Świdwin 2014-07-26
Airport in Świdwin. 2014 year.
Geographic coordinates: 53.791N 15.826E.
1999 year.
On the basis of the WLOP Commander's Order No. 0142 of August 23, 1999, regarding organizational changes in WLOP, the 8th and 40th PLM-B were disbanded and on their basis the 8th Tactical Aviation Squadron in Mirosławiec was formed. 39th Tactical Aviation Squadron in Świdwin. 40th Tactical Aviation Squadron in Świdwin. 11. Air Base in Świdwin with the command of the airport in Debrzno. 12. Air Base in Mirosławiec with the headquarters of the airport in Nowe Laski.
The 39th Tactical Aviation Squadron was established for two reasons. Firstly, because of the difference in the number of aircraft between a regiment (then 2 x 12 aircraft) and a squadron (16 aircraft). Secondly, the Piła Airport and the 6th PLM-B with Su-22 aircraft have already been liquidated.
The 40th Tactical Aviation Squadron has been submitted to the Rapid Reaction Force system, with the use of Su-22 M 4 K machines, to combat enemy ground, surface and air objects as well as operational and tactical reconnaissance tasks. Even then, the military spoke of the need to start looking for a successor to the average Su-22 aircraft. The solution was the introduction of the Polish PZL I-22 Iryda (or its hybrids) into operation, which already in 1993, using GPS systems, showed a much greater effectiveness of attacking ground targets than the Su-22. It didn't. The Polish Armaments Industry was destroyed. And in 2011, the Su-22 aircraft still had no successor.
From mid-March 2000, the units of the Brigade took part in numerous command and staff exercises, integrated tactical flights, training ground exercises, performed tasks for the Land Forces and the Navy, which were to confirm the preparations of the 1st BLT for operations. Among many exercises, the following can be mentioned: MURENA-2000, OPAL-2000, NOWA DĘBA, DOL-2000, SZERSZEŃ-2000. From the beginning of its activity, the 1st BLT cooperated with NATO aviation units. In June 2000, dedicated forces and staff resources of the 1st BLT, 40th ELT and 11th (21st) BLot; took part in the LIVEX air exercise under the code name "CLEAN HUNTER", which took place over the territory of Poland, Germany and Denmark.
On June 28-July 5, 2000, a group of 10 pilots and 14 engineers and technicians of the 8th ELT (Su-22 M 4, Su-22 UM 3 K) paid a courtesy visit to the British RAF Coltishall air base. Our pilots were familiarized with the history and organization of the base and the flight security system. All pilots flew familiarization flights on "Jaguar GR-4" and "Hawk" aircraft. They also participated in a practical aerial refueling demonstration over the North Sea.
At the turn of September and October 2000, the brigade participated in the exercise of British forces under the code name "UŁAN EAGLE-2000". at the airport of the 8th ELT in Mirosławiec, as part of the "Jade Fusion" exercise, RAF airmen from 41 (F) Squadron (5 Jaguar aircraft) stayed.
General Gregory S. MARTIN, Colonel Richard H. CLEAYELAND and a group of officers paid a courtesy visit to the 1st BLT (40th ELT) in Świdwin on September 19, 2000. General MARTIN and Colonel CLEAVELAND made familiarization flights on the Su-22 UM 3 K aircraft and received commemorative certificates.
On September 30, 2000, at Plac Konstytucji 3 Maja in Świdwin, the ceremony of consecration and handing over the banner to the 1st Tactical Aviation Brigade took place. The founder of the banner was the society of the Świdwin county and the Łobez land. The Holy Mass for the soldiers of the 1st BLT and army employees was celebrated by the Field Bishop of the Polish Army, Fr. Maj. Gen. Slawaj Leszek Glodz. The banner's godparents were Mrs. Maria Kawka - the wife of the former commander of the 40th PLM-B and the staroste of the Świdwin poviat Mr. Zdzisław Chojnacki. The flag was presented on behalf of the President of the Republic of Poland by the Head of the National Security Bureau, Minister Marek Siwiec.
In November 2000, for achieving the best results in training and official activities in 2000, the WLOP Commander awarded the 1st BLT with a diploma of appreciation.
In December 2000, due to the restructuring of WLOP units, there were further organizational changes in the Brigade. On the basis of the order of the WLOP Commander of November 28, 2000, the Brigade took over the following subordination: 1st Tactical Aviation Squadron - MIŃSK MAZOWIECKI - commander - Major Dipl. drink Christopher Rosa. 9th Tactical Aviation Squadron - ZEGRZE POMORSKIE - commander - Major Dipl. drink Richard Raczynski. 41st Tactical Aviation Squadron - MALBORK - commander - major dr pil. Jan Rajchel. Thus, the 11th and 12th Air Base left the subordination of the 1st BLT and the Garrison Communications Hub was disbanded. The first months of the Brigade's functioning in the new structures were spent on harmonizing and perfecting the commands, staffs and troops of the brigade units.
2001 year.
On February 9, 2001, based on the Decision of the Minister of National Defense No. 495 of December 22, 2000, the position of the brigade commander was taken over by Lt. Col. Dipl. drink Richard Hać. The outgoing commander, Col. drink Paweł Jazienicki was appointed to the position of the Deputy Chief of the Air Force of the WLOP.
2002 year.
From March 1 to March 15, 2002, an allied strategic exercise under the code name "STRONG RESOLVE 2002" was conducted in Europe. Norway and Poland according to separate scenarios (Norway - operation in accordance with Article 5 - i.e. collective defense and Poland - operation outside Article 5 - i.e. peace support operation - PSO). 48 planes and 26 helicopters from 13 countries. NATO was represented by the Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, Italy and Poland. Non-NATO countries involved in the "Partnership for Peace" program were Finland, Sweden, Ukraine and France, which cooperates with the Alliance. 22 aircraft, 5 helicopters and one air defense missile squadron for the purpose of the exercise The main objective of the exercise was to test the preparedness of the armed forces of selected countries to conduct two independent operations. Poland played a special role in this exercise because it acted as a host for the exercising forces according to the scenario of the peace operation.
On March 6, 2002, the Minister of National Defense Jerzy SZMAJDZINSKI (post-communist) in the company of the Commander of the WLOP visited the units of the Świdwin garrison. During the visit, the minister was acquainted with the tasks and nature of the units and was presented with a static demonstration of the Su-22 aircraft with various armament variants.
On March 11, 2002, at 11:00 am in the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, the brigade commander, Col. drink Ryszard HAĆ, assisted by the deputy and chief of staff, received from the hands of the President of the Republic of Poland Aleksander KWAŚNIEWSKI - THE MARK OF HONOR OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND - which was awarded to the 1st BLT by the Minister of National Defense Jerzy SZMAJDZIŃSKI - for special achievements in performing official tasks in 2001.
On August 28, 2002, the Minister of National Defense, Jerzy SZMAJDZIŃSKI, by decision No. 538 of July 9, 2002, awarded Lt. Col. diploma drink Adam HODERNE, the head of the 1st BLT training, was awarded the badge and the title of MILITARY PILOT OF MERIT for special merits for the armed forces. During 30 years of service in the military aviation, the distinguished officer made 1,868 hours of flight time without accidents and aviation reasons.
On April 18, 2002, the duties of the commander of the 39th ELT in Świdwin were taken over by Capt. diploma drink Ireneusz STARZYNSKI. On April 22, 2002, the former commander of the 39th ELT Capt. diploma drink Zdzisław CIEŚLIK took over the duties of the commander of the 8th ELT in Mirosławiec.
In 2002, the 40th ELT took part in the Strong Resolve 2002 exercise (March 1, 2002 to March 15, 2002). The exercises took place in Świdwin, where Sea Harrier FA2 aircraft from the 801st squadron of the Royal Navy flew from the Yeovilton base in Somerset. Since 1998, Strong Resolve 2002 has been the largest NATO maneuvers in Europe. About 30,000 soldiers from 14 NATO countries and 12 countries participating in the Partnership for Peace took part in them. They took place in Poland, Norway and the Baltic Sea. The main topic of the tasks was defense and counteracting terrorist attacks.
In the period from August 30, 2002 to September 9, 2002, the 40th ELT participated in the Lone Kestrel 2002 exercise. In turn, from September 16, 2002 to September 27, 2002, French Mirage 2000 N aircraft from EC3/4 flew to Świdwin Limousin from Istres. In 2002, the 40th ELT also participated in Clean Hunter and NAM exercises.
2003 year.
In 2003, the 39th ELT was disbanded and, after three years of existence, was liquidated. The planes and personnel were distributed to other units of the Brigade. Also in 2003, the 11th BLot was renumbered as the 21st BLot. In addition, the 41st ELT decommissioned MiG-21 aircraft and continued training on TS-11 Iskra aircraft.
On May 27-28, 2003, training and tactical flights were carried out from the road section of the KLINISKA airfield under the codename DOL-2003. The purpose of the flights was to perform tactical tasks and to train another group of pilots in daytime flights and night take-offs from the road section of the airport. The airport of the 21st BLot in Świdwin was used to secure the tasks at DOL.
The day of June 8, 2003 was a special day for the community of the Świdwin garrison. On that day, the Field Bishop of the Polish Army, Maj. Gen. Sławoj Leszek Głódź consecrated the Garrison Church of the Ascension of the Lord.
According to the program of allied exercises, on June 23 - July 3, 2003, a bilateral exercise was conducted with the air forces of NATO countries in the area of responsibility of the "North" Regional Command under the code name "CLEAN HUNTER-2003".
On August 19-20, 2003, on the territory of the Central Training Ground of WLOP USTKA, the separate forces and resources of the brigade units (from the 1st, 8th and 41st ELT) took part in securing the 1 KZ exercise under the code name "ZIELONY ŚWIERK-03" and in on August 21-28, 2003, they secured the exercise of subunits of the 12th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Hungarian Army under the code name "BALTI -2003". A serious undertaking of the Brigade units was the participation in the international aviation exercise of NATO countries under the code name AIR MEET-2003, held over the territory of Poland on September 5-19, 2003.
In order to show the skills of the pilots of the 1st BLT and the possibilities of using the aircraft, the Brigade's separate forces took part, on August 30-31, 2003, at the military airport in Radom, in the International Air Show AIR SHOW 2003. For the first time, an air parade with the participation of MiG-29, Su-22 and MiG-21 aircraft and a dynamic show on the MiG-29 aircraft.
40 ELT took part in the exercise code-named "Fast Seagull". The purpose of these exercises was to assess the quality of the modernized NEWA SC mobile missile systems. The upgrades were developed and made by the Polish Armaments Industry. The exercises confirmed the desirability of the modification changes made.
2004 year.
40 Squadron took part in the Polish Dancer 2004 exercise. Harrier planes from the 801st RAF squadron (UK) flew to Świdwin. The 40th ELT hosted the Clean Hunter 2004 exercises in Germany at the 33rd Air Base in Buchel. In 2004, another Chopin-2004 exercise was conducted. In the period from October 15, 2004 to October 22, 2004, in France in the "Normandy-Niemen" squadron, together with the Mirage F1 aircraft. Still in 2004, the Squadron took part in the Kondor 2004 and Passex exercises.
On September 9, 2004, in the presence of the commander of the 2nd Air Defense Corps, Col. Marian Dering and representatives of the authorities of the City of Świdwin, the duties of the commander of the 1st Tactical Aviation Brigade were handed over. The duties were passed by Brig. Gen. drink Ryszard Hać, and received by Col. pil. Slawomir Dygnatowski. Brigadier General Ryszard Hać then took over the duties of the commander of the "School of Eaglets" in Dęblin.
2005 year.
On March 3, 2005, the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Świdwin took place in Świdwin. The ceremony was carried out with the assistance of the honor guard of the 21st Air Base and flag posts of schools and state institutions. The memory of those who died in the battle for Świdwin was solemnly honored.
The President of the Republic of Poland (post-communist) Aleksander Kwaśniewski, returning on March 18, 2005, from the solemn celebration of the anniversary of his marriage to the sea, visited the soldiers of the Świdwin Garrison. The President was accompanied by, among others: Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Poland Longin Pastusiak, Deputy Minister of National Defense Janusz Zemke, Commander of the Air Force Lt. Gen. Ryszard Olszewski, Commander of the 2nd Air Defense Corps Brig. Tadeusz Kuziora, Field Bishop of the Polish Army Brig. Tadeusz Płoski.
The President of the Republic of Poland, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, was greeted at the Świdwin airport by the Commander of the Polish Air Force, Lieutenant General Ryszard Olszewski. Then, in the pilot's house, a meeting was held at which the present guests and the staff of the Świdwin garrison listened to the guests' speeches.
40 ELT in 2005, took part in the Sentry White Falcon 2005 exercise, which was conducted from June 2, 2005 to June 17, 2005 at the 31st Air Base in Krzesiny.
40 Squadron also took part in the next NAM 2005 exercises, from August 29, 2005 to September 16, 2005, at the Orland Air Base in Norway.
On September 1, 2005, in Świdwin, celebrations of the Aviation Day and the Veteran's Day took place. They were held to pay tribute to all the heroic defenders of the Polish sky, to pay homage to and honor the memory of the pilots of the Świdwin garrison who gave their lives here in the West Pomeranian land. To honor the memory of Polish soldiers who died in World War II and to honor the veterans who fought on all its fronts. The celebrations began with the Holy Mass in the Garrison Church of the Ascension of the Lord. And ended with a solemn tattoo.
On October 14, 2005, the 7th anniversary of the establishment of the 1st Tactical Aviation Brigade was solemnly celebrated. Superiors were present - Commander of the Air Force Lieutenant General Stanisław TARGOSZ and Chief of Staff - Deputy Commander of the 2nd KOP Brigadier General Marian DERING and many distinguished guests.
Continued in the next chapter.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman