Lapp, Peter Joachim Grenzflieger der DDR

Die Hubschrauberkräfte der Grenztruppen. Nordhausen – Salzwedel – Meiningen

The GDR border patrol helicopters, which had been in existence since 1964, were considered the most exotic unit of the border troops until the end of 1989 and were officially tasked with combat flights to secure the state border, to monitor the GDR border area and control the barrier system on the border with the Federal Republic from the air, and to help track down refugees from the republic and prevent them from illegally crossing the border into the West. Due to its importance, the unit, which ultimately had around 400 members and a high density of officers (75 officers, 56 of whom held the rank of captain and 18 the rank of major), was directly subordinate to the command of the GDR border troops in Pätz near Königs Wusterhausen. Initially, the so-called border chains, which later became Helicopter Squadron 16 of the border troops, were located in Salzwedel and Meiningen. From 1986 onwards, this squadron was stationed in Nordhausen, while retaining landing sites in Salzwedel and Meiningen. According to those responsible, its deployment since the mid-1960s was considered an important step toward improving border security. However, even in the opinion of senior border officers and the Stasi, the unit was not at all capable of direct border security, not least because of its very limited number of helicopters (1989: 15 Mi-2, 3 Mi-8). The bottom line was that the battalion-sized squadron cost millions in investments, primarily for aircraft, landing pads, and personnel, until the border was opened in 1989, with the costs and results being disproportionate from the outset.