31st Tactical Air Base

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.

3rd and 6th Tactical Squadrons

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)

Air Base

The 31st Air Force Base is a logistic unit, providing comprehensive support for training and warfare of all air force units residing 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:

coordinating and supporting incoming air elements of different services and countries
logistics and securing of combat missions of military aircraft
organization and maintenance of command system of military aircraft
coordination and execution of loading procedures for other types of aircraft
storage, preparation and supply of air combat supplies for air units stationing in air base
the maintenance and servicing of air and ground equipment

Equipment

F-16 C/Ds in the base's hangar

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

31st Tactical Air Base

3rd and 6th Tactical Squadrons

Air Base

Equipment

See also