Graphic: USSR 56th Air Assault Bde during Soviet-Afghan War (Patreon)

A follow-up graphic from the earlier one on the Soviet Separate Air Assault Brigade in the 1980s. This one is for the 56th Guards Air Assault Brigade specifically in the late 1980s, which was unique due to its participation in the Soviet-Afghan War. It saw significant rearmament due to the disadvantages of their airborne armor platforms and most of the brigade being a light infantry unit from 1979.

The big changes:

1. The brigade immediately lost its 2nd Parachute Battalion in 1980 to the newly formed 70th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade. But its 4th Air Assault Battalion became its new 2nd Battalion in 1986.

2. The 1st Parachute Battalion (footmobile) was motorized/mechanized with BRDM-2s, BTR-70s and light vehicles. The 2nd (4th) and 3rd Battalions were mechanized with BMP-2D infantry fighting vehicles, which were up-armored. The Parachute Battalion also replaced its anti-tank battery with a Nona-S SPG battery.

3. The Artillery Battalion was bolstered with a 4th howitzer battery (sources I've seen say self-propelled 2S1) and the Rocket Artillery Battalion was directly subordinated. The airborne BM-21V MLRs were also replaced with regular BM-21s

4. A T-62 tank platoon was integrated into the brigade. Some sources say it was part of the 3rd Battalion but it went out on missions with the other battalions as well.

5. The Anti-Air Battalion was reduced to battery strength

6. The NBC Defense Platoon became a flamethrower (thermobaric) platoon

7. The Airborne Support Company, which was basically riggers/loadmasters would've been used as reserve infantry