Work on the air base began in the early 1950s,[1] and by 1957 it was identified on American Lockheed U-2 overflights with a modern 6600 ft (2000 m) runway, extensive infrastructure, and a MiG regiment.

[2] During the Cold War it hosted the 174th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (174 Gv IAP) flying the Yak-28P during the 1960s and 1970s, then superseded by the Mikoyan MiG-31 (ASCC "Foxbat") from 1983.

The base also hosted a reconnaissance regiment, the 98 ORAP (98th Separate Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment) flying MiG-25RB, Sukhoi Su-17 (designation NATO: 'Fitter-C' ), Sukhoi Su-24MR (NATO designation: 'Fencer-E' ), and MiG-31 aircraft.

[12] May 20, 1966 in Monchegorsk was established the 67 separate air squadron composed of two aircraft early warning Tupolev Tu-126 (NATO reporting name: 'Moss' )[13] equipping the radar system "Liana".

After the dissolution, the MiG-31s became part of the 458th Fighter Aviation Regiment, stationed in the Kotlas air base, in the Arkhangelsk Oblast.