1st Surface to Air Missiles Brigade
Military unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1st Surface to Air Missiles Brigade "General Nicolae Dăscălescu" (Romanian: Brigada 1 Rachete Sol-Aer), is the main air defense unit of the Romanian Air Force. Its headquarters are located in Chitila.[1] The brigade was created on August 1, 1973, by merging the 18th and 19th Mixed Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiments. In 1995, it received the honorific name "General Nicolae Dăscălescu", after the first commander of the 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment[2][3] and a new battle flag. The main task of the 1st SAM Brigade is Bucharest's air defense.
| 1st Surface to Air Missiles Brigade "General Nicolae Dăscălescu" | |
|---|---|
Official emblem of the 1st SAM Brigade | |
| Active | 1973–Present |
| Country | Romania |
| Branch | Romanian Air Force |
| Type | Air defense |
| Size | eight battalions |
| Garrison/HQ | Chitila[1] |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigadier general Bogdan-Nicolae Istrate |
The brigade's area of responsibility covers six counties. The unit currently operates MIM-23 Hawk missiles.[4] The 7th HAWK Battalion was equipped with the MIM-23 missiles since 2006.[2]
History
The first surface-to-air missiles entered service with the Romanian Army in 1959. These equipped the 143rd and 261st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiments (former 1st and 2nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiments). From 1973, the 18th and 19th Mixed Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiments were merged into the 1st Mixed Anti-aircraft Missile Brigade. The Brigade changed its name to the 1st Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade in 1998 after the Neva systems were retired. The current name was received on 1 September 2001.[2]
In 2006, the HAWK Battalion was established, and the first shooting tests were performed in 2012. Also in 2012, the Brigade started taking part in the Air Police Combat Service.[2]
Structure
- 1st SAM Brigade - HQ in Chitila[5]
- 111th SAM Battalion "Voievodul Mihai", in Boteni, with MIM-23 Hawk[6][7][8]
- 112th SAM Battalion, in Bucșani[9]
- 113th SAM Battalion "Codrii Vlăsiei", in Ghimpați[10]
- 114th SAM Battalion "Șoimii Bărăganului", in Adâncata, with MIM-23 Hawk and EL/M-2106 ATAR[11][12]
- 5th SAM Battalion "Horea", in Vâlcele, with MIM-23 Hawk[13]
- 7th HAWK Battalion[14]
- 8th Technical Battalion
- 12th Support Group[15]
- Support Company[16]
- Force Protection Group[17]
Decorations
The 1st Surface to Air Missiles Brigade has received the following decorations:[18]
Order of Military Virtue, Peacetime (Knight – 2008, Officer – 2023)
