chinese army first armed helicopter unit

In mid 1980s, at the time of disarming one million servicemen, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) formed its youngest arm, the army aviation force.
　　An army aviation regiment under the General Staff Headquarters (GSH) of the PLA is the first armed helicopter troop unit of the PLA. Since its birth more than 20 years ago, the regiment has developed into a powerful contingent being capable of making rapid projection, conducting precision attack, effectively controlling the air space and offering timely support.
　　Over the past years, through continuously tempering the capability of quickly setting out in unfamiliar areas and under complicated meteorological conditions, the army aviation regiment has gradually broken up the restriction of implementing combat missions by relying on fixed airport. In such major military exercises as “Sword 2000”, it realized rapid support in the air and became an indispensable important striking force.
　　During the implementation of diversified tasks as flood fighting and disaster relief, security and guard for Olympic Games, test flight of scientific research and disaster relief in the Wenchuan earthquake, the army aviation regiment has made prominent contributions in protecting the people’s life and property.
　　The army aviation regiment ever participated in the searching and retrieving tasks of the previous Shenzhou series manned spaceship. In performing the task of Shenzhou VII manned spaceship, the regiment created a miracle that the helicopter and the re-entry capsule arrived at the landing spot almost at the same time.