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] The airfield also had an interceptor role with the 23rd Interceptor Aviation Regiment (23 IAP) between 1950 and 1980.[2] This regiment was disbanded in the early 1980s but was resurrected a decade later at Dzyomgi Airport in the Russian Far East.

Rzhev
Rzhev-3
Ржев-3
Rzhev, Tver Oblast in Russia
Rzhev is located in Tver Oblast
Rzhev
Rzhev
Shown within Tver Oblast
Rzhev is located in Russia
Rzhev
Rzhev
Rzhev (Russia)
Coordinates56°15′36″N 034°24′30″E
TypeAir Base
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRussian Air Force
Site history
Built1950 (1950)
In use1950 - present
Airfield information
Elevation194 metres (636 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
2,500 metres (8,202 ft) Concrete

The base is currently home to the 514th Aviation Repair Plant.[3]

The 23 IAP initially operated the Sukhoi Su-9 (ASCC: Fishpot) in the 1960s.[4] The regiment ceased using the Su-9 in 1979 or 1980 and did not upgrade to the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (ASCC: Flogger) as many other Su-9 regiments did at the time.[4] 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.[4]

The base was also used by the 445th Fighter Aviation Regiment between 1951 and 1961 with the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (ASCC: Fresco).[5]

References
  1. "Aviatsiya PVO". Aviabaza KPOI.
  2. "23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment PVO imeni 50th Anniversary SSSR". Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  3. "Russian Aircraft Repair Plants - Rzhev-3 (UUER)". Scramble.nl. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  4. PHASEOUT OF FISHPOT IN APVO STRANYY AIRFIELDS USSR, February 1981, CREST: CIA-RDP81T00380R000100980001-5, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.
  5. "445th Fighter Aviation Regiment PVO imeni Leninskiy Komsomol". Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
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