People’s Liberation Army Airborne

People’s Liberation Army Airborne

People’s Republic of China Airborne 15th Airborne Corps This Corps has been elevated to a Strategic Force. It is currently used as a combined arms force to conduct independent operations. It is used for pre emptive strikes behind enemy lines. Corps headquarters - based at Xiao Gan – Hubei province 43rd Airborne Division 43rd Airborne Division based at Kaifeng – Henan province 44th Airborne Division 44th Airborne Division based at Yingshan – Hubei province 45th Airborne Division 45th Airborne Division based at Huangpi – Hubei province (Unit 95943) 16th Airborne Corps (no information available)

Each division has around 10,000 men. The Airborne is separated into 7 classifications ;

- Pathfinder / Lead - Reconnaissance - Infantry - Artillery - Signals - Engineers - Chemical warfare

The Airborne Corps is part of the Strategic Reserve and Rapid Reaction Force. The Airborne force strength is estimated to be at around 30,000 men

Wings and Badges of the People’s Liberation Army Airborne

Commemorative plaque offered to Pathfinder China in 2007 Chinese People’s Liberation Army Parachute Brigade

PLA - Cap Badge

PLA - Cap Badge

Chinese Airborne Wings (See photo below with wings worn on uniform)

PLA Paratroopers camouflage pattern

Airborne Wings

Airborne Wings

Special Forces Badge

Parachute Wings – commemorative (80s)

44th Airborne Division – Unit 31312

Special Forces Sleeve Patch

Chinese Airborne Sleeve Patch

Chinese Air Force Special Para Unit

Chinese Air Force Special Para Unit

Special Forces sleeve Patch

45 Airborne DIV (Unit 95942)

15th Airborne Corps - PLAAF

15th Airborne Corps - PLAAF

15th Airborne Corps - PLAAF

Special Forces Sleeve Patch

(see photo below)

Navy Parachute wings (unverified)

PLA Soldier with the Special Forces sleeve patch

Parachute badge of the PLA (Obsolete) Unique 3 digits pin number on the back

PLA – Parachute Ground Training Completion (obsolete) Unique 4 digits pin number on the back , (This particular one with the inscription “Wu Han” ,

capital city of “Hubei” province in China)

Unknown (inscription Shanghai)

Variant

Chinese PLA Free Fall Team Sleeve Patch / Free Fall

PLA Free Fall wings

Chinese Army Free Fall Team – Jump Suit back Patch / Free Fall

CPA patch- Chinese Parachute Association patch (“Zhong Guo” - China)

CPA Metal Pin

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Head Gear

People’s Liberation Army Standard Helmet

Peak hat for Air Force officers PLA Army officer cap

Battle dress cap

Parachute System The Chinese Airborne uses the locally produced SAN-9 round canopy parachute (see below) The Chinese airborne uses also ram air canopies for its HALO/HAHO operations as well as powered parachutes for reconnaissance and assaults operations.

Front view of the parachute system

Other view of the parachute system, here used for Free Fall

Back view

Side view

Parachute training : The Chinese Airborne makes it compulsory for all its elements to conduct parachute drops in areas such as seas, forests , mountains, islands , snow and tropical environments under the PLA airborne doctrine of the “9 terrains and all weather”. Night jumps are also compulsory.

Static line drop

Military aircraft identification

insignia of the PLA

Air Transport : The Chinese Airborne uses the ;

- Y-5 (Chinese Antonov-2 ) - Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters

The PLAAF 13th Air Transport Division’s Antonov 26, Y-7, Y-8 and IL-76 13th Airlift Division based at Wuhan, Hubei Province. The division is based at Wuhan – Hubei province

The PLA is using the Antonov-2 for its training recruits

(aircraft markings removed)

IL-76 MD with vehicle airborne

Airborne vehicle after landing

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Hong Kong

History Pre 1997 Hong Kong was a British colony. Parachute wings were awarded by British officers after 5 jumps (do see pictures below). These wings are still being awarded and worn by Hong Kong Air Cadets elements. Jumps were performed at the army barracks in Sek Kong (New Territories) , a facility that is now being used by the PLA with no parachute drops performed as by 2007.

Metal badge

Cloth wings

Notes: For a detailed account of the PLA Air force history, organization and doctrine please refer to Ken Alan (see below link) http://www.rand.org/pubs/conf_proceedings/CF182/CF182.ch9.pdf

Article : Courtesy of Pathfinder China

www.pathfindergroupuk.com