Poznań 28-05-2024.
31st Tactical Air Base in Krzesiny.
2008-...
In 2008, the 31st Air Base was transformed into the 31st Tactical Air Base and the 3rd Squadron and 6th Squadron were included in it. These changes were made on the basis of the decision of the Minister of National Defense No. PF -/Org/SSG/ZoiU P-1 of January 11, 2008, and the order of the Air Force Commander No. Z-10 of January 21, 2008, and the order of the commander of the 2nd Brigade Tactical Aviation No. Z-6 of January 24, 2008.
Lockheed Martin F-16 multi-role combat aircraft are stationed at the base. Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft began to be delivered to Poland in November 2006. The planes were delivered by direct flight from the USA to Europe (USAF base in Germany), using air refueling. After the last technical inspection, the planes were moved to Krzesiny Airport. Initially, Polish pilots were trained in the USA.
Traditions of the 31st Air Base: 2nd Greater Poland Air Squadron (1919 – 1920), 4th Greater Poland Aviation Squadron (1919 – 1920), 13th Fighter Squadron (1920 – 1925), 15th Fighter Squadron (1920 – 1925), 111th Fighter Squadron (1925 – 1928), 112th Fighter Squadron (1925 - 1928), 131st and 132nd Fighter Squadron from the 3rd Aviation Regiment (1928 - 1939), 2nd Fighter Squadron "Kraków-Poznański" (Polish Air Force in France, 1940), 302nd Fighter Squadron ( Polish Air Force in Great Britain, 1940 - 1947), 62nd Fighter Aviation Regiment (1954 - 1995), 3rd Fighter Aviation Regiment "Poznań" (1995 - 2000), 3rd Tactical Aviation Squadron (2000 - 2008), 6th Fighter Aviation Regiment Bomber Command (1982 – 1998), 6th Tactical Aviation Squadron (2000 – 2008), 31st Air Base (2000 – 2008).
The 31st Base Day is celebrated on September 4. In 2011, the unit's identification badge was introduced. In 2012, the branch received a banner.
Commanders of the 31st Tactical Air Base: Col. saw Rościsław Stepaniuk (April 1, 2008 – April 8, 2010), colonel diplomat. saw Cezary Wiśniewski (April 8, 2010 – October 16, 2011), colonel diplomat. saw Jacek Pszczoła (October 16, 2011 - June 19, 2015), colonel diplomat. saw Grzegorz Ślusarz (June 19, 2015 - June 16, 2017), colonel diplomat. saw Rafał Zadencki (June 16, 2017 – July 1, 2019). Lieutenant Colonel pilot Norbert Chojnacki (July 1, 2019 - May 6, 2021). Acting Colonel Radosław Śniególa (May 6, 2021 - July 14, 2021). Colonel pilot Łukasz Piątek (July 14, 2021 - ...).
2017 year.
The 31st Tactical Air Base is a very important center for meetings, exercises, rallies and visits for our NATO allies and friendly countries. Such meetings are held in Krzesiny several times a year.
Another training and methodological course was held on October 25-27, 2017. This course was held under the name ZLOT 2017. The course was attended by the management aviation staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. In the first part, there were exams on piloting and combat skills, which were carried out during flights at the 21st Central Aviation Training Ground in Nadarzyce. In the second part, in facilities belonging to the 31st Tactical Air Base Poznań-Krzesiny, a specialist knowledge test was held. Knowledge of operational procedures, navigation, communications and operations was assessed. At the same time, methodological training was conducted. In the last part, a briefing of the exchange of experiences, comments and proposals for changes was carried out.
The participants of the course were representatives of the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, the General Command of the Armed Forces, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of National Defense Inspectorate for Flight Safety, the Civil Aviation Office, the Polish Air Navigation Agency, the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate, ITWL, WIML, WSOSP, military aviation plants, the Center Air Operations - Air Component Command, Headquarters of the Air Traffic Service of the Polish Armed Forces, Headquarters of the Hydrometeorological Service of the Polish Armed Forces, Center for Doctrine and Training of the Polish Armed Forces.
For the aviation management staff of the Polish Armed Forces, the course was a summary of the previous training and the determination of further training directions in aviation units.
Base Day.
On September 2, 2017, the celebration of the 2nd Tactical Aviation Wing and the 31st Tactical Air Base took place. The event took place at the 32nd Tactical Air Base. The day of the holiday is traditionally September 4. The event began with a holy mass celebrated in one of the hangars. Then there was a solemn roll call. The event was closed and admission was required by invitation.
Allied exercises.
The 31st Air Base is a place where USAF aircraft are often based. This time, in September 2017, American F-16 planes from Germany from the base in Spangdahlem were in Krzesiny. Usually, USAF aircraft stay in Krzesiny as part of the Aviation Detachment program. The component typically consisted of 4-8 aircraft. The duration of the exercises is usually two weeks. These exercises were an opportunity to exchange experiences, cooperate and jointly perform tasks as part of aviation training.
2018 year.
In 2018, allied exercises under the code name Tiger Meet 2018 were held at the 31st Tactical Air Base. The exercises took place between May 14-24, 2018. The main organizer was the Ministry of National Defense.
Pilots from Germany (using Eurofighter 2000 and Tornado aircraft), France (Rafale), the Czech Republic and Hungary (JAS-39 Grippen), Austria (Saab 1050), Belgium (F-16), and Switzerland (F) took part in the exercises. -18), Spain (Eurofighter 2000), Greece (F-16), Italy (Eurofighter 2000), the Netherlands (F-16) and Poland (F-16). The exercise was supervised by a Boeing E-3A Sentry (AWACS) aircraft with support from a Learjet UC-35A. Pilots from the Czech Republic, France, Great Britain and Italy also took part in the maneuvers using helicopters. A total of 80 aircraft participated in the exercise.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman