The Fliegerregiment 3 at Linz-Hoersching has 4 units with completely different objectives. Besides the two helicopter squadrons operating the Agusta-Bell AB.212, a 3rd squadron with a total of 28 Saab 105 jet trainer is also located here. In 2003, an air-transport unit with three C-130K “Hercules” was created. The regiment will become the nucleus of the new Air Support Brigade (Luftunterstuetzungsbrigade).

The two helicopter squadron are sharing the 23 Agusta-Bell AB.212 helicopters. Currently 1 AB.212 is deployed to the Kosovo for international operations within the KFOR. Another AB.212 operates out of Wiener Neustadt where it is used for border monitoring. The conversion of the new pilots from AB.206 to the AB.212 is also part of the job of the two squadrons with the simulator training being done by SAS Flight Academy at Stockholm (Sweden) which owns the only AB.212 simulator in Europe.

In March 2003, the first transport aircraft C-130K”Hercules” arrived at Linz-Hoersching. Since March 2004, all three aircraft are operational and so ensure the supply of the Austrian troops abroad. The longest mission of these aircraft was the flight to Sri Lanka soon after the Tsunami of 26 December 2004.

The area of the Saab 105 started in April 1970 when 20 technicians attended a training course in Sweden. At the same time, 6 flight instructors went through conversion training at the Saab factory at Linkoeping (Sweden). The first 3 Saab 105Oe arrived at Linz-Hoersching on 2 July 1970. Just 21 months later – on 3 March 1972 – the last of the forty aircraft landed in Austria. Today – more than 36 years later – 28 of the aircraft are still active.