A.B. BALACI (TELEORMAN), There is a soviet air base, I think.

[lucian]

Sorry for my english.

I am born there. My father was army man/technical support (1954-1958).
Today, everthing is damaged or dawn.

In "AVIATIA DE LUPTA REACTIVA IN ROMANIA-cdr. Paul Sandachi), I red abaut it, and was one of the first air base for jets (the beautiful Mig-15).

Some people of Silistea Gumesti told me, that, the A.B. was made only with "lipoveni" in 1950 (aprox.).
I think, that air base was made for russian air force. For scramble. Runway is very large (my opinion).

Can someone give me more information about it? A complete/little history?
Paradoxical, between born and death of air base, was only ten years: 1950-1960.

Thanks

This post has been edited by lucian on May 03, 2007 11:36 pm

[Zapacitu]

Well, it was built by "lipoveni" because these are ethnics of ucrainian-origin living in the Danube Delta. Obviously the Soviet engineers could communicate better with them than with Romanians during the construction.

A Soviet fighter regiment was stationed there, as well as a Romanian one, the 125th Jet Fighter Regiment equipped with S-102 – (MiG-15 produced under license in Czechoslovakia) and MiG-15 UTI.

As you probably know, the Soviet troops left Romania in 1958 and by 1959, the 125th Regiment was re-designated the 49th Reg. and moved at Alexeni – a base also previously used by the VVS.

Apart from the Soviet withdrawal, another reason for the base’s demise was the strategical shift in the late 50’s : Tito’s Yugoslavia was no longer the main enemy – as in the early 50’s, but NATO’s south flank – Greece and Turkey. Accordingly, the bases in S-E Romania (Fetesti, Ianca, Alexeni, MK) were given more attention to the expense of the prermier-fighter bases from the early 50’s (Caransebes, Balaci, Deveselu, …)

Would you happen to have any pictures of the base? Any buildings still standing?

This post has been edited by Zapacitu on May 06, 2007 03:06 pm

[lucian]

I think that is logically.
But my father don't tell me something about soviet pilots.
I have a lot of pictures, almost all bildings.
In a few days I'll put here with some commentary.

[lucian]

It's the run way and "buta".

[lucian]

[Dénes]

<img src=http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=balaci002xh9.jpg>

Sorry, I tried to help, but it didn't work for me, either.

Gen. Dénes

This post has been edited by Dénes on May 07, 2007 08:04 pm

[dragos]

Use the "direct link to the image" from ImageShack.

[Victor]

I have edited the post. In the future please do as Dragos recommended.

[lucian]

Ok !
Thanks

[lucian]

In fallowing order (up left-raight and down left-raight):
1. "bretela" along runway and "biuta" for fix the gun.
2. the alley to hangar and pilot alarming house (I think). There are two, in each head of runway
3. hangar (still alive)
4. the alley, between "bretela" and runway at the head of runway. Here is the place for planes in alarm state. You can see hangar, and alarming house (pic2)

[lucian]

The same order.
1. the room for diesel electric generator (two) and his electric panel in 2002.
2. the house for...
3. the same room in 2006
4. the warehouse. Typical for soviet A.B. in 1950-1960.

[lucian]

The air man village.
1. Alley between military base and village. In left side, pole 1 and 2 is the yard of base, and, in front the way to air base.
2. The village.
3. The pilot block ...mom' told me (?)
4. ....here in corner (apartment) I saw for the first time, the sun.

[lucian]

1. Exit of military base. In left side a interesting building (and typical). Someone can tell as, what it is.
2. Ceck point ; front entrance in air base. Between "typical building" and ceck point, there are 5-600 meters.
3. I suppose, brieffing house. Now......bedroom for priest!
4. (storage) battery hall. For planes. Now is church....(oh got!)

P.S. That priests pull down many buildings of air base, and sell the material.
Both, pilots and priests look to the same sky, but with different thought........

[lucian]

Some buildings in military base, regarding air base.
1. Bild. 1 and 2
2. Bild. 2 (and bild.1 in back side)
3. the inside of bild. 2 (I hav not pictures with bild.3)
4. The mess.



This construction was build with an high level quality. Adapted for local condition of climate: rain, snow and heat. Carefully to details.

[lucian]

Last but one. Services buildings.
1. Shop
2. Garages
3. Workshop (carpentry, mechanics, depot)
4. Cinema