SOVIET DEPLOYMENT AT KUNDUZ (QONDUZ) AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T01355A000100750001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 1, 1980
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/20: CIA-RDP80T01355A000100750001-5
Secret
imagery analysis report
Soviet Deployment at Kunduz
(Qonduz) Airfield, Afghanistan (S)
Secret
Z-20048/80
IAR-0158/80
AUGUST 1980
COPY 167
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/20: CIA-RDP80T01355A000100750001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/20: CIA-RDP80T01355A000100750001-5
Warning Notice
Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
(WNINTEL)
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
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Contractor/Consultants
PROPIN- Caution-Proprietary Information Involved
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ORCON- Dissemination and Extraction of Information
Controlled by Originator
REL.. . This Information has been Authorized for
Release to . . .
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/20: CIA-RDP80T01355A000100750001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/20: CIA-RDP80T01355A000100750001-5
SECRET
SOVIET DEPLOYMENT AT KUNDUZ (QONDUZ) AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN (S)
1. (S/D) The deployment area at Kunduz (Qonduz) Airfield is the headquarters for 25X1
Soviet operations in northeast Afghanistan (Figure 1). This airfield is approximate y 4 nautical miles (nm)
southeast of Kunduz and 35 nm south of the Soviet border.
2. (S/D) Kunduz Airfield is a base for a Soviet combat assault helicopter regiment which is used in
support of ground units operating in this region of Afghanistan.
3. (S/D) Soviet ground force units were initially observed at the Kunduz Airfield deployment area
when elements of a motorized rifle regiment (MRR) were identified. Since that time, a 25X1
major Soviet base has been developed in this deployment area. The deployment area presently consists of
the following: an MRR, an early warning radar site, a probable signal battalion, a reconnaissance battalion, a
field hospital, a chemical defense battalion, a command post, a radio communication (radcom) station, an
airborne regiment with an airborne howitzer battalion, and a deployed antiaircraft artillery (AAA) regiment.
4. (S/D) The MRR bivouac area is in the southern portion of the deployment area and is trench and
berm secured. This bivouac is divided into two separate areas: a personnel housing area containing
approximately 66 large tents and 59 small and medium tents and a food services area. The vehicle parking
area contains the armored personnel carriers (APCs), armor, artillery (122mm self-propelled-SP-howit-
zers), and engineer equipment for the MRR. This is the first location in Afghanistan where the 122mm SP
howitzer M-1973 has been observed.
5. (S/D) The early warning radar site adjacent to the MRR was first observed Two net- 25X1
covered FLAT FACE radars are operationally deployed within a trench- and berm-secured bivouac area.
Additional equipment observed included a possible R-409 CATS PAW van truck and three probable BTR-
60P APCs (two were net covered). Five cargo trucks and seven net-covered tents are also within the
bivouac area.
6. (S/D) The probable signal battalion bivouac area is adjacent to the MRR area. This bivouac
contains a personnel housing area with 15 large tents and at least 14 small tents. The radio equipment of
this battalion is net covered and deployed in three adjacent fence-secured areas.
7. (S/D) The reconnaissance battalion area, also in the southern portion of this deployment area,
contains three probable SPIKE SQUARE and nine probable TURN SERIES vans, six UAZ-69 jeeps, four
BMP APCs, and one probable BTR-70 APC. Housing for this battalion consists of ten large tents and
approximately 40 small and medium tents.
8. (S/D) The field hospital was first observed in the northeast portion of the 25X1
deployment area. The hospital contains 19 large tent and 15 medium tents with at least one operating
room. A new hospital location was being prepared in the southeast portion of the 25X1
deployment area. The field hospital had been moved tot is new ocation 25X1
9. (S/D) The chemical defense battalion is currently in the northeast corner of the deployment area.
This unit has relocated several times since its initial identification Major decontamina-
tion vehicles observed include two TMS-65 and one DDA-66 trucks.
10. (S/D) The command post is on the north side of the deployment area. Nondivisional equipment
includes two deployed R-410 TWIN PLATE troposcatter sets with the screens oriented toward Termez in
the Soviet Union.
11. (S/D) The radcom station is collocated with the command post. This station consists of five
ground-mounted lattice towers and was present prior to the Soviet occupation of this area.
12. (S/D) The airborne regiment bivouac is on the north side of the deployment area. Two BMD
APC-equipped airborne battalions, an airborne signal unit, and a 122mm D-30-equipped airborne howit-
zer battalion (normally a divisional asset) are within the bivouac area. One battery of GAZ-MRLs (multi-
ple rocket launchers) is attached to the howitzer battalion. No security is discernible around the airborne
bivouac perimeter; however, each battalion area is separately berm secured.
13. (S/D) Security for the deployment area is provided by perimeter trenching with personnel firing
positions. Major elements of a tank battalion and a 122mm D-30 howitzer battery are deployed in
defensive positions around the perimeter. In addition, at least six GAZ-MRLs, one GAZ-mortar battery,
and one 122mm SP howitzer M-1974 are being used in a perimeter defense role.
14. (S/D) Air defense is being provided by an AAA regiment consisting of four deployed 57mm AA
sites. In addition, one self-propelled antiaircraft (SPAA) battery consisting of four ZSU-23/4s and four
MT-LB SAMs are deployed adjacent to the MRR bivouac area.
15. (S/D) At least five support units, including logistical and construction elements, are also within
this deployment area.
16. (S/D) The construction of permanent buildings, initially observed
Approximately ten structures are in various stages of construction in this deployment area.
is continuing. 25X1
WNINTEL
Z-20048/80
SECRET
IAR-0158/80
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/20: CIA-RDP80T01355A000100750001-5
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/20: CIA-RDP80T01355A000100750001-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/20: CIA-RDP80T01355A000100750001-5
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/20: CIA-RDP80T01355A000100750001-5