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Scramble 459
In April 2017 the Army saw a major restructuring, with should
result in a major reduction of personnel. The number of
Group Armies reduced by deleting some and merging some.
Many Group armies did have an Army Aviation Regiment
(some already reorganized into Brigade), conveniently num-
bered 1 up to 12 (excluding 11) with the Regiment/Brigade
number being a major element in the serial. With the reor-
ganization now all regiments are converted to Brigades.
Unfortunately, it has also become clear that all Brigades now
have the same number as the Group Army. So the 4th Army
Aviation Regiment is by now known as 81st Army Aviation
Brigade within 81st Group Army. Luckily, the old number can
still be found on the airframes.
Note that the 81st LH Regiment is the only fixed wing operat-
ing army unit, and based near Beijing serving HQ personel.
Eight-one off course is a very important digit combination
within the military (1st August 1927 the PLA was established)
In the table below an overview is given of the changes
involved with he first column giving the old designation, fol-
lowed by the new names in the second.
Eastern TC
1st GA/5th Reg 72nd GA/72nd Bgd
31st GA/10th Reg 73rd GA/73rd Bgd
Southern TC
42nd GA/6th Reg 74th GA/74th Bgd
41st GA/12th Reg 75th GA/75th Bgd
Western TC
21st GA/none 76th GA/76th Bgd
13th GA/2nd Reg 77th HA/77th Bgd
Xinjiang MD/3rd Reg Xinjiang MD/3rd Reg
Northern TC
16th GA/none 78th GA/78th Bgd
39th GA/9th Reg 79th GA/79th Bgd
26th GA/7th Reg 80th GA/80th Bgd
Central TC
65th GA/4th Reg 81st GA/81st Bgd
38th GA/8th Reg 82nd GA/82nd Bgd
54th GA/1st Reg 83rd GA/83rd Bgd
Note that the 71st GA is the only Group Armies with no flying
element. 76th Brigade has started flying recently borrow-
ing Z19 and Mi-17s from 3rd LH Regiment. Although it is
tempting to conclude that the 3rd now operates as 76th, this
is denied by local sources.Also, 78th Brigade started in July
with personnel (and equipment) from 79th Brigade (former
9th LH Reg).
People’s Liberation Army Air Force (AF)
H6H
20514 10th Div/29th Reg jul17
H6M
21012 10th Div/30th Reg ex 4xx7x jul17
The serial 21012 indicates that the aircraft is used by 30th
Regiment, which used to be an Electronic Warfare squadron
until a few years ago. No confirmation on the existence of
the new Regiment has been obtained unfortunately. Also, as
108th Regiment was the only Regiment flying with H6M, it
can be concluded that 108th provided this one, as that unit is
currently transferring to H6K.
J10B
67128 61st Brigade jun17
61st Brigade used to be 21st Division/61st Regiment in the old
organization (with serials 30x2x). It is unknown yet where
the Brigade is subordinated to.
JH7A
64120 31st Brigade jun17
31st Brigade used to be 11th Division/31st Regiment in the
old organization (with serials 20x2x). It is unknown yet
where the Brigade is subordinated to.
Su-30MKK
20690 18th Div/53rd Reg photo
Z8KA
6027 15th AC photo
6122 15th AC ZA8KA-12 photo
Z10K
6220 15th AC photo
6226 15th AC photo
6227 15th AC photo
6228 15th AC photo
6321 15th AC photo
As also the 15th Airborne Corps has undergone some changes
it is believed that the 6x6x serial range with at least the
Z8KA’s and the Z10Ks have been changed into 6x2x.
People’s Liberation Army (AR)
Mi-171E
LH92760 77nd Brig jun17
Mi-171E
LH92109 77nd Brig jun17
Z9WA
LH99941 79th Brig photo
Chinese influences in Zambia is also apparant in the Air Force. AF741 is a Z9 and this Dauphin clone is used as a VIP transport in a civilian colour
scheme. (Lusaka/Kenneth Kaunda Intl, 26 May 2017, Paul Mali)
