Chernyakhovsk (air base)

Chernyakhovsk
IATA: none – ICAO: none
Summary
Airport type		Military
Operator		Russian Navy Baltic Fleet
Location		Chernyakhovsk
Elevation AMSL		131 ft / 40 m
Coordinates		54°36′6″N 021°46′54″E / 54.60167°N 21.78167°E / 54.60167; 21.78167Coordinates: 54°36′6″N 021°46′54″E / 54.60167°N 21.78167°E / 54.60167; 21.78167
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	ft	m
06/24	8,202	2,500	Concrete

Chernyakhovsk (also Chernyahovsk) – Russian: Черняхо́вск – is a naval air base located 4 km southwest of the city of Chernyakhovsk (formerly Insterburg) in the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia. It is a medium sized interceptor airfield, listed as a nuclear bomber base by a Natural Resources Defense Council study.

One of the main regiments at the base was the 4th Guards Maritime Assault Aviation Regiment, known up until 1989 as the 4th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment. 4th Guards was formed from 31st Bomber Aviation Regiment on 6.12.41. The regiment moved into the base from nearby Kaliningrad Chkalovsk, also in the Kaliningrad Oblast, on 18 October 1952. In August 1987 it absorbed the 63rd Bomber Aviation Regiment. On 10.12.89 the regiment was renamed 4th Guards Maritime Assault Aviation Regiment.^[1] The regiment was equipped with the Il-28 from August 1951-1964, the Yak-28, 1964-1974, the Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer,' 1974-1987 (up to 29 examples flown),^[2] and the Su-24M, 1987-2004. The regiment was assigned to the 30th Air Army, from July 1964 - July 1968, the 132nd Bomber Aviation Division from July 1968 - 12.89, the 132nd Maritime Assault Aviation Division, 12.89 - 1994, and the Baltic Fleet from 1994 - 2004.

The airfield was also home to 15 ODRAP (15th Independent Long-Range Reconnaissance Regiment). A few sources cite the airfield as being a Tupolev Tu-16 base during the 1960s or 1970s.

References

1. ^ Michael Holm, 4th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment, accessed August 2011
2. ^ "Aviatsiya VMF". Aviabaza KPOI. http://airbase.ru/squad/russia/sea/. 

• Mason, R. A. (1986). Aircraft, Strategy and Operations of the Soviet Air Force. Jane's Publishing Company Limited. ISBN 0710603738. </ref>