Świdwin 2016-07-29
Airport in Świdwin. 2016.
Geographic coordinates: 53.791N 15.826E.
Establishment of the 21st Tactical Air Base.
On July 1, 2010, the 21st Tactical Air Base began operating. It was created after the decision of the Minister of National Defense No. Z-31/Org./P1 of August 25, 2009. The new unit brought together the 21st Air Base, 7th ELT, 8th ELT and 40th ELT in its structures. Operationally, it is subordinated to the 1st Tactical Air Wing with headquarters in Świdwin. Currently (2011) the equipment of the 21st BLotT consists mainly of Su-22 M 4 and Su-22 UM 3 K aircraft.
By decision of the Ministry of National Defense No. 499/MON of December 28, 2010, the Base inherits and cultivates the traditions of the following units: 40th Fighter Aviation Regiment (1951-1971). 86th Signals Battalion (1968-1998). 47. Mobile Workshops of Aviation Repair (1951-1957). 47. Field Aviation Workshops (1957-1999). 28. Mobile Car Repair Workshop (1966-1999). 19th Radiotechnical Battalion (1968-1995). 40th Fighter-Assault Aviation Regiment (1971-1982). 48th Air Squadron (1978-1990). 1st Air Army Combat Command Center (1978-1983). 40th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (1982-1999). 1st Front Air Force Combat Command Center (1983-1990). 1st Combat Aviation Command Center (1990-1995). 1. Aviation Command Center (1995-2001). 8th Tactical Aviation Squadron (2000-2010). 39th Tactical Air Squadron (2000-2003). 40th Tactical Air Squadron (2000-2010). 11th Air Base (2000-2002). 21st Air Base (2002-2010).
STRUCTURE: Command of the 21st BLotT. Staff. Aviation Action Group. 1 air squadron. 2 air squadron. Support Squadron. Technical Service Group. 1 maintenance squadron. 2 maintenance squadron. Support group. Command Squadron. Security Squadron.
Commander of the 21st BLotT – Col. pilot Ireneusz Starzyński (July 1, 2010 – … ).
On July 23, 2010, the ceremony of passing the duties of the Commander of the 1st Tactical Air Wing took place at the airport. By the decision of the Minister of National Defense, the former Commander Brig. Pilot Stefan RUTKOWSKI was appointed to the position of the Air Force Chief – Deputy Chief of Training. No successor has been appointed to replace him. The acting commander of the 1st SLT was Col. Dipl. pilot Eugeniusz GARDAS.
The celebration of the Polish Army Day in the Świdwin Garrison was organized on August 13, 2010. A solemn gathering took place. Departmental decorations were presented and the occasional order was read out. Acting Commander of the 1st Tactical Air Wing, Mr. Col. Dipl. drink Eugeniusz GARDAS was awarded the gold medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Homeland. On August 15, 2010, a Holy Mass was celebrated in the Garrison Church for the soldiers and employees of the Świdwin garrison, which was celebrated by the parish priest, Fr. Major Andrzej Migała.
The fact that the army was stationed in Świdwin contributed to the greatest extent to the economic and cultural development of the city. On the initiative of the inhabitants of Świdwin, each year at Plac Lotników, by the monument to the plane, a tattoo is held, dedicated to the memory of those soldiers who died while serving in peacetime. The celebration of the aviation holiday on August 23, 2010, in Świdwin, began with the Holy Mass celebrated in the garrison church by Fr. Major Andrzej Migała, accompanied by the honor guard and banners of the 1st SLT and 21st BLotT and the solemn musical setting of the SONORES choir. In the pouring rain, accompanied by the sounds of the Representative Orchestra of the Air Force from Poznań, a report about the readiness of subunits for Capstrzyk was made by the commander of the ceremony, Lt. Col. Dipl. Jerzy GOLENIOWSKI Commanders of the 1st Tactical Air Wing Col. drink Eugeniusz GARDAS. In this year’s Remembrance Appeal, the names of 46 Air Force soldiers were listed, who in the period from 1953. to modern times, they died in the performance of their official duties. This too long list also includes the names of 20 soldiers who died in the catastrophe near Mirosławiec and the name of the former Commander of the Air Force, pilot general Andrzej BŁASIK, who began his aviation career in the 40th PLM-B. Occasional speeches were delivered by: Wing Commander Col. drink Eugeniusz GARDAS and Mayor of Świdwin Jan OWSIAK. The Remembrance Appeal was read by Major Wiesław GASEK, after which bouquets of flowers were laid at the monument. Among the many invited guests were representatives of the city and county authorities, veterans, directors of educational institutions, former professional soldiers and residents of Świdwin. The representative song of the Polish Army ended with Capstrzyk.
On August 28, 2010, the Open Barracks Day was organized at Świdwin Airport. The theme was the promotion of service in the National Reserve Forces. Despite the changeable weather, the event was attended by about 200 people from the garrison and the surrounding area. The program consisted of at least familiarization with the history of the Air Force and the Świdwin Garrison, a multimedia presentation devoted to the service in the NSR, a static exhibition of aircraft, as well as a demonstration of the equipment and equipment of the base intended for service by NSR soldiers.
On October 8, 2010, at Plac Lotników in Świdwin, a Solemn Appeal was held on the occasion of the celebration of the 1st Tactical Air Wing. The ceremony began with the Holy Mass celebrated in the Garrison Church by Fr. Col. Slawomir ŻARSKI. Holy Mass was of a special character, because during it Fr. canon Sławomir ŻARSKI, gave the youth of the garrison the sacrament of Confirmation. It should be emphasized that the Honor Company for the celebration of the wing, issued the 21st BLotT, which was accompanied by 6 flagships – from military units subordinated to the 1st SLT. Then the invited guests went to Plac Lotników, where, accompanied by the sounds of the Air Force orchestra from Koszalin, the commander of the ceremony, Lt. Col. Robert KARASIEWICZ, reported the readiness of the subunits to the ceremony to the Air Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Pil. Lech MAJEWSKI. During the collection, state and departmental decorations were handed out, occasional orders were read out to honor the best soldiers of the wing. In the speech of the Commander of the SP Lieutenant General pil. Lech MAJEWSKI, emphasized how important tasks in the defense structure of the state are performed by the pilots of the 1st Tactical Air Wing in Świdwin. He reminded that it was the pilots of the 1st SLT that had already fulfilled the mandate of the Air Policing mission three times. ORLIK I, II and III, defending the air borders of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Commander of the Air Force Lt. Gen. pil. Lech MAJEWSKI and the Commander of the 1st Wing, Col. pilot Eugeniusz GARDAS laid a symbolic bouquet of flowers and lit a candle under the monument with a plane commemorating those who died while on duty. The parade of subunits ended the Solemn Appeal. The last point of the celebrations of the 1st Tactical Air Wing was the artistic performance of the team of the Naval Club "RIWIERA". After the concert, the invited guests met in the cafeteria of the Garrison Club, where there was time for joint celebrations and wishes.
On December 17, 2010, a ceremonial farewell to the Banner of the 14th Airport Repair Battalion in Elbląg took place (the unit was dismantled on December 31, 2010). The ceremony was attended by: former commanders of the unit, founders of the banner, godfather, representatives of the administrative and local government authorities of the region, pastoral care, non-governmental and veterans organizations, representatives of uniformed services and commanders of units from the 1st Tactical Air Wing and the 16th Pomeranian Mechanized Division. The military unit stationed at ul. Aviation in Elbląg, was established on October 15, 1952, in Oleśnica as the 14th airport construction battalion. On February 21 – 24, 1954, the unit was transferred from Oleśnica to Elbląg. On January 1, 2000, on the basis of the forces and resources of the disbanded unit, the 14th airfield damage removal battalion was created, and then on January 1, 2009, the name of the unit was changed to the 14th airfield repair battalion. The main task of the 14th airfield repair battalion is to rebuild damaged airfield pavements in accordance with NATO standards. In 2002 and 2004, the battalion was recognized as the best logistic unit and honored with the title and banner "EXEMPLARY AIR FORCE AND AIR DEFENSE SUB-UNIT". In 2003, the unit received a banner funded by the community of the region. The commanders of the unit were: Lieutenant Colonel Zdzisław ROMATOWSKI. Lieutenant Colonel Kazimierz KROGULECKI. Lt. Col. Eng. Zygmunt PNIAK. Lt. Col. MSc. Eng. Stanislaw CWYL. major mgr inż. Cezary ZARSKI. Lt. Col. MSc. Eng. Zbigniew RUCIŃSKI. Lt. Col. MSc. Eng. Jaroslaw HALICKI. after. major Eng. Waldemar CIBISZ.
Apart from official achievements, the Unit has also made a significant contribution to the development of Elbląg. She has made, among others earthworks for the Wojewódzki Szpital Zespolony, the "Start" sports hall, dismantling the buildings at ul. Hetmańska, she helped in the construction of the Church of St. Trinity in the Zatorze estate and the Provincial Telecommunications Office, as well as in the construction of a "mound" in the Aeroclub on the occasion of the visit of the Holy Father. John Paul II. Soldiers of the 14th Airport Renovation Battalion proved with their attitude that the Elbląg community can always count on them, especially during the flood threat that took place in October 2009. Another military unit related to aviation has disappeared from the map of the Republic of Poland. There will be no planes, no airports, nothing to renovate.
At the end of 2010, the 8th ELT based at Mirosławiec Airport was finally moved to Świdwin Airport. In this way, the 21st BLot became the last airport operating Su-22 aircraft. The Mirosławiec Airport itself from the 12th BLot was renamed the Airport Headquarters. Let us remind you that the Su-22s were based in Powidz, Piła, Świdwin and Mirosławiec. After a few more years, the airport in Mirosławiec became the Base of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
2011 year.
On March 3, 2011, on the anniversary of the liberation of Świdwin, a Holy Mass was celebrated, followed by a solemn appeal. Flowers were laid in front of the Monument to the Fallen and Murdered Soldiers, Victims of Fascism and Stalinism.
On March 15, 2011, in Świdwin, in the presence of the commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Lech Majewski, the ceremonial transfer of duties to the commander of the 1st Tactical Air Wing took place. For the last three months, the duties of the commander were performed by Col. pilot Wojciech Pikuła, since March 15, 2011, the commander of the 1st SLT is brigadier general pilot Tadeusz Mikutel.
On Saturday, July 2, 2011, another Aviation Picnic was organized at the Airport. The event lasted from 9:00 to 16:00. The Su-22, MiG-29 and Grupa Żelazny machines presented themselves in the air. Other planes and helicopters of the Air Force and Navy as well as the equipment of Aeroclubs were also presented at the static exhibition.
The future of Świdwin Airport.
The future of the 40th ELT is still related to the Su-22 aircraft, which should remain in the unit’s equipment until 2015-2018. However, nothing has been heard about the pilots’ postulated for years, even a limited modernization of aircraft of this type. The minimum is a second radio station or an air-to-air tacan, which allows you to determine the mutual distance between the planes equipped with it – an extremely useful thing on planes without a radar station, such as the Su-22, for example when flying in the clouds. Voices from the Ministry of National Defense about the purchase of more F-16s (new or used) have also been silenced. Therefore, it seems that in a few years the 40th ELT will be dismantled.
It seems that another Polish airport will disappear from the map of the Republic of Poland. It will be turned into a museum. Yes. This is not a joke. Thanks to the efforts of the Society of Friends of the Świdwin Military Airport, another aviation museum is being created – the Aviation Museum of the Świdwin Region. On February 15, 2011, the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Bogdan Zdrojewski, approved the regulations of the facility. Aviation enthusiasts gathered in the Association of Friends of the Świdwin Military Airport intend to create an aviation museum in their town. The facility, currently known as the Aviation Museum of the Świdwin Land in the organization, already has approved regulations and several exhibits at the airport. Mirosław Grodzicki, who used to work at the 21st Air Base, was appointed the director of the museum.
Commanders of the 40th Tactical Air Squadron; Capt. pilot Cezary Wasser (August 23, 1999 – September 1, 2003). Major pilot Miroslaw Tomaszewski (September 1, 2003 – February 4, 2004). Major pilot Wojciech Maniewski (February 4, 2004 – July 1, 2004) (temporarily performed duties). Capt. pilot Dariusz Maciąg (July 1, 2004 – October 2, 2006) died tragically in a CASA C-295M plane crash while landing at the airport in Mirosławiec. Lt. Col. pilot Wojciech Maniewski (October 2, 2006 -January 23, 2008) died tragically in a CASA C-295M plane crash while landing at the airport in Mirosławiec. Lt. Col. pilot Ireneusz Łyczek (May 25, 2008 – …).
Commanders of the 3/11/5/3rd Fighter Aviation Division; colonel pilot Jan Chłusowicz (1944 – 1946). Colonel pilot Aleksander Czapliński (1952 – October 1, 1954). p. after. Lt. Col. Navig. Aleksander Danielak (October 1, 1954 – October 22, 1954). Lt. Col. pilot Zbigniew (Zdzisław) Ulanowski (October 22, 1954 – December 12, 1957). lieutenant colonel pilot Wiktor Iwoń (12/12/1957 – 08/18/1963). Col. pilot Adam Bidziński (August 18, 1963 – 1967). Col. Dipl. pilot Adam Bidziński (1965-1972?). brigadier general pilot Michał Polech (December 7, 1973 – November 17, 1977). Col. Dipl. pilot Jerzy Radwański (November 17, 1977 – 1979). brigadier general pilot Józef Tenerowicz (1979 – 1985). Col. Dipl. pilot Kazimierz Dziok (1985 – 1991). Col. Dipl. pilot Stanisław Targosz (March 26, 1992 – October 1992, since 1991, PO). brigadier general pilot Tadeusz Kuziora (August 25, 1994 – November 25, 1996, since 1992, PO). Col. Dipl. Henryk Czyżyk (1997 – 1998 until disbandment, from 1996 PO).
Commanders of the 1st Tactical Air Brigade; Lt. Col. Dipl. pilot Paweł JAZIENIECKI (July 15, 1998 – February 9, 2001). Lt. Col. Dipl. pilot Ryszard HAĆ (February 9, 2001 – September 9, 2004). Col. pilot Sławomir Dygnatowski (9/09/2004 – 7/11/2006). Col. Dipl. pilot Andrzej ANDRZEJEWSKI (November 7, 2006 – January 23, 2008 died in a CASA plane crash). colonel pilot Eugeniusz Gardas (January 23, 2008 – August 4, 2008). Col. Dipl. pilot Stefan RUTKOWSKI (August 4, 2008 – December 31, 2008, when the 1st BLT was transformed into the 1st SLT).
Commanders of the 1st Tactical Air Wing; brigadier general pilot Stefan RUTKOWSKI (January 1, 2009 – July 23, 2010). Col. Dipl. pilot Eugeniusz GARDAS (July 23, 2010 – …
Commanders of the 21st Air Base; Col. Eng. Ryszard Derenowski (January 1, 2000 – January 2004). Col. Eng. Cezary Niemczuk (January 2004 – January 2007). Colonel Navigator Mariusz Ciećkowski ( PO January 2007 – July 2007). Colonel pilot Dariusz Maciąg (07/2007 – 01/23/2008). Colonel Navigator Mariusz Ciećkowski ( PO January 23, 2008 – July 2008). Col. pilot Ireneusz Starzyński (07.2008 – …).
Reforming the Tactical Union; 11th Fighter Aviation Division (1951 – 1963) → 5th Brandenburg Fighter Aviation Division (1963 – 1967) → 3rd Brandenburg Fighter Aviation Division (1967 – 1971) – 3rd Brandenburg Air Assault Division (1971 – 1971) 82) → 3rd Brandenburg Fighter-Bomber Division (1982 – 1998) → 1st Tactical Air Brigade (1998 – 2009) → 1st Tactical Air Wing (2009 – …).
Subordination of the 11th Fighter Aviation Division; 3rd Fighter Aviation Corps (January 1, 1952 – October 16, 1956). 3rd Mixed Aviation Corps (October 16, 1956 – July 6, 1957). Operational Aviation (July 6, 1957 – 1967).
Aircraft used in 40. PLM, PLSz, PLM-B, ELT; Polikarpov Po-2, Yak-11, Yak-23, MiG-15, Lim-1/2, Lim-5, Lim-5 P, MiG-17 PF, MiG-21 F-13, PF, PFM, Lim- 6 bis / MR, Su-22 M 4 / UM 3 K, PZL TS-11 Iskra.
Continued in the next chapter.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman