Luftsturmregiment 40 information

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Air Assault Regiment 40
Luftsturmregiment 40
Air Assault insignia (replica)
Active	1986–1991
Country	East Germany (1986–1990) Germany (from 1990)
Branch	Land Forces of the National People's Army (1986–1990)  German Army (1990–1991)
Type	Air assault infantry
Role	Air assault Anti-tank warfare Artillery observer Bomb disposal CBRN defense Close-quarters combat Cold-weather warfare Counterinsurgency Direct action Forward air control Irregular warfare Long-range penetration Mountain warfare Parachuting Patrolling Raiding Reconnaissance Special reconnaissance Urban warfare
Size	Regiment (50 (HQ), approximately 800 (including services))
Part of	Under the East German Army Staff Under the German Army Staff
Garrison/HQ	Military Training Area Lehnin
Colors	Orange
Engagements	None
Insignia
Basic NVA Parachutist's Badge (left) and the NVA Parachutist's Badge displaying the device awarded after 40 jumps (right)

The Luftsturmregiment 40 (LStR-40) "Willi Sänger" (English: Air Assault Regiment 40) was a air assault infantry unit of the German Democratic Republic's National People's Army. It was formed in 1986 by expanding the existing Parachute Battalion 40 with additional air assault companies and support capability. It was directly subordinate to the Land Forces Command (Kommando Landstreitkräfte) of the East German Army.

Although initially formed based on the parachute battalion, this unit had a different mission and organization. The Luftsturmregiment 40 came about as the result of a change in Soviet tactics based on their recent experience in Afghanistan. These tactics emphasized the more mobile warfare afforded by the use of helicopter air assault operations. While LStR 40 retained in full the airborne capability of its predecessor unit, more emphasis was placed on readiness to conduct air assault operations than had previously been the case.

Like its predecessor unit, Luftsturmregiment 40 carried the added title "Willi Sänger," in honor of a famed German Communist and resistance fighter against the Nazis.^[1]