Page:CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070008-0.pdf/25

 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R00020011022-9

'''FIGURE 11. Soviet-built Il-62 aircraft such as the one shown here are workhorses of INTERFLUG's intercontinental airlines (U/OU)'''

performed in the U.S.S.R. Aircraft, spare parts, and aviation fuels and lubricants are obtained from East Germany's Communist allies.

It is estimated that INTERFLUG employs about 1,500 personnel. Included in this total are about 250 pilots and copilots, 150 other fight personnel (navigators, radiomen, and flight engineers), and 600 maintenance and shop technicians. About 350 of the airline's employees, including 100 pilots and 90 maintenance technicians, are assigned to agricultural and air work services, INTERFLUG's headquarters, training facilities, and maintenance installations located at Schonefeld Airfield. A small civil aviation academy, operated by the carrier at the airfield, offers basic courses for new employees and refresher training for experienced ground flight personnel. INTERFLUG's flight crews and ground technicians are primarily recruited from the East German Air Force, and many retain reserve status while employed by the carrier. A few employees are drawn directly from aero clubs associated with the Society for Sport and Technology (GST), a youth organization that prepares East Germans for service with the armed forces. In addition to training provided at Schonefeld, INTERFLUG crew receive transitional training in the Soviet Union where new types of aircraft are introduced into the civil-air fleet.

Soviet Union domination over INTERFLUG operations is so obvious that it is almost taken for granted. The East Germans have consistently purchased their major transport aircraft from the Soviet Union and their pilots are trained in the Soviet Union. Major repair and overhaul and aircraft fuel is provided by the Soviet Union or one of its Eastern European allies. The civil aviation resources of East Germany continue to increase, tightly integrated with and dependent upon the Soviet Union.

J. Airfields (S)

[Illegible]

20

APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R00020011022-9