Krzesiny Air Base

In May 2009 the Polish Air Force (Sily Powietrzne) arranged a series of visits to various air bases in Poland displaying the range of missions carried out by the force as well as presenting almost the full range of operational aircraft types.

The first visit on the tour was to Krzesiny, an F-16 base near Poznan, this is the photo report from that base.

Poznan-Krzesiny, officially known as the 31st Tactical Air Force Base, is home to a few air force units but the main operational unit is the 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron flying the Lockheed Martin F-16C & D Fighting Falcon.

The D model F-16's operated by the Polish Air Force are equipped with enlarged spines, they can also be equipped with conformal fuel tanks for longer range missions.

In September 1954 the 62nd Flying Training Regiment was formed at the former Focke Wulf company airfield of Poznan-Krzesiny. Three years later it was converted into combat unit, becoming the 62nd Air Fighter Regiment.

The 62nd Air Fighter Regiment was first equipped with the MiG-15 and then later with the MiG-19. Since 1962, various models of the MiG-21 Fishbed have been stationed at Poznan-Krzesiny.

When the decision was made to acquire multirole Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons intensive modernization of the airfield infrastructure was be undertaken. The runway, taxiways and aprons were overhauled while a new hanger and other buildings were constructed.

While we did not get to see to much of the new building infrastructure at Poznan-Krzesiny we were treated to two sessions of flying, one in the day and one in the evening time just as the sun was going down. Pictures from both day and evening sessions can be seen on this page.

IrishAirPics would like to thank all the personnel at both Poznan-Krzesiny Air Base and at Polish Air Force Headquarters for making the visit possible and for their help & assistance during the visit.