Krzesiny 2008-01-29
###3rd Fighter Aviation Regiment in Krzesiny.
1994 – 2000.
The 3rd Fighter Aviation Regiment in Krzesiny was established in 1994 as a result of the transformation of the 62nd Fighter Aviation Regiment and supplementation with equipment and personnel from the disbanded units: 3. PLM in Wrocław, 32. PLM in Sochaczew. It was a time when the Polish Army was waiting for new, Western multi-role combat aircraft. But this happened only in 2006.
3PLM. 1994 year.
In 1994, on the 40th anniversary of the unit’s establishment, efforts were made to change the name of the Regiment. Based on the decision of the Minister of National Defense of January 16, 1995. The regiment changed its number "62" to "3" and received the distinctive name "POZNAŃ". Previously, the unit in Wrocław, based at the Strachowice airport, had the designation of the 3rd PLM, which was disbanded. The regiment in Krzesiny took over the heritage of the tradition of the fighter squadrons of the 2nd and 4th Greater Poland Air Squadron and the fighter squadrons from 1921-1939 from the 3rd Air Regiment in Poznań, the 2nd Krakow-Poznań Fighter Squadron in France and the 302nd "Poznań" Fighter Squadron " in the UK.
In 1995, the community of former professional soldiers, institutions, workplaces and private companies funded a banner for the unit, and the award ceremony took place on the eve of the regiment’s holiday, which was celebrated on September 4. It is a souvenir of the day when the order to form the unit was issued.
1997 year.
In September 1997, the 3rd PLM participated in the Polish-American exercise "Eagles Talon". The Poznań airport was located in the territory of "Pyrlandia", which covers Greater Poland. The "Blue" forces were stationed here, i.e. the 606th Control and Command Squadron from the 52TFW base in Spangdahlem and fighter planes from the 1st, 9th and 28th PLM.
In 1997, the 3rd PLM received MiG-21 R and MiG-21 UM aircraft from the disbanded 32nd PLRT in Sochaczew. MiG-21 R aircraft were deprived of reconnaissance devices and were adapted to typical fighter tasks. The planes were included in the armament of the 3rd PLM, alongside the MiG-21 PFM planes.
1998 year.
On March 27, 1998, MiG-21 PFM aircraft were ceremonially withdrawn from service and replaced by MiG-21 MF aircraft from the disbanded regiment in Wrocław.
This year, the Regiment also won the Troop Commander’s Cup for achievements in the field of flight safety. It was the third distinction of this type for the 3rd PLM. The ceremony took place on January 28, 1998, during the 40th Flight Safety Conference.
1999 year.
After the disbandment of the 17th Aviation Squadron from Poznań Ławica in March 1999, some of the flying and technical staff, along with Mi-2 helicopters, were incorporated into the 1st Squadron of the 3rd PLM. In addition to transport and liaison tasks, until 2005, the helicopter key is on year-round duty as part of the Air Search and Rescue System of the Republic of Poland "ASAR".
In May 1999, the "Ocelot 99" exercise took place with the participation of the 3rd PLM. Designated planes from the "red" forces – Southlandia MiG-21 MF and MiG-21 R – served as planes violating the no-fly zone and were intercepted by the forces of the International Air Wing stationed at the airport in Powidz.
On September 4, 1999, a ceremony was held to mark the 45th anniversary of the Regiment’s existence.
2000 year.
On March 24, 2000, Tornado GR.4 planes from the 9th RAF Squadron stationed in Bruggen, Germany, were stationed at the airport in Poznańskie Krzesiny. Tornado planes arrived in Poznań to perform a ceremonial flyover over the Poznań Citadel in tribute to the pilots of the 9th Bomber Squadron of the RAF, buried in the British Commonwealth Cemetery, who were shot after escaping from the Stalag Luft III POW camp in Żagań in 1944.
On December 31, 2000, the 3rd PLM was reformed into the 31st Air Base and the 3rd Tactical Aviation Squadron. On December 29, 2000, a solemn ceremony of dissolution of the 3rd Fighter Aviation Regiment took place at the Krzesiński airport.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman