Jüterbog Airfield

Coordinates: 51°59′47″N 12°59′04″E / 51.9964807°N 12.9843131°E / 51.9964807; 12.9843131 Jüterbog Airfield (also known as Altes Lager airfield) is an abandoned military air base located west of the town of Jüterbog, in Brandenburg, Germany. Nowadays paragliders and hang gliders start from Altes Lager.[1]

History

Developed as part of the Nazi Germany's programme to develop the German population's flying skills in preparation for war, it was opened as a glider training establishment. Taken over by the Luftwaffe in 1933, it was fully developed as a military airfield.

After being overrun by the Red Army in May 1945, towards the end of World War II, it came under the control of the occupying forces of the Soviet Union. From this point forward, several units of the Soviet Air Force were stationed at the site. After extending the runway to 2,600 metres (8,500 ft), the Soviet military added an anti-aircraft missile site 5.6 kilometres (3.5 mi) west of the near Lindow.[2] The attached air regiment of the 833 IAP were initially equipped with the MiG-9, later replaced by the MiG-29 Fulcrum-A/B fighter and MiG-23UM Flogger-C operational trainer.[3] The regiment was part of the 16th Guards Fighter Aviation Division within the 16th Air Army with headquarters in Damgarten.

With the reunification of Germany from 1989/1990, the Soviet Army agreed to return all bases by the end of 1994. The airfield was handed back to the district authorities in 1992.

Nellis AFR copy

Experts suggest that the airfield has been copied by the United States Air Force, as part of its Tolicha Peak Electronic Combat Range (TPECR), in the western part of the Nevada Test and Training Range.[2]

Located 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) northwest of the TPECR is an airfield target (N3722 W11650), designated "Eastman Airfield Target", "Target 76-14", or the "Korean Airfield". However, it has a northeastern taxiway loop which is characteristical for Jüterbog, and three ramps in front of hangars on the western side of the loop. The other taxiways have a similar layout, although the runway is about 400 metres (1,300 ft) shorter. There are two accompanying SAM sites, one 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) northwest of the airfield, and one 5.6 kilometres (3.5 mi) northwest just like the original.[2]

References

  1. ↑ paragliding in Altes Lager
  2. 1 2 3 http://www.mil-airfields.de/de/altes-lager.htm
  3. ↑ http://wikimapia.org/1805226/Altes-Lager-J%C3%BCterbog-Airfield-Closed

External links


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