Chernyakhovsk (air base)

{{Short description|Air base of the Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet}}

{{Infobox military installation

| name = Chernyakhovsk

| ensign = Naval ensign of Russia.svg

| ensign_size = 90px

| native_name = Черняхо́вск

| partof =

| location = Chernyakhovsk, Kaliningrad Oblast

| country = Russia

| image = NASA FIRMS 2024-11-24 Chernyakhovsk.png

| alt =

| caption = Satellite imagery of Chernyakhovsk air base

| image2 =

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| type = Air Base

| coordinates = {{Coord|54|36|6|N|21|46|54|E|type:airport|display=inline,title}}

| pushpin_map = Russia Kaliningrad Oblast#Russia

| pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Kaliningrad Oblast

| pushpin_label = Chernyakhovsk

| pushpin_label_position =

| ownership = Ministry of Defence

| operator = Russian Navy

| controlledby = Baltic Fleet

| open_to_public =

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| built = {{Start date|1945}}

| used = 1945 - present

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| elevation = {{Convert|40|m|0}}

| r1-number = 06/24

| r1-length = {{Convert|2500|m|0}}

| r1-surface = Concrete

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Chernyakhovsk Air Base ({{langx|ru|Черняхо́вск}}) is a military air base of the Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet, located 4 km south-west of the city of Chernyakhovsk in Kaliningrad Oblast,

Russia. It is a medium-sized interceptor airfield, listed as a nuclear bomber base by a Natural Resources Defense Council study.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

The base is home to the 4th Guards Naval Attack Aviation Regiment which uses the Sukhoi Su-30SM (ASCC: Flanker-H), and Sukhoi Su-24M (ASCC: Fencer-D) under the 34th Composite Aviation Division.{{cite web|url=http://www.easternorbat.com/html/russian_air_force_eng.html|title=6th Air and Air Defence Army - Russian Naval Aviation - Baltic Sea Fleet|publisher=Eastern Orbat|access-date=1 January 2023}}

One of the main regiments at the base was the 4th Guards Maritime Assault Aviation Regiment, known up until 1989 as the 4th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment. The 4th Guards was formed from 31st Bomber Aviation Regiment on 6 December 1941. The regiment moved into the base from nearby Kaliningrad Chkalovsk, also in the Kaliningrad Oblast, on 18 October 1952. In August 1987 it absorbed the 63rd Bomber Aviation Regiment. On 10.12.89 the regiment was renamed 4th Guards Maritime Assault Aviation Regiment.Michael Holm, [http://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/bap/4gvbap.htm 4th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment], accessed August 2011 The regiment was equipped with the Il-28 from August 1951 – 1964, the Yak-28, 1964–1974, the Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer,' 1974-1987 (up to 29 examples flown),{{cite web| title = Aviatsiya VMF | publisher = Aviabaza KPOI | url = http://airbase.ru/squad/russia/sea/ }} and the Su-24M, 1987–2004. The regiment was assigned to the 30th Air Army, from July 1964 - July 1968, the 132nd Bomber Aviation Division from July 1968 - 12.89, the 132nd Maritime Assault Aviation Division, 12.89 - 1994, and the Baltic Fleet from 1994 - 2004.

The airfield was also home to 15 ODRAP (15th Independent Long-Range Reconnaissance Regiment). A few sources cite the airfield as being a Tupolev Tu-16 base during the 1960s or 1970s.

Sukhoi Su-27 fighters were spotted during 2015 at the base.{{Cite web|url=https://theaviationist.com/2015/04/20/su-27-ops-kaliningrad/|title=Video provides behind the scenes look at the Russian Su-27 Flanker operations in the Baltic area|date=20 April 2015}}