THE ALMA ATA AIRFIELD AND MILITARY ACTIVITY IN THE AREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A000200260002-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 7, 2002
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: February 12, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA000200260002-9
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE. AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
S EQ11 RXOWO N
COUNTRY USSR (Kazakh SSR)
SUBJECT The Alma Ata Airfield and
Military Activity in the Area
25X1A
25X1X
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
REPORT NO.
25X1A
DATE DISTR. 12.Marci 1953
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. There was a military and commercial airfield north-northeast of Alma Ata
(12.21N5, 76-56E) and 100 meters west of the Alma Ata-Ili (43-51N, 77-11E)
highway. The southern edge of the airfield was about five km from the
branch-off point east of the Alma Ata I railroad station. The single-track
railroad line to Ili ran about 500 meters east of the field and intersected
the Alma Ata-Ili highway 300 to 400 meters northeast of the field. The
landing field was about 19500 meters long from north to south and 800 meters
wide from east to west. It had a light steppe-grass cover and the ground
was solid sand. No runways, taxiways,, or hangars existed. Three to four-
four-story buildings quartered air force personnel and their dependents.
Small wooden sheds in the southeastern corner of the field apparently housed
workshops.
2. In the summer and fall of 1914.8 and from April to October 1949, source ob-
served individual parachuting from twin-engine aircraft twice a week in
fair weather. The jumps were made from an altitude of from 500 to 800 meters.
Every two or three weeks groups of up to 17 men would jump in rapid succession
from one plane. Up to 10 planes arriving at intervals of about 20 minutes
were involved in these exercises. A short time after the parchutists had
jumped, rifle and machine gun fire was heard from the drop area. The jumps
were made two or three km southeast of the airfield.
The Alma Ata military airfield was located three or four km north of the
Alma Ata I railroad station., about 100 meters west of the highway to Ili,
and 400 meters west of the railroad line to Ili. A, large U-shaped parachute
25X1A
 Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA000200260002-9
25X1A
CONFIDENTIAL
0
troops barracks installation was nearing completion in the northeastern
corner of the field,which measured about 1,000 x 600 meters. No runways..
taxiways, or hangars were observed. Three or four multi-story buildings,
apparently billets, stood at the eastern edge of the installation.
14. Only a few single-engine and twin-engine planes and one glider were stationed
at the field. Individual and group parachuting with subsequent combat train-
ing was given in an area northwest of the field. There allegedly was a
civilian airfield about three km east of the Alma Ata I railroad station.
Operating searchlights were occasionally seen in the direction of the civilian
airfield.
25X1A Comment. This information,' although old, is forwarded because it may
make pos ible to pin-point the military airfield north of Alma.Ata.
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA000200260002-9