Rzhev (air base)

Rzhev (Russian: Ржев) (also given as Ryev, Rzev, Rjzev) is an air base of the Russian Air Force in Tver Oblast, Russia located 5 km east of Rzhev. It was a Tupolev Tu-128 (ASCC: Fiddler) depot airfield during the Cold War, operated by BKhAT (Aviation Equipment Storage Base).[1]

Rzhev Rzhev-3
Ржев-3
Rzhev, Tver Oblast in Russia
Rzhev Shown within Tver Oblast Show map of Tver Oblast Rzhev Rzhev (Russia) Show map of Russia
Coordinates	56°15′36″N 034°24′30″E
Type	Air Base
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	Russian Air Force
Site history
Built	1950 (1950)
In use	1950 - present
Airfield information
Elevation	194 metres (636 ft) AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 2,500 metres (8,202 ft) Concrete

The airfield also had an interceptor role with the 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment (23 IAP PVO) between 1950 and 1980.[2] The 23 IAP initially operated the Sukhoi Su-9 (ASCC: Fishpot) in the 1960s.[3] It was named for "Fifty Years of the Soviet Union" in 1972. The regiment ceased using the Su-9 in 1979 or 1980[3] and was then disbanded in 1980. (It should not be confused with a 23rd IAP that was formed in 2000 by the merging of 60 and 404 IAPs later at Dzyomgi Airport in the Russian Far East.) The base was also used by the 445th Fighter Aviation Regiment between 1951 and 1961 with the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (ASCC: Fresco).[4]

In 1966 the 1082nd Aviation Repair Base became the 514th Aviation Repair Plant.[5]

When the airfield was imaged in 1981, US analysts observed 102 Su-9 aircraft in storage and noted the south dispersal area had become a regional storage facility for the type.[3] The storage base, seemingly V/Ch 03532, was reportedly disbanded in 1980[6] Other similar designations included the 4044 Aviation Base and the 4884 BRS (Base for Reserve Aircraft).[7]

The base is still home to the 514th Aviation Repair Plant.[8]