Vyazma Air Base
Summary
Operating Country | 🇷🇺 Russia |
Location | 🇷🇺 Russia |
Status | ◉ Active |
Usage | Dual |
Operating Organization | Russian Aerospace Forces |
Units |
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Description
Vyazma Airport is a joint-use airport located 9 km southeast of Vyazma, Russia. It is currently active and serves as the home for the 440th Independent Helicopter Regiment (440 OVP), which operates Mil Mi-24 D/V/Ks and Mil Mi-8 TV/MT/MTVs. This regiment was relocated from Stendal, Germany, with its crewmembers and families housed in newly built homes funded by the German government. Historically, in 1960, the air base was a Soviet Air Defence Forces installation, hosting the 304th Fighter Aviation Regiment PVO flying Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17s. Later, until approximately 1980, it housed a DOSAAF training regiment that operated around 80 MiG-17s and two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 UTIs. From 1980, this training unit converted to the Aero L-29 Delfín and subsequently the L-39C Albatros, maintaining approximately 70 aircraft. During a visit in January 1997, roughly 40 L-29s and 30 L-39Cs of the ROSTO organization were observed parked without hangars. Additionally, a small group of Mi-8PPAs and Mi-8SMVs, likely from the former 292 OVP at Cochstedt, Germany, were present.