Katowice 2012-11-09
Mierzęcice Pyrzowice Airport.
Geographic coordinates: 50.471E 19.074E. Elevation 298 m.
2nd Fighter Aviation Squadron in Mierzęcice.
In the 1990s, the Polish Army did not want to get rid of the airport, counting on the reactivation of air units in the new post-communist reality. Therefore, at that time, one of the squadrons of the 11th PLM from Strachowice was transferred to the Mierzęcice Airport. In January 1989, the 2nd Fighter Aviation Squadron was separated from the 11th PLM Strachowice and moved to the Mierzęcice Airport. The 1st ELM remained at Strachowice Airport. In Mierzęcice, logistical support was provided by the Airport Security Battalion (Unit 4043). The squadron’s pilot staff consisted mainly of promotion pilots – Dęblin 1988, and technicians were soldiers from the School of Warrant Officers in Oleśnica, promotion 1989. This organization of the 2nd ELM lasted exactly 10 years, when in 1999 the Squadron returned to the 11th PLM Strachowice. But already in November 1999, the 11th PLM was disbanded. 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).
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 the time to perform current maintenance to a minimum and also removed malfunctions that occurred during flights.
During pilot promotion training in Dęblin, 1988, the Squadron lost 3 MIG-21 MF aircraft:
In June 1989, during the first independent landing, aircraft 7715 was damaged. The aircraft was written off as a result of the damage.
On March 1, 1991, while performing formation flights in the vicinity of the airport, when changing the formation, a collision occurred between two MIG-21 MF aircraft, numbers 8015 A (no. 96008015, pilot Captain Zawada), 7405 (no. 96007405, pilot Captain Wójcik ). 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. Captain Wójcik landed successfully.
On April 13, 1991, Capt. pil. Kusiak on MiG-21 MF 7715. During the landing approach, the engine cover broke off, resulting in a decrease in engine speed and loss of power. 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).
The squadron was equipped with planes; MIG-21 M, MIG-21 MF, MIG-21 UM, TS-11 Iskra.
Aircraft Base.
On December 1, 1990, the Aircraft Base (B.S.P. – JW 4044) was established. 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 inventory 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. Abroad, many of these machines were restored to flying condition. The Aircraft Base was disbanded on January 31, 1999.
The Polish Army completely withdrew from Mierzęcice 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.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman