Rogachevo (air base)

Rogachevo
Amderma-2
Rogachevo, Novaya Zemlya, Arkhangelsk Oblast in Russia
Rogachevo is located in Novaya Zemlya
Rogachevo
Rogachevo
Shown within Novaya Zemlya
Rogachevo is located in Russia
Rogachevo
Rogachevo
Rogachevo (Russia)
Coordinates71°37′0″N 052°28′42″E / 71.61667°N 52.47833°E / 71.61667; 52.47833
TypeAir Base
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRussian Air Force
Site history
Built1972 (1972)
In use1972 - present
Airfield information
IdentifiersICAO: ULDR
Elevation83 metres (272 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
16/34 2,500 metres (8,202 ft) Concrete

Rogachevo (recorded in various sources as Belushya, Rogachvo, or Rogatschovo) is a military air base on Novaya Zemlya, Russia located near the settlement of Rogachevo, 9 km northeast of Belushya Guba. It was originally used as a staging base for intercontinental Long Range Aviation bomber flights (as a so-called 'bounce' airdrome). The base developed an interceptor role during the 1960s, partly to deter Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird operations in the Arctic region.

Rogachevo's primary operating unit is the 641 Gv IAP (641st Guards Interceptor Aviation Regiment). It used Yakovlev Yak-28P (NATO: Firebar) aircraft, then received the Sukhoi Su-27 (NATO: Flanker) in 1985. It is possible that in 1993 the unit may have dispersed to Afrikanda. During the 1970s Tupolev Tu-28 (NATO: Fiddler) aircraft deployed frequently to Rogachevo from southern locales. Around 1990 Mikoyan MiG-31 (NATO: Foxhound) aircraft were deployed on occasion. Rogachevo was largely tied to its rear air station, Naryan-Mar Airport. In 2017, Russia finished new construction on the air base focused on updating technology and adding more social infrastructure.