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The Polish Air Force once operated 110 Su-22's. This number has decreased rapidly during
the last few years and now this Russian built fighter bomber can only be found at two airbases:
Świdwin and the nearby Mirosławiec. In the near future, Mirosławiec will be closed
and the local Fitters will be moved to Świdwin or withdrawn from use.
Świdwin is home to two fighter bomber units: the 7th and 40th Tactical Squadrons (7 and 40 ELT).
Two versions of the Mach 1.7 capable Su-22 are in use: the Su-22M-4K and the Su-22UM-3K, the latter
being the dual seat version. The fleet requires modernization to cope with the advanced requirements of
the future battlefield, and as for now it looks like the Polish Fitters will be retired in 2012.
Besides the fighter bombers, another unit can be found at Świdwin: 1 Grupa Poszukiwawczo-Ratownicza,
in English: the 1st CSAR group. This unit operates W-3 and old Mi-2 helicopters.
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