Leonidovo (air base)


Leonidovo was a Soviet Naval Aviation reserve airfield[1] in the remote central area of Sakhalin, Russia located 5 km (3 mi) east of Leonidovo. Declassified KH-7 imagery obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that it existed in June 1966 without much difference compared to today. In recent times (probably 1990s) it was shortened to 2000 m. High-resolution Google Earth imagery shows that the airfield has been decommissioned, with the 2 km (1 mi) runway being used as a storage pad for petroleum industry supplies.

Leonidovo
Summary
Airport typeProb. abandoned
OperatorSoviet Naval Aviation
LocationLeonidovo
Elevation AMSL59 ft / 18 m
Coordinates49°16′24″N 142°55′42″E
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
01/19 8,481 2,585 Concrete

Satellite observation of Leonidovo in October 1964 indicated construction at the north and south ends of the runway.[2] In 1967 there was an "unusual deployment" of 37 medium-range Tupolev Tu-16 Badgers at the airfield.[3]

Also see Matrosovo air base.

References
  1. 197803_VOL. 3 OF 4 VOLUMES ANNUAL INDEX TO PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPLOITATION PRODUCTS JANUARY-DECEMBER 1978, CREST: CIA-RDP79T01184A000100030001-6, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.
  2. 196412_MISSION COVERAGE INDEX MISSION 1012 17-22 OCTOBER 1964, CREST: CIA-RDP78B04560A004300010001-0, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.
  3. 196710_CABLE TO DIRNSA FROM NPIC, 25 October 1967, CREST: CIA-RDP78B03817A000900020029-3, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.
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