Orenburg (Russian: Оренбург; IPA: [ərʲɪnˈburk]) is a transcontinental city and the administrative center of Orenburg Oblast, Russia, located on the Ural River 1,478 kilometers (918 mi) southeast of Moscow, very close to the border with Kazakhstan. Population: 548,331 (2010 Census); 549,361 (2002 Census);546,501 (1989 Census).

Geography

The city is located at the confluence of the Sakmara and Ural Rivers. The highest point of the city is 154.4 meters (507 ft).

History

The Russian Empire began plans for the expansion into Asia by construction of an eastern frontier fortress town in the southern Ural region to be named Orenburg in 1734. The colonists originally founded a settlement in 1735 at the confluence of the Ural River with the Or River. The town's name meant "fortress near the Or," as Burg is German for castle. This settlement changed its name in 1739 to Orsk. An attempt was made to found another Orenburg about 175 kilometers (109 mi) west at a location called Krasnogor, or "Red Hill," in 1741, but this settlement failed. A third Orenburg was successfully established by Ivan Neplyuyev at its present location approximately 250 kilometers (160 mi) west down the Ural from Orsk in 1743. This third Orenburg functioned as an important military outpost on the frontier with the nomadic Kazakhs. It became the center for the Orenburg Cossacks.

Orenburg (also given as Orenburg Southwest) is a Military Transport Aviation base in Russia located 9 km southwest of Orenburg. It has a large tarmac and revetments for 35 large transports.

This is sometimes erroneously referred to as Chalovskiy Airport. .

128th Guards Military Transport Air Regiment (128 Gv TAP) flying Ilyushin Il-76M arrived from Panevėžys Air Base in newly independent Lithuania in 1992. Subordinated to 18th Guards Military Transport Aviation Division 1966-1998. The regiment was disbanded in 1998.

117th Berlin Order of Kutuzov III degree Independent Aviation Regiment for Electronic Warfare flying Antonov An-12PPS aircraft arrived from Siauliai in Lithuania in 1994. It was then redesignated a Military Transport Aviation Regiment (117 OVTAP) and starting flying the Ilyushin Il-76. It was part of the 12th Military Transport Aviation Division. In 2009-2010 the regiment was redesignated the 6956th Aviation Base.

Also based at the airport is the 102nd Separate Mixed Aviation Squadron (102nd OSAE), part of the 31st Missile Army, Strategic Rocket Forces. It is equipped with An-26 aircraft and Mil Mi-8 helicopters.

Orenburg is a city in Russia.

Orenburg may also refer to: