Aspidnoye (air base)

Aspidnoye, also referred to as Dresba and Krumaya, is an abandoned Russian military airfield[2] near Ambarchik in Bilibinsky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, on the border with the Sakha Republic, located 41 km north of Petushki and near the now also abandoned settlement of Mikhalkino.[1]

Aspidnoye
дресба
Ambarchik, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug in Russia
Aspidnoye, August 1966, from US KH-7 satellite.
Aspidnoye is located in Sakha Republic
Aspidnoye
Aspidnoye
Shown within the Sakha Republic
Aspidnoye is located in Russia
Aspidnoye
Aspidnoye
Aspidnoye (Russia)
Coordinates69°21′48″N 161°33′42″E
TypeAir Base
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorSoviet Air Forces
Site history
In use1960 - 1973
Airfield information
IdentifiersICAO: ZA2V
Elevation83 metres (272 ft)[1] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
17/35[1] 3,500 metres (11,483 ft)[1] Concrete[1]

History

The airfield was constructed around 1960 and was initially classified by the CIA as a long range bomber base,[3] though it was never completed.[1] US KH-4 reconnaissance satellite passes in 1963 showed no aircraft activity at the base[2] but indicated an exceptionally long 15,000 ft (4600 m) runway. However this runway was made of graded earth and analysts determined the airfield was probably not usable during the summertime due to mud and drainage across the surfaces.[2] The airfield was likely intended as a winter season arctic staging base, as the open tundra and packed snow would allow for large numbers of bomber aircraft to be serviced with minimal infrastructure. The base would then be abandoned each spring.

The airfield was intended for staging and dispersal for the Soviet Union's Tupolev Tu-95 and Tupolev Tu-22 bomber force. The position of Aspidnoye on the shore of the Arctic Ocean would have given it access to northern resupply ship routes for fuel supplies. A defense radar facility, probably a P-14 Tall King unit, exists on satellite imagery 14 km northwest of the airfield.[1]

The last reference in declassified CIA documents to Aspidnoye was in 1973 when it appeared in a target list.[4] It was listed as non-operational and covered by snow.

See also

Other abandoned arctic staging bases:

References
  1. Vasquez, Tim (2009). "Dresba". weathergraphics.com. Tim Vasquez. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  2. OAK MISSION 8003 31 JULY - 1 AUGUST, Central Intelligence Agency, August 1963.
  3. COMOR TARGETS LOCATED ON KH-4 PHOTOGRAPHY, Central Intelligence Agency, January 5, 1965.
  4. OAK SUPPLEMENT PART 4, KH-9 MISSION 1205, 10 MARCH - 4 APRIL 1973, Central Intelligence Agency, CIA-RDP78T04752A000400010010-2, May 1973.



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