to move in against the demonstrators was never given. Training Luftsturmregiment 40 paratroopers were known to be trained in Kyeok Sul Do by North Korean instructors in 1988. Equipment Uniforms The uniforms of the regiment's paratroopers, like those of all the Land Forces of the NVA, were based on uniforms of the former Wehrmacht, adapted to Soviet uniform and equipment standards. In the early years they wore the field service suit for reconnaissance aircraft of the NVA. It consisted of a hooded jacket and trousers, both in camouflage on a blue-gray tone. Lace-up shoes replaced the usual boots, a leather cap replaced the steel helmet. In later years, the airborne helmet of the Polish paratroopers was introduced, which had earflaps. Weapons In keeping with the airborne and air assault capabilities of the unit, LStR 40 utilized only light weapons, usually standard gear from the main Land Forces of the NVA. Paratrooper-specific variations were used when available. These included the RPG-7D, which was designed to be separated into two pieces for easier transportation, and the MPi-KMS-72 and MPi-AK-74NK, folding-stock models of the AKM and AK-74 respectively. Transport Aircraft To be deployed into combat in the event of war, Luftsturmregiment 40 depended upon the Luftstreitkraefte der NVA to provide it with helicopters for air assault insertions and fixed-wing aircraft for parachute jumps. The regiment trained with the Ilyushin Il-14, the Antonov An-2, Antonov An-8, Antonov An-12, Antonov An-22, Antonov An-26, and the Mil Mi-4 and Mil Mi-8. The Luftstreitkraefte der NVA did not, however, actually possess enough aircraft or helicopters to move the regiment into combat all at once, meaning that the Soviet Air Force might have had to step in and make up for the shortage in the event of a war with NATO. Parachutes The regiment's last standard model of parachute was the RS 9/2A, with the BE-8 reserve chute. The L-10/2 ST and RL-12/2 ST parachutes were used for HAHO operations. Soldiers of the regiment were trained for HALO jumps as well, but conducted these jumps below the altitude where oxygen equipment would have been needed. See also Fallschirmjägerbataillon 40 References Bibliography Karl-Heinz Dissberger u. a.: Vom Himmel auf die Erde ins Gefecht. Fallschirmjäger der Nationalen Volksarmee. 2nd Edition. Kabinett Verlag, Zürich u. a. 1999, . Airborne units and formations of East Germany Special forces of East Germany Military units and formations established in 1986 Military units and formations