Inowrocław 2019-06-21
56 Regiment of Combat Helicopters.
56 Regiment of Combat Helicopters in Inowrocław. 1963-2011.
The 56th Regiment of Helicopters was the first Polish unit equipped with combat helicopters. The 56th Regiment of Helicopters (JW 1641) was formed on the basis of an order of the Minister of National Defense of March 21, 1963. On 22 April 1982, by the order of the head of the General Staff of the Polish Army, the unit was reformed to the 56th Combat Helicopter Regiment.
The basic helicopter of the Regiment were PZL Mi-2 machines, in different versions.
The decision to buy Mi-24 D helicopters for the Polish Army was made in the mid-70's of the 20th century. In April 1978, a team of 10 pilots and 24 technicians was selected to be trained for a new technique at the CCCP. Most of the Polish personnel came from the 37th Transport Helicopter Regiment, Leźnica Wielka near Łęczyca. The training lasted four months.
The first four Mi-24 D helicopters went to Poland on September 20, 1978. The first Mi-24 D helicopter key began operating from January 1, 1979. The flights started on January 11, 1979, when the weather conditions improved. The first stage of the training was completed relatively quickly. On April 22, 1979, the Mi-24 D helicopters were beamed to Świdwin Airport and combat training was started using nearby polygons. Combat readiness was achieved in mid-1979. Helicopters Mi-24 D took part in autumn military exercises "Jubileusz 79".
The Mi-24 D was publicly presented for the first time on June 27, 1979 at Dęblin Airport on the occasion of the first anniversary of the space flight of Mirosław Hermaszewski.
From 1980, the first airmen of the 56th Regiment began training on Mil Mi-24 helicopters. The airport in Pruszcz Gdański and the airport in Inowrocław became the only ones where helicopters are based. Mi-24. Mi-24 helicopters were painted in two-colored camouflage. In 2003, repairs of Mi-24 helicopters began to extend their service life. At the same time, helicopters were repainted to a uniform dark green color.
In 1992, the first helicopters PZL W-3 Sokół went to the Polish Army (56th Regiment of Combat Helicopters) and to the state of the Ministry of the Interior (103rd Air Regiment).
In September 1996, the branch received a new banner funded by the Inowrocław society and the distinguished name "Kujawski". The branch celebrated the feast on May 18.
On December 31, 2011, the Regiment was disbanded. On January 1, 2012, the 56th Airbase was subordinated to the commander of the 1st Aviation Brigade of Land Forces.
In use, the 56th Regiment had: PZL Mi-2, PZL W-3 Sokol, Mil Mi-8, Mil Mi-17, Mil Mi-24.
Commanders of the 56th Regiment: Colonel Pil. Bolesław Andrychowski (1963-1972), colonel pil. Feliks Dudek (1972-1977), Colonel. pil. Kazimierz Chojnacki (1977-1980), Colonel. pil. Roman Włodarczyk (1980-1987), Col. pil. Janusz Tomczyk (1987-1992), Colonel. pil. Wojciech Felisiak (1992-1997), Colonel. Jan Bocianowski (1997-2002), Colonel pil. Stanisław Ciołek (2002-2004), Col. MSc. pil. Zbigniew Rakoczy (2005-2009), Lt. Col. Dipl.-Ing. pil. Piotr Saniuk (From December 1, 2009 - 2011), Col. pil. Wiesław Franczak (2011 - December 31, 2011).
Written by Karol Placha Hetman