Ämari: Air Base

Amari, Vasalemma, Аэродром Змари

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN591535 E0241218 (WGS84) Google Maps
Location indicatorEEEI
Map with location of Ämari Air Base
The history of the Cold War airfields: Ämari

General

The village Ämari is located in the north of Estonia. During the Cold War, Ämari was large air base of the Soviet Air Force. Characteristical was the remote dispersal area 2 km southwest of the field and the taxiway leading to it, which was built as an auxiliary runway in the northern part. Today, Ämari is still used as a military airfield.

During the Cold War

Use

Soviet air base.

Units

  • 1953: Fighter Regiment of the Baltic Fleet (MiG-15)
  • 1960: Helicopter unit (Mi-4, Ka-15)
  • June 1966: Fighter Regiment (MiG-17)
  • 21 November 1967 - August 1984: Fighter-Bomber Regiment (MiG-17, MiG-21PFM, MiG-27D/K)
  • 1977 - 1983: Fighter-Bomber Regiment (Su-7BKL/BMK/U, MiG-15UTI)
  • 1983 - 1987: Bomber Regiment (Su-24M)
  • 1987 - 10 December 1989: Bomber Regiment (Su-24M)
  • 13 November 1989 - 1993: Navy Ground Attack Regiment (Su-24M), in December 1991 renamed to Guards Navy Ground Attack Regiment (Su-24M)
Source: "Unter dem Radar"

In the 1950s

History

  • October 1957
    US agencies count 3 Il-28 aircraft at the airfield. (Source: CIA)

In the 1960s

Overview

Ämari Air Base on a US satellite picture 1966
Ämari Air Base on a US satellite picture from June 1966 - Characteristical is the remote dispersal area 2 km southwest of the air base. In total, approximately 55 aircraft are visible on this image.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
The western part of the field
The western part of the field - At that time, the taxiway to the remote dispersal area had not yet been extended as an auxiliary runway.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Parking positions
Parking positions
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Soviet fighter aircraft at Ämari air base, Estonia
Aircraft - There are about 20 fighter planes on the individual parking positions and the small parking area. 25 fighter planes are on the main flight line and 9 aircraft on the lawn.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Southeastern end of the movement area
Southeastern end of the movement area
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Object in the northeast of the Ämari airfield
Object in the northeast
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Fuel depot
Fuel depot?
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Remote dispersal area at Ämari air base, Estonia
Taxiway to the remote dispersal
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
The remote decentralisation area does not yet look very developed
Source: U.S. Geological Survey

In the 1970s

Situation

Ämari Air Base on a map of the US Department of Defense from 1973
Source: ONC D-3 (1973), Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas at Austin /PCL MC/

In the 1980s and early 1990s

Runways

  • 18/36: 2000 m
  • 07/25: 2000 m x 45 m Concrete

Units

Soviet naval aviation with Su-24.

Installations

Main runway in direction 07/25. Additional runway in direction north-south in the western part of the field. Originally it crossed the main runway, but this part has been removed in the recent years. Flight line in the southwest. Dispersal area with shelters in the north. A remote shelter area about 2 km south of the runway. In the southeast large parking pads. Obviously, there was no direct railway siding to the airfield; the next train station is Rummu, ca. 2 km to the south.

Today

Use

Military airfield.

Sources

Links

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