FINOW AIRFIELD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004300850007-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 12, 2010
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: July 28, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004300850007-4
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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
INFORMATION REPORT t to o or receipt Its transmission or revelation of Its contenps
or receipt by y an an unauthorized person is prohibited
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
COUNTRY East Germany
SUBJECT Finow Airfield
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 28 July 1954
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE,
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. Arrival of Twin-Jet Aircraft*
On 13 May, 24 twin-jet engine aircraft were seen for the first time on
this airfield. They were dispersed near the hangars on Spechthauser btrasse.
All aircraft were protected with fitted earth-colored overall covers.
Arrival of these aircraft was not observed and it is not known whether they
were flown in or arrived crated. Up to 17 May, the aircraft had not been
moved from their dispersal point, nor was any maintenance or fueling activity
seen. At 10:45 a.m. on 17 May, however, a twin-engine jet bomber was seen
flying at a height of approximately 1,000 meters over the airfield. The
aircraft had not'taken off from Finow, nor did it land there.
2. Aircraft Count:
a. From 4 to 12 May, a total of 23 MIG-15's and U-MIG-151s were dispersed
on the airfield; 16 were parked near Biesenthaler Strasse and .7 near
Spechthauser Strasse, alongside the hangars.
b. From 13 to 17 May, 24 twin-engine jet aircraft and 12 MIG-15.'s and U-MIG-15's
were parked on the airfield; at night they were dispersed near Biesenthaler
Strasse, and during the day on the taxi track., In addition to the planes
listed above, two single-piston-engine, single-wing aircraft and two PO_2's
were parked throughout the period on the airfield,
3. Flying Activity:
a. Between 9 and 11 a.m. on 4 and 5 May, all 23 MIG-15 aircraft took turns in
carrying out flights of approximately 30 minutes' duration. Only one
aircraft was airborne at any one time, an aircraft taking off as soon as
another had landed. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. all 23 MIG-15's took part
25 YEAR e-liREVIEW ghts of two aircraft, with only one pair airborne at any one time.
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
FBI I AEC
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/12 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004300850007-4
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/12 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300850007-4 25X1
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
b, Between 8 a.m. and noon on 6 May, all 23 MIG-15's carried out single
flights of approximately 30 minutes' duration. At 12 o'clock, one
MIG took off towing a sleeve target. Before the takeoff, the target was
pulled in a straight line behind the towing aircraft. The rope was
tight before the aircraft took off, and on no occasion was any slack observed.
Three minutes after the aircraft took off, two MIG-15's followed in formation
and carried out mock attacks. It was clearly observed that, the aircraft
swerved away and. over the target without attacking it. In no instance
was any firing observed. After approximately 30 minutes all three aircraft
took off with a towed'target, and two attacking planes followed. This
activity continued until 7 p.m. On each occasion, all three aircraft were'
airborne for approximately 30 minutes, Between 7 and 9 p.m., single MIG-15's
took part in night flying, consisting of short circuits.
o. At 7 a.m. on 6 May, a LI-2 landed, taking off again at 9:10 a.m. At 9:30 a.m.
one single-seat, single-piston-engine. single-wing aircraft landed, taking
off again at 4 p.m. At 7 p.m. one LI-2 landed, taking off again at 8:30 P.M.
d. No flying took place from 7 to 10 May.
e. There was no flying from.14 to 18 May. The 12 MIG-15's normally parked
near Biesenthaler Strasse taxied on the runway and on the taxi tracks,
but did not take off.
f. At 10:45 a.m. on 17 May two twin-jet aircraft flew across the airfield at
a height of approximately 1,000 meters. They made several flights across
the airfield, before flying away.
4. Airfield Installations:
With the exception of two new sheds measuring three by four meters, con-
structed on Biesenthaler Strasse, there was no change in the airfield
installations.
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/12 : CIA-RDP80-00810A004300850007-4