Air Forces of the National People ' s Army The Air Forces of the National People ' s Army ( German : " Luftstreitkräfte der Nationalen Volksarmee " ) was the Air Force of the German Democratic Republic ( GDR ) . As with the Landstreitkräfte , the Volksmarine , and the Border troops , it was a military branch of the National People ' s Army ( NPA ) . The name " Luftstreitkräfte " applied originally to the air corps of the German Empire between 1910 and the end of World War I in 1918 . However , the West German air force adopted the name " Luftwaffe " as used by the Third Reich air force from 1935 to the end of World War II . At the end of November 1953 , a reorganisation of air units saw air units transferred from the Ministry of the Interior directly to the Deputy Minister and Chief of the People ' s Police . The air regiments were reorganized into the Aero Club 1 ( Cottbus ) , 2 ( Drewitz ) and 3 ( Bautzen ) , which in turn were divided into two sections . Starting in 1954 , additional Z - 126 and M - 1D from Czechoslovakia n production were made available . On 1 March 1956 the Air Force was officially established as part of the National People ' s Army , following the GDR ' s entry into the Warsaw Pact alliance . Initially the Air Force ( LSK ) , with its headquarters at Cottbus , was separate from the " Luftverteidigung " ( Air Defence , headquartered at Strausberg ( Eggersdorf ) . It was intended to establish three fighter divisions , an attack aircraft division and an anti - aircraft division . However , eventually only the 1st and 3rd Aviation Divisions and the 1st Flak - Division were created . On 1 June 1957 there was a merger of the two administrations in Strausberg ( Eggersdorf ) , and the new headquarters was renamed the Kommando LSK / LV . Organization . Kommando Luftstreitkraefte / Luftverteidigung ( Kdo LSK / LV ) . A decisive number of military units and formations have been under direct control of the Kommando LSK / LV , the " Air Force Staff " and the " Air Force Command " of the NPA , with its HQ in Strausberg . 1st Luftverteidigungsdivision ( 1st LVD ) . The 1st LVD ( en : 1st Air Defence Division ) , with its HQ in Cottbus , was in charge to provide air defence throughout the southern territory of the GDR . The following units were subordinated to that particular division : 3rd Luftverteidigungsdivision ( 3rd LVD ) . The 3rd LVD ( en : 3ed Air Defence Division ) , with its HQ in Trollenhagen , was in charge to provide air defence throughout the northern territory of the GDR . The following units were subordinated to that particular division : FO FMTFK . All fighter - bomber aircraft , transport aircraft , reconnaissance aircraft and transport helicopters were under the control of the FO FMTFK ( roughly translates into : " Lead unit of the Frontal and Military air units " , " Führungsorgan der Front - und Militärtransportfliegerkräfte " ) . The following units were part of the FO FMTFK : Insignia . A diamond - shaped symbol identified NSK aircraftdivided into vertical black , red and gold stripes corresponding to the horizontal fesses or bars on the GDR state flag . The centre of the diamond portrayed the GDR coat of arms : a hammer and compass surrounded by a wreath of yellow grain . The symbol differentiated the Luftstreitkräfte from the West German " Luftwaffe " , which displays a stylised Iron Cross similar to the emblem on German aircraft during World War I . Uniforms . The uniforms of the two German air forces were also different : following an older German tradition , LSK / LV uniforms were the same stone gray worn by army personnel , modified by distinctive blue insignia ( similar in style , but not colour , to World War II Luftwaffe ranks ) and piping . West German uniforms , on the other hand , were blue with yellow insignia and more closely modelled on those worn by " Luftwaffe " personnel during World War II . Aircraft . Starting in 1953 , East Germany received An - 2 , La - 9 , Yak - 11 , and Yak - 18 aircraft and the MiG - 15 in 1956 which were provided by the Soviet Union . The first MiG - 21s were delivered in 1962 . The 1970s saw the introduction of the MiG - 23 , while Su - 22 fighter - bombers were delivered in the 1980s . The latest addition was the MiG - 29 in 1988 . The inventory also included Soviet - built helicopters along with trainers and other light aircraft manufactured in Czechoslovakia . The East German air force was unique among Warsaw Pact countries in that it was often equipped with the most advanced Soviet fighters , instead of downgraded export models . As an extension of the Soviet 16th Air Army deployed in East Germany , the " Luftstreitkräfte " was expected to play a front - line role in any war with NATO . As a result , it was under closer Soviet control than the air forces of other Warsaw Pact states . After German reunification in 1990 , the " Luftwaffe " assumed control over " Luftstreitkräfte " equipment and enlisted some of its personnel . Many of the GDR ' s military aircraft were obsolete or incompatible with NATO technical standards , and were sold to other countries . However , the " Luftwaffe " did retain the MiG - 29 in both air defense and aggressor roles because of its excellent capabilities . LSK / LV equipment in 1989 . Equipment of the LSK / LV in 1989 :