Air Operations

The East German Border Troops covered the barrier system from the air with military utility helicopters flying from an airfield near Meiningen.  At least in the late 1970's, flights did not appear to be a daily occurrence and, in comparison to the Cav flights which hugged the actual border trace at low altitude and high speed, the East German flights were higher and somewhat back from the border.  Normally seen were NATO named  ' Hoplites ' and less frequently, the larger 'Hip'.  Starting in the mid 1980's, even the very capable MI - 24 'Hind" was occasionally seen from the Eaglehorse sector.  As the border opened but before the DDR collapsed, Erwin Ritter had  the chance to get some close photographs. 

--Stefanowicz

--Erwin Ritter

--Pilots, 4/11 ACR

An MI - 24 Hind above a command tower as seen from OP Tennessee.--Erwin Ritter
 

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