Penkule Airfield

Military withdrawal and abandonment following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. After Latvia regained its independence in 1991, Russian (formerly Soviet) troops were withdrawn from its territory. The airfield, being a large Soviet military installation, was handed over to Latvian authorities who had no strategic need or financial resources to maintain or operate it.

The airfield is completely abandoned and in a state of advanced decay. The main runway, taxiways, and aircraft revetments, constructed from concrete slabs, are still visible but are heavily weathered, cracked, and overgrown with vegetation. Most of the military infrastructure, including barracks, command posts, and hangars, are either in ruins or have been completely demolished and salvaged for materials over the years. The site is not maintained and is inaccessible for any official aviation use. It is occasionally used by locals for informal activities such as drag racing, driver training, and car enthusiast meetups.

Penkule Airfield has significant Cold War military history. Originally constructed by the German Luftwaffe during their World War II occupation, it was taken over and heavily expanded by the Soviet Air Force after the war. It became a key frontline airbase in the Soviet Baltic Military District. For most of its operational life, it was home to the 899th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (later re-designated as a Fighter Aviation Regiment). This regiment operated a succession of jet aircraft, including the MiG-15, MiG-17, Su-7B, and most notably, the Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer' tactical bombers from the late 1970s until the base's closure. The presence of these advanced, nuclear-capable aircraft made Penkule a strategically important site during the Cold War.

There are no known official plans or realistic prospects for reopening Penkule Airfield. The cost to repair the runway and rebuild the necessary infrastructure to modern aviation standards would be prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, Latvia has sufficient civil and military aviation capacity at other airports (like Riga, Liepāja, and Lielvārde Air Base), and there is no economic or strategic demand for reviving this remote, derelict site. Its future is likely to be continued decay and eventual reclamation by nature or for agricultural use.