Jump to content

Polish Air Force

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by FrescoBot (talk | contribs) at 20:02, 23 June 2014 (Bot: link syntax). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Polish Air Force
Siły Powietrzne
Polish Air Force's Eagle
Active1918–present
Country Poland
BranchPolish Armed Forces
Size16,425 military[1]
355 aircraft
Part ofPolish Armed Forces
EngagementsPolish-Soviet War
World War II
War in Iraq
War in Afghanistan
Commanders
CommanderGen. Broni Lech Majewski
Chief of StaffGen. Dyw. Sławomir Kałuziński
Insignia
Air Force Flag
Air Force Ensign
Roundel
Aircraft flown
AttackSu-22
FighterF-16, MiG-29
HelicopterMi-8, Mi-17, PZL W-3, PZL SW-4
ReconnaissancePZL M-28
TrainerPZL-130, TS-11
TransportC-130, C-295, M-28

The Polish Air Force (Siły Powietrzne, literally "Air Forces") is a military branch of the Polish Armed Forces. Until July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej (literally: Air-and-Air Defence Forces). In 2014 it consisted of roughly 16,425 military personnel and about 355 aircraft, distributed among 10 bases throughout Poland. The Polish Air Force is currently one of the most advanced in Central Europe, equipped since 2008 with the Lockheed Martin F-16C jet fighter.[2][3]

The Polish Air Force can trace its origins to the months following the end of World War I in 1918. Following the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in 1939, parts of the Polish Air Force was destroyed, although many of its pilots were able to either, soon after the Soviet invasion of Poland on 17 September to fly their aircraft to Hungary and Romania, or near the end of September campaign to fly to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia and Sweden where their aircraft were impounded and pilots interned in detention camps. Nevertheless most managed to escape and continue fighting throughout World War II in air squadrons first in France then in Britain and later also the Soviet Union. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Poland has steadily reduced its reliance upon Russian-built aircraft and by 2012 will have three squadrons of American-built F-16 fighter aircraft fully operational.

History

Main article: History of Polish Air Force

1918–1930

Albatros D.III (Oef) fighters of the Polish 7th Air Escadrille at Lewandówka airfield in the winter of 1919-1920

Military aviation in Poland started shortly after the country regained its independence after World War I, in November 1918. Initially, its air force consisted of mostly German and Austrian aircraft, such as the Fokker D.VII, Oeffag D.III and Albatros J.I, captured from the former Central Axis Powers. These planes were first used by the Polish Air Force in the Polish-Ukrainian War in late 1918, during combat operations centered around the city of Lwów (now Lviv).[4]

When the Polish-Soviet War broke out in February 1920, the Polish Air Force used a variety of western-made Allied aircraft, including some from countries such as Britain, France and Italy. The most common aircraft in service at this time were the British made Bristol F2B and Italian Ansaldo Balilla fighters. The 21. Eskadra Niszczycielska (21st Destroyer Squadron) included a Gotha G.IV on April 30, 1920.[4]

American volunteers, Merian C. Cooper and Cedric Fauntleroy, fighting in the Polish Air Force as part of the Polish 7th Air Escadrille, known as the "Kościuszko Squadron".
Tail insiginia of the "Kościuszko Squadron".

After the Polish-Soviet War ended, most of the old World War I aircraft were gradually withdrawn and the air force was equipped with new French aircraft. From 1924 to 1930 the primary fighter of the Polish Air Force was the SPAD 61 and its main bombers were the French produced Potez 15 and the Potez 25, which was eventually manufactured in Poland under license from Aéroplanes Henry Potez.

The first Polish-designed and mass-produced aircraft to serve in the country's air force was a high wing fighter, the PWS-10, first manufactured in 1930 by the Podlasie Aircraft Factory.

1933–1938

PZL.23 Karaś Tactical Bomber

In 1933, Zygmunt Pulawski's first high wing, all-metal aircraft, the PZL P.7a, was designed and produced, with 150 entering service. The design was followed by 30 improved PZL P.11a aircraft and a final design, the PZL P.11c, was delivered in 1935 and was a respectable fighter for its time; 175 entered service and it remained the only Polish fighter until 1939, by which time foreign aircraft design had overtaken it. Its final version, the PZL P.24, was built for export only and was bought by four countries. A new fighter prototype, the PZL.50 Jastrząb (Hawk), similar to the Seversky P-35 in layout, was curtailed by the Nazi invasion and two twin-engine heavy fighters, the PZL.38 Wilk and the PZL.48 Lampart, remained prototypes.[4]

PZL.37 Łoś Medium Bomber

As far as bombers are concerned, the Potez 25 and Breguet 19 were replaced by an all-metal monoplane, the PZL.23 Karaś, with 250 built from 1936 onwards, but by 1939 the Karas was outdated. In 1938 the Polish factory PZL designed a modern twin-engine medium bomber, the PZL.37 Łoś (Elk), arguably the best bomber in the world when it entered service that year. The Łoś had a bomb payload of 2580 kg and a top speed of 439 km/h. Unfortunately, only about 30 Łoś A bombers (single tailfin) and 70 Łoś B (twin tailfin) bombers had been delivered before the Nazi invasion.

As an observation and close reconnaissance plane, Polish escadres used the slow and easily damaged Lublin R-XIII, and later the RWD-14 Czapla. Polish naval aviation used the Lublin R-XIII on floats. Just before the war, some Italian torpedo planes, the CANT Z.506, were ordered, but only one was delivered, and it was without armament. The principal aircraft used to train pilots were the Polish-built high-wing RWD-8 and the PWS-26 biplane. In 1939, Poland ordered 160 MS-406s and 10 Hawker Hurricane fighters from abroad, but they were not delivered before the outbreak of war.

1939

See also: Polish September Campaign

On 1 September 1939, at the beginning of the Invasion of Poland, all the Polish combat aircraft had been dispersed to secondary airfields, contrary to a commonly-held belief, based on German propaganda, that they had all been destroyed by bombing at their air bases. The aircraft destroyed by German bombers on the airfields were mostly trainer planes. The fighter planes were grouped into 15 escadres (five of them constituted the Pursuit Brigade, deployed in the Warsaw area). Despite being obsolete, Polish PZL-11 fighters shot down over 170 German planes. The bombers, grouped in nine escadres of the Bomber Brigade, attacked armoured columns but suffered heavy losses. Seven reconnaissance and 12 observation escadres, deployed to particular armies, were used primarily for reconnaissance. Part of the Polish Air Force was destroyed in the campaign; the surviving aircraft were either captured or withdrawn to Romania, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, or Sweden where, subsequently, the captors employed these aircraft for their own use (in case of Romania till 1956). A great number of pilots and aircrew managed to escape to France and then to Britain, where they played a significant part in the defence of the United Kingdom against Nazi invasion, during the Battle of Britain.

Number of planes on September 1, 1939[5]
Type Model Total Combat formations
Fighters PZL P.11 175 140
PZL P.7 105 30
Light bombers/Tactical bombers PZL.23A 35 0
PZL.23B 170 120
PZL.43A 6 6
PZL.46 2 1
Medium bombers PZL.37 Łoś 61 36
PZL.30 Żubr 15 0
Surveillance aircraft and Army cooperation planes Lublin R-XIII 150 55
RWD-14 Czapla 60 40
RWD-8 550 (most of them civilian) ~20
PWS-16bis 15 15
Total 1344 463

1940 (France)

Main article: Polish Air Forces in France

After the fall of Poland, the Polish Air Force started to regroup in France. The only complete unit created before the German attack on France was the GC I/145 fighter squadron, flying Caudron C.714 light fighters. It was the only unit operating the C.714 at the time. The Polish pilots were also deployed to various French squadrons, flying on all types of French fighters, but mostly on the MS-406. After the surrender of France, many of these pilots managed to escape to Britain to continue the fight against the Luftwaffe.

1940–1947 (United Kingdom)

See also: Polish Air Force in Great Britain
Tail insignia of the famous 303 RAF Fighter Squadron (Polish) based on the Kosciusko Squadron tail insignia of World War I (see above).

Following the fall of France in 1940, Polish units were formed in the United Kingdom, as a part of the Royal Air Force and known as the Polish Air Force (PAF). Four Polish squadrons were formed: 300 Squadron and 301 Squadron flew bombers, 302 Squadron and 303 Squadron flew Hawker Hurricane fighters. The two Polish fighter squadrons first saw action in the third phase of the Battle of Britain in August 1940, with much success; the pilots were battle-hardened and Polish flying skills had been well learned from the Invasion of Poland. The pilots were regarded as fearless, sometimes bordering on reckless. Nevertheless, success rates were very high in comparison to UK and Empire pilots. 303 Squadron became the most efficient RAF fighter squadron at that time. Many Polish pilots also flew individually in other RAF squadrons.

As World War II progressed, further Polish squadrons were created in the United Kingdom: No. 304 Polish Bomber Squadron (bomber, then Coastal Command), 305 Squadron (bomber), 306 Squadron (fighter), 307 Squadron (night fighter), 308 Squadron (fighter), 309 Squadron (reconnaissance, then fighter), 315 Squadron (fighter), 316 Squadron (fighter), 317 Squadron (fighter), 318 Squadron (fighter-reconnaissance), 663 Squadron (air observation/artillery spotting) and the Polish Fighting Team also known as the "Skalski Circus", attached to 145 Squadron RAF. The fighter squadrons initially flew Hurricanes, then switched to Spitfires, and eventually to P-51 Mustangs. 307 Squadron, like other night fighter squadrons (such as 410 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force), flew Boulton-Paul Defiants, Bristol Beaufighters and finally de Havilland Mosquitoes. The bomber squadrons were initially equipped with Fairey Battles and Vickers Wellingtons. 300 Squadron was later assigned Avro Lancasters, 301 Squadron Handley Page Halifaxes and Consolidated Liberators and 305 Squadron, de Havilland Mosquitoes and North American Mitchells. 663 Squadron (air observation/artillery spotting) flew Auster AOP IIIs and Vs. After the war, all equipment was returned to the British, but only some of the pilots and crews actually returned to Poland, many settling in the United Kingdom.

1943–1945 (Russia)

See also: Air Force of the Polish Army

Along with the Polish People's Army (Ludowe Wojsko Polskie) in the USSR, the Ludowe Lotnictwo Polskie – Polish People's Air Force – was created, in defence of the Soviet Union against Nazi invasion. In late 1943, the 1st Fighter Regiment "Warszawa", (equipped with Yak-1 and Yak-9 aircraft), the 2nd Night Bomber Regiment "Kraków" (flying Polikarpov Po-2 aircraft – produced in Poland as the CSS-13 from 1949 onwards), and the 3rd Assault Regiment (flying Ilyushin Il-2 aircraft) were formed. During 1944–5, further regiments were created, coming together to form the 1st Mixed Air Corps, consisting of a bomber division, an assault division, a fighter division and a mixed division. After the war, these returned to Poland and gave birth to the air force of the People's Republic of Poland.

1949–1989

MiG-15 Fighter

In 1949, the Li-2sb transport aircraft was adapted into a bomber and in 1950, Poland received Petlyakov Pe-2 and Tupolev Tu-2 bombers from the Soviet Union along with USB-1 and USB-2 training bombers. In 1950 also, the Yak-17 fighter came into service, as did the Ilyushin Il-12 transport and the Yak-18 trainer. From 1951 onwards, the Polish Air Force was equipped with Yak-23 jet fighters and MiG-15 jets, along with a training version, the MiG-15 UTI, and later, in 1961, the MiG-17.

As well as Soviet-produced aircraft, from 1952 onwards Soviet MiG-15 and later MiG-17 fighters were produced under licence in Poland as the Lim-1, Lim-2 and later the Lim-5. A domestic ground attack variant of the Lim-5M was developed as the Lim-6bis in 1964. The only jet bomber used by the Polish Air Force during this period was the Ilyushin Il-28, from 1952 onwards. Poland used only a small number of MiG-19s from 1959, in favour of the MiG-21 from 1963 onwards, which became its main supersonic fighter. This aircraft was used in numerous variants from MiG-21F-13, through MiG-21PF and MF to MiG-21bis. Later, the Polish Air Force received 37 MiG-23s (1979) and 12 MiG-29s (1989).

The main fighter-bomber and ground attack aircraft after 1949 was the Il-10 (a training version, the UIl-10, entering service in 1951). From 1965 onwards, Poland also used a substantial number of Su-7Bs for bombing and ground attack, replaced with 27 Sukhoi Su-20s in 1974 and 110 Sukhoi Su-22s in 1984.

Il-28 Medium Bomber

Propeller-driven training aircraft, the Junak-2 (in service since 1952), the TS-9 Junak-3 (in service since 1954) and the PZL TS-8 Bies (since 1958) were later replaced by a jet trainer, the domestically built TS-11 Iskra. Another Polish jet trainer, the PZL I-22 Iryda, was used for some time but, because of continuing problems, all machines were returned to PZL for modification and did not resume service. The Yak-12 was used as a multirole aircraft from 1951, the An-2 from 1955 and subsequently the Wilga-35 P.

Transport aircraft used by the Polish Air Force during this period included: the Il-14 (first in service in 1955), the Il-18 (first in service in 1961), the An-12B (first in service in 1966), the An-26 (first in service in 1972), the Yak-40 (first in service in 1973) and the Tupolev Tu-154. A number of helicopters were used by the Polish Army: the SM-1 (a Mil Mi-1 manufactured under licence), which was a multirole helicopter, in operation since 1956; the Mil Mi-4, multirole, since 1958; the PLZ SM-2, multirole, since 1960; the Mil Mi-2 and Mil Mi-8 (later also Mil Mi-17), multirole, since 1968 and the Mil Mi-24, a combat helicopter, since 1976. Also the Mil Mi-14, an amphibious helicopter, and the Mil Mi-6, both used as transports.

In 1954, the Polish Air Force was merged with the Air Defence Force, creating the Air and Country Air Defence Forces (Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Przeciwlotniczej Obszaru Kraju  – WLiOPL OK), a military organisation composed of both flying and anti-aircraft units. In 1962, the WLiOPL OK were separated back again into their two original component bodies: the Air Force (Wojska Lotnicze) and the Country Air Defence Force (Wojska Obrony Powietrznej Kraju).

Since 1990

MiG-21PFM of Polish Air Force 10th Fighter Reg.

After political upheaval and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and a consequent reduction in the state of military anxiety in the whole of Europe, the Polish Air Force was reduced. On July 1, 1990, the Polish Air Force and the Air Defence Force were merged again (Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej – WLiOP or WLOP). The attack capability of this force consisted primarily of MiG-21s, MiG-23s, MiG-29s, Su-20s and Su-22s. The remaining Lim-6bis were withdrawn in the early 1990s, followed soon afterwards by the withdrawal of the remaining Su-20 aircraft. The small number of remaining MiG-23s were withdrawn by 1999. Throughout the 1990s, Poland had not purchased any new combat aircraft and only managed to acquire further MiG-29s from the Czech Republic in 1995 and from Germany in 2004. MiG-21s were finally withdrawn from service in 2003. In 2004, the only remaining combat aircraft flown by the WLiOP were the MiG-29 and the Su-22. As of 2010, the fleet of Su-22s is in need of modernization to retain any value as a combat aircraft and its future is unclear.[6]

F-16 D block 52+ "Hawk" Multirole Fighter

In 2002, the F-16C/D Block 52+ from the American company Lockheed Martin was chosen as a new multirole fighter for the WLiOP, the first deliveries taking place in November 2006 and continued until 2008 under Peace Sky program. As of 2011 the Polish Air Force have three squadrons of F-16s: two stationed at the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań and the 10th Tactical Squadron at the 32nd Air Base near Łask, which will be fully operational by 2012. The acquisition of the US F-16 was not without fierce competition from European aerospace companies; the sale was hotly pursued by the French company Dassault, with their Mirage 2000 and by the Swedish company Saab, with the JAS 39 Gripen. The Polish Block 52+ F-16s are equipped with the latest Pratt and Whitney F-100-229 afterburning turbofan engines, and the avionics suite will include the APG-68(V)9 terrain mapping radar system and the ALQ-211(V)4 electronic warfare suite. All Polish F-16s will be fully equipped to carry the latest in US precision ordnance, ranging from the JDAM/JSOW to the latest in export-certificate-authorized air-to-air weaponry (including the AIM-120C-5 and AIM-9X).

As the aftermath of the presidential Tu-154 crash in 2010 and later Polish investigation the 36th Special Aviation Regiment, responsible for transporting the President and the Polish Government, was disbanded, all officials flights will be carried by two LOT Polish Airlines Embraer E-175.[7] New unit will operate new W-3 VIP helicopters. On 27 February Poland signed a €280 milion contract with Alenia Aermacchi for 8 M-346 master Advanced Training Jet.[8][9] In May 2014, Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak announced plans for the future acquisition of attack helicopters in response to the Ukraine crisis.[10]

Aircraft inventory

Model Image Type Country Variant Number Details
Combat Aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-16 Jastrząb Multirole combat aircraft  United States F-16C-52+
F-16D-52+		 36
12		 Armed with[11]
562 AIM-9X
384 AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM
816 AGM-65G Maverick
280 AGM-154C JSOW and
Mk.82, Mk.84, GBU-31, GBU-38, GBU-22, GBU-24.
Two more F-16A block 15 are not in flying condition and are used as instructional airframes.
Mikoyan MiG-29 Fighter aircraft  Soviet Union MiG-29A
MiG-29UB		 25
6		 Out of 44 acquired Soviet made izdielije 9.12A, including former German MiG-29G/GT.[12][13][14]
Sukhoi Su-22 Attack aircraft  Soviet Union Su-22M4
Su-22UM3K		 26
6		 Out of 110 acquired delivered 1984-88.[15][16] 16 planned to remain in service until 2026.[17][18][19] To be replaced by 64 new multirole aircraft.[20]
Transport Aircraft
PZL An-28 Utility transport  Soviet Union
 Poland		 An-28TD 2[21]
PZL M28B Bryza Utility transport  Poland Bryza TD
M28B/PT		 10[22]
13[23]
CASA C-295 Tactical transport  Spain C-295M 16 17 delivered,[24][25][26] 1 crashed on January 24th, 2008.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules Tactical transport  United States C-130E 5
Trainer aircraft
PZL TS-11 Iskra Trainer aircraft  Poland PZL TS-11 38 To be replaced by eight Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master with delivery planned for 2016-2017.[27][28]
PZL-130 Orlik Trainer aircraft  Poland PZL-130TC-I
PZL-130TC-II		 21
16		 16 modernized to PZL-130TC-II standard (2011-2014), TC-III variant under development.[29]
Diamond DA20 Trainer aircraft  Austria DA20 C-1 "Eclipse" 5 3 more on order[30]
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8 Transport helicopter
Passenger helicopter
Rescue helicopter		  Soviet Union
 Russia		 Mi-8T
Mi-8P
Mi-8RL		 3
3
4		 To be replaced by 10 new CSAR helicopters in the near future.
Mil Mi-17 Transport helicopter  Russia Mi-17-1V 10 Armed with M134G.
PZL Mi-2 Light transport helicopter  Poland Mi-2/Mi-2RL 54
PZL W-3 Sokół Utility helicopter
Rescue helicopter
VIP helicopter		  Poland W-3T
W-3RL
W-3R
W-3P
W-3S
W-3VIP		 8
6
2
1
2
5[31]
PZL SW-4 Puszczyk Light transport/trainer helicopter  Poland PZL SW-4 24
Guimbal Cabri G2 Light trainer helicopter  France G2 2[26] 3 on order.[32]

Retired aircraft

Yak-9
Avia B33
Yak-23
Lim-2
Lim-5
MiG-21
MiG-23
Su-20
Pe-2
An-2
Il-14
An-26
Tu-154
Yak-12
Yak-11
TS-8 Bies
SM-1
Mi-4
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service # of aircraft Notes
Yakovlev Yak-1[33]  Soviet Union fighter Yak-1B 1943–1946 70
Yakovlev Yak-3[33]  Soviet Union fighter 1944–1945 25
Yakovlev Yak-9[33]  Soviet Union fighter Yak-9
Yak-9M
Yak-9T
Yak-9W
Yak-9U
Yak-9P 		1944
1944–1951
1944–1951
1945–1953
1945–1947
1947–1953 		1
72
24
58
19
123
Ilyushin Il-2  Soviet Union attack aircraft Il-2M/M3/UIl-2 1944–1949 200+
Ilyushin Il-10  Soviet Union
 Czechoslovakia 		attack aircraft Il-10
UIl-10
B-33 		1949–1959
1954–1961 		96
24
281
Yakovlev Yak-17[33]  Soviet Union fighter
fighter trainer 		Yak-17
Yak-17UTI 		1950–1955 3
11
Yakovlev Yak-23[33]  Soviet Union fighter Yak-23 1950–1956 103
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15  Soviet Union
 Czechoslovakia 		fighter
fighter trainer 		MiG-15
MiG-15bis
S-102
MiG-15UTI
CS-102 		1951–
1953–
1953–
1951–
1955– 		60
36
60
19
96
PZL-Mielec Lim-1/2 (MiG-15/bis)[33]  Poland fighter Lim-1
Lim-2 		1952–1980
1954–1996 		227
496 		some converted to twin-seat SBLim-1/2
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17  Soviet Union interceptor MiG-17PF 1955–1965 12
PZL-Mielec Lim-5/6 (MiG-17)[33]  Poland fighter
interceptor
attack aircraft
attack aircraft 		Lim-5
Lim-5P
Lim-5M
Lim-6bis 		1956–1996
1959–1984
1960–1966
1965–1992 		308
82
60
42 		over 100 Lim-5 converted to Lim-6bis and retired in 80s, 42 Lim-5P converted to Lim-6M, 12 Lim-5P to Lim-6MR, 70 bis converted to reconnaissance Lim-6R.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19[34]  Soviet Union fighter
interceptor 		MiG-19P
MiG-19PM 		1957–1974 24
11
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21[34]  Soviet Union fighter MiG-21F-13
MiG-21PF
MiG-21PFM
MiG-21R
MiG-21M
MiG-21MF
MiG-21MF-75
MiG-21bis
Total 		1963–1971
1964–1989
1966–1995
1968–2002
1969–2002
1972–2003
1975–1999
1980–2003
1963–2003 		25
84
132
36
36
100
20
72
505
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21[34]  Soviet Union fighter trainer MiG-21U
MiG-21US
MiG-21UM 		1965-1990
1969-1992
1971-2003 		11
12
54
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23[34]  Soviet Union fighter
fighter trainer 		MiG-23MF
MiG-23UB 		1979–1999 36
6
Sukhoi Su-7[34]  Soviet Union attack aircraft Su-7BM
Su-7BKŁ
Su-7U 		1964–1990
1966-1990
1969-1990 		6
31
8
Sukhoi Su-20[34]  Soviet Union attack aircraft/
reconnaissance 		Su-20
Su-20R 		1974–1997
1975–1997 		19
8
Petlyakov Pe-2  Soviet Union bomber Pe-2FT 1944–1954 101
Tupolev Tu-2  Soviet Union bomber/target tug Tu-2S/UTu-2 1945–1960 8
Ilyushin Il-28  Soviet Union bomber/
reconnaissance 		Il-28
Il-28U
Il-28R 		1952–1986 72
16
15
Shcherbakov Shche-2  Soviet Union transport 1945–1947 5
Lisunov Li-2  Soviet Union transport/VIP transport 1945–1968 19
Douglas C-47 Skytrain  United States transport 1945– 11
SNCAC NC-701  France transport/
aerial photography 		1949–1955 6 former LOT Polish Airlines
PZL-Mielec An-2  Soviet Union
 Poland 		utility transport An-2T/TD/W 1956–2012 138 Retired after 56 years on December 14, 2012, some transferred to civil aviation.[35]
Ilyushin Il-12  Soviet Union transport Il-12D 1957–1967 3
Ilyushin Il-14  Soviet Union transport/VIP transport Il-14P/T/S 1955–1990 17
Ilyushin Il-18  Soviet Union transport Il-18W 1961–1987 5
Antonov An-12[34]  Soviet Union transport An-12B 1966–1995 2 one crashed in 1977
Antonov An-24[34]  Soviet Union transport An-24W 1966–1977 6
Antonov An-26[34]  Soviet Union transport An-26 1972–2009 12
Yakovlev Yak-40[34]  Soviet Union VIP transport 1973–2011 18
Tupolev Tu-134  Soviet Union VIP transport Tu-134A 1974–1992 4
Tupolev Tu-154[34]  Soviet Union VIP transport Tu-154M 1990–2011 2 one crashed in 2010
Polikarpov Po-2  Soviet Union
 Poland 		liaison/utility/
training 		Po-2
CSS-13 		1944–
1949– 		200+
500+
Messerschmitt Bf 108  Nazi Germany liaison 1944– few captured
Focke-Wulf Fw 58  Nazi Germany liaison 1944–1954 1 captured
Fieseler Fi 156  Nazi Germany liaison/medevac 1945– 5
Yakovlev Yak-12  Soviet Union
 Poland 		liaison/utility/
training 		Yak-12R/M/A 1951– 100+ Passed on civilian flying clubs.
PZL-104 Wilga  Poland liaison/utility/
reconnaissance 		Wilga 35A 1973–1993 27 Passed on civilian flying clubs.
Yakovlev UT-2  Soviet Union trainer 1944–1952 140
Polikarpov UTI-4  Soviet Union trainer
Tupolev USB  Soviet Union training bomber USB-2M-103
Yakovlev Yak-18  Soviet Union trainer Yak-18 1949–1960 15+ Passed on civilian flying clubs.
LWD Junak  Poland trainer Junak 2
Junak 3 		1952–1955
1954–1961 		71
93 		Passed on civilian flying clubs.
Yakovlev Yak-11  Soviet Union
 Czechoslovakia 		trainer Yak-11
C-11 		1954–1962 101
37
PZL TS-8 Bies  Poland trainer BI/BII/BIII 1957–1970 250 Passed on civilian flying clubs.
PZL I-22 Iryda[34]  Poland jet trainer M93K 1992–1996 8
PZL SM-1 (Mi-1)[33]  Soviet Union
 Poland 		light liaison/utility/
training helicopter 		1957–1983 ~30
Mil Mi-4[33]  Soviet Union utility helicopter Mi-4A 1958–1981 17
PZL SM-2[33]  Poland light transport/liaison/
utility helicopter 		SM-2 1960-1979 ~50
Mil Mi-6[34]  Soviet Union heavy lift helicopter Mi-6A 1986–1990 3
Bell 412[34]  United States VIP helicopter 412SP/HP
412HP 		1991
1993–2011 		2
1 		Originally 2 Bell 412SP/HP were leased during Pope John Paul II visit to Poland in 1991, in 1993 single Bell 412HP joined Air Force, in 2011 transferred to the Ministry of Interior (Police).[36]

Organization

Major bases

Base Town Unit Aircraft Task
1st Air Base Warszawa W-3, Mi-8 VIP
1st Airport Station Radom 2nd Flying Training Centre PZL-130 Training
6th Air Base Dęblin 1st Flying Training Centre TS-11, PZL-130, SW-4 Training
8th Air Base Kraków 13th Airlift Squadron (Polish Air Force) CASA C-295, PZL M-28, Airlift
21st Air Base Świdwin 40th Tactical Squadron and 7th Tactical Squadron
1st Search and Rescue Group[37]		 Su-22
W-3RL		 Attack
SAR
22nd Air Base Malbork 41st Tactical Squadron MiG-29 Providing Air superiority
23rd Air Base Mińsk Mazowiecki 1st Tactical Squadron MiG-29 Providing Air superiority
31st Air Base Poznań 3rd Tactical Squadrons and 6th Tactical Squadrons F-16 Providing Air superiority
32nd Air Base Łask 10th Tactical Squadron F-16 Providing Air superiority
Reconnaissance
33rd Air Base Powidz 14th Airlift Squadron
7th Special Operations Squadron		 C-130, PZL M-28,
Mi-17		 Airlift
Special operations
Insignia of the Polish Land Forces
Polish
Armed Forces
Branches
Insignia of the Polish Land Forces  Land Forces
Insignia of the Polish Air Force  Air Force
Insignia of the Polish Navy  Navy
Insignia of the Polish Special Forces  Special Forces
Insignia of the Territorial Defence Force of Poland  Territorial Defence Force
History
Timeline
Wars
Personnel
Senior officers
Rank insignia
Awards
Oaths
Equipment
Land Forces
Navy

Structure

Ranks and insignia

Commissioned officers

NATO Code OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1

Air Forces
Generał Generał
broni 		Generał
dywizji 		Generał
brygady 		Pułkownik Podpułkownik Major Kapitan Porucznik Podporucznik
Abbreviation gen. gen. broni gen. dyw. gen. bryg. płk ppłk mjr kpt. por. ppor.

Staff Non-commissioned officers

NATO Code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7

Air Forces
Starszy
Chorąży
Sztabowy 		Starszy
Chorąży 		Chorąży Młodszy
Chorąży
Abbreviation st. chor. sztab. st. chor. chor. mł. chor.

Non-commissioned officers and privates

NATO Code OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1

Air Forces
Starszy
Sierżant 		Sierżant Plutonowy Starszy
Kapral 		Kapral Starszy
Szeregowy 		Szeregowy
Abbreviation st. sierż. sierż. plut. st. kpr. kpr. st. szer. szer.

Qualification Badges

The current aviator badge of the Polish Air Force has been in use since the 1920s. The badge is called gapa and represents silver eagle in flight with gold laurel wreath in the bill. Navigator/Observer badge (below) represents the same eagle, but in gold with added lightning bolts. It is unlike any other in the other air forces in the world. The gapa was worn in the usual place on the upper left breast above the pocket, but with a chain. It proudly adorned the uniform of Polish Air Force officers in the RAF during World War II along with their RAF wings. In combat badges (for at least 7 flights in combat conditions) the laurel wreath is green.

Badge Pilot Pilot Observer

Air Forces
Pilot Pilot Observer[disambiguation needed]
Abbreviation pil. pil. obs.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aviator badges.

Polish Air Force Tu-154 crash, 2010

Main article: 2010 Polish Air Force Tu-154 crash

On 10 April 2010 a Polish Air Force Tupolev Tu-154M aircraft crashed near Smolensk, Russia, pilot error killing all 96 passengers and crew, including the President of Poland Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria Kaczyńska, the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army Franciszek Gągor, Polish Air Force commanding general Andrzej Błasik, the President of the Polish Central Bank, Sławomir Skrzypek, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, government officers, vice-speakers and members of parliament, senior military officers and senior members of clergy. They were en route from Warsaw to attend an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, whose site is commemorated approximately 19 km west of Smolensk.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air force of Poland.

References

  1. ^ "The Military Budget 2014"
  2. ^ F-16 Fighting Falcon for Poland info page. Biuro Lockheed Martin w Polsce. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Warsaw.
  3. ^ http://theaviationist.com/2013/03/11/poland-viper-center/
  4. ^ a b c History of the Polish Air Force. Polish Air Force Public Affairs Office. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  5. ^ Wacław Stachiewicz (1998). Wierności dochować żołnierskiej. OW RYTM. ISBN 978-83-86678-71-6.
  6. ^ http://www.rtl.put.poznan.pl/sites/files/WZLnr2Bydgoszcz.pdf
  7. ^ Polish Air Force Unit Disbanded Due to 2010 Crash
  8. ^ World Air Forces 2014 December 10, 2013
  9. ^ "Vehicle and aircraft holdings within the scope of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty 2014" May 15, 2014
  10. ^ "Poland to accelerate arms programmes". Jane's Information Group. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  11. ^ http://www.marshallcenter.org/mcpublicweb/MCDocs/files/College/F_Publications/occPapers/occ-paper_11-en.pdf
  12. ^ http://gdziewojsko.wordpress.com/listy/mig-29/
  13. ^ http://theaviationist.com/2013/03/18/polish-fulcrums/
  14. ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-polish-air-force-receives-first-upgraded-mig-29-389174/
  15. ^ http://gdziewojsko.wordpress.com/listy/su-22/
  16. ^ "Prezentacja Su-22 i MiG-29 - Lotnicza Polska -". Retrieved 2012-07-02.
  17. ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/warsaw-to-extend-su-22-service-life-395992/
  18. ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/poland-to-keep-18-improved-su-22s-397884/
  19. ^ Su-22 będą modernizowane.
  20. ^ "Poland to procure 64 Multi-Role jet fighters starting delivery in 2021". February 26, 2014.
  21. ^ M28 prototypes.
  22. ^ M28 2nd production series
  23. ^ M28 3rd, 4th production series
  24. ^ [1],(Polish)
  25. ^ sp.mil.pl.
  26. ^ a b http://www.altair.com.pl/news/view?news_id=11860
  27. ^ http://www.altair.com.pl/news/view?news_id=12291
  28. ^ "Poland selects Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainer for its Air Force". December 24, 2013.
  29. ^ Orlik with Garmin. (PL)
  30. ^ http://lotniczapolska.pl/Diamondy-dla-Deblina,28946
  31. ^ [2]
  32. ^ http://www.altair.com.pl/news/view?news_id=12890
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j [3] Template:Pl icon
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n [4] Template:Pl icon
  35. ^ Polish air force retires last An-2 transport.
  36. ^ Bell 412 opuścił Okęcie. Template:Pl icon
  37. ^ 1. Grupa Poszukiwawczo - Ratownicza w Świdwinie.
  38. ^ http://www.scramblemagazine.nl/orbats/poland/airforce

Further reading

  • Air Forces Monthly, May 1999 (for details of reorganisation from regiments into squadrons)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Polish_Air_Force&oldid=614136536"