About Upīškalns former military object

Upīškalns base was established on the site where until 1956 there were old houses called "Smiltnieki", why the object was initially called "Smiltnieki" for secret purposes, later "Upīškalns". The first building built on the site was a large underground bunker, which housed a command post with the largest electrical installation. At the same time, the first adjacent buildings and barracks were built. The Upīškalns army unit served as a part of the seamen's coast guard, who maintained contacts with submarines and Soviet warships in the Baltic Sea. The long radio frequency was used for communications here, so it can be said that this part of the army served as a base for the telecommunications army. As part of the army actually served the fleet, officers and soldiers wore naval and sailor uniforms

"Upīškalns" was located in a strategically advantageous place, because it is at the beginning of the Rietumkursa upland, at the highest point near Kuldīga, in the center of Kurzeme with good access roads in the middle of forests. Not only did the army use large towers-antennas for communications, but in the 1960s a special balloon was launched from the truck ZIS, which the locals called a "pig". At first, sometimes the "pig" was struck by lightning, so over time, the soldiers learned to pull the "pig" down when the storm started, during the storm, it was too late to pull it down. Putting on and taking off took a lot of time. Some times when the "pig" was struck by lightning, it was said that some soldiers had died, but as this information was kept in deep secrecy, there is no exact information. In later times, it was possible to take the 'pig' down in time for the storm. Then there were no accidents.

The entrance to the army was tightly controlled by gates and checkpoints, of which the remains of one small building have now survived. In the center of the part was the largest surface building, where at that time there was a "telecommunications center". This building is now fully preserved and is used as the name of the congregation "Word of Life" called "Talents". At that time, a direct secret army cable from Kaliningrad came to this building, maintaining direct communications and controlling the Baltic Sea to Kaliningrad. In fact, in the recent period, the army's part existed only because of these tripartite contacts, as it provided contacts with both Kaliningrad and the submarines in the Baltic Sea. In the middle of the telecommunication center building was a large hall-like room, embroidered like a brass screen. Adjacent to the territory was a section of construction that felled forests in the 1980s and built seven (7) antenna towers, three of which are now preserved and visible. The towers were arranged in the form of a star, one, the largest tower (~ 220m) in the center, six around. The towers were built and assembled by helicopters. There were plans to build a larger antenna system, but this did not happen. Rumor has it that in the 1980s, with the approach of "perestroika", the object was no longer included in the final list and therefore did not complete the antenna system.

The last commander of the Upīškalns army unit was Igors Eduardovičs Susļins. In 1994, the military left a part. "Upīškalns" with officer and barracks buildings and land (~ 170 ha) are taken over by the Kuldīga District Council by the order of the Cabinet of Ministers, which then transfers it to the Kurmāle Parish Council, as it is located in the territory. The object is then returned for privatization through an auction. At that time, each separate building could be bought for a few hundred lats, because there were not many buyers. Today, most of the existing buildings and antenna towers are privately owned. The three antenna towers were originally purchased by SIA "KTA, Kurzemes radio" and "Rīgas radioamatieru biedrība". Part of the territory is currently the property of the Ministry of Defense, where training is currently taking place. There is a motorcycle track nearby. The parish remained an apartment building with the ancient name of the home "Smiltnieki". Now "Upīškalns" has ~ 80 inhabitants.