Gdynia 2007-10-07
18 Squadron of Rescue and Liaison Aviation in Gdynia-Babie Doły.
Airport in Gdynia Babie Doły. Geographic coordinates: 54.581N 18.514E.
History of 18 ELR-Ł Babie Doły.
In addition to combat tasks, auxiliary and special tasks play an important role in naval aviation. In September 1946, the Air Force handed over to the DMW (Naval Command) an independent connecting key. The flight initially consisted of two Po-2 aircraft and was stationed at the Puck airport. In 1950, the flight was transferred to the airport in Gdynia-Babich Doły. The key performed liaison tasks for the Polish Navy Command (Polish MW).
When the 33rd Aviation Division of the Navy was created, and in 1954 (from the liaison key) the 16th Liaison Aviation Squadron in Gdynia - Babie Doły was formed in its composition. After the division was disbanded in 1959, liaison tasks for the Polish Air Force Command were performed by the 18th Liaison Aviation Squadron in Gdynia - Babie Doły (initially it was called the 18th Mixed Aviation Squadron of the Polish Navy). In addition to liaison and transport tasks, the 18th Squadron became part of the Polish Maritime Rescue System. This became possible with the introduction of the Mi-2 RM rescue helicopter squadron. In 1991, the 18th Squadron was authorized to perform rescue tasks for years by changing the name of the unit to the 18th Rescue and Liaison Aviation Squadron of the MW.
Photo description: The PZL Mi-2 M2 helicopter has a cargo hold door on the right and left side and long landing gear shock absorbers.
In 1994, the 18th Naval Rescue and Liaison Aviation Squadron in Gdynia - Babie Doły consisted of: A number of liaison aircraft. A flight of liaison helicopters. A flight of rescue helicopters. technical key.
Until the end of 1994, the squadron had 2 aircraft and 10 helicopters in its armament: 2 transport and passenger planes PZL Mielec An-28. 3 PZL Świdnik Mi-2 RM rescue helicopters (including 2 Mi-2 CH). 1 PZL Świdnik Mi-2 D command helicopter. 2 PZL Świdnik W-3 Sokół transport and passenger helicopters. 4 PZL Świdnik W-3 RM Anakonda rescue helicopters.
Liaison and transport tasks for the entire PMW, and in particular for its headquarters, are currently performed in the 18th Squadron by two An-28 aircraft and two W-3 Sokół helicopters. Four W-3 RM Anakonda helicopters operate in the rescue system. A single Mi-2 D helicopter is the airborne command element (PED) of the PMW. The remaining three Mi-2 RM helicopters, despite being rescue machines, did not perform such tasks. Two of them were used to set up smoke screens and are referred to as Mi-2 CH. Aircraft of the 18th Squadron could use the main runway of the airport (RWY) in Gdynia - Babie Doły, although most often they took off from the auxiliary runway perpendicular to it.
At the turn of 1993 and 1994, the first machines of the 18th Rescue and Liaison Aviation Squadron received the squadron emblem with a white seagull on a yellow background.
In 1994, the 18th Squadron was included in the created 1st Naval Air Squadron.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman