KOETHEN AIRFIELD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A007000660007-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 22, 2008
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: May 13, 1955
• Content Type: CABLE

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CLASSIFICATION $EGRET - U S ?
- E-T
aoimi v East Germany
? K th Airfield
REPORT
TOPIC VW en 25X1
EVALUATION
DATE OF CONTEN
DATE OBTAINED_
REFERENCES
6
ENCLOSURES (NO. & TYPE)
PAGES
REMARKS
1. The following air activity and aircraft were observed at Koethen airfield
between 25 February and 1 April 1955:
On 25 February, 2 elements of two Il-28s crossed over Koethen. The 2 formations
approached from the north at an altitude of about 5,000 meters at an interval
of about 3 minutes. A distance of about one wing span was maintained '0gtW**n
between the aircraft of a formation. Two individual MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s
flew banks between the two elements and approached the first aircraft of
the first element and subsequently turned to the left or right. An air
combat practice was presumably held. Between 2130 and about midnight, there
was night flying. Only one MiG-15 or U-MiG-15 was seen aloft at a time.
The aircraft had set position lights. The directional searchlight alternately
operated from 1.5 minutes during which it made 10 to 12 rotations and then
was switched off for 3.5 minutes.
25 and 26 February. High-altitude flights were made by MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s.
The aircraft flew individually and in elements of two the latter with an
interval and distance of about one wing span.
1 March. There were air-to-air firing practices by MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s.
All aircraft were fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks. The MiG towing the
air slesve flew for about 1 hour in the area between Duebener Heide and
Koethen at an altitude of about 2,000 meters. Firing practices by the
individual aircraft lasted about 15 minutes. The MiGs flew a banked in
front of the target-towing aircraft and subsequently attacked the air
sleeve from the side. During each attack, 2 to 3 bursts of fire were given
apparently from the aircraft cannons. These practices continued until
1600.
10 March. Twenty MiG-15s or U-MiG-ljis from the eastern hangars were
counted at the eastern end of the runway. At about 1230, about 25 flying
personnel had fallen in presumably for a short briefing. Shortly afterwards,
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the red approach lights from the main marker to the end of the runway
were switched on. An approach practice was apparently held. At about 1300,
6 MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s, including single and two-seater aircraft made
individual fli;hts of about 8 minutes duration.
11 March. At 0900, 17 MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s were parked. at the eastern
end of the runway. At 0915, an element of two MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s taxied
from the western hangar to the take-off point and immediately took off in
close order. After a flight of about 45 minutes duration, the two aircraft
landed again at an interval of about 10 seconds. There was no air activity
by the 17 aircraft parked at the take-off point. Visibility was limited to
about 2 km.
12 March. Twenty MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s were parked at the take-off point
at the western end of the runway. At about 0900, 8 aircraft were pushed
out of the western hangar and parked in front of it. Tan aircraft,
including about 4 two-seaters, made gliding flights. The aircraft
approached the field at an altitude of about 2,500 meters and started
gliding over the field. The aircraft flattened out of their glide at an
altitude of about 500 meters. The single-seater aircraft were apparently
flown by beginners. Three aircraft were aloft at the same time. Each
aircraft made 5 to 6 glides during about 20 minutes. Take-offs and landings
were made individually. Air-to-air firing was also practiced. A MiG-15 or
U-MiG-15 towing an air sleeve and subsequently another MiG-15 or U-MiG-15
took off heading toward the east. After about 30 minutes, the MiG-15 without
air sleeve landed while the target-towing aircraft remained aloft and waited
for another MiG-15 to take off for firing practices. The MiG-15 with the
air sleeve landed again after about 90 minutes. Formation flying and
aerobatics were also seen. Several elements of two aircraft took off at
irregular intervals in close order. They subsequently made flights at very
high altitudes. One element practiced air combat at an altitude of 3,000
to 4,000 meters. These aircraft landed after about one hour. A total of 5
take-offs in elements to two were counted. One element of two Yak-lls took
off three times for local flights. Air activity lasted until about 1630.
18 March. At about 0930, 17 Li'-15s or U-Ali'-15s were pushed in front
of the hangars. The take-off point was established at the eastern end of the
runway. A radio truck with glass cupola and a rod antenna about 3 meters
'sigh was seen there. Two radio installations of one mast each were seen
about 50 meters east of the radio truck about 50 meters apart. Both masts
were not extended. One Kniferest and one Fishnet type radar were again
seen in the northwestern corner of the field. The AA 4 bg, 3-type radar set
was seen at its previous location at the southern edge of the field. Two
I-IiG-15s or U-MiG-15s were parked in front of the western hangar. Several
test runs were made in front of the eastern hangars. At about 1130, the
take-off point was removed because the weather deteriorated. At about 1530,
all aircraft were ;gain pushed into the hangars. There was no air activity.
21 March. The take-off point was established at the western end of the
runway. Eighty percent of the aircraft revetments were occupied by MiG-ljs
or U-MiG-15s which were covered b camouflage nets. Several tank trucks,
and trucks, all of which
were camouflaged by branches were seen near the aircraft revetments. A
radio installation of one mast, about 12 meters high, was seen at the
southern edge of the field at the place where a Kniferest-type and a
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fishnet-type radar set had previously been located. Individual TiiG-15s
or J-MiG-15s made local flights. At about 1130, an element of two
..iG=15s or U-MiG-15s which were fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks landed.
The aircraft had previously been parked in aircraft revetments. At about
noon, air activity was discontinued because heavy snowfall set in.
22 March. n total of 10 .~liC-15s or U-MiG-15s were counted. Part of
the aircraft revetments. had again been vacated. A radio truck with glass
cupola was seen at the eastern end of the runway. At about 0900, 2
U-MiG-15s took off for individual local flights.
25 March. A total of 34 MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s, including 5 in front of
the western hangar, were counted. The southeastern hangar was apparently
ec,pty. Five aircraft were parked in front of the northeastern hangar.
Twenty-four MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s were involved in air activity. During
the morning, 3 formations of four aircraft, all of which were fitted
with auxiliary fuel tanks, took off in close order, at intervals of about
30 minutes. The formations disappeared toward the east and returned after
about one hour. During the afternoon, air activity included local flights
in close-order of one formation of four aircraft and 3 elements of two
aircraft. The flight of the formation of four aircraft lasted 7 minutes.
All the L_t.ndings made showed skill. Throughout the day, 4 M-MiG-15s
and 2 to 3 MiG-15s made the following practices: An element of two
MiG-15.s or U-MiG-15s took off and made a 20-minute flight in close order
in the vicinity of the field. Several MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s took off
individually for local flights of about 6 minutes duration. About 12
take-offs were made within an hour. A few aircraft made gliding flights
near the field. Air activity was discontinued at about 1715.
1 April. Thirty-four MiG-15s or U-MMIiG-15s and 1 biplane were counted.
?here was no air activity except for the take-off by a biplane at 1345.
At 1700, a siren sounded and 3 trucks mounting searchlights appeared.
Two of the trucks were parked at the eastern end of the runway to the
left and right of the runway and 1 truck was parked about 150 meters east
of the road to Baasdorf in the extension of the runway. At about 1915,
the runway lights. were switched on and 5 MiG-15s or U-MG-15s fitted with
auxiliary fuel tanks individually took off from the east at intervals
of 5 minutes. The aircraft immediately climbed steeply and disappeared
toward the west. The landing flood lights were not in operation during
the take-off. After about 5 minutes, 5 individual MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s
crossed over the field at intervals of 5 minutes flying at very high
altitudes. After about 25 minutes, the 5 aircraft approached individually
from the east and landed at intervals of about-5 minutes. While flying
still far beyond the outer marker beacon, the aircraft were apparently
on the principal course of approach and, with considerably reduced speed,
skillfully approached for landing without opening the throttle again.
The landing floodlights were switched on for 2 to 3 minutes during each
landing. The aircraft crossed over the landing floodlights at an altitude
of about 10 meters. The lights were switched off when the aircraft
touched ground. The landing lights were not in operation, and it could
not be seen where they were fitted on the aircraft. The aircraft taxied
as far as the center of th runway to the point where the taxiway branches
off to the north. There they turned to the north. Subsequently individual
local flights of 5 to 6 minutes duration were made by about 10 MiG-15s
or U-MiG-159. Ten to 12 take-offs were made within an hour. An aircraft
took off after the previous aircraft had rolled to a stop. It was clearly
seen that the aircraft were occupied by a crew of two both sitting in
tandem fashion. At each landing, the landing floodlights were switched
on while the landing lights were not in operation. All landings were
carried out with skill. During air activity, the directional searchlight
at the northern edge of the field about 100 meters north of the quartering
area was in operation.
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2. One Kniferest-type and one Fishnet-type radar set was located 20 to
30 meters apart north of the taxiway between the two last aircraft
revetments in front of the former southwestern hangar. A Fishnet-type
radar set was seen for the first time about 50 meters southwest of
the aircraft revetments south of the runway. The AA 4 MK 3-type radar
set was still located at the southern edge of the field.2
3. The AA gun emplacement in the southeastern corner of the field was
still occupied by 6 x 37-mm AA guns which were covered by tarpaulins.
The personnel was doing athletics.3
4. Trucks)
in traffic at the field.
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The following air activity and aircraft were observed at the field
between 1 March and 15 April 1955:
1 March., At 1300, one MiG-15 or U-MiG-15 towing an air sleeve took
off. Subsequently, the sleeve target was attacked by individual MiG-15s
or U-MiG-15s. There was night flying until about ,midnight. A railroad
tank car from which fuel was drained was seen on the spur track at
the fuel dump.
2 March. From morning to midnight,, there was air activity by LIiG-15s
or U-MiG-15s.
23 March. There was intensive activity at the field. Two MiG-15s or
U-MiG-15s covered with camouflage nets were parked in the aircraft
revetments at the eastern edge of the field. A rolled up, apparently
large, camouflage net was seen on the ground next to one of the
aircraft revetments. The aircraft revetments in the southeastern corner
of the field were occupied by one IiG-15 or U-MiG-15seach. All aircraft
were also covered by camouflage nets. At the dispersal area of the
alert flight, 6 MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s were made ready for take-off.
About 3 men were working on each aircraft. Several trucks shuttled
between the eastern hangars and the dispersal area of the alert flight.
They were apparently occupied by personnel when proceeding to the
aircraft and returned empty. About 4 tank trucks were seen between the
aircraft revetments. One tank truckswas filled at the fuel dump and
subsequently was parked between the aircraft revetments in the
northeastern corner of the field. Two radio trucks were also parked
between the aircraft revetments and the landing field, 15 to 20 meters
apart from each other. One of the radio trucks was fitted with a rod
antenna, the other with an umbrella-shaped antenna. The latter had a
glas cupola as described previously. No personnel was seen in the glass
cupola. The other truck appeared to be occupied. No air activity was
observed.
25 March. MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s.practiced intensive local and formation
flying. At about 1300, a formation of 4 LiiG-15s or U-MiG-15s crossed
over the field at an altitude of 800 to 1,000 meters, flew a left bank
and landed.
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26 March. Individual local flights were made. The aircraft took off
and landed at regular intervals. Thirteen MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s landed
within 15 minutes. One 1G-15 or U-MiG-15 approached the runway in
east-west direction at about 10 meters above the ground over the gap
in the fence. A second MiG-15 or U-MiG-15 apparently cut his approach
pattern to short and was therefore only about 300 meters behind the
preceding MiG. The first MiG touched ground and taxied regularly but
this second M1G had to go around again.
30 March. No air activity was observed. About 57 LL.iG-15s or U-M1G-15s
were parked in front of the hangars and south of the flight control
station.
12 April. At 1220, 2 MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s were made ready for take-off
at the dispersal area of the alert flight. Personnel were seen at the
aircraft and on the aircraft wings. Approximately 1 meter from the rear of
the aircraft a two-wheel cart was seen. A tank truck drove up to the
aircraft. Four men were engaged in work on each aircraft. Another tank
truck was seen between the aircraft revetments in the southeastern
corner of the field. There was only light air activity. While one MiG-15
or U-MiG-15 landed it was observed' that the brake flaps formed an angle
of about 35? with the fuselage. They were about 50 cm long and 15 cm
high ani were supported by a prop.
13 April. Between 2030 and about midnight, there was night flying.
14 April. Beginning at 1000, there was air activity by MiG-l5s or
U-MiG-15s. Between 1220 and 1400, 8 IViiG-15s landed. One of the aircraft
did not extend its landing flaps. Two aircraft took off.
15 April. There was no air activity. Four 1iiG-15s or U-MiG-15s were
parked on the dispersal area of the alert flight. Two tank trucks, I
truck, 1 red fire truck, and 1 truck with van-like superstructure without
visible antenna were seen.near the aircraft between the aircraft revetments.
6. One Kniferest-type radar set was located south of the western hangar.
Us Fishnet--type radar set previously observed near there, was no longer
seen after 13 April. One Fishnet-type radar set was located next to the
AA 4 MK 3-type set at the southern edge of the field between the aircraft
revetments along the fence.2
7. All passengers in a train to Berlin were checked by a detail of 6 men
between Dessau and T,:ichendorf. The train consisted of 5 coaches and 1
d ner. The checking personnel were concerned with notes of all kinds
carried by the passengers rather than about the baggage. One notebook
filled with shorthand writing owned by one of the travellers was read
page by page.
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1. Comment. Koethen airfield is believed to be still occupied
by one fighter regiment and one reconnaissance regiment equipped
with DUG-15s. There was intensified air activity by the cadre
personnel and the exchange personnel which is being retrained.
A total of 57 MiG-15s or U-MiG-15s were seen at the field. MiG-15
was last seen in Zerbst in 1952, U-MiG-l5 is reported
for the first time. All other aircraft were
previously observed at Koethen. The practice alert was probably
connected with a larger exercise, since army exercises have been
conducted at the same time.
Comment. Jne Fishnet-type and one AA 4 iLK 3-type radar set and
one radio station of one mast were seen at the southern edge of the
field. Only one Kniferest-type radar set was located at the northern
edge of the field. The radio truck, the radio truck with glass
cupola and rod and umbrella-shaped antenna and 2 radio installations
of one mast were repeatedly seen near the aircraft revetments in the
northeastern corner of the field.
Comment. The AA gun emplacement was reported previously.
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