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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
