Broczyno Air Base

The closure was a direct result of the large-scale military restructuring and downsizing of the Polish Armed Forces following the end of the Cold War. As Poland realigned its military doctrine and prepared for NATO integration, many former Warsaw Pact-era bases were deemed redundant. The resident air regiment at Broczyno was disbanded, and its aircraft and personnel were either retired or relocated to other strategic bases.

The site has been completely repurposed for civilian and commercial use and is no longer an active airfield. Its current uses include:
1. **Renewable Energy:** A significant portion of the former airfield, including some taxiways and adjacent areas, is now occupied by the Czaplinek Photovoltaic Farm, one of the largest solar power plants in Poland.
2. **Event Venue:** The remaining runway and apron areas serve as the location for the massive annual Pol'and'Rock Festival (formerly known as Przystanek Woodstock), one of Europe's largest open-air music festivals, which relocated to the site in 2021.
3. **Other Activities:** The vast paved surfaces are also occasionally used for smaller events, automotive testing, and driver training courses.

Built in the 1950s, Broczyno Air Base was a significant frontline airfield for the Polish Air Force during the Warsaw Pact era. Its strategic location in northwestern Poland positioned it to support potential offensive and defensive operations against NATO forces. For most of its operational life, the base was home to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (8. Pułk Lotnictwa Myśliwsko-Bombowego). This regiment operated various aircraft over the decades, culminating in the deployment of supersonic Sukhoi Su-22M4 'Fitter-K' (single-seat) and Su-22UM3K 'Fitter-G' (two-seat trainer) attack aircraft. The base featured a long concrete runway, extensive taxiways, and numerous hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) designed to protect aircraft from attack, reflecting its high-readiness status during the Cold War.

There are no known plans or realistic prospects for reopening Broczyno Air Base for any form of aviation. The extensive and permanent installation of the large-scale solar farm, combined with its established role as a major festival venue, makes a return to aviation functionally and economically unfeasible. The original aviation infrastructure is partially dismantled, obstructed, and has not been maintained for flight operations for over two decades.