Klyuchi (air base)

Klyuchi Air Base is in Kamchatka Krai, Russia located 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) southwest of the settlement of Klyuchi. Aircraft and helicopters based here supported nearby missile testing operations at Kura Missile Test Range 130 km to the northeast. Klyuchi contains about twelve fighter revetments and some narrow tarmac space.

Klyuchi
Klyuchi-20
Kura
Ключи-20 - Кура
Klyuchi, Kamchatka Krai in Russia
Klyuchi is located in Kamchatka Krai
Klyuchi
Klyuchi
Shown within Kamchatka Krai
Klyuchi is located in Russia
Klyuchi
Klyuchi
Klyuchi (Russia)
Coordinates56°18′36″N 160°48′18″E
TypeAir Base
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRussian Aerospace Forces
Controlled by11th Air and Air Defence Forces Army
Site history
Built1963 (1963)
In use1963 - present
Airfield information
IdentifiersICAO: XHPL
Elevation152 metres (499 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
13/31 2,000 metres (6,562 ft) Concrete

The 28th Independent Mixed Aviation Squadron attached to the 43rd independent Scientific-Experimental Station of the Strategic Rocket Forces was activated in October 1955.[1]

Early US satellite imagery showed the airfield was constructed in 1963,[2] replacing an old airfield about 10 miles (16 km) to the east-southeast. In another satellite pass in 1966, analysts saw mostly transports such as the Lisunov Li-2, an Antonov An-2 (ASCC: Colt), and a helicopter.[3]

In 1969 the 28th Independent Mixed Aviation Squadron was upgraded into the 84th Independent Mixed Aviation Regiment.

In 2005 the missile experimental station was transferred to the Russian Space Forces.

The base is home to a Composite Aviation Squadron of the 35th Independent Transport Composite Aviation Regiment.[4]

References
  1. http://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/tap/84osap.htm
  2. DETAILED REPORT OF KLYUCHI COMPLEX, USSR (inadvertently paired with SEARCH FOR SURFACE-SEARCH RADAR AT VARIOUS AREAS IN CUBA), CIA-RDP78T04743A000400020001-8, September 26, 1963, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.
  3. ORDER OF BATTLE MISSION 4025 16-20 FEBRUARY 1966, published April 1, 1966, CIA-RDP03-00140R000100010031-7, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington DC, p. 3.
  4. "Russian Air Force - Klyuchi-20 (Kura) (UHPW)". Scramble.nl. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
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