Zimnyanskiy Aerodrome Explained

Zimnyanskiy Aerodrome
Beketovsk
Location:Volgograd, Volgograd Oblast
Country:Russia
Type:Air Base
Pushpin Map:Russia Volgograd Oblast#Russia
Pushpin Map Caption:Shown within Volgograd Oblast
Pushpin Label:Beketovsk
Used:-present
Icao:URWA
R1-Length:2720m (8,920feet)
R1-Surface:Natural

Zimyanskiy Aerodrome (formerly Beketovsk, Beketowskaja, Deketovskaya, or Beketovka) is a small aerodrome located approximately 20km (10miles) southwest Volgograd, Volgograd Oblast, Russia.

History

From 1951 through 1997, the aerodrome was used by the Russian Air Force (and predecessor Soviet Air Forces) as a training base and was home to the 706th Training Aviation Regiment. This unit was stood up on with MiG-15 aircraft during the 1950s before converting to the Czechoslovakian-built L-29 Delfin dedicated trainers in 1963. More advanced L-39 Albatros aircraft were acquired in the 1980s and the unit was reported as operating 89 of them in 1990 along with 84 of the original L-29 fleet. The L-29s were withdrawn in 1992, but the L-39s continued in service until the regiment was disbanded in 1997.[1]

The airfield's existence pre-dated World War II, and while German forces briefly occupied the airfield during the German Case Blue offensive, there is no record of it being used by the Luftwaffe.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 706th Training Aviation Regiment . German Air Force, 1939–45 . 30 January 2023.
  2. Web site: Luftwaffe Airfields 1935-45: Russia . The Luftwaffe, 1933–45 . 30 January 2023 . PDF.