History

Welzow has a long history as a air port and a military air base starting well before the second world war. After the second world war in 1950 the Volkscommando of the Soviet Fliegerkrafte started with repairs at. The airfield became bigger by extending down in to the forest. Building union Dresden received the order to establish 2,500 meters long and a 80 meters broad runway. At the same time a ring roller way and dispersals where constructed. In May 1951 the construction was completed and the air base was operational . 

The 11 RAP was formed at Goroshino near Torzhok, Kalinin, on 19 July 1942. It gained the 
"Vitebskii" honorary title on 11 June 1944, and the Order of the Red Banner on 10 August of that year. The unit moved to Neu-Welzow in 1951, after operating at Jekabpils and Krustpils in Latvia. At the time, Neu-Welzow was a newly renovated base, vastly expanded from its wartime use as a grass airstrip by the Luftwaffe. The 11th RAP operated various aircraft, including the Il-28, Mi-1, Il-14, Yak-12, Yak-27, and finally the Yak-28 until two escadrillyas of Fencer-Es arrived in 1986. They replaced the Yak-28I Brewer-C and Yak-28R Brewer-D in the reconnaissance role. The first escadrillya started Fencer operations in February, followed by the second escadrillya in July. At that time, a single escadrillya of Su-24MP Fencer-Fs also arrived, replacing the Yak-28PP Brewer-E in the electronic warfare mission.The Fencers were withdrawn from Welzow on 15 June 1993, and were moved to Marinovka

the withdrawal

The withdrawal from Welzow would be a day later than the one at Falkenberg. Sadly on the last moment it was decided that booth would be on the same day. On 14 June 1993 we visited Falkenberg where the Mig-29 of 31 Gw.IAP prepared to leave to Sernograd. 

The day started with a line of rental cars at the gate of Welzow, with entered the base after paying the know usual amount. On the base we where just in time to see the farewell ceremony at the flight line. All the Fencers where on the flight line and being refuelled and checked for the flight to Russia. After the flight line pictures it was possible to go and stand along the runway for the departure. It was a strange thing being there, and having a nice day and at the same moment knowing that the future of these people was going the be very different.

Some people left early to do some of the migs at Falkenberg. During the day it had become known that the 368 OShAP would be landing at Templin in the afternoon, for a refuel before the would withdraw to Russia. Therefore as soon as the last plane left we made a dash to Templin to see te SU-25 of the 368 OShAP. It was again a typical day at that moment in the former East German Republic, seeing a lot of planes and crossing the country over and over.