While LStR 40 retained in full the airborne capability of its predecessor unit, more emphasis was placed on readiness to conduct air assault operations than had previously been the case.

Like its predecessor unit, Luftsturmregiment 40 carried the added title "Willi Sänger," in honor of a famed German Communist and resistance fighter against the Nazis.

As a result of the Monday demonstrations in Leipzig in November 1989, the Luftsturmregiment 40 and other selected units in the 1st Motorized Rifle Division were mobilized for possible deployment into the city.

In keeping with the airborne and air assault capabilities of the unit, LStR 40 utilized only light weapons, usually standard gear from the main Land Forces of the NVA.

These included the RPG-7D rocket launcher, which was designed to be separated into two pieces for easier transportation, and the MPi-KMS-72 and MPi-AK-74NK, folding-stock models of the AKM and AK-74 assault rifles respectively.

To be deployed into combat in the event of war, Luftsturmregiment 40 depended upon the Luftstreitkraefte der NVA to provide it with helicopters for air assault insertions and fixed-wing aircraft for parachute jumps.

The Luftstreitkraefte der NVA did not, however, actually possess enough aircraft or helicopters to move the regiment into combat all at once, meaning that the Soviet Air Force might have had to step in and make up for the shortage in the event of a war with NATO.