| 31st Tactical Air Base Unit | |
|---|---|
31.BLoT patch |
|
| Active | 2008 – present |
| Country | Poland |
| Allegiance | Polish Air Force |
| Type | Tactical Air Force Unit |
| Role | Providing Air Superiority, Reconnaissance |
| Size | 2x Squadrons |
| Location | Krzesiny, part of the Nowe Miasto district of Poznań |
| Commanders | |
| Commendatnt | Col. Cezary WIŚNIEWSKI |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Lockheed Martin F-16 C/D +52 |
| Utility helicopter | Mil Mi-2 |
The 31st Tactical Air Base (Polish: 31 Baza Lotnictwa Taktycznego – 31.BLoT) is the biggest military unit of Polish Air Force. Unit was created in 2008 as a result of fusion of three previous units: 31st Air Base, 3rd Tactical Squadron and 6th Tactical Squadron. Unit operates two squadrons of F-16 C/D fighters (16 planes in each squadron) and two Mi-2 utility helicopters. Currently operates F-16 fighters only.
Previously the 31st Air Base (Polish: 31. Baza Lotnicza) had been organised as a Polish Air Force base, located in Krzesiny, part of the Nowe Miasto district of Poznań. It is the first base to host the recently acquired F-16 fighters. The base was officially constituted on 31 December 2000.
Contents |
The 3rd Tactical Squadron had previously been part of the 31st Air Base since 31 December 2000.
The 6th Fighter Squadron was previously known as the 6th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (6 Pułk Lotnictwa Myśliwsko-Bombowego) (1982-1998) and the 6th Tactical Air Squadron (6 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego) (2000-2008)
The 31st Air Force Base is a logistic unit, providing comprehensive support for training and warfare of all air force units residng on base area. It provides a wide range of support for air units deployed to the base for tasks during peacetime, in states of emergency, or in war situations. It also provided logistic support for other units permanently or temporarily deployed to the base, as well as SAR, CSAR and CAP duties.
Main tasks of the air base include:
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | In service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockheed Martin F-16C block +52 | USA | Multirole Jet Fighter | 23 |
| Lockheed Martin F-16D block +52 | USA | Multirole Jet Fighter | 9 |
| Mil Mi-2 | Poland Soviet Union |
Light Utility Helicopter | 2 |