Shiraki Military Airfield

The abandoned airfield lies only some 40km from Dedoplistskaro.
It was a Soviet-era airfield where predominantly MIG-17’s were stationed. Apparently it was used in the Afgan war. The hangars, aviator’s monument, control tower, workshop, taxi-ways and the runway are still there (in some shape or form). Only one of the hangars has its doors open. With Paul being a former Aerospace engineer, he was keen to have a good look around. We really enjoyed driving around the site and “camped” in front of one of the hangars. We knew that a local farmer tries to scare visitors away, demanding to see a permit to visit. We knew, and checked with the visitor’s centre in Deoplistskaro, that no permit is required to visit. So we were able to convince the farmer.