181st independent Helicopter Regiment

181-й отдельный вертолётный полк

Military Unit: 23319; from 1.80: 70419

Activated 5.73 in Dzhambul, Dzambul Oblast - formation begun 11.72.

11.12.79 transferred to Chirchik, Tashkent Oblast, and shortly thereafter to Kokayty, Surkhandaria Oblast, for operations in Afghanistan - first mission into Afghanistan 23.12.79, and by 15.1.80 the entire regiment had arrived in Kunduz.

Kunduz was the main base in Afghanistan, but two other bases were also used:

• Fayzabad (37 07 22N, 70 31 13E): 3rd squadron (1980-1981), 4th squadron (1981-1982), and a detached group with 4 Mi-8 and 4 Mi-24 (1982-1988)
• Meymen (35 55 46N, 64 45 44E): 3rd squadron (1981-1982)

Several independent Helicopter Regiments based in the Soviet Union, would detach crews to serve in the 181st independent Helicopter Regiment on a rotational basis, beginning from 1981 - usually for the duration of one year.

The 2nd squadron was probably disbanded in 1987, and later replaced by the 4th squadron.

1.1.92 taken over by Belorussia - 1.10.93 renamed 181st Combat Helicopter Base - exists today.

Bases:

• Dzhambul, Dzambul Oblast, 5.73 - 15.1.80 [42 51 26N, 71 18 12E]
• Kunduz, Afghanistan, 15.1.80 - 5.8.88 [36 39 47N, 68 54 30E]
• Pruzhany, Brest Oblast, 5.8.88 - 1.1.92 [52 34 55N, 24 22 48E]

Aircraft:

• Mi-8T/MT, 1973-1992 (3rd squadron, 4th squadron to 1982)
• Mi-10PP, 1979-1980 (four delivered; 1st squadron)
• Mi-6, 1973-1988 (1st and 2nd squadrons)
• Mi-24, 1982-1992 (4th squadron 1982-1988; 1st and 2nd squadron 1988-1992)

Inventory:

• 11.90 with 18 Mi-8 and 43 Mi-24 (CFE treaty data exchange)

Subordination:

• Turkestan Military District, 5.73 - 1.80
• 40th Combined Arms Army, 1.80 - 8.88
• 28th Combined Arms Army, 8.88 - 1.92