Iran, Israel, and Mexico...
, medium transport helicopter. - MBB Bo 105PBölkow Bo 105The MBB Bo 105 is a light, twin-engine, multi-purpose utility helicopter developed by Bölkow of Stuttgart, Germany. Production began under Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm , which became a part of Eurocopter in 1991...
, anti-tank helicopter. - MBB Bo 105MBölkow Bo 105The MBB Bo 105 is a light, twin-engine, multi-purpose utility helicopter developed by Bölkow of Stuttgart, Germany. Production began under Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm , which became a part of Eurocopter in 1991...
, reconnaissanceReconnaissanceReconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
and liaisonLiaison aircraftA liaison aircraft is a small, usually unarmed aircraft primarily used by military forces for artillery observation or transporting commanders and messages. The concept developed before World War II and included also battlefield reconnaissance, air ambulance, column control, light cargo delivery...
helicopter. - Eurocopter EC 135Eurocopter EC 135The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:...
, training helicopter. - NH90NHI NH90The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
, multi-role helicopter (initial operational capabilities planned for July 1, 2009) - Eurocopter TigerEurocopter TigerThe Eurocopter Tiger is an attack helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. In Germany it is known as the Tiger; in France and Spain it is called the Tigre.-Origins:...
, attack helicopterAttack helicopterAn attack helicopter is a military helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles...
Units
The following units are subordinate to Airmobile Operations Division, the division's headquarters being in VeitshöchheimVeitshöchheim
Veitshöchheim is a municipality in the district of Würzburg, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated on the right bank of the Main, 6 km northwest of Würzburg. In the town is Schloss Veitshöchheim; this summer palace of the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg was built in 1680-82, and was enlarged to its...
:
| Name of unit | Flying | Based at | Insignia | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army Aviators Medium Transport Helicopter Regiment 15 Münsterland | Sikorsky CH-53G/GS CH-53 Sea Stallion The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy-lift transport helicopters. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is also in service with Germany, Iran, Israel, and Mexico... |
Rheine Rheine Air Base Rheine Air Base is located near the village of Bentlage, 2 km northwest of the city of Rheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.... |
To be disbanded | |
| Army Aviators Medium Transport Helicopter Regiment 25 Oberschwaben Upper Swabia Upper Swabia is a region in Germany in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. The name refers to the area between the Swabian Alb, Lake Constance and the Lech... |
Sikorsky CH-53G/GS | Laupheim |  |
Transferred to German Air Force |
| Army Aviators Transport Helicopter Regiment 30 | Bell UH-1D UH-1 Iroquois The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew... * |
Niederstetten Niederstetten Air Base Niederstetten Air Base is located east of the city of Niederstetten in Northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany.... |
||
- * (to be replaced by NH90NHI NH90The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
)
The following units are part of Airmobile Brigade 1 of Airmobile Operations Division. The division's headquarters is in Fritzlar
Fritzlar
Fritzlar is a small German town in the Schwalm-Eder district in northern Hesse, north of Frankfurt, with a storied history. It can reasonably be argued that the town is the site where the Christianization of northern Germany began and the birthplace of the German empire as a political entity.The...
:
| Name of unit | Flying | Based at | Insignia | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army Aviators Light Transport Helicopter Regiment 10 Lüneburger Heide Lüneburg Heath The Lüneburg Heath is a large area of heath, geest and woodland in northeastern part of the state of Lower Saxony in northern Germany. It forms part of the hinterland for the cities of Hamburg, Hanover, and Bremen and is named after the town of Lüneburg. Most of the area is a nature reserve... |
Bell UH-1D UH-1 Iroquois The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew... * |
Faßberg Faßberg Air Base Faßberg Air Base is located 2 km northeast of the municipality of Faßberg, Lower Saxony, Germany. The air base is jointly used by the German Army and the German Air Force . Its main user is the German Army Aviation Corps.- History :An airfield was established in 1934... |
||
| Army Aviators Attack Helicopter Regiment 26 Franken Franconia Franconia is a region of Germany comprising the northern parts of the modern state of Bavaria, a small part of southern Thuringia, and a region in northeastern Baden-Württemberg called Tauberfranken... |
MBB Bo 105P Bölkow Bo 105 The MBB Bo 105 is a light, twin-engine, multi-purpose utility helicopter developed by Bölkow of Stuttgart, Germany. Production began under Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm , which became a part of Eurocopter in 1991... ** |
Roth Roth Air Base Roth Air Base is located south of the city of Roth in Bavaria, Germany.Planning for a base for the nascent Luftwaffe near Roth started in the mid-1930s. Building works not only for an air base but also for regular barracks started in 1937 and were completed in 1938... |
To be disbanded | |
| Army Aviators Attack Helicopter Regiment 36 Kurhessen Hesse-Kassel The Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel or Hesse-Cassel was a state in the Holy Roman Empire under Imperial immediacy that came into existence when the Landgraviate of Hesse was divided in 1567 upon the death of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. His eldest son William IV inherited the northern half and the... |
MBB Bo 105P Bölkow Bo 105 The MBB Bo 105 is a light, twin-engine, multi-purpose utility helicopter developed by Bölkow of Stuttgart, Germany. Production began under Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm , which became a part of Eurocopter in 1991... ** |
Fritzlar Fritzlar Air Base Fritzlar Air Base is a military air field of the German Army Aviation Corps. It is located near the town of Fritzlar in northern Hesse, Germany... |
||
- * (to be replaced by NH90NHI NH90The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
from July 1, 2009) ** (to be replaced by Eurocopter TigerEurocopter TigerThe Eurocopter Tiger is an attack helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. In Germany it is known as the Tiger; in France and Spain it is called the Tigre.-Origins:...
starting in 2011)
The following unit is not part of the Airmobile Operations Division but part of Air Transport Wing 62:
| Name of unit | Flying | Based at | Insignia | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army Aviators Support Squadron 1 | Bell UH-1D UH-1 Iroquois The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew... |
Holzdorf Holzdorf Air Base Holzdorf Air Base is a military airfield operated by the German air force . It is located east of Holzdorf, a subdivision of the muncipiality of Jessen in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt... |
To be disbanded | |
The following units operate independently:
| Name of unit | Flying | Based at | Insignia | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army Aviators Maintenance Squadron 100 | Celle Celle Air Base Celle Air Base is a military airbase of the German Army. The airfield is situated southwest of the city of Celle, Lower Saxony, Germany. It was opened in 1934 and has been in military use ever since... |
To be disbanded | ||
| Army Aviators Squadron 109 | Celle |  |
To be disbanded | |
| Army Aviators Liaison and Reconnaissance Squadron 109 | MBB Bo 105M Bölkow Bo 105 The MBB Bo 105 is a light, twin-engine, multi-purpose utility helicopter developed by Bölkow of Stuttgart, Germany. Production began under Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm , which became a part of Eurocopter in 1991... |
Celle | To be disbanded | |
The following units are part of the Army Aviators School
German Army Aviators School
The German School of Army Aviation based at Bückeburg, is one of the schools of the German Army and is responsible for the training and development of the German Army Aviation Corps' personnel and equipment...
. The school's headquarters is in Bückeburg
Bückeburg
Bückeburg is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany, on the border with North Rhine Westphalia. It was once the capital of the tiny principality of Schaumburg-Lippe and is today located in the district of Schaumburg close to the northern slopes of the Weserbergland ridge...
:
| Name of unit | Based at | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction Group A (flying instruction) | Bückeburg Bückeburg Air Base Bückeburg Air Base is located northeast of the city of Bückeburg, Lower Saxony, Germany.... |
|
| Instruction Group B (non-flying instruction) | Bückeburg | |
| Training Centre C (flying instruction) | Celle | |
| Army Aviators Test Squadron 910 | Bückeburg | |
| Research And Development Group | Bückeburg | |
| Technical Maintenance Department | Bückeburg | |
| Franco-German Training Centre | Le Luc Le Luc Le Luc is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Le Luc is the capital of its own canton Canton of Luc.Residents of Luc are called the Lucois.... (France) |
|