Polish Air Force

Polish Air Force
Polish Air Force's Eagle Polish Air Force's Flag
Active	1918 - present
Country	Poland
Branch	Polish Armed Forces
Size	17,000 personnel 320 aircraft
Part of	Polish Armed Forces
Commanders
Commander	Andrzej Błasik
Insignia
Air Force Checkerboard
Aircraft flown
Attack	Su-22
Fighter	F-16 Jastrząb, MiG-29
Helicopter	Mi-8, Mi-17, PZL W-3, PZL SW-4
Reconnaissance	PZL M-28
Trainer	PZL-130, TS-11
Transport	C-130, C-295, An-28,

The Polish Air Force (Siły Powietrzne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Siły Powietrzne RP - Air Forces of the Polish Republic) is the air force branch of the Polish Armed Forces. Until 1 July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej (literally: Air and Air Defence Forces, the name existing from 1990). It consists of 40,000 officers and enlisted personnel, distributed among 22 bases throughout Poland.

From 1 December 1918 to present an insignia of the Polish Air Force aircraft is the white and red checkerboard, in 1993 its order of colours was inverted.

Basic aircraft units in the Polish Air Force were traditionally called eskadra (escadre), bigger units, consisting of several escadres - dywizjon, which could create pułk (regiment) or brygada (brigade). There is some inconsistency with English terminology, because dywizjon is often translated as squadron, which is an equivalent of escadre.

History

1918–1922

Mieczysław Garsztka killed in air crash 1919

Stefan Bastyr killed in air crash 1920

Stefan Stec killed in air crash 1921

Władysław Toruń killed in air crash 1924

Albatros D.III (Oef) fighters of the Polish 7th Air Escadrille at Lewandówka airfield in the winter of 1919-1920; the plane marked with a large I sign was flown by the escadrille's commanding officer, Cedric Faunt-le-Roy

American volunteers, Merian C. Cooper and Cedric Fauntleroy, fighting in the Polish Air Force.

Breguet 14A2 stationed on the Kiev airfield during the Kiev Offensive in the Polish-Bolshevik War of 1920

The history of the Polish airforce began at the end of World War I. In 1918, some aircraft escadres were created within the Polish units in allied countries. In Russia, one escadre was created within the Polish corps of General Józef Dowbór-Muśnicki, then disbanded along with the Corps in May 1918. In France, five bomber and reconnaissance escadres were created within the Blue Army of General Józef Haller. They returned to Poland with their equipment in 1919.

Military aviation in Poland started just when Poland regained its independence, in November 1918. It consisted initially of German and Austrian aircraft, captured from the former occupants or left by them in a damaged state. They were first used in the conflict against Ukraine around Lwów in 1918 (the first combat flight of the Polish aircraft on 5 November 1918), and other actions included the bombing of an airfield in Frankfurt (Oder) on 9 January 1919 by airmen of the Great Polish Army. From 1919, Poland was involved in a full-scale war with Soviet Russia and started to buy aircraft abroad. As a result, in 1920-1922, the Polish Air Force consisted of a variety of British, French, German, Austrian and Italian aircraft of the World War I era. The main fighters used were (in order of quantity): Ansaldo Balilla (92), SPAD XIII (55), Fokker D.VII (50), Oeffag D.III (45), SPAD VII (19), Albatros D.III (12), Sopwith Dolphin (10), Fokker E.V (D.VIII) (8). Many others existed in smaller numbers. The most numerous fighter became two-seater Bristol F2B Fighter (107 units), used as a scout and ground attack plane. Main bombers and reconnaissance planes were: Breguet 14 (158), SVA-9, Salmson 2 (45), DH-9 (20), different variants of Albatros C, DFW C, LVG C. Not all of these aircraft, though, were delivered by the end of hostilities in October 1920.

After the Polish-Soviet war, the World War I vintage aircraft were gradually withdrawn, and the airforce was equipped mostly with French aircraft. From 1924–26, the typical fighter became SPAD 61 (280 planes). The standard light bombers also were French: Potez 15 (245), then Breguet XIX (250) and Potez 25 (316). Potez bombers were produced in Poland. The medium bombers were Farman Goliath and later a military variant of Fokker F-VII.

Before developing fighters of its own design, 50 Czech biplane fighters Avia BH-33 were licence-produced under a designation PWS-A. The first Polish design was a high-wing fighter, PWS-10, which numbered 80 from 1932. The Polish naval airforce used a number of French flying boats, mainly Schreck FBA-17, LeO H-13, H-135 and Latham 43. All these aircraft were withdrawn from combat units by 1939.

1933–1938

RWD-14 Czapla

In 1933, the first high-wing, all-metal aircraft designed by Zygmunt Pulawski, the PZL P.7a, entered service in a series of 150. It was followed by 30 improved PZL P.11a aircraft. The final design, PZL P.11c, was delivered in 1935 in a quantity of 175. A modern fighter in 1935, it remained the only Polish fighter until 1939, when it was rendered obsolete by foreign aircraft design. Its development PZL P.24 was built for export only, and was bought by four countries. The new fighter prototype, PZL.50 Jastrząb (Hawk), similar to Seversky P-35 layout, was designed too late to be produced. The two-engine heavy fighters PZL.38 Wilk and PZL.48 Lampart remained prototypes.

As far as bombers are concerned, the Potez 25 and Breguet 19 were replaced by an all-metal monoplane, the PZL.23 Karaś (250 built, after 1936), but even by 1939 the Karas was outdated. In 1938 the Polish factory PZL designed a modern twin-engine medium bomber 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, too few entered service before the war (approximately 30 Łoś A bombers (single-fin tail) and 70 Łoś B (twin-fin) bombers were delivered before the war started). As an observation and close reconnaissance plane, Polish escadres used slow and easily damaged Lublin R-XIII, then RWD-14 Czapla. Polish naval aviation used Lublin R-XIII on floats. Just before the war, some Italian torpedo planes CANT Z.506 were ordered, but only one was delivered, without armament. The main trainer plane was the Polish-built high-wing RWD-8 (primary) and biplane PWS-26 (trainer). In 1939, Poland ordered 160 of MS-406 and 10 Hawker Hurricane fighters abroad, but they were not delivered before the outbreak of war.

1939

PZL.23 Karaś

PZL.37 Łoś

SM-1

Mil Mi-2

Antonov An-2

Yakovlev Yak-11

Yakovlev Yak-12

Ilyushin Il-28

Ilyushin Il-14

Antonov An-26

Tupolev Tu-154M Lux

Yakovlev Yak-40

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15

Lim-5 (license-built MiG-17)

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23

TS-8 Bies

TS-11 Iskra

Mil Mi-8S

Sukhoi Su-20

PZL M96 Iryda

At the beginning of the Invasion of Poland, by 1 September 1939, all the Polish combat aircraft had been deployed to the field; contrary to a common belief based on German propaganda, they avoided destruction in bombed air bases. The German bombers managed to destroy mostly trainer planes on the airfields. The fighter planes were grouped in 15 escadres (five of them constituted the Pursuit Brigade, deployed in 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, suffering heavy losses. Seven reconnaissance and 12 observation escadres, deployed to particular armies, were used primarily for reconnaissance. Most of the Polish airforce was destroyed in the campaign, and the rest of the aircraft were captured or withdrawn to Romania. Subsequently, the Romanians employed the remaining aircraft for their own use. A great number of pilots and air crews managed to escape to France.

1940 (France)

After the fall of Poland, the Polish airforce started to regroup in France. The only complete unit created before the German attack on France was the GC 1/145 fighter squadron, flying on Caudron C.714 light fighters (it was the only unit operating C.714). The Polish pilots were also deployed to various French squadrons, flying on all types of French fighters, but mainly on MS-406.

1940–1947 (United Kingdom)

See also: Polish Air Force in Great Britain

Following France's surrender 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). The first squadrons were: 300 and 301 bomber squadrons and 302 and 303 fighter squadrons. The fighter squadrons, flying the Hawker Hurricane, first saw action in the third phase of the Battle of Britain in August 1940, with a very good results. Polish flying skills were well developed from the Invasion of Poland and the pilots were regarded as fearless and sometimes bordered on reckless. Nevertheless, success rates were very high in comparison to UK and Empire pilots. 303 squadron became the most efficient RAF fighter unit at that time. Many Polish pilots also flew in other RAF squadrons.

In the following years, further Polish squadrons were created: 304 (bomber, then Coastal Command), 305 (bomber), 306 (fighter), 307 (night fighter), 308 (fighter), 309 (reconnaissance, then fighter), 315 (fighter), 316 (fighter), 317 (fighter), 318 (fighter-reconnaissance), 663 (air observation/artillery spotting) and the Polish Fighting Team aka "Skalski Circus" attached to No. 145 Squadron RAF. The fighter squadrons initially flew Hurricanes, then Supermarine Spitfires, and eventually on North American Mustangs. Night fighters used by 307 were the Boulton-Paul Defiant, Bristol Beaufighter and finally the de Havilland Mosquito. The bomber squadrons were initially equipped with Fairey Battles and Vickers Wellingtons, then Avro Lancasters (300 Sqdn.), Handley Page Halifaxs and Consolidated Liberators (301 sqn) and de Havilland Mosquitos and North American Mitchells (305 Sqdn.). About 663 flew Auster AOP IIIs and Vs. After the war, with the changed international situation, their equipment was returned to the British but only some of the pilots and crews returned to Poland.

1943–1989

Along with the Polish People's Army (Ludowe Wojsko Polskie) in the USSR, the Ludowe Lotnictwo Polskie — Polish People's Airforce — was created. In late 1943, the 1st fighter regiment "Warszawa", (flying on Yak-1 and Yak-9), the 2nd night bomber regiment "Krakow" (Polikarpov Po-2 (from 1949 also produced in Poland as CSS-13), and the 3rd assault regiment (Ilyushin Il-2) were formed. In 1944–45, further regiments were created forming the 1st Mixed Air Corps, consisting of a Bomber Division, Assault Division, 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.

Starting in 1950, Poland received Petlyakov Pe-2 and Tupolev Tu-2 bombers from the USSR and USB-1 and USB-2 training bombers. In 1949 the Li-2sb transport adapted to bombing came into service. In 1950 the Yak-17 fighter, Il-12 transport, Yak-18 trainer and UTB-2 bomber trainer arrived. From 1951, the Polish Air Force was equipped with jet fighters in the shape of Yak-23 and MiG-15 (along with a training version, the UTIMiG-15) and later the (MiG-17) in 1961).

As well as Soviet produced aircraft, the MiG-15 was produced under licence in Poland as Lim-1 (starting in 1952), the MiG-15bis (from 1953) and as Lim-2 (since 1957), MiG-17 (from 1955) as Lim-5. A domestic ground attack variant of Lim-5M was developed as Lim-6bis (1964).

The only jet bomber used was the Ilyushin Il-28, from 1952. Poland used only a small number of MiG-19 from 1959, because the basic supersonic fighter from 1963 became MiG-21. 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-23 (1979) and 12 MiG-29 (1989). The main attack plane after 1949 was Il-10 (since 1951 also training version UIl-10). Starting 1964 Poland also used a substantial number of attack planes Su-7B (since 1965), replaced with 27 Sukhoi Su-20 (since 1974) and 110 Sukhoi Su-22 (1984) as the main attack planes.

The only jet trainer was the domestically built TS-11 Iskra, which replaced proper engine Junak-2 (in service 1952), TS-9 Junak-3 (in service since 1954) and PZL TS-8 Bies (since 1958). The other 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 it is currently not in service. As multirole planes Yak-12 (since 1951), An-2 (since 1955) and Wilga-35 P were used. Transport aircraft were: Il-14 (since 1955), Il-18 (since 1961), An-12B (since 1966), An-26 (since 1972), Yak-40 (since 1973) and Tupolev Tu-154.

Helicopters used by Polish Army were: SM-1 (under licence of Mil Mi-1) — multirole (since 1956), Mil Mi-4 — multirole (since 1958), SM-2 — multirole (since 1960), Mil Mi-2 and Mil Mi-8 (later also Mil Mi-17) (since 1968) — multirole and Mil Mi-24 (since 1976) — combat helicopter. Also the Mil Mi-14 as amphibious helicopter are used, and Mil Mi-6 as transports.

In 1954, the Air Force was merged with Air Defence Force, creating Air and Country Air Defence Forces (Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Przeciwlotniczej Obszaru Kraju — WLiOPL OK). It was formed from both flying and anti-aircraft units. In 1962 WLiOPL OK were separated again into: the Air Force (Wojska Lotnicze) and the Country Air Defence Force (Wojska Obrony Powietrznej Kraju). On July 1, 1990 they were merged again in the Air and Air Defence Force (Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej — WLiOP or WLOP).

Since 1990

After a political change in 1989 and an arms reduction in Europe, the Polish airforce was reduced. In 1990 it consisted of MiG-21s, MiG-23s, MiG-29s, Su-20s and Su-22s. The rest of Lim-6bis were withdrawn in the early 1990s, followed soon by Su-20. MiG-23s were withdrawn by 1999 due to their small number. Throughout the 1990s, Poland has not purchased any new combat planes, and only managed to acquire further MiG-29s from Czech Republic (1995) and Germany (2004). MiG-21s were finally withdrawn in 2003. In 2004, the only combat aircraft were the MiG-29 and Su-22. The fleet of Su-22's needs modernization to retain a combat value, but its future is unclear. In 2003, the F-16C Block 52 was chosen as a new multi-role fighter, the first deliveries took place in November 2006 and will continue until 2008 under Operation Peace Sky. It is expected that the Polish Air Force will form three squadrons of F-16's which will be fully operational by 2012.

By choosing the F-16, Poland will be able to derive advantages from the JSF programme, which come from its internationality and long-term economic cooperation of many countries.

"Acquiring the F-16C/D fighter will make it easier for Poland to transition into the new generation Joint Strike Fighter aircraft (F-35 Lightning II), which will be the most technologically advanced multirole fighter. The Polish Air Force, equipped with the F-16C/D and the F-35 by the year 2020, will become one of the most modern air forces in the world. By sustaining advantages from the military tactics training offered by the US Air Force, the Polish Air Force can modernize and will be able to drop projectiles on targets with perfect precision. What's more, the Polish JSF programme entry will create the possibility of advantages for Polish industry. The programme will enable Polish industry to take part in the US$400 billion enterprise", said Lieutenant General Tome H. Walters Jr., director of the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which job is to sell American military equipment to foreign trade partners.

The acquisition of the F-16 was not without heated competition from European aerospace firms. At one point the Polish Fighter Competition included the Dassault Mirage 2000 and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. The Polish Block 52+ F-16s are equipped with the latest Pratt and Whitney F-100-229 afterburning turbofan engine, and the avionics suite will be equipped with the APG-68(V)9 terrain mapping radar system and ALQ-211(V)4 electronic warfare suite. All Polish F-16s will be fully equipped to carry the latest in US precision ordinance, ranging from the JDAM/JSOW to the latest in export air-to-air weaponry (including the AIM-120C-5 and AIM-9X.

Structure

• Dowództwo Sił Powietrznych in Warsaw (Headquarter of Air Force)
  • 1 Skrzydło Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Świdwin (1st Wing of Tactical Air Force)
    • 1 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Mińsk Mazowiecki (1st Tactical Sqd.)
    • 7 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Świdwin (7th Tactical Sqd.)
    • 8 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Mirosławiec (8th Tactical Sqd.)
    • 40 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Świdwin (40th Tactical Sqd.)
    • 41 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Malbork (41st Tactical Sqd.)
    • 12 Baza Lotnicza in Mirosławiec (12th Air Base)
    • 21 Baza Lotnicza in Świdwin (21st Air Base)
    • 22 Baza Lotnicza in Malbork (22nd Air Base)
    • 23 Baza Lotnicza in Mińsk Mazowiecki (23rd Air Base)
    • 14 Batalion Usuwania Zniszczeń Lotniskowych in Elbląg (14th Battalion of Removing Airfield Destructions)
  • 2 Skrzydło Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Poznań (2nd Wing of Tactical Air Force)
    • 10 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Łask (10th Tactical Sqd.)
    • 31 Baza Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Poznań-Krzesiny (31st Tactical Air Base)
      • 3 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Poznań-Krzesiny (3rd Tactical Sqd.)
      • 6 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Poznań-Krzesiny (6th Tactical Sqd.)
    • 32 Baza Lotnicza in Łask (32nd Air Base)
    • 16 Batalion Usuwania Zniszczeń Lotniskowych in Jarocin (16th Battalion of Removing Airfield Destructions)
  • 3 Skrzydło Lotnictwa Transportowego in Powidz (3rd Wing of Transport Aviation)
    • 2 Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowo-Łącznikowego in Bydgoszcz (2nd Transport and Liaison Aviation Sqn.)
    • 3 Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowo-Łącznikowego in Wrocław (3rd Transport and Liaison Aviation Sqn.)
    • 13 Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowego in Kraków (13th Transport Aviation Sqn.)
    • 14 Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowego in Powidz (14th Transport Aviation Sqn.)
    • 1 Grupa Poszukiwawczo-Ratownicza in Świdwin (1st CSAR Group)
    • 2 Grupa Poszukiwawczo-Ratownicza in Mińsk Mazowiecki (2nd CSAR Group)
    • 3 Grupa Poszukiwawczo-Ratownicza in Kraków (3rd CSAR Group)
    • 2 Baza Lotnicza in Bydgoszcz (2nd Air Base)
    • 3 Baza Lotnicza in Wrocław (3rd Air Base)
    • 8 Baza Lotnicza in Kraków (8th Air Base)
    • 33 Baza Lotnicza in Powidz (33rd Air Base)
  • 4 Skrzydło Lotnictwa Szkolnego in Dęblin (4th Wing of Training Aviation)
    • 6 Baza Lotnicza in Dęblin (6th Air Base)
    • 1 Ośrodek Szkolenia Lotniczego in Dęblin (1st Center of Aviation Training)
    • 2 Ośrodek Szkolenia Lotniczego in Radom (2nd Center of Aviation Training)
    • 1 Komenda Lotniska Radom (1st Airfield Command Radom)
    • Centrum Szkolenia Inżynieryjno-Lotniczego in Dęblin (Center of Aviation Engineer Training)
  • 36 Specjalny Pułk Lotnictwa Transportowego in Warsaw (36th Special Regiment of Transport Aviation)
  • Centrum Wsparcia Teleinformatycznego Sił Powietrznych in Warsaw (Center of Teleinformatic Support of Air Force)
    • 1 Rejon Wsparcia Teleinformatycznego in Poznań (1st Teleinformatic Support Area)
    • 2 Rejon Wsparcia Teleinformatycznego in Bydgoszcz (2nd Teleinformatic Support Area)
    • 3 Rejon Wsparcia Teleinformatycznego in Kraków (3rd Teleinformatic Support Area)
    • Rejonowy Węzeł Łączności in Dęblin (Regional Knot of Link)
    • 6 Batalion Dowodzenia in Śrem (6th Command Battalion)
  • Centrum Operacji Powietrznych in Warsaw-Pyry (Center of Air Operations)
    • 21 Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania in Warszaw-Pyry (21st Center of Command and Directing)
    • 22 Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania in Bydgoszcz-Wojnowo (22nd Center of Command and Directing)
    • 31 Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania in Babki (31st Center of Command and Directing)
    • 32 Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania in Kraków-Balice (32nd Center of Command and Directing)
    • 1 Centrum Koordynacji Operacji Powietrznych in Gdynia (1st Center of Air Missions Coordination)
    • 2 Centrum Koordynacji Operacji Powietrznych in Kraków (2nd Center of Air Missions Coordination)
    • 4 Centrum Koordynacji Operacji Powietrznych in Szczecin (4h Center of Air Missions Coordination)
  • 1 Baza Lotnicza in Warsaw (1st Air Base)
  • 21 Centralny Poligon Lotniczy in Nadarzyce (21st Central Aviation Poligon)
  • Centrum Szkolenia Sił Powietrznych in Koszalin (Center of Air Force Training)
  • Wojskowy Ośrodek Szkoleniowo-Kondycyjny in Zakopane (Military Center of Education and Physical Trainig)
  • 3 Warszawska Brygada Rakietowa Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (3rd Warsaw Rocketry Brigade of Air Defence)
    • 5 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (5th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 7 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Książenica (7th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 21 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Puck (21st Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 25 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Wejherowo (25th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 60 Wieliszewski Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Olszewnica (60th Wieliszewo Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 61 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (61st Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 62 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Bożęcin (62nd Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 63 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (63rd Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 65 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gdynia (65th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 83 Dywizjon Dowodzenia Obrony Powietrznej in Warsaw (83rd Air Defence Command Sqn.)
  • 78 Pułk Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Mrzeżyno (78th Rocketry Regiment of Air Defence)
  • 1 Śląska Brygada Rakietowa Obrony Powietrznej in Bytom (1st Silesian Rocketry Brigade of Air Defence)
    • 14 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gliwice (14th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 17 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Libiąż (17th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 31 Kórnicki Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Poznań (31st Kórnik Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 72 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Oświęcim (72nd Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 73 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Oświęcim (73rd Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 74 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gliwice (74th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 75 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gliwice (75th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 76 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Poznań (76th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 77 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Murowana Goślina (77th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
    • 81 Dywizjon Dowodzenia Obrony Powietrznej in Bytom (81st Air Defence Command Sqn.)
  • 61 Skwierzyński Pułk Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Skwierzyna (61st Skwierzyna Rocetry Regiment of Air Defence)
  • 1 Ośrodek Radioelektroniczny in Grójec (1st Center of Radioeletronics)
    • 2 Batalion Radioelektroniczny in Lidzbark Warmiński (2nd Radioelectronic Btn.)
    • 3 Batalion Radioelektroniczny in Sandomierz (3rd Radioelectronic Btn.)
  • 3 Brygada Radiotechniczna in Wrocław (3rd Radiotechnical Brigade)
    • 3 Sandomierski Batalion Radiotechniczny in Sandomierz (3rd Sandomierz Radiotechnical Btn.)
    • 8 Szczycieński Batalion Radiotechniczny in Lipowiec (8th Szczytno Radiotechnical Btn.)
    • 31 Batalion Radiotechniczny in Babki (31st Radiotechnical Btn.)
    • 34 Batalion Radiotechniczny in Chojnice (34th Radiotechnical Btn.)
  • Wyższa Szkoła Oficerska Sił Powietrznych in Dęblin (Air Force Academy)
  • Szkoła Podoficerska Sił Powietrznych w Koszalinie (School of Air Force NCOs in Koszalin)
  • Szkoła Podoficerska Sił Powietrznych w Dęblinie (School of Air Force NCOs in Dęblin)
  • Ogólnokształcące Liceum Lotnicze w Dęblinie (Aviation High-School in Dęblin)
  • Szefostwo Służby Ruchu Lotniczego Sił Zbrojnych Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej in Warsaw (Command of Air Traffic Service of Polish Armed Forecs)
  • Ośrodek Szkolenia Wysokościowo-Ratowniczego i Spadochronowego Sił Powietrznych in Poznań-Krzesiny (Center of High Altitiude Rescue and Parachute Training of Air Force)
  • Centralny Poligon Sił Powietrznych in Ustka (Central Air Force Poligon)
  • Orkiestra Reprezentacyjna Sił Powietrznych in Poznań (Representative Band of Air Force)
  • Orkiestra Garnizonowa Bytom (Garrison Band in Bytom)
  • Orkiestra Garnizonowa Radom (Garrison Band in Radom)
  • Orkiestra Garnizonowa Koszalin (Garrison Band in Koszalin)
  • Orkiestra Garnizonowa Dęblin (Garrison Band in Dęblin)

Aircraft

Current aircraft inventory

F-16D "Jastrząb"

Su-22M4K

CASA C-295

PZL M-28

PZL SW-4 Puszczyk

Polish Armed Forces

Branches

Land Forces   Air Force   Navy   Special Forces

History

Timeline Wars

Personnel

Senior officers Rank insignia Awards Oaths

Equipment

Land Forces Navy

v • d • e

Aircraft	Photo	Origin	Type	Variants	In service	Notes
Fighter Aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-16 Jastrząb		United States	Multirole Fighter	F16C bl 52+ F16D bl 52+	36[1] 12[1]
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29		Soviet Union  Czech Republic  Germany	Multirole Fighter	MiG-29A MiG-29UB	28[1] 7[2]	To be retired around 2029.
Ground-Attack Aircraft
Sukhoi Su-22		Soviet Union	Ground Attack Aircraft	Su-22M-4K Su-22UM-3K	38[1] 7[1]	To be retired around 2012.
Transport Aircraft
CASA C-295M		Spain	Transport Aircraft	C-295M	11[1][2]	1 crashed on 24 January 2008.
C-130 Hercules		United States	Transport Aircraft	C-130E	1[1]	4 more on order, the deliveries will be completed by 2009. First one arrived in April 2009.[3]
Trainer Aircraft
PZL TS-11 Iskra		Poland	Trainer		54[2]	To be replace by 16 LIFT planes by 2012 (for which Poland is considering acquiring BAE Hawk aircraft from UK.
PZL-130 Orlik		Poland	Trainer		37[2]
VIP Aircraft
Tupolev Tu-154		Soviet Union	VIP	Tu-154M Lux	2[1][2]	To be retired
Yakovlev Yak-40		Soviet Union	VIP		4[1][2]	8 of 12 sold, 4 grounded, to be retired
Bell 412		United States	VIP Helicopter	412HP	1[1][2]
Mil Mi-8		Soviet Union	VIP Helicopter	Mi-8S	3
PZL W-3 Sokół		Poland	VIP Helicopter	W-3S	1[2]	1 more on order.[2]
Utility Aircraft
PZL M28B Bryza		Poland	Utility	Bryza TD Bryza PT	10[2] 5[2]	12 on order
PZL An-2		Soviet Union  Poland	Utility		13[2]	To be retired
Antonov An-28		Soviet Union	Utility		2
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8		Soviet Union	Utility Helicopter SAR Helicopter	Mi-8T Mi-8P Mi-8RL	1 6[2] 4
PZL Mi-2		Soviet Union  Poland	Utility Helicopter	Mi-2 Mi-2RL	50[2] 4[2]
Mil Mi-17		Russia	Transport Helicopter		3	4 on order
PZL W-3 Sokół		Poland	Multipurpose Helicopter	W-3WA W-3RL W-3R W-3T	6 6 2 8
PZL SW-4 Puszczyk		Poland	Light Helicopter		10[1]	14 more on order.[2]

Anti-aircraft weapons:

• Armata S-60: 190
• Armata Zu-23-2: 270;
• Armata Zur-23-2 "Kaczka": 50
• PZA ZSU-23-4 Biała: 50
• PZA Loara: 5
• PZR Kub-M: 120
• PZR Osa-AK: 70
• PZR Krug: 30
• PZR Newa: 70
• PZR Wega: 20
• PPZR Grom: 440
• PPZR Strzała-2M: 450

Major bases

AFB	Town	Unit	Major Aircraft	Task
1st Air Base	Warszawa	36th Special Aviation Regiment	Tu-154, Yak-40	VIP transport
1st Airport Station	Radom	2nd Flying Training Centre	PZL-130	Training
2nd Airport Station	Bydgoszcz	2nd Airlift Squadron	PZL M-28,PZL W-3	Airlift
6th Air Base	Dęblin	1st Flying Training Centre	TS-11, PZL-130, SW-4	Training
8th Air Base	Kraków	13th Airlift Squadron	CASA C-295, PZL M-28	Airlift
12th Air Base	Mirosławiec	8th Tactical Squadron	Su-22	Attack
21st Air Base	Świdwin	40th Tactical Squadron and 7th Tactical Squadron	Su-22	Attack
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 Tactical Air Base	Poznań	31st Tactical Air Base	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	C-130, PZL M-28,	Airlift Attack

Ranks and Insignia

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.

Non-commissioned officers and privates

NATO Code	OR-6	OR-5	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.

See also

• Stanisław Targosz, former commander-in-chief of the Polish Air Force
• Team Iskry
• Orlik Team
• List of aircraft of Poland, World War II

References

Further reading

• Air Forces Monthly, May 1999 (for details of reorganisation from regiments into squadrons)

External links

• Official website of Polish Air Force
• Polish Air Force history
• F-16 Fighting Falcon for Poland info page
• Polish Air Force unit insignias, gallery of badges with annotation