40 . Fallschirmjägerbataillon Willi Sänger 40 . Fallschirmjägerbataillon Willi Sänger was the only airborne infantry formation of the East German National People ’ s Army ( German : Nationale Volksarmee or NVA ) . The battalion was based in Prora on Rügen island ( 1962 – 82 ) and later near Potsdam ( 1982 – 90 ) . It had a complement of approximately 400 to 500 men . History . In 1960 , four years after the founding of the East German Army , the first paratrooper unit was formed from the 5th Motorized Rifle Battalion ( German : Motorschützenbataillons 5 ; MSB 5 ) . On February 28 , 1962 , it was renamed as the 5th Paratrooper Battalion ( German : Fallschirmjägerbataillon 5 ; FJB 5 ) . The Number 5 identified the affiliation with the 5th Military District with headquarters in Neubrandenburg . The paratroopers were the smallest organization assigned to the land forces . The unit was seen in public for the first time on the occasion of the 1964 May Day parade in East Berlin . In 1969 the battalion was bestowed with the tradition - based name of " Willi Sänger " an anti - Nazi resistance fighter and workers ' sports devotee . In 1971 the battalion was renamed as the 2nd Paratrooper Battalion ( German : Fallschirmjägerbataillon 2 ; FJB 2 ) and then on November 8 , 1972 , it was renamed then 40th Paratrooper Battalion ( German : Fallschirmjägerbataillon 40 ; FJB 40 ) , under the direct command of the Headquarters Land Forces , based in Potsdam . Starting in 1981 , a company of paratroopers from the Battalion began guarding the headquarters of the Minister for National Defense in Strausberg . In 1986 this unit was expanded to form the Luftsturmregiment 40 ( English : 40th Air Assault Regiment . ) Mission . In time of war the battalion would be used as a commando strike unit to infiltrate and sabotage NATO command structures and supply routes . Paratroopers were to be employed to eliminate nuclear weapons carriers , enemy command posts , to prevent the resupply of enemy forces , or to occupy important objects until their own forces have arrived . Training . All of the battalion ' s personnel were volunteers who had to pass many selective tests before being channeled for further training . Every year a few hundred young NVA - soldiers volunteered for a place in the unit , only 8 - 10 % passed . The following basic prerequisites were necessary : Since this unit required a long - term commitment , the service period of a paratrooper was generally at least 3 years . Training took place in the unit in accordance with the requirements of commando operations similar to US Army Rangers and Special Forces . Training was rigorous as possible with physical combat and weapons drills to the point of complete exhaustion and the most rigorous kind of athletic training . At the same time paratroopers were instilled with a marked consciousness of belonging to an elite fighting unit . The training was tailored particularly for employment in the enemy ' s rear area . It was intended to produce a brave , strong , persevering and independent thinking fighter . Special training include the following subjects : The training of non - commissioned officers took place during the first one year of their service period at a non - commissioned officer school for the career category " Noncommissioned Officers for Motorized Infantry Units , " after which they performed their duties in their unit for the first time . Prior to their assignment to the unit , officers received their normal officer training in the " Commanders of Motorized Infantry Units " section of the " Ernst Thaelmann " Officer Academy for the ground forces in Loebau / Zittau and then they get their additional special training in the unit . Organization . The 40 . Fallschirmjägerbataillon was modeled after the " Rejdoviki , " the Soviet special - purpose paratrooper units which are intended to be used for commando operations and for subversion and long - range reconnaissance missions . The basic structure of the Battalion was four Parachute Companies , a Signal Company and a Transportation Company . In combat the companies of the battalion were to be split up into five or six man teams to lower its operational profile . As a force with special capabilities it remained under the direct command of the " Kommando Landstreitkräfte " ( KdoLaSK ) - the NVA high command . Uniform and weapons . The battalion used the same ' raindrop ' camouflage as regular NVA ground troops , but the battle dress was specially made to meet the demands of the unit ' s needs . There was also a specialised equipment items such as the large rucksack , paratrooper knife , combat vest , rain coat , jump - boots and helmet . The paratroopers arm - of - service color was orange which was displayed on their collar , shoulder boards and beret . In the field they wore a grey beret . The paratroopers used practically the same weapons as the rest of the army ( " Landstreitkräfte " ) : The battalion had just a few vehicles such as jeeps and motorcycles . As an airborne unit , they parachuted from transport planes or were airlifted by helicopters to their target .