Luostari/Pechenga (air base)

(Redirected from Luostari/Pechenga)

Luostari Pechenga is a tactical airstrip and a former military air base near the town of Zapolyarny in Murmansk Oblast, northwestern Russia.

Luostari/Pechenga
Луостари/Печенга
Luostari, Murmansk Oblast in Russia
Luostari/Pechenga is located in Murmansk Oblast
Luostari/Pechenga
Luostari/Pechenga
Shown within Murmansk Oblast
Luostari/Pechenga is located in Russia
Luostari/Pechenga
Luostari/Pechenga
Luostari/Pechenga (Russia)
Coordinates69°24′0″N 030°59′18″E / 69.40000°N 30.98833°E / 69.40000; 30.98833
TypeAir Base
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRussian Ground Forces
Site history
Built1967 (1967)
In use1967 - 1994 (1994)
Airfield information
IdentifiersICAO: XLML
Elevation76 metres (249 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
02/20 1,750 metres (5,741 ft) Concrete

It is located just two kilometres from the former village of Ylä-Luostari, adjacent to the village developed around Petsamo (Petshenga) Monastery (the Finnish word luostari means 'monastery').

Yuri Gagarin served here after having graduated from the 1st Chkalov Military Aviation School for Pilots in Orenburg (1957–1960). He was assigned to the 769th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 122nd Fighter Aviation Division of the Air Forces of the Northern Fleet flying Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15bis aircraft.[1]

The base was used by the 258th Independent Helicopter Squadron (258 OVE) of the 26th Army Corps of the Soviet Army flying Mil Mi-24 (ASCC: Hind), Mil Mi-35 (ASCC: Monsoon), and Mil Mi-8 (ASCC: Hip) helicopters between 1967 and 1994.[2]

As of August 2019, it is reported as closed.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ Olga Vorobyova (2011-04-12). "North in the fate of a pioneer". Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star).
  2. ^ "258th Independent Helicopter Squadron". Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Карта аэродромов России".