Structure
The most significant changes in the subsequent period up until 1986 were: the escort battery was disbanded in the mid 60s and the engineer platoon became a demolition/ diving platoon, which was attached to the 3rd FJK later in 1978 and, from time to time, up to the year 1983/84. At the beginning of 1981 a 4th FJK was formed, which consisted of three airborne platoons with three squads each, making it the strongest company in the unit.
This company was formed specifically for the purpose of guarding the Minister of National Defence and other ministry officials of the time. As the task proved to be highly problematic for a single company, as far as the coordination of guard duties and training were concerned, the company was restructured in 1986. As of then, all airborne companies were engaged in guarding the minister.
The airborne forces were then armed with KmS submachine guns, Makarov pistols, two RPG-7s each, a light machine gun and an SSG/D (sniper rifle Dragunow). With time, the FJKs were each equipped with six “Robur” LO lorries (LO: air-cooled Otto engine). Each vehicle had a single-axle trailer loaded with the squad’s parachute equipment and part of the ammunition combat load. Consequently, the EGs were relatively self-sufficient regarding transport and ensuring supplies of equipment and ammunition and could therefore have been deployed separately. This was an essential factor for guaranteeing the operational readiness of such a unit.
The FJK and the demolition/diving platoon were the forces‘ combat units, although the divers could also be deployed on a decentralized mission within the framework of the EGs. The men from signals platoon were divided among the EGs, so that each EG had its own operator. The intelligence platoon guaranteed communication with the EGs. The battalion staff was prepared in the event of potential deployment to split into three operational groups and so set up and command the EGs as required by superiors. The training platoon for non-commissioned officers trained the non-commissioned officers for the airborne company in a 10 month course. The reserves training platoon was responsible for training the reserves for the unit.
The soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the FJK, the demolition/diving platoon and the intelligence company were short-service soldiers on a three year term of duty. Generally, these soldiers underwent a pre-military training in the GST (Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik Society for Sport and Technology), where the focus was on the most essential requirements in respect of their physical condition and general military training. The future paratroopers were drilled in particular in parachute jumping, diving and intelligence operations. This created an environment for the FJB instructors, which was particularly conducive to the establishment of a certain degree of cohesion in the groups, platoons and companies after conscription.