Świdwin 2010-04-18
21st Air Base. 1999 – 2010.
Geographic coordinates: 53.791N 15.826E. Elevation 113 m.
In 1999, a decision was made to establish the 11th Air Base at the airport in Świdwin. The 11th Air Base officially began operations on January 1, 2000. In 2002, it was decided to change the numbering of the Base from No. 11 to No. 21. The 11th Air Base operated in 1999. – 2002, and the 21st Air Base operated in 2002. – 2010 The unit operated as JW 3294.
In 2010, another change occurred. The 21st Tactical Air Base was established. The 21st Tactical Air Base was created by combining the 8th ELT, 40th ELT and 21st Air Base. 21. BLT has been operating since 2010. There was a prospect of liquidating the unit after the Su-22 aircraft were withdrawn from service, i.e. in the period 2015 – 2018. This was not done because the Su-22 aircraft were still being renovated. In 2019, information appeared that Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft may be based here.
History.
Until 1999, the 40th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment operated in Świdwin. The regiment was armed with Sukhoi Su-22 aircraft. On July 15, 1999, the 11th Air Base and the 40th Tactical Aviation Squadron were established on the basis of the 40th Regiment. The change was made on the basis of the order of the Ministry of National Defense No. PF 74/Org of July 15, 1999, and the order of the Commander of the 2nd Air Defense Corps No. PF 57 of August 26, 1999.
The following air units were stationed at the airport in Świdwin: 39th Tactical Aviation Squadron (1999-2003), 40th Tactical Aviation Squadron (2000-2010), 7th Tactical Aviation Squadron (2008-2010).
However, on January 1, 2002, the 11th Air Base was renamed the 21st Air Base. The base in Świdwin secured the operations of the 39th Squadron and the 40th Squadron. Soon the 39th Squadron was disbanded. Then the 21st Base began to secure the operation of the 7th Squadron, moved from Powidz to Świdwin.
Based on the decision of the Ministry of National Defense No. 36/MON of February 17, 2005, the unit’s holiday was celebrated on May 25.
21 (11) The Air Base operated from July 15, 1999 to June 30, 2010. On July 1, 2010, the 21st Air Base was renamed the 21st Tactical Air Base. The Base included the 40th Squadron, the 7th Squadron and the 8th Squadron (transferred from Mirosławiec).
21 The base in Świdwin is subordinated to the 1st Tactical Aviation Wing. The 1st Tactical Aviation Wing also includes: the 22nd Base in Malbork and the 23rd Base in Mińsk Mazowiecki. The wing is armed with Su-22 and MiG-29 aircraft. The main task of the 21st Tactical Air Base in Świdwin is to support Tactical Aviation Squadrons.
By decision of the Ministry of National Defense No. 499/MON of December 28, 2010, the Base inherits the traditions of: 40th Fighter Aviation Regiment (1951–1971), 86th Signal Battalion (1968–1998), 47th Mobile Aviation Repair Workshops (1951–1957), 47th Field Workshops Aviation (1957–1999), 28th Mobile Car Repair Workshop (1966–1999), 19th Radio Battalion (1968–1995), 40th Fighter-Attack Aviation Regiment (1971–1982), 48th Aviation Squadron (1978–1990), 1st Center Army Air Combat Command (1978–1983), 40th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (1982–1999), 1st Front Air Force Combat Command Center (1983–1990), 1st Air Combat Command Center (1990–1995), 1st Air Command Center (1995–2001), 8th Tactical Aviation Squadron (2000–2010), 39th Tactical Aviation Squadron (2000–2003), 40th Tactical Aviation Squadron (2000–2010), 11th Air Base (2000–2002), 21st Air Base (2000) –2010).
Unit commanders:
Lieutenant Colonel, certified engineer Ryszard Derenowski (1999 – January 21, 2004). Colonel, master engineer Cezary Niemczuk (January 21, 2004 – January 15, 2007). Temporarily acting Lieutenant Colonel Mariusz Ciećkowski (January 15, 2007 – July 5, 2007). Brigadier General pilot Dariusz Maciąg (July 5, 2007 – January 23, 2008; died in the plane crash of CASA C-295 M nb 019 near Mirosławiec). Colonel pilot Ireneusz Starzyński (July 3, 2008 – 2010; until reformation).
Written by Karol Placha Hetman