Korsakov (air base) explained

Korsakov
Type:Abandoned
Operator:Soviet Naval Aviation
Location:Korsakov
Elevation-F:367
Elevation-M:112
R1-Number:03/21
R1-Length-F:9842
R1-Length-M:3000
R1-Surface:Concrete

Korsakov (also Novaya (US)) was a Soviet Naval Aviation reserve airfield[1] on Sakhalin, Russia located northeast of Korsakov. It was first listed by US intelligence in 1964, when significant construction of the runway was underway.[2] Due to the long runway length it was likely intended for dispersal of Tupolev Tu-16R medium reconnaissance jets, and may have been built to meet Defense Minister Rodion Malinovsky's directive that every American aircraft carrier between Midway Island and the Kuril Ridge be photographed by Soviet Tupolev Tu-16R reconnaissance aircraft.[3]

The airfield appears to have been abandoned after the Cold War, and satellite imagery shows much of the concrete has been reclaimed.

Korsakova airfield

A smaller airfield given variously as Korsakovka or Korsakova is located 3 km southeast of the town. As with Korsakov it was also a Soviet Naval Aviation base. It had a much shorter runway, measuring only 1500 m. Up to 12 light helicopters were observed in 1967.[4] Due to the similar name with the larger airfield the two are often confused with one another on historical intelligence documents, requiring careful attention.

Notes and 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. 196409_MISSION COVERAGE INDEX MISSION 1008 11-17 JULY 1964, CREST: CIA-RDP78B04560A002800010030-5, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC, p. 102.
  3. Memoirs of Admiral N. N. Amelko, Chief of Staff of the Pacific Fleet, http://www.38brrzk.ru/public/amelko-vospominaniya/. Retrieved 2014-10-21.
  4. 196703_MISSION 1039 23-FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 1967 PART II, CREST: CIA-RDP99T01396R000100230001-7, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.