Rogachevo (air base)

Rogachevo
IATA: none ICAO: none
Summary
Airport type	Military
Operator	Russian Air Force
Location	Belaya
Elevation AMSL	272 ft / 83 m
Coordinates	71°37′0″N 052°28′42″E
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 16/34 8,202 2,500 Concrete

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

Rogachevo's primary operating unit is the 641 Gv IAP (641st Guards Interceptor Aviation Regiment). It used Yak-28P (Brewer) aircraft, then received the Su-27 (Flanker) in 1985. It is possible that in 1993 the unit may have dispersed to Afrikanda. During the 1970s Tu-128 (Fiddler) aircraft deployed frequently to Rogachevo from southern locales. Around 1990 MiG-31 (Foxhound) aircraft were deployed on occasion. Rogachevo was largely tied to its rear air station, Naryan-Mar Airport.

Google Earth high-resolution imagery shows no aircraft based at Rogachevo, though two An-72 cargo aircraft and four helicopters (possibly Mil Mi-8) are parked on the main tarmac.

External links

• Rogachevo website (Russian)