The Marinehubschraubergeschwader 18 (MHG-18) Kurt Barthel was originally formed in September 1959 as the Seekette of the Hubschraubergeschwader Brandenburg-Briest. On 15 September 1962, the Kommando der Luftstreitkräfte/Luftverteidigung relinquished control of the flight to the Kommando der Volksmarine; it was designated an independent Hubsschrauberkette. On 1 May 1963, it was expanded into the Hubschrauberstaffel der Volksmarine followed by expansion into the Hubschraubergeschwader der Volksmarine on 1 December 1976. It was renamed Marinehubschraubergeschwader 18, its final designation, on 1 Dece,ber 1981.

Commanders

Kapitänleutnant Dieter Bortfeldt (? 1960 - ? 1964)
Kapitänleutnant Lothar Braunroth (? 1964 - ? 1970)
Korvettenkapitän Hans Vogel (? 1970 - ? 1974)
Korvettenkapitän Siegfried Finke (? 1974 - ? 1976)
Kapitän zur See Günter Leithold (? 1976 - ? 1990)

Headquarters

Parow

Honor titles

It was named after the writer Kurt Barthel (1914-1967).

Helicopter strength (30 Sep 1990)

2 x Mi-8T “HIP”
10 x Mi-8TB “HIP E”
1 x Mi-8S “HIP”
8 x Mi-14PL “HAZE A”
6 x Mi-14BT “HAZE B”

Sources used

Klaus Froh & Rüdiger Wenzke - Die Generale und Admirale der NVA
Wilfried Kopenhagen - Die Luftstreitkräfte der NVA

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -