During the 1970s, the airfield was designated as a Yakovlev Yak-38 Forger base for the Murmansk area whenever its parent Kiev-class aircraft carrier was in port. Extensive Marston Mat planking was laid at the base in the late 1970s to support the Yak-38's VTOL requirements.
During the 1970s, the airfield functioned as a Yakovlev Yak-38 Forger base for the Murmansk area when its parent Kiev-class aircraft carrier was in port. Extensive Marston Mat planking was laid at the base in the late 1970s to ensure the Yak-38 could perform vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL).