Afghanistan/Chechnya orders of battle?

[FuturePara]

After having read the threads on Afghanistan and Chechnya (my favorite threads, very informative) I have become deeply interested in the conflicts, but can't really follow the history all too well with all these different units. Does anyone have an order of battle for these conflicts? I am especially interested in what VDV units served in stan/both chechen wars.
Also...how did the divisions break down? What was the composition of a VDV Division/Regiment/Battalion?
I know it's a pretty detailed question so I deeply appreciate any help.

[hist2004]

I can list the VDV (Airborne) units that served in Afghanistan in my thread. I believe I have the compositions also. Perhaps our Russian
Friends can add the order of battle for VDV units that served or are currently serving in Chechnya. The 40th Army(Soviet) in Afghanistan
comprised many units. I have the entire composition but it’s a rather lengthy. Here is a partial list:

MRD-Motorized Rifle Division
MRR- Motorized Rifle Regiment
ABD-Airborne Division
MR-Motorized Rifle

Soviet 40th Army in the Afghanistan Campaign 1979-1985
40th Army established on 12 – 13. 12. 1979, incorporating 4 MRDs 1 Independent MRR, 1 Artillery brigade, 1 SAM brigade, communication, engineering and supply units. 50 thousand people and 8 thousand vehicles were mobilized.
Soviet Forces in Afghanistan (officially Limited Contingency of Soviet Forces) also included 34 Composite Air Corps, 1 ABD, 1 Spetznaz battalion (often nicknamed “Muslim”), “Grom’ and “Zenith” KGB special warfare units.
Thereafter 40th Army included:
5 MRD, 108 MRD, 201 MRD
66 Independent MR Brigade – Jelalabad
70 Independent MR Brigade – Kandahar
56 Independent Air Assault Brigade
353 Guard Artillery Brigade
55 Independent Guard Artillery Regiment
Soviet Forces also included:
103 Guard ABD
Marine regiment (since 1985)
15 Spetznaz Brigade – Jelalabad
22 Spetznaz Brigade – Lashkargah
173 Spetznaz unit of Caucasus Military District since
Former Muslim Battalion, in 1982 all the staff became Slavic
“Kaskad” joint KGB special warfare group (united Grom and Zenith)
Vega special warfare unit – unidentified one, possibly GRU 149 Guard MRR
24 Guard Armored Regiment
303 Independent Government Communication Battalion of KGB
122 MRR – Tash-kurgan
860 MRR – Faizabad
350 Independent Anti-Armor Battalion – Kunduz
682 MRR – Ruha
180 MRR
103 Independent Communication Regiment
191 Independent MRR
254 Independent Missile Regiment – Kabul
12 Guard MRR
149 Guard MRR
177 MRR
208 MRR
Air Forces in mid-1980s – 34 air Corps disbanded, units became subordinate to 40th Army; that was the only Army with air component
378 Independent Attack Air Regiment with Su-25
3 fighter squadrons – until 1984 MiG-21bis of 927 Fighter Regiment, then MiG- 23ML of 905 FR
2 Fighter-Bomber squadrons with Su-17M3
263 Independent Recce squadron with Su-17M3R

Regards & Thanks,
Hist2004

[FuturePara]

Thankyou, I appreciate that. What is the difference between Airborne and Air Assualt in the Soviet/Russian Army? They both fall under the title of VDV and undergo the same training correct? In the book "Feast of Bones" written by an American so I can't say how accurate it is, he calls the 103rd Guards an Air Assault Division made up of three Air Asslt Regiments, focused on the 688th. Is this correct in that it is indeed an Air Asslt Div./Regt. instead of Airborne?

[hist2004]

The VDV (Airborne) are considered by both the Russian Military and civilians to be the elite of their
Armed forces. It should be noted that until the early 1990’s the word “Spetsnaz” wasn’t mentioned
outside of those particular units. As you have seen from 16 OBr SpN’s details about his training,
many recruits had never heard of Spetsnaz, let alone the details of their existence. In those years
(1960’s through early1990’s) the Spetsnaz recruiters came looking for the individuals they wanted,
you didn’t seek them out hoping to join.
As the recruits were being processed for military service, those men with athletic ability or pre-service
schools or training to their credit would be asked if they wished to serve in the Commandos (Blue Berets).
Many considered it an honor and for some, it’s the VDV or nothing.
It may be because of its size, but the Naval Infantry/Marines didn’t receive the same recognition or status
as the VDV (Airborne). They are clearly an elite force onto themselves, so I hope that our Russian friends
can provide additional information.
The VDV (airborne) & Air Assault Brigades undergo the same training. It depends on what unit they are posted to
after training.
During the Soviet-Afghan War, The VDV (Airborne) never conducted airborne operations. All operations
were conducted with helicopters.
Since the Soviet-Afghan War it is recognized by the Russian Military (as well as Western Armies) that the helicopter
is the defacto means of delivery for these specialized troopers.

Regards & Thanks,
Hist2004

[hist2004]

, he calls the 103rd Guards an Air Assault Division made up of three Air Asslt Regiments, focused on the 688th. Is this correct in that it is indeed an Air Asslt Div./Regt. instead of Airborne?

Airborne or Air Assault, it's refering to parachute trained troops. In the
U.S. the 101st is called an Airborne Division. It is in fact air assault-meaning deployed by helicopter. In the Russian military, Airborne, Air assault are used interchangeably.

Regards & Thanks,
Hist2004

[16 OBr SpN]

1) Composition of SpN GRU brigades.


a) Headquarters and command
b) 3 (sometimes 4) detachments. Each include 3 SpN companies + 1 special communications company.
c) 1 ingeneers/demolitioners company
d) special radio communications batallion
e) transport + munitions companies

SpN companies are further divided into:
a) command
b) 4 (sometimes 3) SpN groups.

SpN groups are further divided into
a) command
b) spetsnaz squads

(Disclaimer: Shortened due to certain limitations. ;) )

2) VDV Regiments.

a) Command and headquarters
b) Air-assault batallions

Air-assault batallions are further divided to:

a) Command and headquarters
b) Air-assault company
c) Air-assault company (with armor)
d) Fire support units
e) Other support units (ingeneers; sappers; communication; recon)
f) Rear support (food; armory)

Air-assault regiments also include several other detachments:
a) Recon
b) Anti-air
c) Anti-tank
d) Artillery

Regards,
16 OBr SpN

[hist2004]

Thanks to 16 OBr Spn for providing additional information. I will include the breakdwn I have of a VDV(Airborne) Division & Regiment. I hope this
answers your question.

P.S.

The following structure may have undergone some revision between the
Soviet-Afghan War & the present force.

Structure of Airborne Division (VDV)

Airborne Division 6,500

Divisional HQ 160
Airborne Regiment 3 X 1,455
Artillery Regiment 620
ASU-85 Battalion 180
Anti-Aircraft Battalion 155
Engineer Battalion 220
Signal Battalion 180
Parachute Rigging and Re-supply Battalion 220
Transport and Maintenance Battalion 165
Medical Battalion 95
Reconnaissance Company 75
Chemical Defense Company 65


Structure of Airborne Regiment (VDV)

Airborne Regiment 1450

Regimental HQ 60
Airborne Battalion 302
Antitank Missile Battery 45
Artillery battery 42
Reconnaissance Company 55
Anti-Aircraft battery 42
Engineer Company 40
Signal Company 50
Parachute Supply Company 66
Transport and Maintenance Company 82
Chemical Defense Platoon 16
Medical Point 11
Commandant’s Platoon 27
Band 24

Regards&Thanks,
Hist2004

[GazB]

Even during the Afghan war the ASU-85 was pretty much being replaced by the 2S9 Nona, which is a BMD chassis with a 120mm automatic mortar mounted in a turret.

A much more useful and capable vehicle.

[haze99]

:D Yes, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) was an airborne (paratroopers) division until 1974. When 3rd Brigade (which was the only Airborne unit within the 101, then) was taken off that status. The 101st then went to a Air Assault division.
Over the years, there have been attempts to redesignate it to 101st Air Assault. Which, these have been declined. The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia would have had an "Air Assault" tab added. This to has been proposed over the years, it to has been declined.
The US Army kept the 101st with Airborne Tab for historical and traditional purposes.

The only "Airborne" units currently within the 101st, are the Pathfinder company and F Co, 58th Inf Regt, (LRSU)

Some battalions and companies within the US Army are designated Air Assault. And not aligned to the 101st Abn Div (AA).
Two that I am aware of are at Ft. Polk, Louisiana and the other is in South Korea.