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Luostari Pechenga is a tactical airstrip and a former military air base near the town of Zapolyarny in Murmansk Oblast, northwestern Russia.
Luostari/Pechenga | |||||||
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Луостари/Печенга | |||||||
Luostari, Murmansk Oblast in Russia | |||||||
Coordinates | 69°24′0″N 030°59′18″E / 69.40000°N 30.98833°E | ||||||
Type | Air Base | ||||||
Site information | |||||||
Owner | Ministry of Defence | ||||||
Operator | Russian Ground Forces | ||||||
Site history | |||||||
Built | 1967 | ||||||
In use | 1967 - 1994 | ||||||
Airfield information | |||||||
Identifiers | ICAO: XLML | ||||||
Elevation | 76 metres (249 ft) AMSL | ||||||
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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- ^ Olga Vorobyova (2011-04-12). "North in the fate of a pioneer". Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star).
- ^ "258th Independent Helicopter Squadron". Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ "Карта аэродромов России".