For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
| Coordinates | N562421 E0215310 (WGS84) Google Maps |
The history of the Cold War airfields: Vaiņode
General
Vaiņode is located in the southwest of Latvia. The former airfield is southeast of the city. During the Cold War, Vaiņode was an air base of the Soviet Air Force. Today, the airfield is closed.
During the Cold War
Use
Soviet Air Force base.
Situation
Vaiņode Airfield on a map of the US Department of Defense from 1973
Source: ONC D-2 (1973), Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas at Austin /PCL MC/
Overview
US satellite image from July 1975 - The approach sectors of the two parallel runways extend several kilometres to the east and west.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Enlargement - In the northeast there is an anti-aircraft missile site (circular structure)
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Runways
The airfield had two parallel hard-surfaced runways:
- 08R/26L: 2600 m
- 08L/26R: 2400 m
Units
Occupation by Soviet units (courtesy of "Unter dem Radar"):
- Mai 1945 - 1946: HQ of a Fighter Division with three Fighter Regiments
- September 1953 - August 1959: one Guards Fighter Regiment (MiG-15, MiG-17)
- 1954 - March 1960: 54th Guards Fighter Regiment (MiG-15, MiG-17, Yak-25M)
- March 1960 - 1978: 54th Guards Fighter Regiment (Air Defense) (Su-15)
- 1978 - April 1986: 54th Guards Fighter Regiment (Su-15)
- April 1986 -1990: 54th Guards Fighter Regiment (Air Defense) (Su-27)
Railway siding
Railway siding from the north.
History
- October 1957
US organizations count at the airfield 2 Il-28 BEAGLE and 30 to 55 MiG-type fighter aircraft. (Source: CIA) - March 1966
The CIA counts approx. 40 small swept-wing aircraft at the airfield. (Source: CIA)
Today
Use
Closed.
Airfields in the vicinity
- 272°/29km Paplaka: Heliport (Паплака)
- 306°/40km Durbe: Seaplane Station
- 285°/50km Liepāja: Airfield (Liepaja East, Лиепая, Lidosta Liepāja, Grobinja)
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