Pütnitz-Damgarten Airfield

The airfield's closure was a direct consequence of the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany. Following the 'Two Plus Four Agreement', all Soviet (later Russian) military forces were required to withdraw from German territory. As a major Soviet Air Force base, Pütnitz-Damgarten was decommissioned as part of this large-scale military withdrawal.

The vast former military site has been successfully converted into a multi-purpose area focused on tourism, events, and historical preservation. Its primary use is as the home of the 'Technik-Museum Pütnitz', a large open-air museum showcasing an extensive collection of military and civilian vehicles and equipment, with a strong focus on the Warsaw Pact era. The runway, taxiways, and hardened aircraft shelters are preserved and used to host major annual events, including the 'Pangea Festival' (a large music and sports festival) and the 'Ostblock-Treffen' (a major gathering for owners of vehicles from the former Eastern Bloc). Parts of the area are also used for commercial business and have been reclaimed by nature.

The airfield has a significant dual history.

1. **Nazi Era (1936-1945):** It was originally established in 1936 as a major seaplane base ('Seefliegerhorst Pütnitz') for the German Luftwaffe. Its location on the Saaler Bodden, a lagoon connected to the Baltic Sea, was ideal. The base was crucial for training seaplane crews on aircraft like the Heinkel He 59 and Arado Ar 196. It also served as an operational hub for maritime reconnaissance, coastal patrol, and missions during the invasions of Poland and Norway.

2. **Soviet/Cold War Era (1945-1994):** After World War II, the Soviet Union took control and expanded it into one of the most important frontline fighter bases of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. It was the headquarters of the 16th Guards Fighter Aviation Division. Elite units, including the 773rd Fighter Aviation Regiment (IAP) and the 31st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (GvIAP), were stationed here. Over the decades, the airfield hosted a succession of advanced Soviet fighter aircraft, including the MiG-17, MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29, and, in its final years, the powerful Su-27 'Flanker'. Its primary mission was air defense and intercepting NATO aircraft over the Baltic Sea.

There are no known or credible plans to reopen Pütnitz-Damgarten as a functional airport for military, commercial, or general aviation. The local government and site operators are fully invested in its current role as a major event venue and tourist destination centered around the technology museum. The infrastructure is maintained for ground-based events, not for a return to aviation operations.