The Minister of National Defense Mr. Bogdan Klich attended the festivities held during the 65th anniversary of the 36th Special Air Transport Regiment "Defenders of Warsaw". Many other guests as well as representatives from aviation institutions took part in the ceremonies.

Amongst them: the Chief of the Bureau of National Safety - Mr Aleksander Szczygło, the head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery - Mr. Tomasz Arabski, the Air Force Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Polish Armed Forces - Lt. Gen. Lech Majewski, The Chief Of Staff-Deputy Commander of the Polish Air Force - Maj. Gen. Krzysztof Załęski. Also, a World War II veteran from the 300th and 301st Bomber Division - Col (ret.) Włodzimierz Bernhardt took part in the festivities.

The celebrations began at the Polish Armed Forces Field Cathedral, where a delegation from the 36th Special Air Transport Regiment lay a bouqet of flowers at the Memorial of Polish Airmen Killed during the World War II.

Further celebrations were held at the Military Airport Terminal at the Warsaw Okęcie Airport, where the Chief the of the Bureau of National Safety - Mr Aleksander Szczygło read a special letter from the Presindent of the Republic of Poland. Afterwards, the head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery - Mr. Tomasz Arabski congratulated the airmen on behalf of the Polish Prime Minister.

The Commander of the 36th Special Air Transport Regiment - Col. Ryszard Raczyński gave a speech reminding the guests and airmen of the unit's history as well as the main principles which it serves: "Honour and Responsibility". Next, decorations and awards were handed out to the airmen - including the Pilot of the Year Award presented to Lt. Marek Guba and the Technician of the Year Award presented to Warren Officer Tomasz Wawulski.

During the ceremony Mr Bogdan Klich said "This regiment along with many other air bases and flying squadrons inherits the traditions of our aviation history along with the memories of military deeds, units formed in Britain during World War II - including the 301st Bomber Division. Ninety years of our aviation history have brought us international fame and broadened our horizons."