Soviet Airforce in East-Germany 1989 20250903

Gruppe der Sowjetischen Streitkräfte in Deutschland(GSSD)Group of Soviet Forces in Germany The Soviet Air Force is separated into three distinct air arms to include: - Air Defense (PVO) - Long Range Aviation (LRA); - Frontal or tactical Aviation; - Military Transport Aviation. The main part Frontal or tactical Aviation was divided into:- Fighter aviation (Provided air cover of the ground forces and escort to own aviation assets. Secondary tasks included ground attack with unguided ordnance, air reconnaissance and tactical nuclear strike. In the late 1980s its types of aircraft included the Su-27S, the MiG-29 and the MiG-23MLD.- Bomber aviation (Main mission was penetration of enemy air defences and precision strikes against enemy targets in operational depth. Secondary tasks included close air support, aerial reconnaissance and tactical nuclear strike. In the late 1980s its air regiments flew the Su-24/ Su-24M.- Fighter-bomber aviation (Main mission was penetration of enemy air defences and precision strikes against enemy targets in tactical depth. Secondary tasks included close air support, aerial reconnaissance and tactical nuclear strike. In the late 1980s its air regiments flew the MiG-27 and the Su-17/22M Fitter.- Ground attack aviation (Main mission was battlefield close air support and destruction of armored targets from low and extra low altitude. Its air regiments flew the Su-25.)- Reconnaissance aviation (The reconnaissance aviation included two types of units: strategic and operational reconnaissance air regiments flew a squadron of MiG-25R aircraft and 1 or 2 squadrons of Su-24MR aircraft. Tactical reconnaissance air regiments flew 3 squadrons of Su-17M aircraft.- Transport aviation – (The Military Transport Aviation provided strategic airlift and airborne dropping capabilities to the Soviet military. The transport aviation provided tactical airlift capabilities, liaison and medevac assets. It included Composite Air Regiments and Composite air Squadrons