71st Airborne Brigade (Greece)

71st Airmobile Infantry Brigade

Emblem of the 71st Airmobile Infantry Brigade
Active
Country Greece
Branch Hellenic Army
Type Air Assault
Size 4 Battalions
Part of I Infantry Division
Garrison/HQ Nea Santa (Macedonia)
Motto Epi Pterigon Anemon
(On the wings of the winds)

The 71st Airborne Brigade, or officially, the 71st Airmobile Infantry Brigade (Greek: 71 A/M ΤAΞ - 71η Αερομεταφερόμενη Ταξιαρχία Πεζικού), 71 A/M TAX - 71 Aerometaferomeni Taxiarhia Pezikou, is an airmobile infantry brigade of the Hellenic Army. The brigade was established after the reorganization of the 71st Infantry Brigade to an air assault formation. Members of the Brigade wear the red beret.

Contents

History

The 71st Infantry Regiment was established in Drama in October 1940 and took part in World War II along the borders of Bulgaria. During the German invasion in 1941 the regiment was based in the sector of Paranesti, where it won numerous engagements against German forces. When the Germans occupied the country, the Regiment was dissolved. It was reformed in April 1945, after Greece was liberated.

In August, 1989 the 71st Infantry Brigade moved to the village of Nea Santa in Kilkis under the 1st Infantry Division. In January, 1995 it was reorganized as an airmobile Brigade and was placed under II Army Corps as part of the country's Rapid Reaction Force.

The 71st Airmobile Infantry Brigade forms the basis of the Greek-led HELBROC BG, a Battlegroup of the European Union, composed of units from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus and Slovenia. Elements of the Brigade also make up part of the NATO Response Force.

Unit Patch

All members of the Brigade wear the unit patch depicting a hawk landing between crossed spears, representative of air assault operations and combat readiness. The wreath represents the Infantry Combat Arm.

Structure

71st Airmobile Infantry Brigade in Nea Santa (Macedonia)
  • HQ Company (ΛΣ/71ης Α/Μ ΤΑΞ)
  • 595th Airmobile Infantry Battalion (595ο A/M ΤΠ)
  • 596th Airmobile Infantry Battalion (596ο A/M ΤΠ)
  • 601th Airmobile Infantry Battalion (601ο A/M ΤΠ)
  • 116th Airmobile Artillery Squadron (116η Α/Μ ΜΠΠ)
  • 71st Engineer Company (71ος ΛΜΧ)
  • 71st Light Air Defence Battery (71η ΠΕΑ/ΑΠ)
  • 71st Signal Company (71ος ΛΔΒ)
  • 71st Support Battalion (71ο TYΠ)

Training

The units of the 71st Airmobile Infantry Brigade carry out a full cycle of training with emphasis in the following areas.

  • Physical Military Training
  • Individual Advanced Tactics and advanced weapons training.
  • Advanced Shooting Training
  • Landmines
  • Special Night Training
  • Collaboration and Training with helicopters and Cargo planes.
  • Airmobile operations in various live exercises.
  • Training in Peace support operations and operations in built up areas.

Equipment

External links