Poznań 2023-02-28
2nd Tactical Air Wing. 1998 year.
The 2nd Tactical Air Wing was formed on October 1, 1998. Unit Day is celebrated on October 1 each year. On August 31, 2002, the unit was given a banner.
Due to structural changes in PSP, it was necessary to design a new sign (emblem) for the newly formed 2nd Tactical Air Wing. On January 12, 2009, the competition commission chaired by the Commander of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing, settled the competition for the identification badge of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing, the winner of which was the artist – visual artist Mr. Marcin Wawrzaszek from Szczecin. There were 21 projects in total. A post-competition exhibition was also organized, which was opened on February 16, 2009 at the Wielkopolska Military Museum at ul. Old Market Square 9 in Poznań. The exhibition was open for two weeks. The new badge was approved by the Historical Commission of the Ministry of National Defense and became an official badge. The badge is used to identify and promote a new tactical association. It is placed on soldiers’ uniforms, official prints, posters and other promotional materials.
History of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing.
The 2nd Tactical Aviation Wing is a tactical association of the Polish Air Force. The Association was established on the basis of the order of the Minister of National Defense of November 24, 1997, as the 2nd Tactical Aviation Brigade (2 BLT). In 1998, the 7th Bomb-Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment was included in the unit and it was also subordinated to the 3rd Air Defense Corps.
In 2003, the Polish Air Force purchased 48 multi-role Lockheed Martin F-16 combat aircraft. The first aircraft were delivered in 2006. It was decided, mainly for logistical reasons, to gather all planes under one command, i.e. in the 2nd Tactical Air Wing.
Subordinate units:
7th Bomb-Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment (until January 21, 2000, i.e. until disbandment). 31st Tactical Air Base. 32nd Tactical Air Base. 3rd Tactical Air Squadron. 6th Tactical Air Squadron. 10th Tactical Air Squadron. 16th Airport Repair Battalion in Jarocin.
Commanders of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing:
Colonel pilot Zenon Smutniak (October 1, 1998-May 18, 2000). Lieutenant Colonel pilot Jacek Bartoszcze (May 19, 2000-September 10, 2001). Colonel pilot Jan Śliwka (September 11, 2001-February 20, 2003). Colonel pilot Anatol Czaban (February 21, 2003-July 14, 2005). Brigadier General pilot Andrzej Błasik (July 15, 2005 – February 12, 2007). Brigadier General pilot Włodzimierz Usarek (February 13, 1007-December 31, 2013). Brigadier General Pilot Dariusz Malinowski (January 1, 2014-December 8, 2016). Brigadier General Jacek Pszczoła (December 9, 2016-July 31, 2018). Brigadier General pilot Ireneusz Nowak (July 31, 2018). Brigadier General Tomasz Jadczak (from December 21, 2021).
Written by Karol Placha Hetman