In 2017 the 38th GA was reorganized into 82nd GA with 8th LH Regiment becoming 82nd LH Brigade.
December 2017 the Mi-171/Mi-171E were transferred to the 161st Assault Brigade. Also the serials of the Brigade changed from LH98cyy into LH952cxx.
In 2017 the 13th GA was reorganized into 77th GA with 2nd LH Regiment becoming 77th LH Brigade with a serial change from LH92cyy into LH972cxx.
Use of the new Z-20 (since June 2017) needs confirmation.
It is believed that the unit will move to the new location at Aopingzhen in 2022.
The Sikorsky S-70 remains the workhorse at high altitudes, although the Z-20 started to arrive in mountainous regions end 2020. At least 13 S-70s are in use by the 77th Brigade.
The 76th Brigade was activated at Dalachi mid 2017, initially using helicopters from 3rd Brigade (LH93cxx). It is expected to move to a new location near Golmut.
By 2019 Z-19 had arrived from Xinjiang LH Brigade.
At the start of 2022 the first Z-20s were noted.
Dangbizhen (--)
RWY (water) POS 45°15'31"N 132°00'36"E ELEV 233 ft
Daqing Air Rescue Detachment was established on 22 July 2009 and officially changed its name to "Daqing Air Rescue Detachment of Forest Fire Bureau of Emergency Management Department" on 31 December 2019.
In 2013 the serials used by the Z-8WJS changed from WJS9100x into WJ56080x.
In 2021 Z-8AWJS were added (WJ56030x) and the helicopters were repainted with China Emergency titles and new serials in the CFR-013xx/CFR-018xx ranges.
The detachment is based on a separate part of the airfield on the North-Eastern side.
Deyang (--)
RWY 03/21, HEL POS 30°50'46"N 104°40'47"E ELEV 1602 ft
In 2003/2004 26 Mi-17V-5 helicopters were delivered by the Russian Kazan plant using China United Airlines look-alike registrations. The Mi-17V-5 is used for transport duties.
In 2017 the Flight Training Base was reorganised into an Academy with the serials LH904xx changed into 6-digit serials.
April 2021 the first Z-11As were noted together with Mi-8s, followed by Z-9s.
This airbase used to house CJ-6 aircraft of the PLAAF 2nd Flight College. It is believed that 7th LH Brigade took over .
In 2020 the airbase saw mayor renovations and expansions.
Jiamusi (ZYJM)
Command
Brigade
Aircraft Type(s)
Serial range
Northern Theatre Command
78th Army Aviation Brigade
LH961cxx
In 2022 this facility on the civilian airport was made operational.
Lhasa/Liuwuxiang (--)
RWY 18/36, HEL POS 29°35'25"N 091°01'14"E ELEV 11918 ft
Early 2017 the 2nd LH Regiment detachment at downtown Lhasa/Dongguan was reorganized in the new Tibet/Xizang LH Brigade, which became better known as the 85th LH Brigade.
Also it moved to Lhasa/Gonggar in 2017 while expanding.
In 2018 85th LH Brigade moved to the new heliport southwest of Lhasa.
In 2020 Z-8G, Z-10 and Z-20s were added to the Mi-17V-7 and Mi-171E helicopter fleet.
The Mi-17V-7 is used for high altitude operations due to its more powerful engines.
PLA
Liaocheng (--)
RWY 02/20, HEL POS 36°26'58"N 116°05'44"E ELEV 112 ft
In 2017 the 26th GA was reorganized into 80th GA with 7th LH Regiment becoming 80th LH Brigade with a serial change from LH97cyy into LH963cxx.
The Mi-17V-5s were transferred to 78th Brigade (LH9617xx)
By 2020 Z-8Gs arrived (from 161st Brigade).
About all Brigades like 80th Brigade have seen the Mi-17/Z-9 augmented by dedicated Z-10 attack helicopters.
The Brigade relocated from Shenyang-Dongta.
Liaoyang is also used by Harbin Flying Academy/5th Brigade (PLAAF)
In 2017 the 39th GA was reorganized into 79th GA with 9th LH Brigade becoming 79th LH Brigade with a serial change from LH99cyy into LH962cxx.
It is believed that by 2022 the Z-20 had arrived.
This Z-10A is operated by the 79th Army Aviation Brigade.
In 2005 the SA316 was replaced by HC120.
In 2017 the Flight Training Base was reorganised into an Academy with the serials LH904xx changed into 6-digit serials.
In 2010 this new Army Regiment started using this Air Force (J-6) airbase. It can still be used for Air Force deployments however.
In 2017 the 31st GA was reorganized into 73rd GA with 10th LH Regiment becoming 73rd LH Brigade with a serial change from LH910cyy into LH993cxx.
By 2022 the Z-20 was added.
In addition to the Mi-171Es the 72nd LH Brigade oerates a few special mission Mi-171s like this one with a battle field radar mounted on the afte fuselage.
The Kunming Air Rescue Detachment of the Forest Fire Bureau of the Ministry of Emergency Management was officially established on 31 December 2019. It was formerly known as the Second Flight Brigade of the Helicopter Detachment of the former Armed Police Forest Command. On 29 September 2018, the unit was transferred to the Emergency Management Department.
In 2021 the helicopters were repainted with China Emergency titles and the serials were changed from WJ5603xx into the CFR-023xx range.
At Machang the Helicopter Detachment Yunnan of the Forest Fire Bureau is based flying Z-8AWJS.
PLA
Mizhi (--)
RWY 14/32, HEL POS 37°52'25"N 110°04'17"E ELEV 2943 ft
Nanjing AB is also used by the Eastern TC/Transport Brigade of PLAAF.
In 2017 the 1st GA was reorganized into 72nd GA with 5th LH Regiment becoming 72nd LH Brigade with a serial change from LH95cyy into LH992cxx.
In 2018 Z-8Bs were transferred to 71st LH Brigade and Mi-17-1V/V-7 arrived from Xinjiang LH Brigade.
By mid 2022 the Z-20 was also in use with this Brigade.
The 72nd Army Aviation Brigade is th eonly Brigade flying with the Mi-17-1V variant.
PLA
End 2010 saw the introduction of a new attack helicopter in operational service, being the Z-10A
In 2017 the 42nd GA was reorganized into 74th GA with 6th LH Brigade becoming 74th LH Brigade with a serial change from LH96cyy into LH981cxx. In 2017 Z-8Bs were transferred to 121st Brigade.
The 74th LH Brigade is using the Mi-171 for transport duties.
January 2021 the first Z-8NWJ for the unit was noted.Mid 2020 the Z-20WJ arrived.
Helicopters of the armed police were easy recognizables in either white c/s or in all orange c/s, like on the Z-8AWJS. Unfortunately, now a dark green colour is used ever more.
Internet
Tonghua (--)
通化市
RWY 10/28H POS 41°42'17"N 125°59'46"E ELEV 1363 ft
Y-7 Y-8 Y-9 Mi-171 Mi-171E Mi-171E Salon Mi-17V-5 Mi-17V-7 Salon Z-8G Z-9WA Z-10A Z-19
LH951cxx
In 2011 the SA342s of the Brigade were transferred to a Training Brigade.
In 2017 the 65th GA was reorganized into 81st GA with 4th LH Regiment becoming 81st LH Brigade with a serial change from LH94cyy into LH951cxx.
The 81st (ex 4th) Brigade also uses the cargo version of the Y-7, the Y-7H
-
The Mi-171E is the utility transport helicopter workhorse for the China Army. A few Salon versions were acquired for the VIP role.
Until July 1999 this airbase was home of PLAAF H6 bombers of 8th Div/24th Reg.
In 2017 the Flight Training Base was reorganised into an Academy with the serials LH904xx/LH908xx changed into 6-digit serials.
Helicopter training starts with the PLA on the Z-11 helicopter.
In 2017 the 3rd LH Regiment (Xinjing MD) was reorganized into Xinjiang LH Brigade with a serial change from LH93cyy into LH911cxx.
It is believed that early 2019 Z-19s had left and gone to 76th Brigade and also Mi-17V-7 had left.
The 161st Air Assault Brigade is one of the few units to operate the latest Z-8 versions, including the Z-8G.
pla
Wuzhong (--)
RWY 10/28H POS 37°49'47"N 106°13'58"E ELEV 3751 ft
In 2017 the 54th GA was reorganized into 83rd GA with 1st LH Regiment becoming 161st Air Assault Brigade with a serial change from LH91cxx into LH953cxx. Also Mi-171/Mi-171E from 82nd Brigade were received.
In 2019 the Brigade was the first operational unit to receive the Z-20 and in 2020 it was the first unit to start operating the Z-8L, replacing Mi-171s. At the same time it seems the Z-8G left the Brigade, many of them to 80th Brigade. Also in 2021 Z-19s arrived replacing Z-9.
It is expected that around 2023 the Brigade will relocate to a new Army Base 5 miles south-west of the current base.
Until 2021 the 161st LH Brigade operated a wide variety of Mil helicopters including the Mi-17
PLA
Early 2020 the 161st LH Assault Brigade became the first unit to operate the wide-body Z-8L.
Internet
Xinxiang/Dasongfocun (--)
RWY 04/22, HEL POS 35°14'18"N 113°44'43"E ELEV 249 ft
The 12th LH Regiment was established in 2002 and became operational in 2012 on this former Air Force airbase.
In 2017 the 41st GA was reorganized into 75th GA with 12th LH Regiment becoming 121st Air Assault Brigade with a serial change from LH912cyy into LH982cxx.
By 2022 the Mi-171E, Z-8B and Z-8G seem to have left the Brigade.
The Z-20 became operational in 2018. The number of units operating this multi purpose helicopter is slowly increasing.
Internet
121st Air Assault Brigade is one of the operators of the Z-8B.
PLA
Yibin/Caiba (--)
RWY 08/26, HEL POS 28°48'02"N 104°32'42"E ELEV 923 ft
In 2017 the Flight Training Base was reorganised into an Academy with the serials LH90cxx changed into LH905cxx series.
December 2019 Yibin/Wuliangye was inaugurated and the unit moved from downtown Yibin/Caiba. By early 2022 the first Z-10s were noted. Also Z-9WZ seem to have replaced the early Z-9s.
The Flying Academy uses the Z-9 for advanced helicopter training.
-
Early model Z-9As are used for helicopter training.
PLA
Zhengtang (--)
RWY 18/36H, HEL POS 28°31'44"N 112°49'29"E ELEV 164 ft
