The 31st Tactical Air Base (Polish: 31 Baza Lotnictwa Taktycznego â 31 BLT) is the biggest military unit of the Polish Air Force. The unit was created in 2008 as a result of fusion of three previous units: 31st Air Base, 3rd Tactical Squadron and 6th Tactical Squadron. The unit operates two squadrons of F-16 C/D fighters (16 planes in each squadron). The associated base, Krzesiny air base outside of Poznan, currently operates F-16 fighters only.
Previously the 31st Air Base () had been organised as a Polish Air Force base, located in Krzesiny, part of the Nowe Miasto district of Poznaà Â. It is the first base to host the recently acquired F-16 fighters. The base was officially constituted on 31 December 2000.
The 3rd Tactical Squadron had previously been part of the 31st Air Base since 31 December 2000.
The 6th Tactical Squadron was previously known as the 6th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (6 Puà Âk Lotnictwa Myà Âliwsko-Bombowego) (1982âÂÂ1998) and the 6th Tactical Air Squadron (6 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego) from 2000 to 2008.
The 31st Air Force Base is a logistics unit, providing comprehensive support for training and warfare of all air force units residing on the 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 provides logistics support for other units permanently or temporarily deployed to the base, as well as search and rescue (SAR), combat search and rescue (CSAR) and combat air patrol (CAP) duties.
Main tasks of the air base include: