Kraków 2011-01-10
2nd Fighter Aviation Squadron.
1989 – 1999
History 2. ELM Mierzęcice.
2nd Fighter Aviation Squadron in Mierzęcice.
In 1987, the 39th PLM was disbanded. Operational MiG-21 PFM aircraft were transferred to the 10th PLM in Łask. Some MiG-21 PF aircraft in the spotlight of cameras were cut for scrap at the beginning of 1990 as a unilateral reduction of armaments. The airport area in Mierzęcice also became a non-permanent base for decommissioned military aircraft. The airport in Mierzęcice was left without a combat unit. Mierzęcice Airport and the military unit stationed there were transformed into the Airport Maintenance Command, as JW. 4043.
Using the engineering and aviation personnel remaining after the dissolution of the 39th PLM on September 1, 1987, the 51st Field Aviation Workshop was established, whose task was to renovate Mi-24 W/D combat helicopters. 51. PWL was dissolved on November 31, 1990. (JW 2490).
In the 1990s, the Polish Army did not want to get rid of the airport in Mierzęcice. It was hoped that the regiment would be reactivated in the new post-communist reality. Therefore, at that time, one of the squadrons of the 11th PLM from Starachowice, with MiG-21 MF planes, was transferred to the airport.
In January 1989, the 2nd Fighter Aviation Squadron was separated from the 11th PLM Starachowice and moved to the Mierzęcice Airport. The 1st ELM remained at Starachowice Airport. In Mierzęcice, logistic support was provided by the Airport Security Battalion (Unit 4043). The squadron’s pilot staff consisted mainly of promotion pilots – Dęblin in 1988, and technicians were soldiers from the Warrant Officers’ School in Oleśnica, promotion in 1989.
2 ELM became unique in the new post-communist reality of the Republic of Poland. Although in truth it was a unit composed of half-time combat machines assigned to the regiment and full logistics and repair facilities. Without a doubt, it was an attempt to survive a difficult period. They wanted to maintain the existing defense potential.
A special feature of the 2nd ELM was having its own repair group. This was the only case in which a squadron that was organizationally part of the regiment had its own repair facilities, which shortened to a minimum the time of performing current maintenance as well as removing malfunctions that occurred during flights.
This organization of the 2nd ELM lasted exactly 10 years, when in 1999 the Squadron returned to the 11th PLM Starachowice. But already in November 1999, the 11th PLM was disbanded.
The basic and single type of fighter of the Squadron was the MiG-21 M/MF. They were supplemented by MiG-21 UM training and combat vehicles. According to the regulations, the Squadron should have 16 planes, but the actual number of planes capable of flying was between 10-15 planes. The Squadron also operated TS-11 Iskra training aircraft.
During pilot promotion training in Dęblin, 1988, the Squadron lost 3 MIG-21 MF aircraft:
in June 1989, during the first independent landing, the nb 7715 plane was damaged. The plane was written off as a result of the damage.
On March 1, 1991, while flying in formation near the airport, when changing the formation, two MIG-21 MF planes, numbers 8015 A (no. 96008015, pilot Captain Zawada), 7405 (no. 96007405, pilot Captain Wójcik) collided. Four planes flew in formation. After entering the clouds, a change of formation began. The planes from the third and fourth position collided. Captain Zawada catapulted himself.
April 13, 1991, Capt. pil. Kusiak on MiG-21 MF nb 7715. During the landing approach, the engine cover broke off, resulting in a decrease in engine speed and loss of power. The machine almost fell onto RWY. The plane was renovated.
The above-mentioned three planes were the only machines lost by the 2nd ELM during its basing at Mierzęcice Airport. It is worth noting that the Squadron did not suffer any personnel losses during training and combat tasks. 11. PLM was awarded twice for flight safety. During the 38th Aviation Safety Conference of the Polish Armed Forces in Kiekrz (February 8, 1996) for flight safety in 1995, and during the 41st Aviation Safety Conference of the Polish Armed Forces in Kiekrz (February 2, 1999) for flight safety in 1998 ( a second time ).
At the beginning of 1999, a decision was made to return the 2nd ELM to the parent 11th PLM Starachowice, which was disbanded anyway in the fall of 1999. The last plane of the 2nd ELM, after removing the malfunction and taking off service, departed from Mierzęcice Airport on May 20, 1999, to the 10th PLM in Łask (MIG-21 MF side number 9011). One MiG-21 MF remained as an exhibit in front of the International Airport. The plane stood there for several years and was painted nastily by vandals. In 2012, the plane was taken away.
Photo description: At the entrance to Katowice Airport, a MiG-21 MF nb 6503 aircraft greeted the aircraft. The aircraft was operated in the 2nd ELM (11th PLM). The plane was damaged in August 1993 and deleted from the flight records. Unfortunately, it looked ugly when painted by vandals. In 2012, he was taken away.
The squadron was equipped with MIG-21 M, MIG-21 MF, MIG-21 UM, TS-11 Iskra aircraft.
Aircraft Base.
On December 1, 1990, an Aircraft Base was established at the airport (B.S.P. – JW 4044). The task of the Base was to dispose of aircraft that had reached the end of their flight and technical service life and were in the possession of the Polish Military Aviation. The unit also dealt with the recovery of components and the sale of decommissioned aircraft to private customers, including foreign ones. Many of these machines found their way to collectors in Poland and the USA, and several were restored to flying condition. The Aircraft Base was dissolved on December 31, 1999.
The Polish Army withdrew completely from the Mierzęcice-Pyrzowice airport in 2000. The property was transferred to the management of AMW. The Military Property Agency managed the airport until May 2001. In June 2001, the Upper Silesian Aviation Society (GTL) became the airport’s user.
Some of the information was taken from the website www.2 eskadra.com by Mr. Marian Karpiel.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman