Khabarovsk Tsentralny Air Base (Bolshoy)

Khabarovsk Tsentralny, also known as Khabarovsk Bolshoi, is the primary Russian military airfield in Khabarovsk, Russia. It is located on the east side of the city, approximately 8 km southwest of Khabarovsk Novy Airport. The aerodrome is operated by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, along with the 573rd Aviation Base of Army Aviation and the 12th Aircraft Repair Factory. It is controlled by the 11th Air and Air Defence Forces Army. The air base is home to the 35th Independent Transport Composite Aviation Regiment, the 18th Army Aviation Brigade, the 1st Independent Composite Aviation Squadron, and the Far East Aviation Service Center (JSC DASC).

The air base's history dates back to 1926 when the 26th Separate Fighter Squadron was formed in Khabarovsk as part of a separate Far Eastern Army. In 1928, the 68th Separate River Hydropower Unit, equipped with 14 MR-1 aircraft, was formed and participated in the conflict on the Chinese Eastern Railway. The Krasnaya Rechka hydroairdrome was subsequently equipped. In the summer of 1932, the 105th, 106th, and 107th Heavy Bomber Squadrons of the 19th Aviation Brigade, operating Tupolev TB-3 aircraft, flew to Khabarovsk from the Moscow region. In 1934, the 60th aviation workshops of the Military Air Fleet were established in Khabarovsk for aircraft and engine repair. A concrete runway was constructed at the airfield in 1938 to accommodate all types of aircraft.

On March 3, 1979, the 1st Separate Air Squadron (Mixed) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) was formed at Khabarovsk Tsentralny, comprising Mi-8 helicopters and Antonov An-26 transport aircraft. This was the first aviation unit within the MVD structure. In 1980, the 2nd UAE was also formed, based in Khabarovsk, to support the activities of the 103rd and 104th Railway Divisions of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs. While the 2nd UAE was later relocated, the 1st UAE continues to be stationed at Khabarovsk Tsentralny airfield.