16th Group Army
The 16th Group Army, headquartered at Changchun, Jilin, is comprised of a motorized infantry division, an armored division, an artillery division, a motorized infantry brigade, an anti-aircraft artillery brigade, and an anti-tank missile brigade.
Sometime between late 2000 and late 2001 the unit identification number was changed from 81021 to 65301.
The 16th Group Army traces its origins to the formation of the 343rd Brigade in the lat 1930s. By 1939 the unit had been reorganized and redesignated as the 2nd Column 8th Route Army. By 1945 the unit had again been redesignated, this time as the 7th Column. In 1946 the 7th Column had been reorganized and consolidated into two units, the 1st Column and the 12th Column. By early 1949 the 1st Column was reorganized and redesignated as the 16th Corps, comprised of the 46th, 47th, and 48th Divisions. The 16th Corps was subordinate to the 5th Army, Second Field Army. (Whitson)
The 16th Corps was sent to Korea and was part of the second wave of forces available by 1953. The 48th Division did not accompany the 16th to Korea. (Whitson)
Armored forces of the Shenyang MR stationed in Changchun (and thus part of the 16th Group Army) were involved in major exercises at the beginning of 2003 that emphasized joint operations. The exercises took place between the Changbai Mountains and Heilongjiang River, and included aircraft, tanks, 2nd Artillery units. These units also reportedly took part in a major regional exercise in 2002 that also focused on joint operations. [Liberation Army Daily 14 Feb 2003 (PLA Activities Report Feb 2003)]
