🇵🇱 Krzesiny Military Air Base

Poznań-Krzesiny Airport (ICAO: EPKS), also known as the 31st Air Base (Polish: 31. Baza Lotnicza), is a military airport located in Krzesiny, Poznań, Poland. It is a Polish Air Force base.

Notable Features and History:

• Built in 1941 by Nazi Germany, it initially served an aircraft factory.
• In 1954, the Soviets transferred the base to the Polish People's Army.
• The base has hosted various fighter regiments, including the 62nd Fighter Regiment and the 3rd Fighter Regiment of Poznań.
• In 2000, it was reorganized into the 31st Air Base to conform with NATO practices.
• It was the first base to host Polish F-16 fighters, with deliveries beginning in November 2006.
• The airport underwent significant modernization to meet NATO requirements, including an extended runway, new taxiways, a control tower, and hangars.

Current Status:

• The facility is active and operates as the 31st Tactical Air Base.
• It is home to the 3rd Air Squadron and 6th Air Squadron, both tactical fighter squadrons equipped with F-16C/D Block 52+ Jastrząb aircraft.
• The base frequently hosts NATO allies and friendly countries for meetings, exercises, and visits, including the US Air Force as part of the Aviation Detachment program.
• In 2025, a Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35A detachment was stationed at Krzesiny for NATO's integrated air and missile defense mission.
• The F-16s from Krzesiny have been on quick-reaction duty, particularly following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, conducting continuous air patrols along the eastern border.
• The airport has one concrete runway, 11/29, measuring 8,202 ft (2,500 m).

*Sources researched: en.wikipedia.org, polot.net, migflug.com, cyryl.poznan.pl, aip.aero*