Kluczewo Airfield
Kluczewo Airfield is a former Soviet airbase located in Kluczewo, a suburb of Stargard Szczeciński in Poland. Its concrete runway measures 2,500 x 60 m, but it is closed to air traffic.
The base was originally built by the Luftwaffe in 1935 and used as Fliegerhorst Klützow until early 1945 when it was overrun by the Red Army. Soviet air units were based there from 1948 to 1992. Over the years, the base was expanded, and a number of hardened aircraft shelters built. A small military town housing the airmen and their families was built nearby. The 239th Fighter Aviation Division was headquartered at the base from 1945 to 1992. The last flying unit stationed there was the 159th 'Novorossiysk' Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment flying Su-27 Flankers. After the Soviet forces left, the base was abandoned, and has fallen into ruin. In 1993 the airfield together with Kluczewo was included within the city limits of Stargard Szczeciński. In subsequent years the runway was used for auto shows from time to time.
Recently Bridgestone announced plans to build a large tire factory near the site. Construction began in June 2007, but the runway will be preserved for possible use in the future.
In July 2007, Polish researchers from the Institute of Environmental Engineering at Częstochowa University of Technology undertook trials of bacteria based bioaugmentation and biostimulation to gain biodegradation of oil hydrocarbons and reduce soil contamination of the site.
