Polish MiG-29 Jets Flying Again
Polish MiG-29 fighter aircraft have returned to flying. 23rd Tactical Air Base in Minsk Mazowiecki is the first one to begin flight operations again.
Lt. Col. Marek Pawlak, spokesman for the General Command of the Armed Forces announced that MiG-29 Fulcrum jets based at the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Minsk Mazowiecki are flying again.
Decision to get the MiG-29s flying again was made on Monday, 25th November, right after a meeting with the pilots that also involved the head of the MoD, Mariusz Błaszczak and the General commander of the Armed Forces, General Jarosław Mika. The information has been made public during a press briefing involving the Air Force Inspector, Divisional General Jacek Pszczoła and commander of the 1st Tactical Air Wing, Col. Maciej Trelka.
The jets were grounded since the accident that happened in March, earlier this year. Despite the above they have been maintained in line with the normal schedule and their readiness to fly was not lost. Also, maintenance related to long periods of not flying was also being carried out. Five aircraft are considered to be fit for use in the process of bringing back type currency to the pilots. Another 12 examples may be fit to fly after periodic maintenance inspections.
Malbork 22nd Tactical Air Base is the second unit that owns MiG-29 jets, alongside the base in Minsk Mazowiecki. Similarly to the latter unit, the Malbork base is a part of the 1st Tactical Air Wing.