Pruszcz Gdański 2008-01-11
25th Fighter Aviation Regiment in Pruszcz Gdański.
1954 – 1966
History of the 25th PLM.
In 1951, the 10th Fighter Aviation Division was established, based in Słupsk. The Division was to include; 28. PLM in Słupsk, 25. PLM in Pruszcz Gdański and the third one unspecified. The basic Regiment in the Division was, of course, the 28th PLM, which remained in the Polish defense system for many years.
The formation of the 25th PLM was very difficult, mainly for two reasons: lack of equipment, but above all, lack of properly trained flying personnel. According to available data, in 1954, the 25th Regiment officially began to function. Its base was the airport in Pruszcz Gdański.
Pruszcz Gdański Airport.
The airport has coordinates 54.14 N, 18.40 E. It is located at an altitude of 94 m above sea level. It has a runway measuring 2,000 m x 60 m, with an orientation of 10/28 and a concrete surface. It is an airport with one of the shortest runways in the Polish Military Aviation. Currently, RWY is 1,350 m long.
The airport is not in the most convenient location. It is located within the city limits, Pruszcz Gdański, in the Cieplewo district. The area is highly urbanized. National road No. 1 runs nearby. It is only 15 km from the airport to the waters of the Bay of Gdańsk and the same distance to the center of Gdańsk. In 2008, the airport is used by the military (49th PŚB) and for civilian purposes (Pomeranian Aeroclub). Additionally, there is the Rębiechowo Airport nearby, 20 km, and then the Babie Doły Airport, approximately 40 km, and Malbork, approximately 42 km. The proximity of other airports, the highly urbanized area and the sea breeze make the flights here unique.
Service of 25 PLM. 1954 – 1966
From the very beginning, the Regiment was prepared to operate turbojet-powered fighter aircraft. Initially they were; MiG-15, Lim-1, MiG-15 bis, Lim-2. The regiment also received modern Lim-5 and Lim-5 P fighters, and Lim-1/2 SB pilots for training.
At the end of 50 years, the Divisions in the OPL OK Troops were abolished, and in their place, new associations in a new arrangement, Corps, were established. In 1960, the 2nd OPL OK Corps with headquarters in Bydgoszcz had four regiments in its composition: 11. PLM in Debrzno, 25. PLM in Pruszcz Gdański, 26. PLM in Zegrze Pomorski, 28. PLM in Słupsk. Additionally, the 2nd OPL OK Corps included: 19th Towing Squadron in Słupsk, 43rd Liaison Squadron in Bydgoszcz, 129th OPL Artillery Regiment in Szczecin, 136th OPL Artillery Regiment in Bydgoszcz, and Radio Technical Battalions: 2 in Grudziądz, 8 in Słupsk, 9 in Choszczno.
The turn of the 1950s and 1960s was a period when new aviation technology in the form of helicopters was introduced to the Polish Army. The Ministry of National Defense has designated the airport in Pruszcz Gdański as suitable for this purpose. The 49th Combat Helicopter Regiment was organized at the airport. In 1966, the 25th PLM in Pruszcz Gdański was disbanded. The last Lim-2/5 planes were transferred to other airports in 1968.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman