Sławoborze 2018-05-28
Dębica-Kalina Airport near Sławobór and Świdwin.
Geographic coordinates: 53.942N 15.622E. Elevation 49 m.
Location of the Dębica-Kalina Airport.
Kalina Airport in the County of Świdwin, in the Communes of Rymań and Sławobór, near Białogard in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Half of the airport area belongs to the Rymań Commune, and the other half to the Sławoborze Commune.
Field of ground highs, grass. RWY 2,500 m x 400 m. In the direction of 11/29. Former military base of the Soviet Army (CCCP). Coordinates 53°56′37″N 15°37′13″E. Elevation 49 m above sea level.
History of Dębica-Kalina Airport.
The Dębica-Kalina airport is no longer existing. It was created in German times. After World War II, it was a backup airport for Soviet units stationed at the Bagicz Airport near Kołobrzeg and the Białogard Garrison. In fact, the airport is located in the towns of Poradz and Mirowo. Poradz (Poradz or Petersfelde), zip code 78-314. In the years 1975-1998, the town administratively belonged to the Koszalin Voivodeship. Another town with the same name, Poradz, is located in the Łebski District.
The Dębica-Kalina airport belonged to the 871st Pomeranian Fighter Aviation Regiment. The unit had a JW number. PP 35517. It was part of the 239th Baranów Fighter Aviation Division. According to the information available on the Internet, this regiment has had MiG-19 fighter aircraft since 1956. In 1964, the regiment received MiG-21 PF and MiG-21 U fighters. In 1966, the 871st Pomeranian Fighter Aviation Regiment was transferred to Bagicz Airport. At the time of the transfer, the regiment had 39 MiG-21 PFM machines and 2 MiG-21 U machines in stock. After the 871st Pomeranian Fighter Aviation Regiment was moved to Bagicz, Dębica Airport was reclassified as a spare one. No combat unit was stationed there anymore. Transport planes used by the air assault brigade from Białogard landed here sporadically.
There remains the question of the surface of the Dębica-Kalina Airport landing field. There was no concrete runway at the airport. It is true that MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-19, MiG-21 and even Su-7 aircraft are adapted to use ground runways, but operation in such conditions causes additional, numerous failures. First of all, the hydraulic system of the chassis is damaged. Mud and grass clog the undercarriage chambers. Engine failures are much more dangerous. Numerous foreign bodies sucked into the engine cause a decrease in engine thrust, and even their stoppage. Therefore, it is possible that the Soviets at this airport used nets spread over the landing area. The Soviets were already familiar with this type of preparation of the landing field. During World War II, they received such technical means from the USAF to prepare alternate airfields in areas already "liberated" by the Red Army, where USAF bombers could land.
There were few permanent buildings at the Airport, so social conditions were difficult. Presumably, all this was the main reason for the change in the regiment’s dislocation.
Currently (2018) there is a production plant on the site of the former Dębica-Kalina airport.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman