 The economical difficulties of the country led to a rapid decline of flight activity and operational readiness in the 1990s.In 1994 the 18th FAR was disbanded and the 1st Air Defence Base was formed, comprising the 1st Fighter Air Squadron, being named "Knights of the Sky" and a number of ground units, supporting the squadron's flight operations.In 1998 the former regiment's airbase at Gabrovnitsa (being reformed as 2nd Air Defence Base and its squadron named "Wild Cat") ceased operations and its aircraft and personnel were transferred to Dobroslavtsi.