News, humor or anything else related to Polish military [Archive] - Page 2

Mishka Zubov

09-30-2007, 11:39 AM

While all the opinions expressed below might be a bit of journalistic exaggerations I am glad the soldiers feel safe in the wheeled armored transporters 'Rosomak' (Wolverine).

Polish vehicles are praised

2007-09-29 16:33
Taliban are afraid of our Rosomaks

Polish Rosomaks rule in Afghanistan. These battle vehicles are being praised by almost all armies present in Afghanistan. Even Taliban are afraid of its IED resistance and fire power.

Rosomaks are good because they have strong cannon and modern electronics. But their main advantage is resistance to IEDs. A crew of Lt. Tomasz Nowak has experienced it personally when such bomb exploded under their vehicle. "Aside from the driver nobody has suffered major injuries" - Tomasz Nowak tells IAR.

For this reason Rosomak always leads all patrols, taking on itself possible IDEs explosions. The vehicle is excellent in rough terrain and is irreplaceable at night due to its thermovision infrared camera.

Rosomak is being praised by American and British soldiers. According to latest intelligence cellphone intercepts even Taliban are afraid of the vehicle. "Taliban have been often heard saying 'not to attack green vehicles on wheels'" - said a Rosomak's crew member.

Przemyslaw Sredzinski, IAR

source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=62216
translated by MZ

A gentle predator
by Jacek Matuszak
Friday, September 28, 2007

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/rosomaki_m.jpg (http://hotimg6.fotki.com/p/a/99_234/51_89/rosomaki_m.jpg)

There are several tens of them here. Although they have gone through many tests, trials and checks they are being subjected to the most serious examination here, in Afghanistan. And so far they are passing the test successfully.

After the avalanche of media critique and numerous charges regarding technical parameters of the wheeled armored vehicles 'Rosomak' it is time to show their real capabilities. And the tests, which are carried in the difficult Afghan conditions, are indeed comprehensive. Neither allowances nor special treatment are applied here. Unbeaten tracks, dust and big temperature difference are indeed not that easy daily tests for the equipment.

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/rosomaki2_d.jpg (http://hotimg5.fotki.com/p/b/99_234/51_89/rosomaki2_d.jpg) http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/rosomaki1_da.jpg (http://hotimg3.fotki.com/p/a/99_234/51_89/rosomaki1_da.jpg)

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Its great advantage is its silhouette and weaponry. Both, the massive shape, which has been "improved" by adding extra armor, and the 30 mm cannon make great impression. When a Rosomak is part of a convoy not only the Poles feel surer but also accompanying them Americans or Afghans. Seeing how it moves on a road one has an impression that Rosomak does it easily, as if in passing. An acute observer will see its hidden potential. Those who had a chance to observe effects of its cannon have no illusion - Rosomak is a true predator. Not many daredevils have decided yet to try him up in a direct scuffle.

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/rosomaki4_d.jpg (http://hotimg5.fotki.com/p/a/99_234/51_89/rosomaki4_d.jpg) http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/rosomaki5_d.jpg (http://hotimg3.fotki.com/p/a/99_234/51_89/rosomaki5_d.jpg)

The most often encountered activity of rebels is planting improvised explosive devices at different spots of the roads. Their power varies but Rosomak has won such contests so far. Several incidents - during which Rosomak has been somewhat damaged when running over IEDs - have proven that its construction has been able to protect the soldiers inside. This trait builds trust of the soldiers. Few of its shortcomings have no impact on current exploitation of the vehicle.

According to predominant coalition opinions the Polish AMV is one of the best - if not the best - vehicle of this class currently used in Afghanistan. What's also important - one can find them on asphalt or dirt roads, as well as on unbeaten mountainous tracks. They lead convoys and protect the routes. A Rosomak standing atop of a hill is a truly beautiful and awesome view.

Photos: Jacek Matuszak

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8225&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-30-2007, 12:18 PM

Significant improvement of the security situation in Ad Diwaniyah
[URL="http://www.piomndcs.mil.pl"]

And this is what their site "uruknet.info" ("information from occupied iraq") says:

Diwaniya:

The Multi-National Forces' Echo base was rocketed in the predominantly Shiite city of Diwaniya, a police source said on Saturday. "The Polish forces' Echo base was attacked, today at dawn, with 12 Katyusha rockets," the source, who asked not to be named, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). The source who could not say if there were casualties among the Polish soldiers added "Polish forces' helicopters flew over the area following the attack." This is the second attack on the base in as many days.

source: http://uruknet.info/?p=m36774&s1=h1

Mishka Zubov

09-30-2007, 04:23 PM

Haida and Polish ship 'twinned'

September 24, 2007

DANA BORCEA
THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR
(Sep 24, 2007)

The bond between two Second World War destroyers, one Canadian, the other Polish, was re-established in Hamilton Harbour Saturday.
Canada's HMCS Haida and Poland's ORP Blyskawica (Boots-ka-weeka[1]) fought side by side as part of an Allied naval force battling German destroyers in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay in 1944.
The Blyskawica joined the flotilla in the spring of that year after German destroyers torpedoed and sunk HMCS Athabaskan.
At a ceremony in front of the permanently moored Haida, the symbolic twinning of the two destroyers was completed.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/2007_09_22_sign1.jpg
Cdr. Slawomir Kudela (L) , Director of the Polish Navy Museum (Gdynia) and Mr David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale sign the twinning documents. Mr. Sweet was representing the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada and ultimately HMCS HAIDA. Cdr Kudela signed on behalf of the Polish Navy Museum who is responsible for ORP BLYSKAWICA, a preserved ship still in commission in the Polish Navy. (Photo by Jerry Proc)Last summer a Canadian delegation travelled to Gdynia, home port of the Polish navy, to launch the official partnership. It is the first pairing of its kind between two destroyers from two different navies.
Officials representing both museum ships hope the twinning will promote education and deepen public knowledge of the ships' shared histories.
Former Haida gunner Jack Hannam told the audience Saturday about his crew's bond with their Polish counterparts.
In addition to the battles both saw against enemy ships, Hannam described the camaraderie the two shared.
The 83-year-old Vancouver Island resident recalled tinkering on a small piano delivered to the Haida by the Canadian Legion and being stunned one day when a visiting Polish naval officer sat down to play. "He played magnificently," said Hannam of the man he would later learn was a concert pianist.
When Haida was brought back for resetting, Hannam made sure the modest piano was delivered across a plank to his new friends on the Blyskawica, dubbed Bottle of Whisky by the Haida crew.
"It's a good thing," said Hannam of the destroyers' symbolic reunion.
dborcea@thespec.com
905-526-3214
[1]Wrong again! The name of the Polish ship is "Błyskawica" (Lightning) - with a stroke through the "l". This is pronounced "bwis-car-vee-tsar". Without the stroke it would be "bliss-car-vee-tsar", close enough. But hey, "Bottle o'whiskey" will do. :-)

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/almost_there_030830_feathered.jpg
After her formal welcoming ceremony, HMCS HAIDA is being positioned for permanent berthing at HMCS Star Naval Reserve Unit on August 30, 2003. (Photo by Jerry Proc)http://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/Blyskawica_l_d.jpg
Błyskawica at her permanent mooring in GdyniaA longer article, with many pictures from the ceremony is here:
THE TWINNING OF HMCS HAIDA and ORP BLYSKAWICA, http://hmcshaida.ca/twinning.html

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/2007_09_22_pat_begley.jpg
For over 60 years, Pat Begley held on to a pair of 2 pounder shell casings fired by ORP BLYSKAWICA. In a gesture of kindness, he donated these casings to BLYSKAWICA and HAIDA to symbolize the twinning of the two ships. These artifacts were accepted by Cdr. Kudela of BLYSKAWICA and Carla Morse of HAIDA. Of all the honours bestowed upon BLYSKAWICA during the course of the day, the donation of these shell casings was without a doubt, the most important one. (Photo by Jerry Proc)

SkyUS

09-30-2007, 05:25 PM

I am sorry for derailling this thread to off topic
http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,8632,wid,9231575,wiadomosc.html?ticaid=148e1

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/21-th.jpg (http://hotimg3.fotki.com/p/a/99_234/51_89/21.jpg) http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/13-th.jpg (http://hotimg3.fotki.com/p/a/99_234/51_89/13.jpg) http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/41-th.jpg (http://hotimg6.fotki.com/p/a/99_234/51_89/41.jpg)

[rant mode on]
Now , this pisses me off, when Poland and Scandinavia wanted to restrict the usage of the word vodka to only alcohols made from grain and potatoes, the European Comission said no. So now manufactures can name their alcohol derived from fruits a vodka. And now our Polish and other manufacturers can't name their alcohols from fruits a wine. I am so fvcking pissed, I hope that the manufactures won't give a sh!t about the restriction put forward by the European Comission and keep on selling their products as wine.
[rant mode off]

Mishka Zubov

09-30-2007, 06:14 PM

I am sorry for derailling this thread to off topic
(...)

That's OK, soldiers like drinking too and some even brew "wines" in camps. So the topic is valid. :-)

Actually, your argument is being used by Polish officials in dispute with EC.

In general there is nothing wrong with wines produced from fruits other than grapes. Home wine brewing has long tradition in Poland, and if done well those wines can be actually quite good. And that includes meads - with or without added fruits. Some fruits, such as rose hips or hawthorn, ferment very slowly but produce strong wines with exquisite flavors. Apples and pears can be used in making alcoholic ciders. Currants ferment easily, even on wild strains of yeast (as in lambic beer), and produce light refreshing wines - kind of Spanish fruity rose.

But the labels I jokingly attached represent drinks, which have nothing in common with wine. They are terrible in taste, have high content of sulphide (up to 200 mg per bottle), and are quite often spiked with vodka to attain high content of alcohol - usually 17% or so. Their only goal is to get you drunk a.s.a.p. - they don't have to taste like wine. Heck, the place where I took those labels from has also variety of things called "win", rather than "wino". I would not even venture to guess how those thingies taste like.

In relation to those kind of drinks I would side with European Commission, or enforce very, very strong regulations on what qualifies as wine. After all the European wine industry has a very long history of protectionism. If you have a vineyard a 100 meters beyond Burgundy region then forget it - your wines cannot be called Burgundy wines - even though the climate and the soil might be exactly the same on both sides of the border.

This cheap "beet root" sh1t is not worthy to fight for. But the Polish representative should take care of not throwing out the baby with the bath water and assuring that those drinks that I have described in the first paragraph still qualify as wines.

SkyUS

09-30-2007, 08:44 PM

This cheap "beet root" sh1t is not worthy to fight for. But the Polish representative should take care of not throwing out the baby with the bath water and assuring that those drinks that I have described in the first paragraph still qualify as wines.

Well in this case I will support EC on this "beet root" sh1t, as you nicely put it. But I feel that EC should change its decision on what qualifies as vodka.If our dear European friends do not want to have the defenition of wine mutilated by that sh1tty drinks as you mentoned above, I do not want the defenition of vodka being applied to sh1tty fruit spirit water manufactured in Western Europe. The protectionism of Western Europe's wine is quite important for the old Europe, because this way they will retain the speciality, the exclusivnesss of their wine as one may put it. And since other countries such as Poland is unable to produce(due to climate) the the quantity of grapes needed to produce large enough quantity of wine and then sell it and gain some share in the market of Wine so dominated by the Old Europe's products. Our manufacturer's are unable to compete with their counterparts in Old Europe. Therefore they are forced to swith to other form of fruit. etc.. I think Poland and other countries wanting to protect their vodka is quite explainable. When EC accepted the loose defenition of vodka, they enabled their manufacturers to produce sh1tty fruit "vodka" and put their products in our market of fine quality of vodka, then our manufacturers are losing their market share and the exclusivness. So it is okay for them to restrict that sh1tty drinks being labels as wine, to protect their market share, but it is wrong for us to protect our market of vodka and keep the quality at finest level.

I am sorry if you are having trouble understanding what I wrote, to my excuse I was very frustrated when I was typing this.

Mishka Zubov

10-01-2007, 11:20 AM

Oh, I agree with you about a need for protection of Polish vodka, and generally - any other high quality product. But to be successful in such protectionism one has to show more invention than just issuing simple statements like "Go away, everyone knows that your stuff is inferior to mine". One has to set some standards and proofs, establish associations of mutual adoration, festivals, committees, international organizations, exhibitions - you know the drill. But that takes years...

Speaking of fruit wines - one possibility is to focus on some regional specialties and drive the hard bargain. Slovakia has won its little battle with Hungary over the usage of the name Tokaji - although, in my opinion, there is a world of difference between those wines from both countries. But again, I have only sampled some cheap Slovakian Tokaji, the only one available here.

Polish meads seem to be one good example, worthy to pursue. And I mean the highest quality ones, not the tutti-frutti from the bottom shelves of the liquor stores. Here they come from three sources: Scotland, West Coast of USA and Poland. And the good Polish ones are the best, as far as my taste buds tell me.

Mishka Zubov

10-01-2007, 11:21 AM

Shura in Sharan
2007-10-01 11:25:57

Last weekend Brig-Gen Marek Tomaszycki, a commander of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, participated in meeting of tribal elders from Paktika province. Lt-Col. Adam Stręk, a commander of Polish Battle Group, was hosting the meeting. Polish-Afghan cooperation and execution of aid projects were the main topics of talks.

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/1204.jpg

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http://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/1206.jpg

This was one of the series of meetings of Polish commanders with Afghans - but quite different than the previous ones. This meeting was special due the presence of Mr. Sayed Badshah, one of the most important representatives of tribal elders in Afghanistan. According to the tradition the shura was opened with recitation of a Koran sura, then a main speaker was selected from 15 Afghans present and finally the talks started.

One after another, the delegates were presenting matters to be solved in Polish-Afghan relations. At the same time the participants were writing down the most important issues on sleeps of paper - passing them around the tent, where the meeting was taking place. Polish commanders were urging the Afghans to greater initiative in pointing out the most important needs of the local population.

"Thank you for coming here during Ramadan. Your presence here means that you trust us, especially because some of you represent those districts for which our allies are responsible" - said Gen. Tomaszycki. "I wish you the best, especially in this season so special for you and I hope to see you again to reflect on results of our operations. I trust that the fate of Afghanistan is in you hands. We are mostly here to help you with creating the conditions of living in a safe and stable country. If we are even more open with each other we will certainly succeed" - added the general.

The presence of Sayed Badshah was to add to the rank of the meeting and assure the participating Afghans that - "Our Polish friends do very much for us. They take care of our safety, fight arm in arm with our soldiers, respect our religion and culture and help those who really need such aid" - said Badshah.

The meeting ended with exchange of gifts and hearty bear hugs. It's worthy to note that the Afghan delegation put turbans on the heads of Brig-Gen. Tomaszycki and Lt-Col. Stręk - as signs of friendship and respect towards their Polish hosts.

Text and photos: Maj Wojciech Kaliszczak
Information-Press Section - Polish Military Contingent, Afghanistan
source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_182.html

Mishka Zubov

10-01-2007, 12:38 PM

Distinguished shooters
2007-10-01 14:04:14

A mutual shooting exercise has been one of the forms of Polish-American cooperation in Afghanistan. On October the 1st, in White Eagle Base at Bagram Airport, a decoration ceremony of the best shooters took place.

Soldiers from the command of Polish Military Contingent obtained shooter badges from an American company of Military Police, cooperating with Poles. [A list of decorated soldiers omitted...]
During the same exercise the American military policemen have been earning - depending on their results - gold, silver and bronze badges of Polish Military Shooter Badge.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/1207.jpg

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/1208.jpg

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According to mutual opinions this form of cooperation is very useful - no only for familiarization of the soldiers with allied weapons but also for perfecting of mutual cooperation.

Text: Jacek Matuszak
Photos: Maj Wojciech Kaliszczak
Information-Press Section of PMC-A

source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_183.html
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-01-2007, 02:14 PM

Kraków saying farewell to the soldiers leaving for Afghanistan

PAP
2007-10-01 17:48:26

More than 270 soldiers, leaving for Afghanistan as part of the second rotation of Polish Military Contingent of ISAF, has been sent off on Monday in Kraków. The soldiers of the 6th Air Assault Brigade will be serving in a stabilization mission in Afghanistan for half year.
(...)

[Brig-Gen. Jerzy Wójcik, the Brigade commander - referring to the Battle of Arnhem - talked about historical bounds between Polish, American and Dutch soldiers and the respective units serving for ISAF. Gen Mieczysław Bieniek, a national elder of PMC, was giving them some useless advice. - MZ]

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/45199_1191252673_1467_p.jpg
A soldier during a farewell of the 6th Air Assault Brigade leaving for Afghanistan./Photo. PAP/Jacek Bednarczykhttp://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/45199_1191252677_a216_p.jpg
Marching soldiers of the 6th Air Assault Brigade during a farewell ceremony at the barracks of the 16th Airborne Battalion in Kraków. /Photo. PAP/Jacek Bednarczykhttp://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/45199_1191252679_24d6_p.jpg
Soldiers leaving for Afghanistan have been seen off by their families. /Photo. PAP/Jacek BednarczykCurrently the PMC-A has about 1200 soldiers. They are from:
18th Air Assault Battalion from Bielsko-Biała,
17th Mechanized Brigade from Międzyrzecze,
10th Armored Cavalry Brigade from Świętoszów,
25th Air Cavalry Brigade,
1st Special Commando Regiment from Lubliniec,
1st Pomeranian Logistic Brigade,
Military Police.

The rotation process of the contingent forces is staged in time. The second rotation of commandos from the 6th Air Assault Brigade is made mainly of soldiers from the 16th Airborne Battalion from Kraków. They will replace the soldiers from 18th Air Assault Battalion from Bielsko-Biała.

The soldiers from PMC-A have trained for several months in Polish and German training areas. In addition they trained in hilly and mountainous terrain in Kłodzko Cirque, Bieszczady and Tatra mountains. Planned expenses in MoD budget for participation of Polish soldiers in 2007 ISAF mission are 461 millions zlotys, including 273 millions spent on equipment.

source: http://www.wiadomosci24.pl/artykul/krakow_zegnal_zolnierzy_wyjezdzajacych_do_afganistanu_45203.html
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-01-2007, 02:27 PM

Gazeta Wyborcza, http://serwisy.gazeta.pl/swiat/1,34292,4523637.html, when referring to heavy battles in Uruzgan and Helmand provinces, where about 200 Taliban have been killed, mentions in passing that:
For a week the US soldiers have been laying siege to a town and district Musa Kala, controlled by Taliban since February. Poles also participate in the battles.GROM?

Switek

10-01-2007, 02:54 PM

...
GROM?

I'd like to answer but... p-) Do you remember such sign: [---] ? Very often used some time ago in "Tygodnik Powszechny" insetead of some news or articles?

Mishka Zubov

10-02-2007, 12:55 AM

82nd SB enhances Polish capabilities

Monday, 01 October 2007
By Sgt. 1st Class Felix A. Figueroa
82nd Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/071001_fea2_hi.jpg
Polish Capt. Sylvester Kanadys discusses logistical matters with U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer William Studivant, and ensures exact number of enhanced vehicle security attachment are being picked up from Logistic Support Area Adder, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Felix Figueroa.

LOGISTIC SUPPORT AREA ADDER — Polish soldiers and 82nd Sustainment Brigade troops stationed in Camp Echo, flew down to Logistic Support Area Adder recently in a former Soviet Mi-8 (HIP) helicopter to pick up tactical enhancement devices for Polish ground vehicles.

According to Maj. Richard A. Hall, 82nd Sustainment Brigade liaison officer, the Rhino I system is going to be installed on Polish M1114s or HMMWVs in order to provide an increased level of protection and freedom of movement as they conduct operations in the Al Quadisiyah province.
“These guys are pretty receptive, open minded and willing to try new ideas. I’m confident these Rhino systems will serve them well,” said Hall.

Operational security prohibits discussing the intricate details of how the Rhino systems work, however, the Polish troops seemed excited to receive and try out American ingenuity on their equipment.

“I’m a brand new graduate of the Polish flight school and what we learned about Iraq before deploying, is very different than our current experience here,” said Capt. Sylwester Kanadys, Polish Landing Forces pilot.
“Being deployed alongside the Americans has forced us to seriously look at and modify our tactics in order to keep up,” Kanadys added.

In an asymmetric environment like Iraq, where the front lines are primarily the highways, the enemy is constantly changing their attack methods. In order to counter and mitigate terrorist’s threats, U.S. forces are consistently upgrading their equipment with additional armor and various technologically based advancements.

“Since we work together with the U.S., (securing borders and patrolling streets) I feel it’s a good idea to put on our vehicles what they (U.S. troops) use “on” theirs. I’ve seen it work and I know it will be successful for us in future operations,“ said Kanadys.

The Polish contingent is assigned to Multi-National Division-Central South and was deployed to provide over watch assistance to Iraqi security forces in an effort to establish a safe and secure living environment.

source: http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14373&Itemid=128

signatory

10-02-2007, 11:46 AM

Emergency landing of Polish F16s

Created: Tuesday, October 2. 2007

F-16 jet fighters stationed in a military base in Krzesiny (western Poland) have twice had to make emergency landings due to avionics failures.

Both aircraft managed to blind-land safely thanks to the pilots’ skills. According to "Newsweek Polska", a catastrophe was avoided only by luck.

Since the Polish air force began operating the F-16s in December last year, dozens of faults and defects have been detected in the fighter planes’ equipment.

All repair costs are borne by the Polish military, because the Polish government failed to include clauses on guarantee repairs and services in the purchase agreement.

As of today, the defence ministry has ordered spare parts for the F-16 jets for 123 million USD that are to satisfy demands until 2010.

The list of problems with the Polish F-16 also includes a lack of a comprehensive IT system. Currently, all of the flight details, including fuel consumption, are recorded in an Excel spreadsheet.

"Without [the IT system], effective F-16 program management is impossible. We have two choices: either a team of air force experts will develop it by themselves or we’ll organise a bid", Jacek Kotas, deputy minister of defence responsible for the implementation of the F-16 program told "Newsweek".

http://www.thenews.pl/archives/1346-Emergency-landing-of-Polish-F16s.html

Hm.... some of these jets have had problems from delivery, which is normal.. but.. the problems seem to keep coming :| But maybe it's exaggerated by the media?

Switek

10-02-2007, 11:57 AM

Hm.... some of these jets have had problems from delivery, which is normal.. but.. the problems seem to keep coming :| But maybe it's exaggerated by the media?

This article was discussed in one Polish military forum (the best one) and was described as one BIG BS... Esp. those about detected faults and defects.

There are problems (let me say: temporary) with maintenance and IT systems, true but it's a process where some mistakes are unevitable. Conditions of service and spare parts deliveries are still negotiated, AFAIK. The key is that this is not the problem of Polish F-16s, as a planes themselves.

Mishka Zubov

10-02-2007, 12:06 PM

Hm.... some of these jets have had problems from delivery, which is normal.. but.. the problems seem to keep coming But maybe it's exaggerated by the media?

No, not the exaggeration. The problem with lack of spare parts has been known and been often reported for quite some time.

But what surprises me is this "low technology" spreadsheet approach to standard statistical analysis. Hey guys in Krzesiny, give me a contract, I'll fix it for you! :-)
Actually, this sounds familiar. Fifteen years ago some big American companies, which I do not want to name here, were using similar manual approach until hmm... I do not want to brag.. :-)

And what surprises me even more is the fact that IT in Poland seems going strong, Polish military brass is bragging about a strong Polish "computing and electronics" card in Nato structures, and some Polish IT/security company obtaining a big NATO data encryption contract recently.

Mishka Zubov

10-02-2007, 12:22 PM

In this interview a new police chief of Paktika province shares some of his thoughts on security of the province. Worth reading - if not for only one reason that this is not the official Polish propaganda

In order to be even safer
by Wojciech Majeran
Tuesday, October 2, 2007

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/4.jpg

Wojciech Majeran interviews Maj-Gen. Nabijan Mulla Khel, a new commander of Afghan Police in Paktika province.

General, you came here few days ago from Helmand province, which can be considered the Taliban bastion. You are responsible for dozen or so operations, where many Taliban have been killed or captured. Is your coming here a signal that Paktika is becoming a dangerous province?

Security of Paktika province remains at constant, good level. My predecessor's reports indicate that it has even improved significantly. Compared to Helmand, where I have been a Police Chief for the last year, Paktika is almost a tranquillity oasis.

Over there they fight regular battles every day. Several hundred Taliban have died during the last few months. There are dozen or so daily attacks on convoys, outposts, bases - as noted by Afghan security forces or coalition forces. There are several daily incidents here, in Paktika, as well. But they are not on any great scale. Most threats are the IEDs planted at roads. Direct attacks are rare, although they happen. A good example is the recent attack on the Governor's office in Sharan.

Paktika and its inhabitants are not foreign to you, are they?

Correct. I was a police battalion commander in Paktika several years ago. I am familiar with people living here and I know that they have never liked the uniform services. For many years the security had been handled by tribal militias, which carried guns but not uniforms. Nowadays the police are being identified with authorities only. We have serious problems with recruiting new people, even though there is high level of unemployment here. I'd like to change image of a policeman, from a person who checks and controls to a person who can be counted on in times of need.

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Is changing the image of the police related to improvement of security?

Yes, of course. As you know, nothing happens at once. The first step to improvement of security would be the exchange of policemen with those from the Ghazni Province. This would break all the tribal and family ties of the policemen. Similar operation has been undertaken in Helmand and it worked. I also hope that such move will reduce the police corruption. At the next step we are going to create greater number of outposts at the city suburbs and greater control of people entering and exiting the city borders. This would help in cordoning the city and finding suspects in critical situations. I also plan to replace some police commanders in my districts. I'll start with Sharan. The capital of the province will be a starting point of new changes.

General, Ramadan will be soon over and winter is approaching. Will this weaken activity of terrorist groups?

In Afghanistan, for centuries, all warriors used to walk down the mountains at winter times. This period is hard for survival not only among the mountain peaks but also in villages. Part of Taliban will move out to Pakistan. Many trails will be covered by snow. Motorcycles, as used now by them, will be difficult to operate. Big groups will leave easy to find signs behind. Campfires, necessary in such low temperatures, will be easily to spot in darkness. I estimate that there are about 500 Taliban in the province. We will use the lull in their activities for preparation of policemen to fight them.

Which district is especially dangerous in your opinion?

The most dangerous district is Nika [North-East of Sharan - MZ]. There are neither coalition forces nor Afghan units. There are only few control posts in the entire district. Due to its closeness to Nika the district Mata Khan [just North of Sharan - MZ] is also not very safe. Dila [South-West - MZ] was also dangerous few weeks ago, where a building of a district chief was destroyed during attack. Kushamand was also dangerous, but soldiers from Polish Battle Group helped there. Thanks to them a new base has been created there and soon the district chief office will be rebuilt in Dila.

Polish Battle Group will be helping you with maintaining security. How do you see the future cooperation with them?

I have met with Lt-Col. Adam Strek, a commander of Polish soldiers, few days ago. We have discussed cooperation. We paid attention to mutual tasks. During that meeting Lt-Col. Strek surprised me by the suggestion that I should prepare plans of actions to be supported by Polish soldiers. This has never happened before that any military commander has proposed execution of plans prepared by Afghan police. I am very pleased with such attitude of the Polish commander. Currently, we already have daily mixed patrols, where Poles and police participate. The soldiers have very good equipment and the police know perfectly well the terrain and the local customs. I hope that this will bring some effects in near future.

I am only afraid that in a month time there will be a change of the commander of the Polish group. But I hope that his successor will also want to cooperate closely.

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What may I wish to the new Paktika Police Commander?

Most of all the people who want to serve in the police; people that want to be policemen not because they wear uniforms, but because they are policemen at heart.

Therefore I heartily wish you just this and thank you for the interview

Photos: Wojciech Majeran

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8325&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-02-2007, 02:45 PM

I must admit that I was somewhat pessimistic when reading the first report about this orphanage in Charikar. I was afraid of some kind of one time show off by the Polish brass from Bagram. But it looks like those soldiers are persistent and take a good care of those kids. I have also noticed some repairs being done to the building itself. Good for you, guys!

A practical gift
by Jacek Matuszak
Tuesday, October 2, 2007

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"You brought us a very practical, but also a very needed, gift for our children. We thank you so much. With your every visit we are being more convinced that the Polish soldiers are our true friends" - said Ahmmad John Fasli, a director of orphanage in Charikar, when welcoming the Poles.

This has been a successive visit to this place of soldiers from the command of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan (PMC-A). This time, however, they did not bring individual gifts for each and every one kid of more than 100 children from the orphanage. Thanks to a campaign organized in the entire PMC-A this time they brought beds, mattresses, pillows. This gift have been a great surprise to the kids, and a nice one too - as they were stressing. "We have decided to bring something else this time. We have noticed during our previous visits that the furnishing of their sleeping quarters was lowly and not that new. This is why we brought them new beds and blankets. This is a very practical gift. And since the winter is approaching it will certainly be useful to them" - explained Maj. Mariusz Cichowicz, an organizer of the trip.

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But the soldiers have thought not only about sleeping. They also delivered several tones of food - sugar, flour, potato flour, soup extracts, fish, rice. "If you do not like some of this just say so. We have tried to select such products that would suit the kids' taste" - said Col. Jan Rydz, a deputy commander of PMC-A. The orphanage director and the stuff did not hide their gratification. "Everything will certainly be used. The children have been so happy after your last visit. And they have really liked very much the food you had brought before. I am sure they will like this one too"- assured the director.

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Watching fast and efficient unloading of trucks one might have had an impression that the soldiers and the children were part of the same team. Without disorder but with great desire even the smallest kids have been trying to be helpful in carrying the boxes. "I was a bit afraid that unloading of two trucks would take us a lot of time. But thanks to help of our little friends everything went fast and efficiently" - smiled pvt. 1st class Piotr Borowski.

And his above average posture was enticing unhidden admiration among kids. And after he reached to his pocket to hand a bottle of water to one of his helpers he have been immediately hemmed in by the rest of them. He had - similarly as the other participants of the trip - prepared himself for such behavior. Everyone carried water, ballpoints, pencils, candies and fruits - the things that kids ask most often for.

"I always carry with me a little trifle when visiting the orphanage. It is hard to describe the enjoyment of those little kids when they are given even the smallest gift" - said WO Wojciech Wernicki. Many soldiers visiting this place could not hide their compassion for the fate of the little children - on one hand, and their admiration for the kids' survival skills - on the other. "When I see how important for them is every single bottle of water, every single fruit then I am so glad that my children do not have to struggle this way" - said WO Dariusz Popiel.

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The visit in Charikar came to the end after several hours. This time it has left behind the delivered beds and the storage full of food. And what is most important - the soldiers have been sent off with smiling faces of the little kids, more enjoyable than any "thank you" words. Nobody had any doubts that the Poles are here in Afghanistan exactly for the reason to improve a bit the life of little kids like these ones.

Photos.: Jacek Matuszak

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8330&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Switek

10-02-2007, 03:18 PM

Winning hearts and mind mission is much more important than spectacular fights, IMHO. Seems that Poles undrerestand that persistent aid and consistentcy are important in local culture.

Mishka Zubov

10-03-2007, 12:05 AM

Speaking of F-16 - We don't take a pig in a poke

Eight new Hawks have been delivered to the 31st Air Base in Krzesiny in the last two months. According to the opinions of the technical services of the 3rd TAS and the command of the 2nd TAB their technical status is good. There are no more defects like those that appeared during delivery of the first F-16s in November 2006.

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Commander of 10th TAS, Lt-Col. pilot Dariusz Malinowski: I do not complain about F-16s. They have never surprised me yet. Frankly speaking, I think that they fare well. I was curious about the influence of our atmospheric conditions on their exploitation, since it was so hot in Tucson airbase. But I state once again that they are excellent. I dealt with older versions in USA, block 42 say, and I must say that our planes fare better - even though they are used intensively for the training.

The F-16s that come to Krzesiny are very well controlled. There are special procedures for this. Every plane must pass through a so-called "Total Inspection" - a very detailed review. All its parts are being described and compared with certificates of a specific aircraft. Only after such inspection the airplane is handed over to a squadron for exploitation. Taking an aircraft off the service, because of the pre-planned control, is often being mistaken by the media as a proof of its unreliability.

"Recently delivered Hawks have not shown any technical problems" - says Maj. Wieslaw Grzyb, a chief of the air technique for the 3rd TAS in Krzesiny.

But how to know that a F-16, after its flight to Poland, is in a good technical shape and that it has all required subsystems installed?

Disassembling F-16

The aircrafts F-16 are ferried from USA to the 31st Air Base in Krzesiny by American pilots. After the landing the acceptance review begins. But before that - its battle readiness is being recovered. Firstly, it is being refueled. Its fuel sub-system is being checked and a general survey is made. Later, it goes for a so-called acceptional inspection in the main shed, where the review and comparison with a version ordered by Poland is taking place.

This review lasts three to four weeks. It is often erroneously referred to as two weeks, because the time devoted to such work should not exceed 15 working days. But there might be two of three airplanes simultaneously under inspection. Their technicians have very narrow specialization - as opposed to services of MiG-29 or Su-22. This is why there are more technicians around F-16. A technician responsible for a plane has been now replaced by a team chief.

The chiefs begins the review. They are the specialists of the plane structure. They visually inspect the plane, open the holds and hatches to check whether all actual parts and units are the same as declared by the manufacturer. After this inspection the plane is reassembled and the system testing begins. The certified technicians, equipped with programs for acceptance service, begin their work. This includes engine trials. The servicemen use laptops loaded with almost all technical documentation of the airplane.

Malfunctions

In this case everything starts with interview with a pilot who has brought the machine in. The technicians assess the status of the airplane on the basis of his report. And whatever they don't learn from the pilot will be caught in the final tests anyway.

The analogy with a procedure of going over a car is obvious. The specialists attach all sorts of diagnostic devices to the plane. If any malfunction is found it must be fixed before the airplane is delivered to the squadron.

"We only had some troubles with the first delivery. The remaining F-16 flew in operational" - attests Brig-Gen. pilot Wlodzimierz Usarek, a commander of the 2nd TAB.

The engineers and technicians from Krzesiny are gaining experience in servicing Hawks. First reviews used to last long, now everything runs smoothly and quickly. When a defective part is found and if it is covered by warranty, it is sent to USA - unless it is available in the base stock. The parts usually come back from USA within one week, although sometimes the waiting time is longer if the Americans do not have it in their stocks.

"We already know the procedures and the people to contact. The Americans who are still in Krzesiny have been very helpful in this respect" - adds Gen. Usarek.

Fixing a simple malfunction may take as little as half an hour. For more serious problems the technicians consult Lockheed Martin company and this takes much longer. Of the current 27 airplanes three ones, from the July/August delivery, are still under inspection and three other ones are waiting in line. It happens that an airplane does not fly because lack of parts. These are the sporadic cases and relate to no more than one machine excluded from flying at any given time.

Recently a plane from the very first delivery has been restored to its full battle readiness. This one had been brought in with partially burnt notch - a structural element of the plane. But this was an exception. Although it could not fly for a long time it was being used by technicians for training. "In either case one of the F-16s had to be used for training of the servicemen, during the initial period of exploitation of F16s. We used the defective one" - says Maj. Grzyb.

source: weekly magazine "Polska Zbrojna", NR 39 (557), September 23, 2007, www.zolnierz-polski.pl
translated by MZ

signatory

10-03-2007, 01:04 AM

source: weekly magazine "Polska Zbrojna", NR 39 (557), September 23, 2007, www.zolnierz-polski.pl
translated by MZ

But that doesn't answer the question about the alleged in-flight avionics failures.. and if true, it's not a spare parts issue at all. Any more info about these incidents?

F-16 jet fighters stationed in a military base in Krzesiny (western Poland) have twice had to make emergency landings due to avionics failures.

Both aircraft managed to blind-land safely thanks to the pilots’ skills. According to "Newsweek Polska", a catastrophe was avoided only by luck.

Mishka Zubov

10-03-2007, 08:31 PM

But that doesn't answer the question about the alleged in-flight avionics failures.. and if true, it's not a spare parts issue at all. Any more info about these incidents?There was a press conference yesterday in MoD but they talked circles again. Nothing about avionics, something about spare parts, a bit of media bashing for using old and wrong statistics, something about learning curve, and some explanation that in average the statistical record of F-16 is way better than similar past statistics regarding MiG-29s and Su-22s.

Ministry informs that of a total 27 F-16s, four are not operational. Three are waiting for the spare parts from US and one has faulty software.

Mishka Zubov

10-03-2007, 08:34 PM

Attack on Polish Ambassador to Iraq - special press briefing with participation of Minister Władysław Stasiak

October 3, 2007

Władysław Stasiak, Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration (MSWiA), and Jacek Lipski, Deputy Chief of Government Protection Bureau (BOR), informed that a BOR officer's name, who died today in Bagdad as a result of a terrorist attack, is Master Corporal Bartosz Orzechowski.

Minister Stasiak assured that the family of the killed officer may count on help of MSWiA and BOR.

The family of Bartosz Orzechowski is in the medical and psychological care. Minister Stasiak issued a decision to support the family with a sum of 20 thousands zlotys.
(...)

The killed officer has served in BOR since 2003-03-03. He has served in Iraq since 2007-05-02.
source: http://www.mswia.gov.pl/portal/pl/2/4999/
translated by MZ

see a separate thread re this topic http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=121206

RIP

Mishka Zubov

10-03-2007, 08:48 PM

The great flying
PIOTR BERNABIUK

Nowhere else the Polish military pilots can even dream about 150 hours of flight per year. Nowhere else but in the 7th Aviation Battalion of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, and in air transport.

The 7th Aviation Battalion of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade is made of three aviation squadrons flying the helicopters W-3 Sokół, two multitasking squadrons and one radio-electronic squadron. In addition there are groups devoted to training, engineering-aviation, logistics and bookkeeping; the commanding company, protection company, military airport and the command.

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The flying personnel of 135 persons includes 95 pilots, deck technicians and paramedics. The older pilots and the group of 1995-2003 graduates, 70% of all, have been trained to the combat ready level. The remaining ones, the younger pilots an complete newcomers are currently being trained flying at night with visibility. They still need about one and half year to achieve full qualifications.

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Lt-Col. Paweł Półtorak, a commander of the 7th Aviation Battalion, explains in few sentences the concept of his battalion: "We fly the most in Poland, even more than three times more than our colleagues in other units. We do not narrowly specialize - never the same people handle the same tasks. Of course, experienced pilots pass their knowledge to the younger ones, but we are not afraid sending a pair of two young second lieutenants for an operation. Our motto is: if you are certified you have to pass a battle baptism, live through a stress and learn to be responsible. It would be, of course, much easier to prepare specialized groups for certain type of tasks and choose harder tasks for the 'better' pilots and easier tasks for the 'worse' ones."

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The commander of the 7th Aviation Battalion belongs to the oldest generation of pilots, who flew "pipes" before settling on helicopters. There are five of them still in service: Maj. Sławomir Serzysko, a commander of Radio-Electronics Reconnaissance Squadron - the senior in this company; Capt. Piotr Modliński, a safety flight inspector of the battalion; Capt. Dariusz Wieczorek, a chief of training of the unit; and Capt. Mirosław Poddaniec, a chief of battle utilization of the battalion. They are joined by Maj. Jacek Wajda, a commander of the 2nd Helicopter Squadron, who came from a brotherly battalion in Leźnica. These pilots shape today the combat ready battalion and its climate. The remaining ones, much younger graduates from the officer school, class 1995 and later, are quickly catching up with the masters.

Flying in Tatra Mountains

The basic training is a preparation for battle operations, which they usually do with the soldiers on board at training areas. Other than that the pilots claim, quite seriously, that they do all whatever can be done with the W-3 Sokół (Falcon). They only do not shoot air-to-ground rockets, because they still don't have them. The pilots and deck technicians are being prepared, for example, for flights in crisis situations. In winters they train with sappers to fight ice jams. They train rescuing people from flooded areas. They train with all possible military formations of Ministry of National Defense and police formations of Ministry of Interior Affairs and Administration. They train high altitude rescue, such as picking up firefighters from a 30-floor window. Unusually interesting are the exercises with anti-terrorist squads on land, and even more interesting - at sea.

Five years ago their first challenge was to learn flying in desert conditions. This year they trained in high mountains. They had to verify their flying abilities in Tatra Mnts. Initially they flew with Tatra Mountains Rescue pilots. The cavalrymen looked in awe and respect at the mountain pilots. And they are thankful to them for their support. Later they flew by themselves but always with Maj. res. Andrzej Blacha on board. Andrzej, a former commando officer and experienced Tatra rescuer, has saved them from many small mistakes, mainly navigational ones, since this is so easy to mix the mountain peaks. And they trained in such difficult conditions that even the most experienced pilots were exiting the helicopters all in sweat.

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There are many traps in Tatra Mountains: lack of open spaces, upward and downward air-streams, wind jumps and sudden entrances into clouds with ever changing conditions. The most difficult is landing in tiny valleys or rocky peaks, where sometimes a half of square meter of a flat rock must be enough for soldiers to descend.

Night flights

Recently they started flying with night vision devices as well. This is the important step for the unit because it has changed entire attitude to flights organization and their security. And not only the pilots have been wearing night googles. The security services have been also trained in usage of NVDs - including the drivers who have been learning how to approach helicopters at night. During the exercise all airport services had to put in googles simultaneously. They had to solve the problem of controlling the flights at the training areas. And they succeeded!

During certification of one flight, which is currently with the 9th PMC rotation in Iraq, four crews have passed the battle tasks: they left the Tomaszów Mazowiecki Airport, executed an attack at the Nowa Dęba training area, flew to a reconnaissance area where columns of vehicles from the 7th Air Cavalry Battalion were stationing, then returned to their base in Nowy Glinnik. They executed their tasks flawlessly, even though those were not the hand picked pilots but a standard flight of one of the squadrons. "We send complete and uniform teams for our missions abroad" - says the battalion commander.

Are the pilots being scared?

Lt-Col. Półtorak was a leader of the missions to Iraq. During the 1st PMC rotation, in Kuwait, he made the first ever flight in desert conditions. He was also the first to attain 10 battle missions. This is specific to commanding an aviation unit. Initially, the allies did not trust either Polish pilots or Polish equipment. Their attitude has changed after two months of careful cooperation, when Americans began needing them. Especially for Medevac protection, QRF, protection of de-ming patrols EOD, convoying VIPs, transport, reconnaissance of roads and oil pipes. So they flew in formation everywhere where the allied forces have been stationing.

All trained pilots from Glinnik went through the missions abroad at least once, some even three times. What have they earned? The commander answers without hesitation: "A great self-confidence! After returning home the pilots trust themselves and their colleagues because during the mission there is a basic principle: we always fly in pairs, if something happens to one of us the other one will help. Besides, there is always an assault team that will fly in and recapture us, and the "cavalrymen" who know that we will be above them in case of a threat."

In Iraq every take off is a battle flight. Even a technical helicopter flight is stressful because a pilot exposes the machine to shelling. A pair of pilots on duty might be waiting in readiness for two weeks in vain, but then they might have to execute three flights in one day. Waiting in expectation and constant unknown exhausts people - no less than the flights in those hellish conditions.

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Is a pilot ever afraid? Lt-Col. Półtorak assures that there are no heroes during shooting and everyone is nervous. "But he carries his task because he must. Besides, with all our experience, we know how to protect ourselves, how to hide or respond with fire and protect our people. When our brigade has been attacked in Karbala we had to land under fire and take the wounded on board. The first thought, a sudden flash - this surely is impossible! But the helicopters went out, offloaded an assault team, who immediately started shielding us with fire. We landed and two paramedics went to get those people from under the fire. Everything, emotions notwithstanding, was done as during exercises. Everyone was doing his things - the assault group protecting with fire, paramedics evacuated the wounded on deck and the helicopter took off. Even though we were the exposed targets none of the machines was even grazed."

"The pilots have been learning everything there, including tactics. They initially assumed that to protect themselves against ground-to-air rockets they would be maneuvering - a straight line flight no longer than seven seconds and change of height and distance. They thought that the safe flights would be the low flights, five meters above the ground. But it later occurred to them that the flight trajectory had to be raised to 30, or even 50 meters, when the angular velocities are so great that no rocket would be able to hit them, nor the RPG shooters could aim well at them."

"After the Americans had their first losses they began approaching landing zones from various directions, breaking only in safe zones. And thanks to this they have not lost a single helicopter during take offs, landings or patrolling above the base. Now, in the 9th rotation, there are pilots of various age and experience - including the youngest, graduates of 2004 class. A next team, of similar composition, is currently being prepared for the next mission."

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source: weekly "Polska Zbrojna", NR 39 (557), September 23, 20072
translated by MZ

A summary from special operations site:

Summary
Poland is committed to developing a NATO-interoperable, rapid-reaction force that will actively participate in future international and NATO operations. The 25th ACB is preparing a combat force that will achieve this goal. The air assault capability that Poland is developing will enhance NATO's combat operational capability and flexibility.

Poland will be the only other country in NATO to incorporate an air cavalry doctrine that mirrors the doctrine of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Although the 25th ACB is a lightly armed unit, its personnel are well led and trained to conduct aggressive force entry operations to seize critical objectives. The 25th ACB will prove to be a valuable asset to any combat commander facing the most difficult of situations, and the unit is likely to be chosen to operate alongside American forces in a crisis.
source: http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Poland/Air_Assault.htm

Mishka Zubov

10-03-2007, 10:20 PM

Mushroom craziness

If you have never hunted or fished you could never understand those sports. Same with mushrooms: most North Americans don't care about them but many Europeans are crazy about mushrooms. Delicious taste aside the mushroom picking is like hunting: you have to get out early, follow your sixth sense or your experience and track them down by sight, by touch or by smell. They hide from you too. Some people are not lucky and come back empty handed or with a pitiful handful of low quality varieties. But lucky ones come back with real trophies!

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Such Leccinum family mushrooms grow in Górki near Santokhttp://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/15e57d16ff9e5b38221343992-14-1.jpg
A giant Leccinum aquercinum, or Koźlarz, or Kozak, or Kozak-Krawiechttp://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/ead45456406a8e5932ff1130e-14-1.jpg
A delicious Boletus edulis, or King Bolete, or Porcino, or Borowik - from Holly Cross Mountains forestshttp://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/866137db7cc2f5f7d6929b3a3-14-1.jpg
A crop of Boletus edulis The season is almost over in most parts of Poland, but not so in South-Eastern part of the country. And the best places to find them are the military training grounds, of course, as in Nowa Dęba area.

The army and a hired security agency are helpless against a huge invasion of mushroom pickers. No costly tickets, no threat of death are preventing them from entering the military areas. A temptation of mushroom picking is much stronger.

"This is some kind of craziness. There are military exercises all the time, the army is using live ammunition, the artillery is shooting, but the mushroomers still enter the area. They ignore the information boards" - says an officer from the Training Center of Land Forces in Nowa Dęba. "Sometimes we get the goose bumps when we suddenly see civilians entering the shooting zone. It seems that only due to vigilance of the observers and the incredible luck no tragedy has happened as yet."

fish&chips

10-04-2007, 06:07 AM

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Mutant mushrooms! :)

wholagun

10-04-2007, 07:38 AM

damn that is huge! My family better not say there weren't any mushrooms to pick so they couldn't send any to Canada. We always get Polske prawdziki od rodziny w Polsce.

Mishka Zubov

10-04-2007, 10:33 AM

A suspected terrorist detained
by Wlodzimierz Glogowski
Thursday, October 4, 2007

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Diwaniyah, October the 4th. During a morning raid soldiers of Multinational Division Center-South (MND-CS) have detained a dangerous criminal. He is suspected of attacking coalition forces in Qadisiyah province.

One 60 mm mortar, two rifles, a pistol and ammunition was found at the place of the arrest. Currently he is under investigation. The arrest is a result of a specially planned operation, carried in northern Diwaniyah by Polish Special Forces Group, in cooperation with American soldiers and a special platoon of Iraqi Army.

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Polish soldiers have been executing the second phase of the operation "Oil Drop" in Diwaniyah. Today a battle group from Task Force Lynx, in cooperation of CIMIC, has delivered so-called "family packages" to 60 families. Those are the humanitarian aid kits, containing power generators, cleaning agents, medicine and food.

In parallel with humanitarian aid some financial aid is also being provided to small business. Such activities aim into development of business initiatives in Al Iskan, Al Kadim and Al Tamin quarters. The second phase of the operation is decisive for success of the entire operation. "Due to the forces and means of the Division, Iraqi security forces and close cooperation with local authorities we are successfully carrying our tasks so far" - said Maj-Gen Tadeusz Buk, a MND-CS commander. His opinion is partially based on his talks with many families and shop owners from the area of the operation "Oil Drop".

Since the 9th PMC rotation took over two months ago the soldiers of MND-CS have executed four main operations, during which they have detained 41 criminals and confiscated all sort of weaponry, ammunition and explosives.

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Photos.: Michal Romanczuk, Tomasz Szczur

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8429&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Adax

10-04-2007, 11:48 AM

F-16 jet fighters stationed in a military base in Krzesiny (western Poland) have twice had to make emergency landings due to avionics failures.

Both aircraft managed to blind-land safely thanks to the pilots’ skills. According to "Newsweek Polska", a catastrophe was avoided only by luck.
The article you mentioned - in Newsweek Polska was pure bulshiit - there was no risk to "catastrophe" - it was confirmed on famous polish forum [about Army] by user who is working in air base(If I remember correctly). The whole F-16 deal is right now a big "sensation" in polish media - for example 2 days ago was next article about our F-16. It criticized maintence conditions of planes and other cases. Generally now polish society have in mind F-16 as scrap. That's sad truth - stupid tabloid journalists, without any confirm have make it.

daily666

10-04-2007, 12:29 PM

Prolly a bit of a political propaganda before the elections. Not sure who is this hurting the most? Left, because they've signed the contract for the aircraft (Miller)? PO because they've started the tender (Komorowski)? Or PiS, because we've got them while they rule, and they break while they rule ;)

Mishka Zubov

10-04-2007, 01:24 PM

Very good, daily666, I like that pun. :-)

But this has been going for a long time, not only because of a pre-election period. I've heard the same allegations over and over again. And I've read the same responses too.

When I was doing some search on the subject of "MiG-29 pilots will fight F-16s" (Do you remeber that thread, from the middle of July?) I came across the statements of some commanders of the Air Force saying exactly what they are saying today: the statistics are good, just go back and compare old data from the times when MiG-29s had been first introduced to Polish Air Force.

Mishka Zubov

10-04-2007, 01:29 PM

Funny Google search statistics.
First column - number of results for "past year" search, web only, excluded blogs and news. Obviously the numbers are much higher if you take away the "past year" restriction.

612 polish-special-forces
280 polish-special-forces -video
275 polish-special-forces -video -YouTube
152 polish-special-forces -video -YouTube -klan
123 polish-special-forces -video -YouTube -klan -clan
99 polish-special-forces -video -YouTube -klan -clan -game
85 polish-special-forces -video -YouTube -klan -clan -game -filmiki
66 polish-special-forces -video -YouTube -klan -clan -game -filmiki -cybersport

Ergo: Polish Special Forces are mainly a product of imagination of people recycling old photographs of GROM into some heroic videos, or "filmiki" - as they are known in Polish, and also the youngsters playing computer games, where one clan - impersonating GROM - fights another klan.

I doubt whether GROM exists at all. :-)

Mishka Zubov

10-04-2007, 10:08 PM

Sokół helicopter at mountains and at sea

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/36.jpg
A Sokół helicopter in service of TOPR, Tatras Voluntary Rescue ServiceFrankly, this was an excuse to show these beautiful snapshots of Tatras' panoramas below. :-)

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/glodowka_tatry_03.jpg

http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/glodowka_tatry_02.jpg

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/glodowka_tatry_01.jpg
Panorama of Tatra Mountains from a glade of Głodówki, near village of Brzegi. Photo: PAP / Grzegorz MomotBut this is not an excuse, this is for real.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/smiglowiec1.jpg

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/smiglowiec2.jpg

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/smiglowiec3.jpg

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/smiglowiec_nowe.jpg

Sea Unit of Border Guard has recently obtained a W-3AM "Anakonda" helicopter for guarding the sea border of Polish Republic. The helicopter is equipped with a thermovision camera, video camera, loudspeaker and an air observation system SOL for 24-hours terrain observation in any meteorological conditions. Anakonda can fly in lower than normal oxygen content, as when flying near the fires.source: http://wiadomosci.wp.pl

SkyUS

10-04-2007, 10:17 PM

Frankly, this was an excuse to show these beautiful snapshots of Tatras' panoramas below. :-)

I love those. May I ask for a link to a higher resolution of these panormas?

Mishka Zubov

10-04-2007, 10:32 PM

I do not think there are any higher resolution pictures of those photos publicly available. I have not done any thorough search though...

SkyUS

10-04-2007, 10:38 PM

http://www.cs.put.poznan.pl/holidays/tatry/piclist.html

Some nice Tatry Mountains pictures can be found there, but no high resolution unfortunately

Mishka Zubov

10-05-2007, 10:08 AM

Minister of National Defense (MND), Aleksander Szczygło, thanked two TVN24 reporters for the way they were reporting August incidents in Afghanistan.

Reporter Tomasz Kanik and operator Hubert Szuberski are the first media people ever distinguished by a Polish minister of national defense. According to the chief of MND they have shown their professionalism in reporting situation in Afghanistan in a creditworthy way.
Below is a transcript of one of their reports. A link to source follows.

Viper Trail
A trail from Wazi-Khwa base to Sharana, several hundreds kilometers souths of Kabul, has been named "Viper" by Americans.

"I have a good premonition. The yesterday's hunch has checked out. Today we have no misgivings" - says a smiling soldier.

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/viper-hunch.jpg

A good premonition before a trip down the Viper is priceless. It cheers up the soldiers because this trail is known for its IEDs. Poles consider it the most dangerous in their zone. A travel by the main rutted track is like a Russian roulette. Burnt wrecks of trucks convince to choosing another route.

"We try to avoid following our own tracks because the enemy learns as well. They spy on us to learn what we do and how we do it and then draw conclusions" - says the patrol commander.

Traveling by Viper we are passing through the village of Washna. This is especially dangerous terrain, where ambushes happen most often.

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/viper-washna.jpg

We are cruising changing directions. We have to slow down sometimes to adjust our speed to a foot sapper, who checks every suspicious looking segment of the route.

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/viper-sapper.jpg

But heavy convoys cannot cruise the way we do.

"20 kilometers north of Wazi-Khwa base one of the convoy vehicles has run over an IED, planted on the road. Luckily neither any soldier nor any civilian driver of the convoy has been hurt" - says the patrol commander.

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/viper-hole.jpg

"For this reason Polish patrols do not travel by main roads. But the heavy convoy had to go by the Viper road where it hit the home made mine. The results can be seen behind us, but our patrol moves off roads because this is simply safer" - points out the reporter.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/viper-flatbed.jpg

The soldiers guard the damaged flatbed. As long as it stays here every traveller is being stopped and thoroughly checked.

"Watch them out!" - orders a NCO.

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/viper-watch.jpg

This is a patrol of Afghan police. The policemen do not have good opinion here. Even the Afghan army does no trust them.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/viper-police.jpg

They are allowed to go. A while later we are also returning. We still have several hours of travel in a safe distance from the main Viper trail.

Tomasz Kanik, TVN24.
source: http://www.tvn24.pl/12690,1523601,wiadomosc.html
transcript and translation from a video by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-05-2007, 11:35 AM

New armors for Rosomaks
by -z.l.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Reprinted from Rzeczpospolita, 5.10.2007

Military Mechanical Plant (WZM) in Siemianowice will be armoring-up Rosomaks. 30 special shield kits, made by Israeli company Rafael, will be brought to the Silesian company in the nearest days. The additional armor is destined for the vehicles going on the Afghan mission. Out of the 24 battle vehicles, currently used in the war against Taliban, 11 has been eliminated due to damages.

Appreciating Rosomak advantages the Americans wrote to us inquiring about possibility of leasing Polish battle vehicles manufactured in Siemianowice - stated Janusz Walczak, a spokesman for Bumar.
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8451&Itemid=46
translated by MZ

Did they really mean "eliminated"? Original: "uszkodzenia wyeliminowały 11 rosomaków"

Switek

10-05-2007, 01:03 PM

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8451&Itemid=46
translated by MZ

Did they really mean "eliminated"? Original: "uszkodzenia wyeliminowały 11 rosomaków"

Everything: from damages caused by IED blasts to technical breakages. What causes that 11 Rosomaks weren't operative. But from this text isn't clear if the number means all during whole mission (5 months) or 11 need to be withdraw to Poland to be refit.

Mishka Zubov

10-05-2007, 02:28 PM

Everything: from damages caused by IED blasts to technical breakages. What causes that 11 Rosomaks weren't operative. But from this text isn't clear if the number means all during whole mission (5 months) or 11 need to be withdraw to Poland to be refit.

Yes, the text was not clear, and that's why I raised my doubts. They have the repair shops in Sharan and Ghazni, as shown on several pictures posted to this forum. There is a world of difference between "were damaged" and "have been eliminated", in both languages.

By the way, Professor Jerzy Bralczyk, a Polish language expert, runs quite interesting video-blog "A word has been said" in Polityka, http://bralczyk.blog.polityka.pl/. His last entry is a tribute to Władysław Kopalinski, most known for his "Dictionary of foreign words and idioms", who died today at the age of 100.

Mishka Zubov

10-05-2007, 02:31 PM

European certificate for SW-4 helicopter from Świdnik
2007-10-02
nat, PAP

The light SW-4 helicopter, manufactured by PZL Świdnik, has been certified for sale and use in the Europeanian Union. The certificate has been granted by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) - informed Jan Mazur, a spokesman for PZL Świdnik.

"EASA has decided that the helicopter satisfies the rigorous technical requirements of EU, related mostly to the flight safety" - said Mazur. The certificate has no expiration limit. The certificate - according to Mazur - will also enable the promotion and sale of this helicopter in Asia, Africa and both Americas.

The SW-4 helicopter is the newest product of PZL Świdnik. This light multi-purpose machine is propelled by Rolls-Royce 250 C20R/2 engine. It is capable of carrying five persons or a pilot and 550 kilograms of freight. Its maximal velocity is 260 km/h, and its range - when using a basic fuel tank - almost 800 km. It burns about 100 liters of fuel per one hour of flight.

In the year 2006 PZL Świdnik has delivered two SW-4 to Polish army and signed a contract for delivery of the next 22 machines in the next three years. In the year 2007 eight such helicopters will be delivered to commercial and military recipients, and 15 further helicopters SW-4 will be made in the year 2008.

European Aviation Safety Agency was established in 2002, as civilian air oversight for European Union. With time the agency took over the national competencies of EU member-states offices. Its seat is in Cologne, Germany. The certification procedure of the SW-4 helicopter has been carried by the specialists from Great Britain.
source: http://www.rzeczpospolita.pl/news.rol?newsId=23517
translated by MZ

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Krzesiny_120RB.jpg

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/1060217.jpg

Switek

10-05-2007, 02:38 PM

By the way, Professor Jerzy Bralczyk, a Polish language expert, runs quite interesting video-blog "A word has been said" in Polityka, http://bralczyk.blog.polityka.pl/. His last entry is a tribute to Władysław Kopalinski, most known for his "Dictionary of foreign words and idioms", who died today at the age of 100.

Kopaliński was born on November 14th, AFAIK so he was 99. R.I.P.

Mishka Zubov

10-05-2007, 05:06 PM

Polish post in Iraq shelled - no one has been hurt
mar, PAP
2007-10-05

A temporary patrol base in Diwaniyah, where soldiers from the Multinational Division Center-South (MND-CS) serve, has been fired at with one mortar grenade and one anti-tank shell - informed on Friday Lt-Col Włodzimierz Głogowski, a chief of Press-Information Section of MND-CS.

No soldier suffered any injury. One truck has been damaged. Both explosions took place late Thursday evening, near the entrance gate to the post.

According to Lt-Col. Głogowski, unknown attackers were shooting from a palm grove, west of the post. In response to the attack the support platoon from the Camp Echo shot two grenades from 98 mm mortars. These mortars has been added a month ago to the equipment of the Battle Group (Task Force Lynx), and are very effective - as stressed by the military.

Polish helicopters W-3 Sokół (Falcon), adapted to night operations, also participated in the support operation. Four such night-enabled Sokół helicopters are part of the equipment of the Independent Air-Assault Group of the Polish Military Contingent (PMC).

Currently in Iraq there are about 900 soldiers from the 9th rotation of PMC.

source: http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80277,4551580.html
translated by MZ

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/szczyglo-mozdzierz.jpg
Minister of National Defense, Alexander Szczygło looks through the sight of 98 mm mortar at the mortars' fire post, during his visit to Camp Echo of Multinational Division Center-South in Diwaniyah. Photo Paweł Kula/PAP

Lazarou

10-05-2007, 05:28 PM

Minister of National Defense, Alexander Szczygło looks through the sight of 98 mm mortar at the mortars' fire post, during his visit to Camp Echo of Multinational Division Center-South in Diwaniyah. Photo Paweł Kula/PAP
The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) limits the number of artillery/mortar tubes with calibers greater than 100 mm. A clever way to get around the treaty. p-)

Switek

10-05-2007, 06:28 PM

The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) limits the number of artillery/mortar tubes with calibers greater than 100 mm. A clever way to get around the treaty. p-)

Good, very good remark.... :)

Mishka Zubov

10-05-2007, 10:06 PM

A special mission to Chad

Reprinted from Dziennik Zachodni
2007-09-05 10:11

Tropical diseases, tragic sanitary conditions and quarter of the million people dying of hunger and thirst. Add to it bestial murders of children, women and old people - this is how the day-to-day situation looks like in Chad, where our soldiers from Silesia will go.

A team of 105 soldiers from the Special Section of Military Police in Gliwice will go to Africa, on the six months stabilization mission, organized by United Nation and European Union. Since September the 3rd they have been training special operations techniques at the Żagań training grounds. The training will last till the end of October. They will be sent to Africa at the beginning of next year.

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/chad-commando.jpg

"This will be the most difficult Polish peace mission ever" - says Col. Dariusz Siekiera, a chief of the unit. "I have been to many missions and I know that Iraq, or even Afghanistan, does not compare to Chad. Children murdering each other or youngsters dying of hunger is a tragic daily life there." The MPs from Gliwice will be the main part of the Polish Military Contingent (PMC) in Chad. Altogether there will be 150 soldiers in PMC - including 105 MPs from Gliwice. The remaining ones will be chosen by the Land Forces command.

Master Corporal Grzegorz Szterleja is a veteran of the 10 years of service. He came back from Afghanistan half a year ago and now he is training with other 104 soldiers for the mission in Chad. Only the elite will go to Africa - the soldiers for whom the mission like this one is not an abstract but the next step in their military craft.

"Most of them have been to Congo already" - stresses Col. Dariusz Siekiera. "They know what Africa is like. The know the specifics of the service." There will be 70-80% of such soldiers in PMC. The rest are greenhorns. Take for example, pvt. 1st class Karol Frąckowiak. He is 25 years old and in the army since April this year. He was given the order and he accepted it - as he says - because he wants to go. Why? Because he seriously thinks about his military career. "I am going to Chad for the adventure" - he declares.

http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/os07.jpg

Grzegorz Szterleja already knows that the mission is not just an adventure but, first of all, a self test. And not only the skill test but also a psyche test, because only an idiot says that he is afraid of nothing. When asked what he is afraid the most of he answers without hesitation: "I am afraid of coming back as an invalid and that someone from my platoon would die."

To prepare themselves for any circumstances the Gliwice soldiers have been training at Żagań training area since September the 3rd. They train tactics 10 hours a day, every day. "Observation, convoying and protection of civilians. These are the components that we train ad nauseam and a bit more" - says Col. Rajmund Ćwiok, a training chief. Other than that they are being familiarized with the weapons to be available to them in Chad - mini-beryls, glocks, rocket launchers.

"There is also a red tactics - a medical first aid in a threat zone." - adds Col. Ćwiok. "We teach the soldiers how to evacuate wounded from the most dangerous areas."

After the practical training course they will go to the classroom. An expert on African affairs from the Warsaw University will teach them how to handle people from that part of the world, what kind of behavior is acceptable and what should be avoided.

In the opinion of Col. Dariusz Siekiera the Chad mission is the most difficult foreign intervention in the history of the Polish army. "What I mean are the specifics of the area, whatever the soldiers will find over there. This could be hard on their psyche. They will have to get used to scenes which are hardly acceptable. But how do you get used to scenes of children murdering each other or dying of hunger?"

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/os02.jpg

Sudan and Chad

The civil war began in Darfur, south of Sudan, but the crisis have been becoming more and more serious and it has crossed the borders of Darfur. Currently it has a global character. There are about 250 thousands refugees from Darfur and 170 thousands repatriates from various regions of Chad squatting on the east side of that country.

The Sudan authorities have agreed - very reluctantly - on the intervention of international forces, the so-called hybrid forces - consisting of African Union and United Nations forces. According to the secretary general of UN the intervention is also necessary in East Chad and at the North-West of the Central African Republic.

The mission in numbers

The forces which are supposed to assure respecting human rights in those regions are to be made of a total of 4000 soldiers and MPs - 1000 MPs from Chad, supported by 300 international police forces, augmented by the regular soldiers from Europe[1].

The mission's tasks are to intervene in case of incidents threatening safety and to carry the control and supervision over safety in indicated zones. First European contingents will appear at the Sudan and Chad frontier after the end of the rainy season (October). The mission is to last one year.
source: http://www.wiadomosci24.pl/artykul/misja_specjalna_w_czadzie_41645.html
translated by MZ

[1] Declared number of European troops, including police, as of the end of September 2007. Data copied from post #254 of this thread:
France.....1000-1500 troops
Ireland.....300
Belgium....100
Poland......100, actually 150 according to this article
Sweden....160
Austria......considering

Mishka Zubov

10-06-2007, 04:38 PM

I have passed through the Afghani Ring of Death

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/afghanistan-special-ana.jpg
Preparations for the patrol. Photo: Paweł Ulatowski"I have passed through the Afghani Ring of Death" - bravely announces a Dziennik reporter when describing his 120 km/h dash from Sharan to Kabul, in company of ANA special soldiers and APA police. I still do not have a clue why he did it, but hey - this seems to be a favorite pastime of some tabloid journalists. I have already provided few such examples before.
source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=62897

You called for it!

In related news, there was an interview of a special correspondent of Polish Radio, with one of the Taliban commanders from Helmand province, Mullah Hussain Gulla. It appeared in Polish on October the 4th here: http://www.polskieradio.pl/iar/wiadomoscglowna/?id=17137.

Although I still do not understand his motives for that interview - be they political, social, professional, egotistical - but since he had a courage to go the the lion's lair, good for him. But one of his questions:

Reporter: What do the Taliban think of Polish soldiers? Do they know of their presence and do they treat them the same as American or British?

seems quite strange and not entirely brainy to me. It just gave a chance to the Mullah to say that "You all are the same to us" and to brag about their successful tactics.

But the reporter did not give up and still pressed his luck:

Reporter: Polish papers have been writing that Taliban began hunting the Poles, because they know that elections are approaching and - because of this - there is a chance of withdrawal of Polish forces from Afghanistan. Therefore, do the election campaign and the election itself have any meaning for Taliban?

Mullah: Of course, not. We simply do everything to destroy NATO plans and to cause withdrawal of foreign forces. We do no differentiate flags, who is from what country, because it does not matter to us. We want to kill soldiers - be they Italians, Canadians, Poles or Americans.

In pre-Internet times that interview would appear on radio waves, once only, there would be some talk about it and then everyone would have forgotten about it - leaving the reporter off the hook. But nowadays a written word has strange powers. Soon after the first publication of that interview its appropriate extracts appeared in regular papers, tabloids, blogs - both Polish and international - with the headlines like this:
- Taliban resolved to kill Polish soldiers
- Taliban targetting Poles in Iraq? [sic!]
- Senior Taliban leader vows to keep killing NATO troops
- Taliban: No Foreign Troops In Afghanistan

I wonder if the Mullah, after the second thought, did not take a free advice from that Polish reporter. Good for you, Mr. Brainer!

Mishka Zubov

10-07-2007, 09:48 AM

Caucasus - a life adventure?

Capt. Jacek Popławski, a spokesman for the 6th Air-Assault Brigade
Photos: WO Jarosław Turkowski
Tuesday, October 2, 2007

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002188.jpg

Two Polish soldiers took part in Summer Climbing Course of the Mountain Rifles School in Sachkhere, Georgia, from August 27th to September 22nd. Although the school is in Georgia and is managed by Georgian soldiers it has been established and developed with significant help from the French military. WO Jarek Turkowski from the 18th Air Assault Battalion at Bielsko-Biała, 6th Air Assault Brigade and Snd-Lt. Jarosław Staszczyk from the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade have been perfecting their climbing abilities - together with nine other soldiers from Lithuania, Ukraine and Armenia.

WO Turkowski has been involved in climbing for many years; he is a climbing instructor in his battalion. After being selected a NCO of the year last April he was then rewarded by this trip to Summer course in Georgia. This is also thought as a signal to other soldiers that it pays to work hard.

The course was made of several stages. First, the participants have been subjected to theoretical test and then their skills and endurance have been tested on artificial wall. This not being a problem - they also had to rapidly refresh their abilities to communicate in ... Russian language.

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002182.jpg http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002180.jpg

But the true test of their climbing skills was a several days trip to the Kazbek peak (5047 a.s.l), near the famous Georgian War Road. During the trip they have trained glacier techniques: evacuation principles, glacier traversing techniques, rescue and auto-evacuation from crevasses, and glacier climbing.

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002213.jpg

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002211.jpg

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002209.jpg

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002207.jpg

http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002205.jpg

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002201.jpg

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002198.jpg

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002192.jpg

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Kaukaz_stop_2002186.jpg

"There are no glaciers in Poland. But some of the skills I gained during this course will help me in training our soldiers at home" - says WO Turkowski. And he admits that his dream is to climb Mont Blanc with some colleagues from his battalion.

source: http://facet.interia.pl/militaria/wojsko/news/kaukaz-przygoda-zycia,986594
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-07-2007, 05:13 PM

North Korean diplomat in rural Poland

I came across this picture long time ago and I have not been able to make much sense out of it.

http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/gala_sport_kult_2007_2.jpg
North Korean Ambassador to Poland, Kim Pyong-il, with his children, on his visit to Narew village in North-Eastern Poland, February 2007. This is supposedly the first picture of the three, ever publicly published.Kim Pyong-il (born 1954) is the half-brother of the current leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, and the son of former leader Kim Il-sung. Since 1988, Pyong-il have been living abroad as an ambassador to several countries in Europe so that he could not influence politics in his home country. Today, as of 2007, he is the ambassador of North Korea to Poland.

Apparently, many countries maintain diplomatic relations with North Korea, including many European countries. On the other hand, many such countries have not been very happy with activities of North Korean diplomats - accusing them of drug smuggling, counterfeiting money and trade goods and having connections with organized crime.

I have no idea whether this applies to Kim Pyong-il or not. His kids have apparently studied in Warsaw and they might be as well decent people. But the question remains: What on earth have they been doing in such a God forsaken place as Narew Community? Investing in local business? Trading in real estate? Attempting to live a normal, yet quiet life? The family is supposedly under strict control of the North Korean secret service and the communists have not been known for allowing too much of freedom of movement. I would not be surprised to see them somewhere in Warsaw, but in a rural Poland?

A background

Beyond the mountains, beyond the forests, there is a Narew Community on the river Narew, Podlaskie Voivodship, North-East corner of Poland.

The area of this community of many villages is localized between two National Parks - Białowieża NP and Narew NP and the Scenic Park of Knyszów Primeval Forest. A picturesque Narew River Valley forms a corridor separating the parks.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/Puchly_Janowo.jpg http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/rzeka1.jpg

The Białowieża Primeval Forest is a nature object with exclusive and inimitable properties. This is caused by many reasons, such as specific geographical location, size, state of forests preservation, relatively low exploitation of wood and a broad preservation of basic ecosystems.

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/puszcza1.jpg http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/puszcza2.jpg

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/800px-Wisent.jpg
A European Bison, or a wisent - one of the inhabitants of Białowieża National ParkTwo cultures - Polish and Belarusian - live side by side over there. They have their Orthodox church and the Catholic church; they have their Belarusian and Polish folk ensembles; they have thriving folk art; they share common festivals, such as "Dożynki" - a September equivalent of the North-American Thanksgiving Day.

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/dozynki2007_1.jpg
Blessing a "dożynki" wreath in an Orthodox church in Narew, September 16, 2007.http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/dozynki2007_5.jpg
Blessing "dożynki" wreaths in a Catholic church in Narew, September 16, 2007.http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/dozynki2007_24.jpg
A performance of the Belarusian folk ensemble "Krywczanki", from Krzywiec, Poland, at Dożynki Festival in Narew, September 16, 2007.http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/dozynki2007_33.jpg
A performance of the Polish folk ensemble "Podlaskie Kukułki", from Bielsko Podlaskie, at Dożynki Festival in Narew, September 16, 2007.This used to be one of the poorest regions of Poland, a so-called Poland B. Apparently, some villagers are doing quite well nowadays, as can be seen from the following pictures of winning entries to the 3rd Contest for the Best Premises and the Farm Building in the Narew Community, 2007.

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Marian Święcki's premises - 1st prizehttp://hotimg5.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/konk_posesji_2007_13.jpg
Marian Święcki's premises - 1st prizehttp://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/konk_posesji_2007_35.jpg
Irena Dulko's premises, Puchły - 2nd prizehttp://hotimg2.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/konk_posesji_2007_36.jpg
Irena Dulko's premises, Puchły - 2nd prizeThey have developed agro-tourism, they have some agro-industry and the Narew inhabitants even maintain international relations with ... hmm, yes - North Korea!

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Kim Pyong-il visiting the Village Museum in Narewhttp://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/gala_sport_kult_2007_32.jpg
International ping-pong tournament for a cup of Narew's Chief Administrator. The Koreans won, of course.There are many more related pictures on the Narew Community site.

source: http://www.narew.gmina.pl/galeria.htm

Mishka Zubov

10-07-2007, 11:54 PM

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Bigtime at all costs

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They had it light

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Did you order a wake-up call, Sir?
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I used to be a normal duck but you know those scientists..
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Mishka Zubov

10-08-2007, 08:44 AM

In this article, Maj. Olgierd Cieśla, a commander of Battle Team Charlie, Polish Battle Group, describes the work of his mechanics from the Wazi-Khwa Base, Paktika, Afghanistan; praises them and thanks them for their hard work. This seems appropriate, considering the fact the first rotation of Polish Military Contingent is currently going home, and the 2nd one is coming to replace them.

The mechanic - this sounds proud

by Olgierd Cieśla
Monday, October 8, 2007

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We have four battle vehicles 'Rosomak' and 41 HMMWVs in our Wazi-Khwa base. Due to their mobility we are able to practically reach any nook and cranny of our responsibility zone - including mountains, 2500 a.s.l.

The HMMWV vehicles are constantly maintained in high technical conditions by our mechanics from the vehicles repair shop and technical evacuation group. Their job is not easy - considering how and where we use them, the number of kilometers driven, and available shop equipment.

Their work is very much appreciated by everyone - drivers, vehicle commanders and other soldiers, who know that they can count on help of the mechanics any time - day or night. Their work is immensely important to keeping the Battle Team Charlie in battle readiness all the time.

Master Corporal Krzysztof Krząstek, is responsible for the vehicles repair shop. The beginnings were humble - they had to handle the hummers with just a basic set of wrenches and other simple tools. Fortunately they could always count on help of American mechanics from the same base. With time and the help of WO Mariusz Baka, the company technician, Krzysztof has managed to organize enough equipment to become almost fully independent of Americans.

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Knowledge and skills of mechanics-paratroopers from Wazi-Khwa base is a future capital. Their work enthusiasm has become an envy of American mechanics. While the latter would declare many parts or subsystems as total loss - the Polish mechanics, e.g. pvt. 1st class Andrzej Ściera, would still attempt to repair the parts or reuse them differently - for the simple reason of lack of new parts and necessity of keeping all vehicles in ready conditions.

And they have been working this way - confusing Americans because the things have worked while they supposed not to work. Insistence, consequence and self-confidence of Polish mechanics helped them in achieving their tasks. Seeing such attitude the Americans have been praising them and are always ready with help if needed. Recently they even spy on our mechanics to learn a thing or two. Our national passion of "contriving and scrounging up things" has been put into good use by our mechanics: pvt. 1st class Tomasz Fober and pvt. 1st class Marcin Wręczycki. They were often helped by the drivers and other soldiers, e.g. pvt. 1st class Adam Trzeciak.

Similar attitude has been also shown by soldiers in the remote base Kushamand, where one of the platoons of Battle Team Charlie resides. Hard work of Sgt. Artura Szczotka and of pvt. 1st class Andrzej Kieraś, a driver, has made all the platoon vehicles operational all the time.

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After so many months of practice an HMMWV does not keep that many secrets from our mechanics. They had to disassemble it many times into proverbial bolts and nuts, taking the engine or other basic subsystems out. Some operations that used to take many hours now take and hour or two. The practice has made masters out of them - even though they already knew a lot since their 18th Air Assualt Battalion from Bielsko-Biała is equipped at home with the same hummers.

Today's repair shop is, first of all, a well tuned and faultlessly functioning team of people for whom no things are impossible. They are always busy with something, because even the slightest malfunction may decide on outcome of a battle task. The drivers know about it very well and this is why they readily help the mechanics. Their recent major task was a systematic check and preparation of all vehicles before the winter season - in full readiness for use by their colleagues from the 2nd rotation, just arriving to the Polish bases in Afghanistan.

Many people do not appreciate the work of the mechanics; neither they realize how hard and responsible such work is. This is why I'd like to thank them - as their commander - in my name and the name of the rest of the team soldiers; you have never failed us - you are professionals by all means. I THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Photos: WO Mariusz Baka
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8537&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-08-2007, 10:59 AM

As already reported in post #300, a temporary Polish patrol base has been attacked on Thursday evening by one mortar grenade and one anti-tank shell. No one has been injured. One truck has been slightly damaged. Two grenades, shot in response from 98 mm mortars, from nearby Polish Camp Echo base, have quieten the attackers. Polish helicopters Sokół were also involved in the support operation.

In the follow up article, Lt-Col Włodzimierz Głogowski, a chief of Press-Information Section of MND-CS, states basically the same but adds few pictures, that were lacking in the original.

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A grenade fired from one of the 98 mm mortars at Camp Echo base, Diwaniyah, Iraq http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/ostrza_d.jpg http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/ostrzal1_d.jpg
Left: A crew of 98 mm mortar during training and equipment testing. The Battle Group has those mortars for just one month. The Thursday's shots were the first ever salvo sent from Camp Echo towards real attackers. The equipment is very precise and effective and the crews - well trained.
Right: Polish helicopters W-3 Sokół (Falcon), adapted to night operations, also participated in the Thursday's support operation.http://hotimg3.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/ostrzal2_d.jpg
Polish HMMWVs ready to go on patrol

Mishka Zubov

10-08-2007, 02:45 PM

Recent rescue operations at Baltic Sea
Date: 2007-10-08

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On Thursday, October the 4th, the Navy helicopters have performed two rescue operations, helping two injured persons.

Few minutes before 1700 hours the Polish Navy rescue service has been informed about a German Navy sailor needing help because of the arm injury. A W-3 RM "Anakonda" helicopter from the 28th Air Squadron, Gdynia, took off at 1659 hours, picked up the injured sailor and landed at the 7th Navy Hospital in Gdańsk at 1755 hours.

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A dozen or so minutes after the first rescue mission has been completed the Navy rescue services have been notified by the Sea Rescue Coordination Center (MRCK) about a PETROBALTIC rig worker who has suffered a complicated fracture of his left leg. The PETROBALTIC rig is located about 40 nautical miles North of Rozewie. In response to MRCK call, a second W-3 RM "Anakonda" helicopter took off at 1841 hours, 40 minutes later picked up the worker from the rig, and landed at the 7th Navy Hospital in Gdańsk at 2000 hours.

These were the #16 and #17 rescue operations of Polish Navy this year. Altogether, 18 persons have received help from the Navy rescue services so far.

Polish Navy has a fleet of rescue helicopters W-3RM „Anakonda” and Mi-14 PS, which are in constant readiness - as a part of international system Search and Rescue (SAR). They either operate independently or in cooperation with Polish Search and Rescue Sea Service (MSPR). They also participate in rescue of aircraft crews, in conjunction with Polish Air Force.

Lt-Com. Piotr ADAMCZAK
source: http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/document,,id,10437.html (http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/document,,id,10437.html)
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-08-2007, 03:24 PM

Recycling propaganda
I would be quite worried reading the following news from "Voice of Iraq", http://66.111.34.180/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=57138&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1

Diwaniya, Oct 7, (VOI)- The Multi-National Forces' Echo base was rocketed in the predominantly Shiite city of Diwaniya, a police source said on Sunday[1].
"The Polish forces' Echo base was attacked, this evening[2], with 12 Katyusha rockets," the source, who asked not to be named, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
The source who could not say if there were casualties among the Polish soldiers added "Polish forces' helicopters flew over the area following the attack."
This is the third[3] attack on the base in as many days.
Diwaniya is 180 km south of Baghdad.
SK
Monday , 08 /10 /2007 Time 8:33:52
But then I remembered reading something similar exactly one week ago. Yes, I even posted it here as post #259. And what we see here and there? The text is almost exactly the same, barring three little differences:
[1]was "Saturday", is "Sunday"
[2]was "today at dawn", is "this evening"
[3]was "second", is "third"

It looks like the boys at VOI are too lazy even to change their propaganda template. Or is it their unnamed police informer who likes to be paid twice for the same message?

Mishka Zubov

10-08-2007, 04:48 PM

Switek

10-08-2007, 05:03 PM

David Dastych, a veteran journalist, ex Polish intelligence agent and double CIA agent, currently running international media agency in Poland, presents an exclusive cover story for Canada Free Press, "Poles Help Iraqis, Face Death", here: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/154

I find this title a little misleading. The truth is that there are many insurgent groups in Iraq now. I guess that those who are behind last attack are inspired by Iranians or Syrians. The other alternative is that ambassador Pietrzyk urged Iraqi government to change some local authoities members in Al Diwaniyah region couse of suspicion of corruption. What made him personal enemies.

Mishka Zubov

10-09-2007, 05:50 AM

Address of thanks for the joint service
by Wlodzimierz Glogowski
Tuesday, October 9, 2007

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On October the 8th several American soldiers, serving in Multinational Division Center-South (MND-CS), has been decorated with commemorative medals and thanked for their service in Iraq by Maj-Gen. Tadeusz Buk.

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"Thank you for your involvement, hard work and commitment to the tasks entrusted to you. Your attitude and support provided to our soldiers deserve the words of highest recognition" - said the commander of MND-CS, addressing a group of American soldiers on October the 8th. He then handed them commemorative medals and thanked them for their service in the name of all MND-CS soldiers.

One of the distinguished soldiers was captain Cynthia Orr, a liaison officer of C-6 corps. "It has been a privilege to serve in MND-CS under the command of general Buk" - she said. Currently, 18 American soldiers serve in MND-CS - most of them in its command and staff.

Photos: Maj. Michal Romanczuk

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8559&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-09-2007, 09:01 AM

A town of Wazi-Khwa
2007-10-09 09:28:31

Paktika province, a part of Afghanistan, where Polish soldiers are stationed, is one of the poorest regions of the country. It confirms well to a popular image of Afghanistan - mostly deserts and mountains, as one can see from a flying helicopter. But there are some exceptions.

A town of Wazi-Khwa is undoubtedly one of them. By Afghani standards - it is almost a metropolis because more than 40 thousands people live here. The life here concentrates on the intersection of the two long cobbled streets - flanked by mostly one-floor clay sheds and very few multi-floor brick buildings. Shops are without electricity, windows - without panes, just the openings.

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There are 11 drugstores and two doctors' offices on the main street. A doctor's office here looks more or less as other shops. It is dark inside, since the only light sources are doors and windows. There are several chairs, a lounge and a screen. The bare clay walls are decorated by colored fabrics and germ-prevention posters. The clay floor is covered by carpets of long forgotten splendor. The medical equipment is equally humble. But patients still come here counting on some help.

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The real town's life is outside the shops, on the streets. Stalls of street vendors - typically wooden carts - present colorful displays of local fruits. Poorer sellers display their goods directly on the pavement. A seller does not specialize in one assortment only. He sells everything - fruits, meat, tobacco, tea, pots, bawls, or even tires and other car accessories. Most of the industrial goods are well used but nevertheless people buy them. There are no crowds though - a seller patiently waits all day for his customers, sitting at the corner of his shop or stall.

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There are all sorts of workshops: repair shops - for cars as well as for motorcycles, which are quite popular in Afghanistan; shops that repair and exchange gas cylinders and other shops that provide hard to define services.

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Animals are frequently seen on the streets since they accompany people in their life. Carts are pulled by donkeys or horses, a herd of sheep or goat in the middle of the street is not an unusual view and nobody is surprised by a camel led by its owner. Among all of this there are colorfully dressed children, often helping their fathers in their workshops or stalls.

Everything appears as a very colorful world. A street life lazily flows in its own secret rhythm. Wazi-Khwa does not look like a town that has been planned and built with some purpose in mind, yet its loosely collected houses make very favorable impression - by Afghani standards.

Text and photos: Jacek Matuszak
Information-press section of PMC-A

source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_198.html
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-09-2007, 11:07 AM

The Commando Knife Race

Lubliniec, Poland
The "The Commando Knife Race" is a cross-country, 13 kilometer race, traditionally organized by the 1st Commando Regiment from Lubliniec, Poland. Almost 800 people participated in this year's, 11th event in Lubliniec - children, youngsters and soldiers - clad in sport outfits or field uniforms of any color - green, grey, blue, black. A doctoral thesis could be written describing their footwear - ranging from all sorts of adidas, with or without special gadgets, to standard soldiers' or police boots, to dress shoes. The participants were signed into one of the two wear categories: field uniform and sportswear.

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The first 6 km of the route was easier, beginning with an asphalt road and then entering the woods with beautiful lake scenery. The women's event ended there. The remaining 7 km race was really tough due to many sandy up-hills. Sweat, heat, dehydration and exhaustion have taken its tall. Several people required a medical help.

Camp Echo, Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq

The tradition follows the 1st Commando Regiment abroad - wherever they serve. On October the 5th the "Commando Race" was held in Camp Echo, Ad Diwaniyah. 21 soldiers from Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and United States participated in the 11.5 kilometer race around the Camp Echo perimeter.

Capt. Ann Parthemore from the US Army won in the women category. Spc Andrzej Pięciak from the 1st infantry company Battle Group was unrivalled in the men category. He ran the distance in less than 45 minutes.

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Sharana, Paktika, Afghanistan

The event in Sharana lasted two days - the first day for the uniformed participants, the second day for soldiers in sportswear. Altogether 60 soldiers participated in the race around the base perimeter. The second day became the day of international competition, because some American soldiers have joined the event. The ladies also participated and run the full 11 km race, even though the rules envision 6 kilometers as the distance for women.

The final results:

Race in uniform: sgt Grzegorz Bazan, pvt 1st class Adam Cyran, WO Jarosław Dziedziula
Race in sportswear: pvt 1st class Adam Kasiborski, pvt 1st class Andrzej Cyran, maj. Grzegorz Kędzierski
Women: sgt. Stacey Stone, WO Barbara Mackiewicz

"But the results are not that important, it is the participation and a good fun that counts. I congratulate the winners their excellent results" - summed up Maj. Tomasz Biedziak, a deputy commander of Polish Battle Group.

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source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8483&Itemid=29
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8577&Itemid=29

Mishka Zubov

10-09-2007, 10:03 PM

The helicopters Sokół (Falcon) in action
by Włodzimierz Głogowski
Tuesday, October 9, 2007

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During the evening hours, October the 8th, Polish W-3 Sokół helicopters, operating as part of Quick Reaction Forces (QRF), destroyed a mortar fire post, which had been attempting shelling the Camp Echo in Diwaniyah. No soldier or civilian has been hurt as the result of this operation.

On Monday evening the Operation Center of Multinational Division Center-South obtained information about a criminal group preparing for shelling Camp Echo in Diwaniyah. The fire post was located two kilometers North-East from the Polish base. The attackers have managed to shoot one missile, but no explosion was noted at the base. The airborne QRF, supported by W-3 Sokół helicopters, has been sent towards the enemy fire post. Eight minutes later the helicopters identified the target and opened fire, which destroyed the mortar - prepared for shelling. The mortar crew managed to escape from the helicopters' fire.

"Our quick reaction was a result of our intensive training. We have flown 70 hours during the last one and half month, which is as much as our half-year flying regime back in Poland" - said the W-3 Sokół pilot, pseudo "Grandpa", from Task Force Falcon (Independent Air Assault Group). The W-3 Sokół helicopters operate mostly at night, but they support day patrols if the need arises.

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The next morning the TF Falcon has performed the search in East Diwaniyah for potential hiding place of the attackers. They confiscated three rifles, ammunitions and explosives. This was a successive operation aiming at breaking a criminal network operating in Diwaniyah. "This is one of many tasks carried by my subordinates. They are very overloaded, but they don't complain. Since the very beginning of the 9th rotation they have carried 100 patrols and 76 escorts" - summarized Col. Stanisław Kaczyński, a commander of TF Falcon.

Photos: Maj Michał Romańczuk, Gabriel Reza
source: http://redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=54
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-10-2007, 11:33 AM

I recently gave an example of how Al Qaeda recycles its propaganda, by reusing the same template and changing the dates only.

Last Monday there was yet another sinister attempt of pushing false propaganda by Al Qaeda supporters. They somehow managed to smuggle the following bit of false news to two western media outlets. The timing was well chosen - just after the attack on Polish ambassador and the series of bombings in Bagdad - including neighborhood of the Polish embassy.

Apparently the Monsters and Critics - UK and Germany based "a news and review website" and DigitalJournal.com - "a community-based news website covering breaking news stories" are community based outlets and that means that any news - true or false - could be smuggled there, without verification. I do not know whether there are any active moderators in those outlets, but in either case - Shame on you - the owners of those outlets!

Warning - This is false news!
Posted Oct 8, 2007
Meanwhile, Iraqi independent Sharkiya TV reported Monday that a Polish soldier, from the Multi-National Forces in Iraq, was shot dead by a sniper in Diwaniyah, 200 kilometres south of Baghdad.
No further details were immediately available.
source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/238348/1ST_LEAD_Iraqi_forces_foil_al_Qaeda_plot_to_control_Tikrit

Warning - This is false news!
Oct 8, 2007, 14:46 GMT

Iraqi independent Sharkiya TV reported Monday that a Polish soldier from the multi-national forces in Iraq was shot dead by a sniper in Diwaniyah, 200 kilometres south of Baghdad, but provided no more details.
source: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1363452.php/Four_car_bombs_kill_seven_wound_33_in_Baghdad__Roundup_

Sharkiya TV - in the past

Iraq closes TV channel for inciting sectarianism
01 Jan 2007 13:33:39 GMT
Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, Jan 1 (Reuters) - The Iraqi government ordered the closure of independent television channel Sharkiya on Monday for reporting false news and inciting sectarianism, the Interior Ministry said.

Sharkiya is owned by a London-based Iraqi businessman and says it takes an independent editorial line, although many viewers see it as leaning towards a minority Sunni Arab viewpoint.

Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Abdul Karim Khalaf said the government had ordered the channel to close indefinitely.

"We warned them many times not to broadcast any false news which would increase the tension in Iraq," Khalaf told Reuters, declining to specify which reports were false.

The closure took place two days after the execution of former President Saddam Hussein, which angered many of his fellow Sunni Arabs.

Asked if the move was prompted by Sharkiya's coverage of the execution, Khalaf said: "In the last three days if you watch their channel you can see they are leading people to violence and increasing sectarian tension," he said.
But apparently Sharkiya TV is still active.

Mishka Zubov

10-10-2007, 12:39 PM

Two Polish reporters, embedded for several weeks with a company of Polish soldiers in Wazi-Khwa, Paktika, Afghanistan, recently filed the following report in the Polish leftist daily "Gazeta Wyborcza". This is a long read, but worthy of your attention, I hope - as it was worthy of my effort to translate it into English.

I am rather careful in choosing what I translate - I do not easily tolerate fools who either push some pro-war or anti-war propaganda, or file the reports describing their own "heroic" deeds, serving no other purpose. This article is different; it is a piece of honest journalistic work. Some of its fragments are rather ugly and - as much as I wished some of this has never happened - this is what the reporters decided to publish and I honestly translated, without hiding anything.

Other than that, the report is full of interesting observations and some technical details from the field operations in Afghanistan. No, it is not much about shooting or the battles, because Poles don't do it in Afghanistan - as yet. But it demonstrates that their patrolling work there is far from trivial and it is - at times - quite thrilling.

And what I like the most - the reporters have shown their true observation talent of human nature and a good dose of humor - as when describing negotiations of the company commander with local leaders.

And yes, as the reporters later explain, "End of the World" is a direct translation of the name "Wazi-Khwa", a capital of a remote district of Paktika province, where most of the actions described here take place.

Enjoy! - MZ

Death at the End of the World
Text: Marek Sterlingow, Marek Wąs
Photos: Damian Kramski
2007-10-09

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Patrol from Yameh to Khan Kalay. The Pashtuns have already been searched; they are waiting now till the Polish soldiers finish searching their truck.The family-like ambiance is no longer in the Polish base. Someone has scratched the words "Children killers" on the wall of the crap-house.

Sergeant Martin unluckily sat at the right side at the back, with the fuel tank behind him. When the mine exploded and hummer jumped up as a ball, Martin - with his legs already broken - began burning.

The driver and the commander rolled out through the doors. The gunner was thrown up through the hole in the roof. But Martin was left behind. He was jerking the handle with no effect. He could not climb up because of the broken legs. The bulletproof window was too tough even for the kalashnikov's shell; besides it was way too small. He had to open the door.

The handle is a steel bolt, a simple mechanism - you pull it in, the catch is being released and the 200-kilo door springs out. But when the vehicle had jumped up, something must have been bent, and this is why Martin was jerking the handle - jerking and burning. How long? Some people at the base were seeking comfort in thinking that he died suddenly. Others were saying that it lasted over one minute. It looks like the latter were right. Because if the explosion was indeed so powerful then all four of them would die. And the soldiers that wanted to pull him out saw him inside - straggling with the handle.

That was in the middle of July, 20 kilometers North of our Wazi-Khwa base. Major Olgierd Cieśla and his boys received the report about the explosion. They raced like hell and reached them in one hour and twenty minutes. The hummer already looked like a black skeleton.

We all have been in shock learning about Martin's death. In July more than 20 Americans have died in Afghanistan, and at Kandahar - where everything is so secret - possibly twice as many. But Martin died stupidly, because of the blocked door. Can one think of a worse death than being burnt alive in front of the helpless colleagues?

Yes, one can - when your accidental shell hits children who then die in your arms.

***

Wazi-Khwa means the End of the World in Pashto language. 2300 meters above see level, 50 kilometers from Pakistani border. There is one street at the base, 300 meters of broken rubble. Since Aleksander Szczygło has walked over it - it became known as the Ministry Street.

Along the Ministry street there are brick barracks, built by Red Army. And there are some new ones, made of plywood. They are without windows - because no light should penetrate outside at nights. Inside, the field beds covered in mosquito screens look like big cocoons.

Behind barracks there are PCV pipes stuck in the ground. Those are the urinals. Nearby there are wooden latrines; every morning the tin barrels are being taken out from underneath, then the fuel is poured over their reeking content and ignited.

The wall around the base is made of one and half meters tall chicken wire baskets, filled with stones. The baskets have been stacked in rows and they form staircases and labyrinths. Narrow gaps between the baskets serve as shelters against mortar attacks.

Beyond the wall there is desert. Minute particles of dust float in the air, but that dust is only visible at night in the light of flashlight. Due to this dust the mountains on the horizon seem to be covered by fog, changing colors when the sun travels - from pale yellow to rust then black. The dusk comes suddenly - a while ago there was 40 degrees Celsius in shade, now it is only 20 and we are freezing.

The first encounter at the base: the helicopter pad. Quick Black Hawks evacuate wounded. Chinooks - the air trucks, move soldiers, food, water and ammunition.

We are walking by the Ministry Street: Hummers parking in straight line look like yellow steel beetles. On their crow nests there are the drawings: the Skull and Bones, the Little Maya Bee, Bolek and Lolek boys.

We are being welcome by Major Andrzej Sosnowski, a doctor - stout, middle hight, blond hair, 46 years old, married with two chidren in Łódź.

"How do you like here so far?" - says he, shaking hands. "When I saw this burning sh1t on my first day here my jaw fell down. But I have got used to it after five months. The ambiance is quite homy.

***

After Martin death a fever at the base has begun. Three intelligence agents - two Americans and one Pole - prodded their informers. In a week they already knew who had planted the IED. They had the description of two Talibs and the information about their hiding places. The patrols have been combing the terrain - stopping every truck, motorcycle or bicycle. An unmanned air vehicle was cruising overhead, sending facial pictures of every man moving among the settlements. And the predator has found them. They were driving a motorcycle, their faces corresponded to their description in the data base, and any possible doubts have been dispersed by their weapons - very well visible on the monitor's screen. Someone at the base pressed the "enter" key and the predator blasted off a laser directed missile. After Polish patrol reached that place one hour later the soldiers saw almost untouched bodies - as if they died of tiny splinters.

The soldiers have searched the settlement where the Taliban were heading.

This has happened one day before our arrival to the base. The next day, in the staff barrack, underneath the big map of Paktika province, the patrol lied down two ancient rifles with carved butts and two shabby kalashnikovs belonging to the Taliban: a Chineese and a Russian one.

"Kalakhs from the 50s, but still working" - explains Maj. Olgierd Cieśla, a 32 years old base commander.

The major speaks slowly and to the point, looks you in the eye. His wife Agnieszka is waiting in Bielsko-Biała, his daughter Inga is two years old. Olgierd explains:

"We passed the insurgents' bodies on their families for funeral. This is a gesture of good will, we need the best possible relations with these people. But elders from several villagers have been vowing the revenge and saying that the two insurgents have been killed by the Poles. The area of the villages, where the two partizans had been cruising, is controlled by a clan ruled by a very important man. He is a former Talib and we have good relations with him. He represents Wazi district in the Shura, a parliament of Paktika province. Don't give away his name, he is afraid of the revenge because of his turn about. Take off your packsacks, we are going to visit him in half an hour. To the Yameh Khan Kalay. You will report to the 'Dziadzia' vehicle, you - to 'Osa'".
.

***

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/z4551563X.jpg
Briefing before the patrol: "This is what we'll do when a hummer hits a mine"'Osa' (a wasp) is almost two meters tall, wears a skull sawn on his moro and the Iroquois hairdo. He is a HMMWV commander. 'Lucky' is a driver. He must be lucky, he will never drive over a mine. The crew believes in it. 'Lucky' wears Arafat-like scarf, he puts his helmet aside. Behind him sits 'Igła' (a needle). He does not say much, he looks at you as if he'd like to hit you in the face. And he constantly checks the pockets: dressings here, morphine there. Igła is a crew medic, a professional paramedic. And 'Herni', a gunner. He sits in his seat at the level of our heads. We only see his buttocks, pushed into the webbing, and his yellow desert boots.

There is no much space in the hummer. Under our feet - an ammunition box and a water container. Other boxes with food and drinks - press from the side. And the three ready to shoot Beryls.

HMMWV is a house for five snails, or a turtle shell with an armored window.

"The most important is to know what to do in case of emergency" - shouts Osa above the noise level of the engine. "For example, a mine explodes and there are wounded. You have to be able to safe yourself. You have the dressing, you'll try to stop bleeding. If you are hit by a rifle shell in the lung, push the rubber wrapper of the dressing against the wound and bandage it. If you are not injured you dress the wounds of others. Remember that guys from the other hummers will not approach you until they check for other mines. It may take 20 minutes or so. These are the procedures in order to minimize number of victims."

'Lucky': "Fvcking war, they detonate you and there is nobody you can shoot at."

***

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/z4551569X.jpg
Polish hummers are light; they can avoid roads and travel off-roads. The ffect: we hit the mines less often Yameh Khan Kalay (the last term of the name simply means "a village") is only 20 kilometers away from Wazi-Khwa, but we are traveling there for three hours. The soil is hard as rock. The tiny fields with sparse tufts of corn are surrounded by dykes - the idea is to keep every single drop of water inside, if it rains by some miracle. The hummers trample the dykes.

"We don't travel by roads" - explains Osa. "There are mines on the roads, life is not worth it. The locals complain that we damage their fields and demand compensation. But we respond that we will stop doing this only after they stop informing Taliban on our patrols. Only then we will start traveling by roads as normal people."

Yameh Khan, as all villages in Afghanistan, looks like a cluster of small fortifications. Three meters tall walls - made of sun dried clay bricks - surround the flat roofed sheds - glued to the walls from inside.

The hummers are settling in a circle on the hills nearby. The gunners are observing the terrain for a while before letting us get out. We are approaching a fortification, but not in a close group - which would be too easy target. Olgierd is in the middle, walking slowly, the only one man not looking nervously from side to side, carrying the Beryl in his arms - like a baby.

Children are running out first, barefooted, dirty. They are tweaking us, pulling our dress, trying to open packsacks. Women hide their faces, run inside the sheds, but then look outside with curiosity.

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/z4551565X.jpg
A Polish soldier and an Afghani kidThe "converted Talib" approaches us. The handshakes. He presses his right hand to his heart and then invites us the biggest house.

Eight men crouch around the room on a worn out carpet. Two elders, with red dyed beards, which underline their social status, wake up from their nap. All are standing up. One has to exchange handshakes with everyone present.

We take off our helmets and flak jackets, the soldiers rest their Beryls at walls. We don't take our boots off, even though such is a custom, and the hosts do not respond to the affront.

The exchange of pleasantries last a good fifteen minutes. The conversation flows lazily. Olgierd pauses for several seconds before he says something, as do the Pashtuns. We all slow down, adjusting to their tempo. One of the soldiers lays on the carpet the rifles requisitioned in the nearby settlement.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/z4551573X.jpg
A meeting of elders in Yameh Khan Kalay. "Osa" shows a weapon found in the nearby village, where Taliban could have hiddenThe hosts look at them with artificial smiles.

"The Taliban have nothing to do with us."

"They were traveling to your clan's settlement."

"If people in villages help Taliban, they do it exclusively from fear. Several days ago, a big Taliban group, more than 30 of them, were passing by here. Probably from Pakistan, people have reason to be afraid."

"Why did not you tell us about it?"

"We are notifying you right now. Obviously we will do it sooner next time. But now let us talk about the dam, which has been promised to us by Americans. The Fall is approaching, streams will be flowing down..."

"Olgierd and Pashtuns ride to the place where the dam will be built. We are protecting them from the tallest hill. Osa points out to a fortification in a valley, several kilometers away.

"This is Hajiji Molla Golan Kalay" - he says. "These white ruins nearby were once a school. Americans had built it a year ago. Girls had been attending it as well. It had been operational for three months. One night the Taliban detonated it, and then they shot the teacher.

The return trip is even longer. We have met a truck, two jeeps, several motorcycles and bicycles on the desert. We had to stop and search all drivers.

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/z4551566X.jpg
A Polish soldier searches a Pashtun, met at the desertThe sunset is approaching and our translator has to say his prayers. The hummers are set in a circle, the translator kneels down and bows towards the West - towards Mekka.

We get out from the vehicles for a smoke break.

"Do such patrols have any sense?" - we ask major Olgierd - "We are not able to check everyone, we cannot reach every village."

"Everywhere where we are not present the Taliban will show up in two-three days. We will not learn anything just by sitting at the base. This is why we send non-stop patrols. A patrol goes out for ten or more days. And if you want to ask about the sense of this war, I am not the one to answer."

"Do you believe that it has some sense?"

"I am here neither for the ideas nor for the money. I have made my choice long time ago, joining the army. I have known these boys for many years - I have been their commander in Poland, we have been training together for the mission. When the decision is taken to go we do not ask "why?". They go, I go with them, we do our job. I treat it as a manager would do."

"But you talk with locals. Do you wonder what are their motives?"

"I try to understand Pashtuns but I do not judge them. They are between the rock and the hard place; their majority does not want to fight, they want to survive. This is why they often change alliances... No, they are not treacherous. But it is still better not to trust them. Although I must add that it once happened that a peasant run towards our patrol warning about IED ahead. We checked it - he was telling the truth."

"A courageous men."

"He did it for the revenge. Someone from his family has been murdered by Taliban. And a payback for a harm done is a duty of a man. The same man could have become an insurgent if his family had been killed by American missiles."

The translator is ending his prayers. We are returning in darkness. Inside is also dark, only the drivers use the night vision devices. We need to follow the tracks of the hummers ahead. This is safer. In order not to get lost we mount the empty water bottles at the top of our antennas - with light-sticks inside. Now the seven white fireflies, bouncing from side to side, travel through desert at night. Before approaching the base Osa shoots flares to let our guards - on towers - know who is coming.

Mishka Zubov

10-10-2007, 01:15 PM

Death at the End of the World - part 2 of 2

"Doctor! A wounded at the gate!" - a feverish private runs along the Ministry street.

A while later Major doctor Sosnowski runs towards the gate, and ahead him Igła with a big bag in his arm.

Three days after our meeting with the converted Talib there was an exchange of fire between ANA soldiers and partizans, 15 kilometers from the base. The exchange of fire lasted long time, nobody had been killed. But the chance had it that a peasant from the Nanger Khel village, Spen Bazaar, was driving his motorcycle, with his mother in law on the back seat, where the bullets were flying. No ANA soldier even noticed that the motorcycle fell down. The woman was not even grazed, but Spen has been hit in his belly.

He is sitting now under the wall, bared to his belt, conscious and strangely excited. Someone has driven him to the base, let him out near the entrance and took off - just in case. Spen has a nickel-sized hole below his belly button. And another one, twice as big, on the back, near the spine. He is not bleeding.

"Igła, the dressing!"

"Call a helicopter from Sharan. Quickly, because he will start bleeding after the adrenaline goes away!"

Soldiers carry the wounded to the ambulatory. The peasant has tough skin, the medic breaks two needles before he is able to drive the next one into his vein. Later they give him intravenous drip, physiological salts, anesthetic.

"I cannot do much more, I have no x-ray device" - doctor Andrzej Sosnowski takes off the latex gloves. "The bullet went out, good, but no one knows what it did inside. A bullet does not run in a straight line inside the body, it turns as a spinning top. The man looks decently, but he might as well die in half an hour."

Three intelligence agents enter the ambulatory.

"I am John, and my colleague is John" - joke the Americans seeing new faces around.

"I'll better be John as well" - added their Polish coworker.

They interview the wounded, then bring an equipment of the size of a small TV. They take pictures of his retina and his forearm tattoo, then take his fingerprints. They are ready to go when Igła puts his head inside the ambulatory: "There will be no helicopter, the Americans said that they would not come for a Pashtun."

Andrzej is furious.

"This man must go to a hospital!"

One of American Johns appeases him: "He should be able to go there by himself, he obviously has his family."

"How do you think he will go there, you 'palant'? 70 kilometers over the mines? - Andrzej shouts in half-English, half-Polish.

The Polish John, the stressful situation notwithstanding, attempts to calmly convince his American colleagues:

"Gentlemen, nobody - aside from a helicopter - will move him to Sharan."

"This is your patient, the Poles took him in, the Poles should move him out.

"How do you imagine this? By a hummer, 12 hours of driving with a guy with the hole in his belly?"

We interject: "Should we write that Americans refuse help to wounded civilians? That the hospitals are only for your soldiers?"

Both Johns respond one after another: "There is only one helicopter in Sharan and it has to be in reserve in case some of the soldiers get wounded. Besides, we are not entirely convinced that he is not a Talib."

"What is a difference if he is a Talib?"

A deputy of major Olgierd enters the ambulatory: "We will be calling the helicopter until they come."

A Black Hawk with a red cross painted on its hull lands three quarters of an hour later. Spen is already on the stretcher. We help in getting him in, the pilots shows the OK signs and flies off. Olgierd is glad of this operations - the Polish doctor and Polish soldiers were working their asses off, but Americans were just looking at. The operation has been witnessed by Shushvals* and the news will go around that the Poles help every wounded.

* This is how our soldiers call the locals.
[Probably from a Russian slang, most likely from a Russian movie about their war in Afghanistan, meaning more or less "nobody" - MZ]

***

The three Johns finally decided that they knew who was one of the Taliban on the motorcycle. We are going to his village Laswanday, 20 km from Wazi. Our route goes along the Viper, a road from Pakistani border, through Wazi-Khwa, Northbound. American soldiers name local roads by the car makers. There is already the Chrysler, Ford, Mercedes and even Skoda. And there is also Viper, having the worst fame around. The most vehicles have been detonated on the Viper road. We pass burned wrecks of cars and trucks with supplies. Those - opposite to the hummers - must move on roads.

The intensity of the attacks is best viewed on the province map, hanging on the wall of the staff room at the base. Every mine is shown as s red dot. Viper is almost a continuous series of dots.

IED stands for Improvised Explosive Device. This is a handy work which can be packed in any container - from a pack of cigarettes to a big clay pot. They found their way to Afghanistan from Iraq, where they are planted at the sides of the roads and remotely detonated when a patrol is passing nearby.

Over here, with the exception of the Bagram-Kabul-Kandahar route, there are very few asphalt roads. The Taliban is also lacking the technicians able to manufacture electronics for remote detonations. They use therefore a different technique. The observers on mountain peaks watch for patrols and convoys and attempt to predict their further movement. Then a small team plants an IED on the road. Such mine explodes not at the vehicle side, but directly underneath.

[The authors have rather superficial knowledge of the HMMWV up-armoring issues. Take the next two paragraphs with a grain of salt - MZ]

Hence the infamous affair around armor of Polish hummers. The Americans have vehicles of the fifth generations, with the armored floor. Our hummers, of the third generation, have the floors made of the thin metal sheet. This is why some of the soldiers put flak jackets or sandbags on the floors. Such protection helps nothing when the mine explodes directly under the person, but when it explodes under the wheel the flak jacket on the floor may be able to reduce the shrapnel force.

The third generation hummers have some advantage over the newer American hummers - they are lighter and more agile. The heavy armored hummers must travel by roads. The quarrel about which type of vehicle is better for Afghanistan will probably be never decided. And the powerful enough IED is a winner anyways since even the armor of the fifth generation does not provide sufficient protection against such devices.

***

We reach Laswanday in late afternoon. The village is in the valley, and we set ourselves on the hills and demonstrate our power. The gunners direct the weapons towards the sheds, and our sniper Alex sets his fire post at the nearby hill. He lies motionless for 20 minutes and watches the village through the optics of his 12.7 mm rifle Tor.

Half an hour later the two village elders climb uphill. Haji Hassan wears the glasses, held together by a scotch tape, and - judging by their design - having at least 40 years of age. Belal is an invalid without the left hand.

They approach Olgierd, waiting on the slope below.

"How do you do, what brings you up here?"

"I am well, thank you, and how are you?"

"We don't complain, thank you. We came here to welcome you, wish you good health and success in your work."

"Thank you. We came here to ask you whether you are not bothered by Taliban. Do you need any help? Are you coming for the shura of Wazi-Khwa district?"

The conversation flows - as usual - with no hurry. Olgierd invites the Pashtuns to sit down on the field bed, set near the hummer. All three sit down. Olgierd invites the elders to the dry food and is sorry that he does not have any tea. Haji Hassan and Belal refuse the food but invite us to the village for the treatment and sleep. Now Olgierd refuses, because we have to depart before dusk.

"Next time we will surely accept your invitation for tea" - he assures. And again he patiently asks about Taliban.

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/z4551568X.jpg
Maj. Olgierd Cieśla with the elders of Laswanday village - Haji Hassan and Belal. The latter shows the stub of his hand shot out by Taliban for organizing a pro-governmental shuraHaji Hassan nods his head. "Yes, yes.. That shot boy was from our village. Maybe there are some others, we don't know. Wazi-Khwa is far away, but mountains begin right here. And the Taliban is in the mountains. People are afraid of them. We, the elders, do everything to prevent the youngsters from going to the mountains, but not everyone can be stopped."

Belal shows the stump of his hand: "Look, we have organized shura for the villages in our neighborhood. We wanted to support the government, we had enough war and the Taliban. When I was leaving the shura they shot off half of my hand. They will kill me next time.

Olgierd nods. The sun is setting down, and we begin a ceremonial farewell. The men slowly get down towards village. We also depart, but we stop five kilometers away and the artillerists set up their mortar. The previous patrols had found out which mountain top is used for the Taliban observation post. They had to see us leaving the village, they could have observed us for quite some time, they could have planted a mine. But they cannot see us here because we are shielded by a tall hill. We will attack first.

One of artillerists brings the laptop. Click-click - the picture of the province expands and now the satellite photo of the mountain top appears. This is our target. The peak where the partisans sit must be pointed on the screen. Now the position of our mortar is precisely measured with GPS and click - there are already two dots on the map. Computer calculates the shooting parameters of the mortar in fraction of the second. Measuring and computing the wind corrections takes half a minute. And then there are five shots.

We return to Wazi-Khwa in darkness.

***

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/z4551562X.jpg
Sunday confession in a storage room. Rev. Paweł Wójcik and "Billy", a 28 years old sniper from SandomierzTwo days later the Rev. Maj. Paweł Wójcik prepares for the mass at our base.

"This is my kit of the 'little handyman'. The box with communicants, the chalice, the little bottles for water and wine.."

"Will they come to the mass?"

"Last Friday, when you were on patrol, I celebrated the mass for the boys who were going on ten days patrol. Everybody came, 30 persons. 'When in trepidation a man turns to God'"

"How about confessions?"

"The same. But I have no comfortable conditions here, I have to hear the confessions in this little storage room here where they keep the broken billiard cues."

"What kind of people the soldiers are?"

"There are two groups. Ordinary ones, who do their work, but who would like to go back home intact. And the ones who live of the moment and do not care for the consequences. They are made to live on wars. Adventurers, adrenaline dependent. There are many like this."

"These ones must be the best soldiers?"

"Yes, but providing that they have already been to several missions and have some experience, which somewhat damps their natural inclination to taking risks. Wars need people like this. But what happens with a man after the war? How can he come home and establish a family? A man must come back home at the end."

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/z4551571X.jpg
10 minutes for the stationary and 6 for the cellphone calls - this is a soldier's time limit for calls to PolandThe soldiers do not talk about fear, but it is here, close by. We were also scared. The first time, before coming to the base, in our taxi ride from Bagram to Kabul. We felt stiff any time the taxi was slowing down or stopping to let people cross the road. During our stay in a quite safe area of Kabul the Taliban have kidnapped several German journalists and abducted a wife of a German businessman from a restaurant in the middle of the day.

Later, the fear appeared every time we were leaving Wazi-Khwa. But on patrol a man is mostly scared for the first hour. Later he feels the pain of the ass, his sweat annoys him and he becomes more and more hungry. One cannot be scared all the time.

Nobody laughs at the scared people here. One TV team, which came to Sharan from Bagram, refused to go on patrol. Zero caustic remarks. The soldiers even organized a setup for the reporters - a group of hummers drove fifty meters outside the base so the operator could film a scene. Later on those hummers could be seen in Polish TV as a "patrol in Afghan mountains".

The center of our base is a terrace in front of the mess. Soldiers sit there with cups of instant coffee, smoke Japanese cigarettes bought from "Shushvals" working at the base (one dollar a pack) and gossip.

For example about Americans:

"Who sends such punks for the war? Did you see their faces? Those are just kids, 18-19 years old. Most of them first time on the mission. No wonder that they die like flies. On the other hand, young or old, one has to be a moron to travel by roads. But they do! After their asses get trashed a bit off-roads they drive back on the road and risk their life."

***

On Tuesday, August the 14th the Pole has died. Lieutenant Łukasz Kurowski. This was a routine patrol. They have been attacked 20 kilometers from Gardez base, where the Poles train the Afghan army. The first death had to come some time. But the details of the tragedy surprised the soldiers. The first shock: he died of shelling, not because of IED. This was unexpected. The kevlar helmets and flak jackets, bulletproof googles, and armored hummers have created feeling of safety. Olgierd soldiers have been testing the doors of the hummers personally. The Beryl's shell only grazes the varnish.

We have been waiting for the successive details at the door of our communication officer.

"They hit him from the grenade launcher. But how?

"He bled to death, medevac could not land there, they had to drive him to the nearest base."

Medevac is an official name of the Black Hawk with the red cross.

"There was no powder for stopping the bleeding!"

"The powder would not help. The missile tore his leg away just when he opened the door. He did not have a chance to exit. They could not help him there."

By the evening the soldiers put together the story of his death. The patrol has been shelled upon. There were no IED, just shots. The hummers accelerated, went out the direct field of fire. Now - according to the instructions - they supposed to jump out of the vehicles, open fire with machine guns, and destroy the enemy. Then the mortars should be set to finish up the running enemy. This is how it supposed to be.

But it was different: lieutenant was opening the doors when the grenade hit the headlight up front. Five centimeter to the side and it would hit the engine block, destroy the vehicle, but no one would suffer. But it hit the headlight, went inside, hit Kurowski and went out. It did not explode. The vehicle was almost undamaged, but Kurowski had only 20 minutes of life left. He was dying conscious. He was only one week away from the end of his mission in Afghanistan.

At his funeral his family asked the MoD representatives to get out of the cemetary.

"I know it, I am from the next village" - said a soldier whom we met later in Bagram. "And I understand those people."

"Another soldier: "Some of those hummers are 20 years old, there are rust holes at the floor. Once, when we hit the mine I was sitting besides the driver and after the explosion everything went on fire. The door got blocked. I thought I would burn alive. The gunner's turret have been torn apart. I saw the hole above me and I started squeezing through there. My leg was burning, they caught me and literally jerked me out. I was saved due to the kevlar matting. I had stolen it from Americans and put it under my feet. Otherwise I would not be here.

"Right after our boys hit the mine the ANA arrested two Afghans: a father and a son. My God, how they tortured them" - tells me in secrecy a captain of the same unit in Bagram. "First they jerked their beards and kicked them. Systematically, all over the body. The detainees did not even shout that the were not guilty. Then they were putting their heads underneath the Rosomak wheels. When the vehicle was approaching and the wheels were only centimeters away they would move them away. But the detainees were not saying anything. So the ANA soldiers poured gasoline on them and started fiddling with the lighter. No results. I do not know what has happened to them."

"Underneath the Rosomak wheel?" - We have been in Afghanistan long enough to believe in his story. "ANA does not drive Rosomaks. Why did you allow for the tortures?"

"I do not know, you are right, but this does not work this way. We have seen our boys almost burnt alive. I was authentically furious, ready for everything, to take revenge. I could have intervened, but I did not want to. I had no pity on them."

"Was it they who had planted the mine?"

"Surely it was they."

General Marek Tomaszycki, a commander of Polish Military Contingent: "The Poles have not only the rights but also the duty to react in such situations. I have not heard of such ANA behavior. I do not think that this is a common behavior. There are singular criminal cases in every army."

Colonel Adam Stręk, a commander of Polish Battle Group, does not believe that his soldiers could have anything to do with tortures. But we are reminding him what American boys had been doing in the Abu Ghraib prison.
source: http://www.gazetawyborcza.pl/1,84758,4553527.html?as=7&ias=7&startsz=x
translated by MZ

~~~~

10-10-2007, 03:28 PM

[B]Death at the End of the World
source: http://www.gazetawyborcza.pl/1,84758,4553527.html?as=7&ias=7&startsz=x
translated by MZ

wow, I'm really impressed by your commitment here.
does someone pay you for all those translations?
and on the other hand I bet you're a journalist

marlowe

10-10-2007, 04:27 PM

Great job Mishka and a very interesting read!
And a little OT: Polish Ministry of Health have chosen EC-135 to be a new helicopter for Polish Medical Air Rescue. We`re buying 23 of them (and one flight simulator) for 495 millions zloty. AgustaWestland, which lost the bid (they offered AW-109S Grand, total value of their offer- 489 milions zloty) will most probably raise the protest against the result of this tender.

Mishka Zubov

10-10-2007, 09:16 PM

Mishka Zubov

10-10-2007, 09:20 PM

wow, I'm really impressed by your commitment here.
does someone pay you for all those translations?
and on the other hand I bet you're a journalist

Thanks.
And no and no. :-)
But hey, do you imply that I should apply to MoD for a position of their court propagandist?

Mishka Zubov

10-10-2007, 09:22 PM

Update of the post 315, "A town of Wazi-Khwa", http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2804839&postcount=315

The author of the article was talking about animals on the streets of the town but there were no photos of animals attached there. So here are some.

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/P1040223.jpg
Camels in Wazi-Khwa

And when the Polish patrol meets a camel caravan, how do they search those beasts of burden? I bet nobody has been trained in doing this. :-)

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/P1040220.jpg
A horse at the water hole in Wazi-Khwa

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/P1040212.jpg
An Afghan carrying fodder for his horse in Wazi-Khwa

There are 52 more photos from the town of Wazi-Khwa in the gallery "Miasto Wazi-Khwa", including pictures of children - mostly boys, at this address:
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/v/misje_pokojowe/afganistan/2007/miasto/

Mishka Zubov

10-11-2007, 01:35 PM

A straw syndrome and help to Canadians in Afghanistan

I'll start with several quotes from a recent speech of NATO Secretary General.

Seminar on "Public Diplomacy in NATO-led Operations", Speech by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, in Copenhagen, Denmark, 8 Oct. 2007, http://www.nato.int/docu/speech/2007/s071008a.html

Finally – and this is critical for NATO – the [information dissemination - MZ] speed has increased exponentially. When there is an incident in Afghanistan, the Taliban are quick to say there have been high numbers of civilian casualties. The wires pick it up – then the TV stations – then the web. This goes around the world in minutes. By the time we have sent a team to investigate, checked the results, and put them through the approval system, our response comes days later – if we are lucky. By that time, we have totally lost the media battle.
I could not agree more. But actually there are two related, but different problems. The first is the speed of dissemination of information and - unfortunately - disinformation, due to sloppiness and laziness of media.

In one example I posted[1] on this forum I described how one unfortunate interview of a Polish reporter with a Taliban commander started an avalanche of mutant news - dressed in different headlines, stressing different portions of that interview. This was several days ago; now I cannot even use Google for searching news about Poles in Afghanistan - everywhere I turn there is a Talib or a bunch of Taliban threatening to kill either Polish or Nato soldiers. This noise will die with time but right now it is overwhelming. And what's worse - this is a self-inflicted wound caused by irresponsibility or stupidity of that reporter.

The second problem is a deliberate fabrication of false news by enemy propaganda and irresponsible copying of such "news" by western media - peaceniks or not. The examples I collected relate to planting false news about Poles in Iraq by Al Qaeda supporters[2][3], but the Taliban will discover such methods pretty soon - if they have not done it already.

The other challenge is what you might call the “straw syndrome”. Almost every troop contributing country in Afghanistan, for understandable reasons, runs a purely national media program. The Netherlands, for example, focuses on Uruzgan. Journalist speak to Dutch politicians; take Dutch planes straight to Uruzgan; embed with Dutch soldiers; and report in Dutch media. The same is true of Canadians, British, etc. Media programs are run through a straw.

The result? The population in Canada thinks Canadian soldiers are fighting alone. So do the British, and the Dutch that undermines solidarity, diminishes the multilateral nature of the operation, and as a result, makes it harder to sustain.
and this:

Third: nations need to multilateralise their media campaigns. Canadians need to see Danish soldiers in the South, and Romanians, and Poles, as well as Dutch and British and Estonians and Americans. Which means that nations need to structure their media efforts, including their embed programs, to take that into account.
Exactly! I read Canadian papers online and also the readers' comments attached to some of the articles. Many of those comments confirm to what the NATO Secretary was saying about the "feeling of fighting alone".

I'll expand upon it below, using as an example the Polish Military Contingent (PMC), as I know its work in Afghanistan quite well, since I have followed them quite closely in one or two threads here.

So what is a typical opinion of Canadian news readers about Poles in Afghanistan? Rejecting those who even do not know that Poland is in NATO now, and those who only care about Polish invention of ejection seat for helicopter pilots (yes, yes, we have such "jokers" even on this forum) - not much, mostly that they do some patrolling in a quiet part of Afghanistan. The only reason that Canadians do not put Poles in the same group of "reluctant fighters" - as the French or Germans - is that neither Canadian authorities nor Canadian media say it out loud - knowing that it would be a blatant lie. But many Canadian news readers seem to be angry at Poles, nevertheless, for not helping in Kandahar.

I'll put aside the presence of Polish special forces 'GROM' in the south because I have no access to classified information and I do not know how effective they are over there. I'll concentrate on the rest of PMC and play some scenarios related to possible aid of Poles to the Canadians down south.

I'll start with a fragment of an interview of Polish daily "Dziennik" with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, 2007-10-11 04:52, http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=63635:

Dziennik: How do you assess operations of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan?

Secretary: More than 1000-persons Polish contingent has tremendous value. Your soldiers fight without national caveats, and that means that they could participate in every, even the most difficult operation. They are the example of a very good combination of battle, logistic and many other capabilities. In every sense they fare very well in difficult operational conditions. Polish Battle Group, which is a dominant group of the contingent, is after all a heir of the paratrooper division, which had been liberating my country - The Netherlands - in 1944. And today, exactly as it was 63 years ago, they fight together with Americans from the 82nd Airborne Division. This is a proof that allied solidarity has deep roots.
OK, so the Secretary told the reporter what she wanted to hear - I mean - that bit about historical Dutch-Polish-American bonds. Not that it is not true - it is, but not that important either for the American paratroopers or for the Dutch in Uruzgan province. But the rest of his remarks are valid.

Poles in Afghanistan do whatever they have been assigned to do - training ANA soldiers and carrying stabilization and CIMIC missions in parts of Ghazni and Paktika provinces. And those regions are neither quiet nor safe. Poles don't fight in Paktika the way Canadians fight in the South, but that does not mean that their job is easy or less important. And they face the threats of death every day when they are on patrol, convoy or CIMIC duties.

That's true that the real active fighting in that region is carried by Americans and ANA. But it is also true that Americans can do whatever they do exactly because they have the Polish backup - as was stressed by a commander of an American squadron during authority transfer from his unit to the Poles, last June.

Now, some scenarios about helping Canadians down south.

1. Aside from special forces, no NATO country - with the exception of Americans - has deployed such units in Afghanistan, which could be categorized as quick reaction forces. Europe is simply still not there yet. And that means that no ISAF participant is actually prepared to quit what it is doing in its zone of responsibility - with well established and developed bases of operations, and go to help Canadians in Kandahar in a moment notice.

I just cannot imagine that a company of Polish soldiers could be suddenly taken out of Paktika and moved to Kandahar or Helmand - without interruption of their current activities in Paktika. Poles do not even have their own air transport units there and have to beg Americans for help anytime they want to move soldiers or supplies by air. I do not know why it is so, but these are the facts.

2. Poland has some potential for sending additional infantry company or even a battalion to Afghanistan. It has some well trained reserves. After all Poland is sending 150 soldiers to Chad soon. But considering current political situation - approaching elections and strong opposition of general population to Polish presence in Afghanistan - I do not think that this would be feasible at all. All they could currently do was to increase number of 'omelets' (OMLT) for training ANA - from one training units to three. This practically translates to increasing number of 'omelet' soldiers from 50 to 150.

3. There are signs that the 'real' war with Taliban will come to Paktika as well. News from the border districts of west Pakistan are not encouraging at all. Poles will be needed in Paktika very badly.

These are not good news for Canadians down south. But I was talking about potential help from Poles only. Perhaps some other forum members could expand on possible help from France, Germany, Turkey or Greece.

References

[1]Self-inflicted wounds by irresponsible media - http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2801183&postcount=304

[2]Recycling the propaganda template - http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2803480&postcount=311

[3]Fabricating blatant lies - http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2806786&postcount=318

Mishka Zubov

10-11-2007, 02:21 PM

Terrorist attack on school in Diwaniyah
by Włodzimierz Głogowski
Thursday, October 11, 2007

Ten persons, including seven children, have been injured as a result of shelling of a school in eastern Diwaniyah, Iraq. In the afternoon of October the 10th unknown attackers have shelled at the school with mortar fire. The school is located 600 meters north from a temporary patrol base of Multinational Division Center-South - which could have been a probable terrorist target.

Maj-Gen Tadeusz Buk, the division commander, denounced the barbaric attack and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families. He also offered the Diwaniyah hospital some help with treatment of injured. The general has also addressed all inhabitants of the city - appealing for cooperation with Iraqi army and police and with coalition soldiers in order to assure safety. Currently the Iraqi security forces - in cooperation with MND CS - are searching for the attackers.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/atak_3.jpg

The medical logistic group has prepared immediate help for the Diwaniyah hospital. "We have learned from the local hospital about their needs and provided the necessary aid. We have donated eight kits of surgical sutures, about 100 liters of infusion fluids and 20 boxes of pressure dressings" - said Col. Bogusław Nowak, a chief of health services of MND CS.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/atak_1.jpg http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/atak_2.jpg

Photos: Maj. Michał Romańczuk
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8662&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-11-2007, 02:39 PM

Attack on Polish patrol
by Włodzimierz Głogowski
Thursday, October 11, 2007

A Polish patrol from the Multinational Division Center-South has been attacked today with two IEDs. The soldiers have suffered light contusions only and continued with the patrol.

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/patrol_1.jpg

Despite light damages of two vehicles the patrol has reached the base intact and on its own. The explosions and damages to the vehicles have caused slight contusions of three soldiers. After returning to the base and medical examination the soldiers went back to their duties.

The patrol from Task Force Lynx has been executing its battle tasks from a temporary patrol base in eastern Diwaniyah. The MND-CS, together with Iraqi security forces, is currently searching for the attackers.

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/patrol_2.jpg

Photos: mjr Michał Romańczuk, Gabriel Reza
source: http://redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=54
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-11-2007, 03:53 PM

They help and heal
by Janusz Wdowski
Thursday, October 11, 2007

Once again the poorest inhabitants of Afghan villages have received a humanitarian aid from the Battle Team "C" paratroopers, which are stationed in Wazi-Khwa Base, South-Eastern Afghanistan.

On October 8-10 the Polish soldiers visited the villages Khezer Khel and Nanghar Khel, as well as high mountain villages of Shinkey Mountains - Aji Amar Khan and Ashak. They brought with them food, clothes, blankets, charcoal and charcoal heaters. According to Lt. Marcin Ożdżyński, CIMIC support group: "During the last three days we have delivered about three tones of flour, one tone of rice, and one tone of beans. In addition, the poorest inhabitants have received sugar, salt, cooking oil, tea, powdered milk for babies, and candies for the youngest kids. Other than food, we have also delivered big quantity of winter cloth - jackets, ponchos, boots, mittens, gloves, sweaters, shawls and hats. In addition, we have brought tarpaulins, blankets, charcoal, charcoal heaters and personal hygienic means."

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/126/1352.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/126/1353.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/126/1354.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/126/1355.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/126/1356.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/126/1357.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/126/1358.jpg

Aside from the humanitarian action, a medical day has been organized in one of the villages - Nanghar Khel - by Maj. doctor Andrzej Sosnowski and the medics from Battle Team "C". "Our main task today was an assessment of the health conditions of local population and the immediate help to some of the villagers. Main illnesses that we have seen today are gastric problems, dermatological diseases and rheumatic problems of older persons. Altogether we have examined and helped about 50 persons today" - said doctor Sosnowski.

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/126/1359.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/126/1360.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/126/1361.jpg

Local population was greatly interested and enthusiastic even just about the visit of the medical team. "I assess our today's operation very highly. I have seen true gratitude in the eyes of the Afghans. I am extremely glad that I could participate in the medical day today and bring aid to those unusually poor people" - shared his impressions WO Piotr Zwaliński, medical section.

Lack of health centers and medical personnel and of access to basic drugs and health protection means are the most essential problems of the inhabitants of the southern part of Paktika province.

Photos: Lt. Janusz Wdowski
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8681&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-11-2007, 09:13 PM

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/mleczko-wybory.jpg
You will vote better with Andrzej Mleczko, free supplement, Polityka 41/2007
source: http://www.polityka.pl/polityka/index.jsp?place=Menu01&news_cat_id=1115&layout=layoutShow

Mishka Zubov

10-12-2007, 05:42 AM

Enhanced F-16
by Waldemar Krzyżanowski
Wednesday, October 10, 2007

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/1.jpg

Last week the Polish Hawks have been equipped with additional conformal fuel tanks, extending their flying time. Tests with these tanks have just started at the airport of the 31st Air Base.
(...)
The capacity of five standard fuel tanks of a F-16 is 3986 liters. Additional conformal fuel tanks have capacity of 1865 liters, extending the radius the F-16 operations by approximately 25%.
(...)

Fot.: Piotr Laskowski
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8618&Itemid=49

In Krzesiny they fly with conformal air tanks
2007-10-09

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/F-16_konforemne_001.jpg

Currently three airplanes have been equipped with conformal fuel tanks. These are the machines 4077, 4079 and 4081. According to some opinions those machines have become more predatory.

The advantage of these tanks is the extended range of the aircraft, without unnecessary refueling, and the greater flying time above the ground targets or in the air battle - without significant reduction of its maneuvering abilities.

The conformal fuel tanks are mounted between the wing and the fuselage.
source: http://www.31blot.mil.pl/31blot.php?str=aktualnosci
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-12-2007, 05:44 AM

Commander pleased with F-16s
by Piotr Laskowski
Wednesday, October 10, 2007

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/laskowski_m.jpg

On October the 9th Lt-Gen pilot Andrzej Błasik, a commander of Polish Air Force, visited pilots from the 31st Air Base in Krzesiny. Being an excellent pilot himself he made a test flight on a F-16 - checking the capabilities of the airplanes and assessing abilities of their pilots.

During the working visit in Krzesiny Gen. Błasik has met with the pilots - discussing new flight plans for the 31st Tactical Air Base, training issues and problems and conditions of their service, including their accommodation situation.

The visit in Krzesiny was also an excellent opportunity for the commander to take a test flight on a F-16. Two generals took one hour test flights in a pair of fighters: Lt-Gen. pilot Błasik with Maj. pilot Cezary Wiśniewski piloting the machine 4078 and Brig-Gen. pilot Włodzimierz Usarek, a commander of the 2nd TAB, with Capt. pil. Krystian Zięć flying the 4077 fighter.

This pair of fighters had previously trained the so-called convoyer landings at Świdwin airport (takeoffs immediately following the landings) and bombings at the 21st Central Air Training Area in Nadarzyce. The fighter 4077 is already equipped with the so-called conformal fuel tanks, extending its flight length. Due to their aerodynamic shape these tanks excellently fit the fuselage of the aircraft.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/laskowski_d.jpg

After the landing Gen. Błasik was very pleased with the F-16s. He congratulated the pilots for having such excellent airplanes with great tactical capabilities. He also said that we should be delighted for having such good equipment.

Photos: Piotr Laskowski
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8619&Itemid=49

Mishka Zubov

10-12-2007, 06:34 AM

PT-91 Ex and CV90 120 will be shooting in Poland
by Janusz Walczak
Friday, October 5, 2007

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/walczak_m.jpg

Presented at MSPO Fair in Kielce, first time in Poland, tank CV90 120T did not return to Sweden, but went directly to ZM Bumar-Łabędy - in accordance to an agreement signed with the BAE Systems Hagglund company.

The vehicle has been subjected to a detailed review by the engineers from Gliwice in order to start a conceptual work on a design, which could become a Bumar's contribution to an international project of a support tank based on the CV90 120T design. To learn about its traction and maneuvering capabilities the Łabędy test crew has performed many trials of this tank at the company training grounds.

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/walczak_d.jpg

In the middle of October a shooting demonstration of CV90 120T and PT-91 Ex tanks will take place at the Drawsko Pomorskie training grounds, to present some capabilities of those tanks to representatives of Land Forces. The tanks will shoot with at least 10 cumulative shells, from stationary positions and in motion, to targets at the distance of 2000 meters.

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8466&Itemid=35
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-12-2007, 09:48 AM

A battle truck
by Norbert Bączyk
Wednesday, September 26, 2007

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/hibneryt_m.jpg

Armored Hibneryt was one the greatest surprises of this year's MSPO Fair in Kielce. Interestingly enough, it will be probably sent to Afghanistan soon. Hibneryt is a name of a self-propelled anti-aircraft kit - a Star 266 truck with the anti-aircraft ZU-23-2 twin guns mounted on the platform of the open cargo box.

Hibneryt is a weapon used by anti-aircraft units but it is also being sent for stabilization missions abroad - obviously not to fight enemy helicopters or airplanes, because partisans have no such weapons, but as the fire support for protection of bases or convoys.

However, a regular Hibneryt is not good enough for patrol operations. Although its twin-mounted 23 mm guns provide powerful fire power but the driver and the crew have no protection against shelling. If surprisingly attacked - and this is what most often happens in convoys - the soldiers would be exposed to a great danger. The solution is to provide bulletproof shielding - light enough for the engine to handle the additional weight and allowing the guns' crew to carry effective fire against ground targets.

And this is what has been demonstrated at the MSPO Fair in Kielce this year. The armored version of Hibneryt has been given a working name Hibneryt-P. The vehicle has received special MoD mention. Interestingly enough - it has been built by the army, by the soldiers from the 3rd Regional Technical Shop, Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, under the direction of Capt. Mgr. Eng. Piotr Lasek, a logistical chief of the unit.

Armored truck

What has been changed? First of all, many elements have been armored: the cabin, cargo box, crew superstructure, the guns (partially) and the fuel tank. Especially profiled seats minimize detonation effects of an IED explosion. The cabin is equipped with the fire ports. The undercarriage is also armored - providing good protection against IEDs. Hutchinson tire insets allow to continue driving even after the tires have been shot through.

However, the crew is still not 100% protected, because its superstructure is open at the back.

A compromise

One cannot expect a full conversion of Hibneryt into a so-called gun-track since the undercarriage of Star 266 could not take all that load and the time and the research cost would be way too big. The concept of the Capt. Lasek's team is a compromise between original Hibneryt and a gun-track.

A typical gun-track is an armored citadel of several posts of machine guns, opened at the top. Compared to a gun-truck Hibneryt-P has weaker armor but stronger fire power. Partially, it has similar functional specification as gun-track because it can be used in protection of supply transports and fire support of army convoys. But - due to its greater fire power and range - it can also be used in protection of stationary objects, such as bases, and shelling the distant targets.

As of September the design crew was working on three such modified Hibneryts. There are plans to send eight Hibneryt-P to Afghanistan.

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/hibneryt_2.jpg

Armor specification

1. Armored superstructure, made of 4 mm armored sheet metal. Protection against 7.62 mm rifle shells and 7.62 mm machine gun shells. It has shot ports, lights and ventilation system. Mass: 320 kg.

2. Armored fuel tank, made of 18 mm nonflammable polyester laminate. Protection: 2nd class bulletproof, 3rd class shrapnel-proof. In order to reduce the total mass the armor protects only half of the tank. Mass: 24 kg.

3. VFI Hutchinson tire insets allowing for the vehicle movement even after the tire has been shot through - with the speed of 100 km/h during the first 3 km and up to 50 km/h during the next 30 km. A total tire mass: 180 kg.

4. Floor shield of the cabin, under the driver and the passenger, made of 18 mm nonflammable polyester laminate. Protection: 2nd class bulletproof, 3rd class shrapnel-proof. Mass: 42 kg.

5. Back armor, made of 4 mm armored sheet metal. Mounting additionally reinforced with glued joints. Protection against 7.62 mm rifle shells and 7.62 mm machine gun shells. Mass: 64 kg.

6. Armored door, made of 6 mm armored sheet metal of BR6NS class, with armored 41 mm non-shattering glass of BR6NS class. Protection against 7.62 mm rifle shells, 7.62 mm machine gun shells and 7.62 mm rifle TRG. Mass: 102 kg.

7. Front armor, made of 6 mm armored sheet metal of BR6NS class. Protection against 7.62 mm rifle shells, 7.62 mm machine gun shells and 7.62 mm rifle TRG. Slots with armored apertures allow for engine cooling. Mass: 105 kg.

8. Side armor, made of 4 mm armored sheet metal, mounted from inside the cabin, additionally reinforced with glued joints. Protection against 7.62 mm rifle shells and 7.62 mm machine gun shells. Mass: 23 kg.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8165&Itemid=35
translated by MZ

wholagun

10-12-2007, 10:50 AM

finally some Polish military tech, that is what we need more of on this site. Corranpl was great for always explaining and posting new military tech, ever since he left it hasn't been the same.
On that note does anyone have corranpl's contact info?

Switek

10-12-2007, 11:02 AM

wholagun

10-12-2007, 11:28 AM

Yes I am lazy, but not for not looking at your link, but failing to mention that I already have used that contact info in your hotlink to email him without success and am seeking alternative contact info. I know his site but I'm not sure if that is his email or the emal of the administrator that runs the site for him. Is it even his site?

wholagun

10-12-2007, 11:30 AM

I am very excited about the CV90 120 T project. It could turn out very promising. Post all relavent info if you guys have it.

Mishka Zubov

10-12-2007, 11:39 AM

If I am not mistaken, corranpl has posted recently in "Polish soldiers...". End of ban?

Switek

10-12-2007, 11:39 AM

I am very excited about the CV90 120 T project. It could turn out very promising. Post all relavent info if you guys have it.

Take a look there:

http://www.nfow.pl/viewtopic.php?t=19149&highlight=lekki+czo%B3g

Propably you should log in to see this thread but you'll be able to know corran's opinions.

here's another website run by him

http://www.militarypedia.info/wiki/Strona_główna

Switek

10-12-2007, 11:43 AM

If I am not mistaken, corranpl has posted recently in "Polish soldiers...". End of ban?

Yes, seems so, but from his records (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/member.php?u=8985): Last Activity: 08-26-2007 11:44 PM

Mishka Zubov

10-12-2007, 11:43 AM

Poles again on the Air Policing mission
by PAP
Friday, October 12, 2007

Gen. Gągor: Polish pilots again on the Air Policing mission

Polish fighters will be again guarding the air space of the Baltic States - informed Gen. Franciszek Gągor, a chief of staff of Polish Armed Forces, on his visit to Vilnius. "Polish mission within the framework of NATO Air Policing mission will last 3.5 months, from March 12 to June 30 next year" - said Gen. Gągor.

The task of air forces on such mission is patrolling, preventing unauthorized aircrafts from violation of the air space and aiding military or civilian aircrafts in emergency situations. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, admitted to NATO on March 29, 2004, have no military air force and this is why their air space is being patrolled subsequently by other NATO countries.

The first such mission of Polish pilots took place at the beginning of 2006. The pilots had been stationed at the Lithuanian Air Base in Zokniai, near Šiauliai (Shavel). That mission lasted three months. Lithuanian authorities assessed it as extremely successful. Polish pilots had made all required flights and had been able to avoid conflicts with local population, which - as it has been stressed - could not be avoided by other NATO pilots serving in Zokniai.[1]

The chief of staff of Polish Armed Forces also informed that in the nearest month Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine will sign a letter of intention, and then an agreement about establishing a three-way battalion, whose main task will be participation in peace missions. The battalion is also a means to help in Ukrainian aspirations of becoming a NATO member.[2]

During a two days working visit to Lithuania Gen. Gągor has met Valdas Tutkus, a commander of Lithuanian Armed Forces, to discuss military cooperation between both countries. On Friday Gen. Gągor went on a working visit to Estonia.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8707&Itemid=69

[1]Curious - what on earth this meant, I found the following piece via Google. I still do not understand what was the source of those problems. Anyone?

The deployment of NATO combat aircraft to a former Warsaw Pact country so close to the Russian border aroused much press attention. The departure of the aircraft from Kleine-Brogel Air Base in Belgium and their arrival at Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania were covered live by numerous radio and television stations. The announced arrival in Lithuania was front page news for several days throughout the country.

During the Soviet period, Šiauliai was a closed city for its own inhabitants and a forbidden city for foreigners because of its military importance. Inhabitants of the city could not travel freely and nobody could visit them except for once a year during an organised meeting on a specific place. This meant that the local population had not been much in contact with other people or foreigners and by no means with members of NATO, the former adversary.

This led, in Luthuania as well as in Belgium, to an out of proportion press coverage of some minor incidents between members of the detachment and local people. The attention given to these rather anecdotic events was so disproportionate in scale and in time that the Belgians still encountered some prejudices at the beginning of their second detachment in 2006.
Belgian source: http://home.scarlet.be/~jansensa/Three%20years%20of%20NATO%20Baltic%20Air%20Policing.htm (http://home.scarlet.be/%7Ejansensa/Three%20years%20of%20NATO%20Baltic%20Air%20Policing.htm)

[2] I am a bit at loss here. There is a Polish-Ukrainian battalion, POLUKRBAT, which has been serving in many peace missions abroad, mainly in Kosovo. There are, or at least have been, Lithuanian soldiers serving in that battalion. On the other hand, there has been some Ukrainian opposition to that battalion, and I really do not know what is its current status. Is it formal or just informal? And I have also heard about some short lived Polish-Lithuanian unit.
Does it all mean that they finally decided to formalize the existing unit or create a new one - stressing the Lithuanian part of it?

Mishka Zubov

10-12-2007, 01:49 PM

By popular demand ... of one person, a techie article coming up. :-)

There have been several articles about Tur posted in this thread, but one can always find something new to add. :-)

Polish Tur vehicles might replace Hummers in Afghanistan

by Marcin Górka
2007-10-10

Polish Armed Forces want to replace hummers by new vehicles next year. The tender will be announced during the next two weeks and its favorite is Polish Tur.

Coffins on wheels - this is what Polish soldiers say about 120 HMMWVs, which Polish army leases from Americans. Even after the their floors have been up-armored they cannot guarantee survival of soldiers after IED explosion.

"We need an equipment that really protects the soldiers and belongs to us, because we cannot rely only on the help of allies. Polish Armed Forces will never have its own strategic air force but we must have a well equipped battalion for the missions abroad" - says Jarosław Rybak, a MoD spokesman.

"Hummer has not been designed as protection against mines and the Americans also want to have better vehicles. We need a vehicle that is light, strong, capable to carry soldiers between the bases and - first of all - resistant to IEDs" - adds Maj. Sławomir Lewandowski from Land Forces Command.

12 companies - from Poland, Israel, RSA, Switzerland, Austria and USA - want to compete in the tender, which will be announced in the next two weeks. According to experts, the most interesting proposals are: RG-31 Mk5 of BAE Systems from RSA (a vehicle with a construction that is definitely anti-mine, used by Canadians in Afghanistan, bought by US army), Eagle IV manufactured by MOWAG from Switzerland (the biggest and the strongest from all proposals, used by Danish army) and Italian DVD LMV (used by British and Italian armies, very good for Polish needs - according to experts).

"These vehicles could satisfy our requirements. But I do not think that their producers would be able to satisfy the condition of fast execution of the contract" - thinks Grzegorz Hołdanowicz, and expert on military technology.

In such situation a favorite is the Polish Tur, manufactured by AMZ Kutno, a private company. This vehicle has been officially presented during the MSPO Fair in Kielce last August. It has awoken some interest of the commander of Land Forces.

"It has some faults; for example, it cannot be used in offensive operations, but only for ferrying soldiers and possibly for their defense. And it is rather small" - explains Grzegorz Hołdanowicz.

But Tur is strong (almost 3-liters engine with 166 HP), and - first of all - much better armored than the Hummer. It's V-shaped floor disperses explosions outside, rather than throwing the vehicle up. Tur is able to survive an explosion of 6 kg TNT, while the newest HMMWV - only 4.5 kg of TNT.

"We guarantee that after such explosion the vehicle might not be able to travel, it might not escape the battle ground on its own, it will be irreversibly damaged, but the soldiers will survive" - says Tomasz Wróbel, a technical director of AMZ Kutno. "Besides, we are able to provide good service and we will produce 120 such vehicles next year."

"We wish that the equipment we will buy is made by our manufacturers" - stresses Maj. Lewandowski. "Tur might win, of course we must test in the field, best in Afghanistan. We will then ask our soldiers for their opinion. The V-shape floor guarantees that an explosion will not penetrate it."

AMZ Kutno have made three Tur vehicles so far. They are being tested on training grounds. The company negotiates with the army sending them to Afghanistan for the trials. It also has a significant advantage over other offers - is is cheaper. Its unofficial price is 200 thousand euros, while the Eagle IV costs 400 thousands, RG-31 Mk5 - 300 thousands and LMV in a so-called base version - 250 thousands euros.

source: Gazeta Wyborcza, http://serwisy.gazeta.pl/swiat/1,34292,4555044.html
translated by MZ

Considering that Maj. Lewandowski represents Land Forces Command, his opinions are quite curious, don't you think? It seems that he already "bought" the Tur and the tender is just to "fool the enemy" - as the Polish saying goes. :-)

Switek

10-12-2007, 02:09 PM

Considering that Maj. Lewandowski represents Land Forces Command, his opinions are quite curious, don't you think? It seems that he already "bought" the Tur and the tender is just to "fool the enemy" - as the Polish saying goes. :-)

Tur isn't perfect vechicle for purposes and needs of Polish Land Forces. They need a bigger armored vechicle. The ideal would be RG-31. But the key problem is a time and money. So far only Tur fulfils those critical conditions. Anyway Tur is much better than humvee with FragKit 5.

Mishka Zubov

10-12-2007, 08:56 PM

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/04651.jpg
Sh1t, everybody's gone and I have to carry all that stuff by myself

http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/07.jpg
We'd better wait for him or he might get lost in these woods.

Seriously though - these are the soldiers from the 16th Airborne Battalion, 6th Air Assault Brigade, from Kraków, during one of their tactical exercises. Soldiers from this battalion are currently replacing their colleagues from the 18th Air Assault Battalion in Afghanistan.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/16bpd_duze2.jpg

The 16th Airborne Battalion has served in many peace and stabilization missions before:
1973 - Egypt
1993 - Syria
1996 - IFOR, Balkans
1997 - SFOR, Balkans
1998-2002 - KFOR, Balkans
2003-2005 - Iraq

But they won't be doing any of this in Afghanistan:
http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/29.jpg

source: web page of the 16th Airborne Battalion, http://www.16bpd.pl

wholagun

10-12-2007, 09:14 PM

Tur isn't perfect vechicle for purposes and needs of Polish Land Forces. They need a bigger armored vechicle. The ideal would be RG-31. But the key problem is a time and money. So far only Tur fulfils those critical conditions. Anyway Tur is much better than humvee with FragKit 5.

Yup the RG 31 would be really nice, the Canadians use it in Afghanistan and they like it.

What kind of time frame are we looking at here? It can't take more then 8 months to produce an RG 31. Anyhow, we should not look just to Afghanistan but also to the future and buy a whole bunch instead of for the Afghan mission.

Mishka Zubov

10-12-2007, 09:54 PM

They want them asap, 120 of them. Look back at the article by Holdanowicz, http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2748146&postcount=117

Major manufacturers might be busy, delivering to other armies.

Jocker_89

10-13-2007, 08:53 AM

Mishka great work
I wasn't here only six days and now I see so many articles to read :)
Thanks

Mishka Zubov

10-13-2007, 11:21 AM

NATO generals warn about catastrophe in Afghanistan
Marcin Gorka, Brunssum
2007-10-13

Allied forces in Afghanistan are too weak - admits Gen. Egon Ramms, a chief of NATO Joint Forces Command.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/z4574473X.jpg
Friday, near Kandahar: Canadian soldiers from the NATO forces wait until the dust, raised by their helicopter, settles down. Photo: FINBARR O'REILLY REUTERS

Gen. Ramms, who oversees the Afghan operations, talked with a group of journalists, including reporters from the Polish "Dziennik", in his headquarters in Dutch Brunssum. He admitted that NATO forces have not achieved even a minimal goal as planned for this stage of operations in Afghanistan.

"We are currently lacking 10 thousands soldiers" - says Ramms. "We are trying to make up for the shortages by using modern equipment and we are somehow managing it but 36 thousands soldiers stationing in Afghanistan are way too few."

In addition, only one of three of those 36 thousands NATO soldiers takes part in battle operations (Poles included). The remaining 24 thousands are not allowed to participate in such operations.

NATO officers of lower ranks are even more candid. "Those 10 thousands mentioned by the general is a way too low a number, this is an absolute minimum" - said an allied forces major.

A high ranking officer, commanding NATO operations, told us that - according to American criterion of 'one soldier per 50 civilians' - the Allied forces should consist of 600 thousands soldiers in order to fully control the situation in Afghanistan. But this - say our interlocutors - remains in the sphere of dreams.

With such low number of soldiers the Allied forces have often to withdraw from previously taken regions. And then the Taliban enters. "What kind of motivation our soldier has?" - asks one officer. "He fights, endangers his life, his colleagues die sometimes, and then he has to withdraw only to later fight for what he had won before."

There are no chances to increase NATO forces in Afghanistan. In contrary, the generals are acutely aware that Canada and The Netherlands might withdraw from Afghan operation, and that the soldiers from those specific states fight in the dangerous South of the country. "These are the decisions of politicians, not military commanders. But let the politicians know that if they start withdrawing their forces the operation will end up in a catastrophe" - warns an allied commander.

There is no general idea who could have replaced the contingents that might be withdrawn. "I'd like to have one more battalion from Poland, but these are only my wishes" - says Gen. Ramms.

The effect is such that NATO generals consider 60% of the country as quiet and NATO controlled; that is, its western and northern parts. But the allied forces fight hard battles in the remaining areas, that is in the South and the East.

Gen. Ramms has also disclosed a part of secrecy regarding the Polish special unit GROM, which is being stationed near Kandahar. "GROM conducts regular battles with Taliban" - says general. "These soldiers search, track down and destroy the enemy. We are very pleased with them."

According to Ramms GROM has not suffered any battle losses so far.

source: Gazeta Wyborcza, http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80277,4572856.html
Digged by Switek
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-13-2007, 07:12 PM

A runaway rocket exploded near a house
21:30, 13.10.2007 /TVN 24
TVN24

A runaway air-to-ground H-25 rocket, shot 10 km away at Drawsko Pomorskie training area, exploded in the village of Recz, 100 m from a building.

Th incident has been confirmed by Lt-Col. Wiesław Grzegorzewski, a spokesman for Polish Air Force. According to him, the 7th Tactical Air Squadron has been conducting training at the Drawsko training grounds, shooting ground targets with 23 air-ground rockets. The first 22 rockets hit the targets, while the last one missed the target, flew for 10 km and hit the ground. According to Lt-Col. Grzegorzewski the explosion took place 150 away from a house, according to a TV24 reporter - less than 100 meters away.

Nobody has been hurt but windows have been shattered and several shingles flew off the roof. "Everything will be repaired and paid by the air force" - said Lt-Col. Grzegorzewski.

The cause of the incident is not known. Two probable reasons are - technical malfunction or a pilot's error. A final opinion will be given by a MoD commission for researching of air incidents.

The home owner is currently in a hotel under care of the armed forces. He was not at home when the accident happened - he was going fishing.
source: http://www.tvn24.pl/-1,1524737,wiadomosc.html
translated by MZ

1. Chuck Yeager, the first ever sound barrier breaker, recalls in his memoir many runaway rockets during ground-ground target practices in Africa and his squadron practicing on those rockets with air-air rockets. Years 50s-60s, I do not remember the exact dates.

2. The 7th TAS is stationed in Powidz, Poznań Voivodship. It is equipped with Su-22M4. Several of its pilots have been certified as "Combat Ready" and entitled to train others and fly in NATO structures. Entire unit has been certified to operate according to NATo TACEVAL procedures. It was a pilot from this squadron who was forced to catapult from an Italian aircraft - together with an Italian pilot - during the last September exercise "Italian Dancer".
source: http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/7._Eskadra_Lotnictwa_Taktycznego

3. Do you know what an "artillerist mistake" means? Not 237 meters, not 923 meters, but a multiple of 1000 meters. This is because the maps have the 1000 meters grids. I know it, I have witnessed one such mistake, where rockets had been fired exactly 2000 meters off the target.

Mishka Zubov

10-13-2007, 08:43 PM

Memories of summer
http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/48568_95132042.jpg
Fishing boats rest in the sand near a restaurant on the beach at Miedzyzdroje, Poland. Restaurants in the Baltic Sea resort serve a variety of fish, along with other typical beach-town fare and Polish favorites. Photo courtesy of Ed Ladahttp://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/miedzy-pier.jpg
The pier at the beach in Miedzyzdroje, Poland, on the Baltic Sea coast is a popular place to for a stroll. The resort is an inexpensive alternative to beach towns in Western Europe.Photo courtesy of Ed Ladahttp://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/miedzy-fish.jpg
A vendor sells smoked fish from a wooden table along the beach in Miedzyzdroje, Poland, a resort on the Baltic Sea. Fish of all kinds are popular in town -- especially smoked fish. Photo courtesy of Ed Lada
But don’t stop with the fish when there are so many other tasty, unhealthy, salty, sugary snacks available. You can get the usual beach goodies of french fries, ice cream, waffles covered with fruit and whipped cream and corn on the cob, but be adventurous and also try some uniquely Polish beach food.

One of the best is pajda chleba. This is is a footlong slab of rye bread, toasted on a charcoal grill, slathered with pork lard and topped with your choice of grilled ground pork, bacon bits, grilled onions and pickles. Try it with all of the toppings or just a few and wash it down with a nice cold Polish beer. Pajda chleba and beer is summer beach cuisine at its finest.

Another treat is sheep cheese from the southern mountains, heated on a charcoal grill and served with sweet currant jelly or garlic sauce. A great appetizer!
source: Going coastal in Poland, By Ed Lada, Stripes Travel reader, http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=103&article=48568

Mishka Zubov

10-13-2007, 09:45 PM

I read news in online dailies from Canada, U.K., U.S. and Poland. But this is only when reading Polish media that I feel being oppressed by IT wizards. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against computer technology - I use it every day, both as end user and as a professional. But this latest craze in Polish media drives me mad. It looks like a bunch of 10 years old kids have taken over online newspapers with their childish toys.

Why on earth do I get a huge ad covering everything - any time I select a news item? Why it has such a small close button that I can hardly see? Why isn't it always located at the right upper corner? And why the hell it moves randomly so I cannot easily close it - without failing once or twice? Why do I have to listen to strange sounds - car wrooms, telephone "heyas", or stupid audio ads in Polish or .. in Swedish?

And why do you, Poland's native readers, put up with this idiocy and do not strongly protest? Are you so enamored with capitalist gadgets, which are not even used in known bastions of capitalism?

So the kids can do a lot of magical things ... all but the important work. Why the search button brings me back to the page where I started from, actually doing nothing? Why the searches fail on phrases? Why the search items are not organized according to date, or any kind of logic? Why some archived articles are considered payable, and the new ones are not accessible anyway via search mechanism? And the list goes on and on.

Do something about it collectively, please. I logged my sole protest to Rzeczpospolita several months ago, did not receive any confirmation, but somehow the services have improved a bit ... for a while. Now it is worse than ever, I can hardly use that daily anymore.

Yours frustrated MZ

perdurabo

10-14-2007, 06:33 AM

we just don't read polish news chanels ;)

daily666

10-14-2007, 08:17 AM

Mishka Zubov

10-14-2007, 10:12 AM

we just don't read polish news chanels ;)

WHY?
You are ducking the big social problem, Sir! :-)
Western media show some respect to their readers, and only the Polish media outlets are so greedy and nasty.

Besides, as you might have noticed, a significant number of entries to this thread are the translations from Polish media.

perdurabo

10-14-2007, 10:36 AM

WHY?
You are ducking the big social problem, Sir! :-)
Western media show some respect to their readers, and only the Polish media outlets are so greedy and nasty.

Besides, as you might have noticed, a significant number of entries to this thread are the translations from Polish media.
thats why i read your entires i don't have to deal with all the popups p-)

Mishka Zubov

10-14-2007, 10:41 AM

Just get Firefox and install NoScript add-on. Flashblock is also good.

Well, well - using brute force technical means for social engineering? How Polish! Just kidding, but only half-heartedly :-)

I use Firefox 50% of the time and when it hangs on me (quite often actually) I switch back to Safari - which might not have all the goodies for handling some Polish forums but it is still slim and fast. I did not know that I had to install some add-ons on Firefox, since it often happily announces that it just conquered some pop-ups. Unfortunately - most of the time the wrong ones, during some interactive session.

Look, I've been in this business for many years; I used to be one of the first Linux afficionados, but now I am just too tired of those never-ending upgrades and installations, which take away my attention from real professional work. I am using Mac OS X now. As you know - one size does not fit all. But thanks for your advice anyway.

But I still think that this is a wrong answer to social problems, which seem to be specific to Polish media. Somehow the Western media - a craddle of merchant propaganda, the inventors of mass advertisement - understand that there are some lines that should not be crossed and show some respect to their readers.

Mishka Zubov

10-14-2007, 07:19 PM

Suspects of attacking coalition forces detained
2007-10-14
http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/helik-irak.jpg

Diwaniyah, October 14, 2007.
During the October the 14th operations in Eastern Diwaniyah, soldiers from Multinational Division Center-South (MND-CS) in Iraq, have detained four criminals, suspected of carrying attacks on the temporary patrol base and patrols of coalition forces. The suspects are under investigation.

The operation has been carried by the soldiers from the Special Forces Group, in cooperation with the Iraqi special platoon and support of W-3 Sokół helicopters. This has been the first air assault operation executed by MND-CS units. "To surprise the enemy the soldiers used the rope assault techniques, which require excellent training and precise coordination of all elements of the operation" - said Maj-Gen. Tadeusz Buk, a commander of MND-CS.

The persons detained in Sunday operation have probably participated in Friday's attack (October the 12th) on the temporary patrol base in Diwaniyah. That attack has been carried with sniper fire and anti-armor grenades. The exchange of fire lasted about 50 minutes. To support the soldiers operating in the city a Quick Reaction Force has been sent from Camp Echo. No Polish soldier has been injured.

The temporary patrol base has been developed within the framework of the operation "Oil", which has been carried for the last three weeks. Its goals are ensuring safety and improvement of living conditions of inhabitants of Eastern Diwaniyah. Its next priorities are development of local enterperises and reduction of unemployment.

Lt-Col Włodzimierz Głogowski
Press Officer
Chief of Press Information Section of MND-CS
source: http://www.mon.gov.pl/pl/index/
translated by MZ

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/zdjecie_1072_12661.jpg

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/zdjecie_1072_12662.jpg

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/zdjecie_1072_12663.jpg

Mishka Zubov

10-14-2007, 08:24 PM

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 11, 2007, as General Pulaski Memorial Day. I urge Americans to commemorate this occasion with appropriate activities and ceremonies honoring General Casimir Pulaski and all those who defend our freedom.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation
source: http://www.pr-inside.com/general-pulaski-memorial-day-r241165.htm

Interesting. I did not know it that the American official documents are being dated this way.

Mishka Zubov

10-14-2007, 08:30 PM

Slovenian Gen. Gutman visiting Operational Command
2007-10-11

Warsaw. On Thursday, Slovenian Gen. Albin Gutman, a chief of General Staff of Armed Forces of Slovenian Republic, was visiting Operational Command of Armed Forces of Polish Republic.

"I always gladly come back to the places where I feel well" - said Gen. Albin Gutman in his farewell to the officers of Operational Command.

Gen. Gutman has been welcomed and briefed on structures, tasks and perspectives of the Operational Command by Brig-Gen pilot Piotr Luśnia, who acted in the name of Gen. Bronisław Kwiatkowski, a commander of the Operational Command.

Gen. Gutman has compared the command structures of Poland and Slovenia. He was interested in command problems of Polish missions abroad, as well as at home. Lt-Gen. Lech Majewski, an assistant of chief of General Staff, Air Force section, participating in the meeting, explained that the Operational Command was under intensive development and had been designed to take control of the operational centers of all particular kinds of armed forces, in the future.

Gen. Gutman has been also briefed on participation of Polish soldiers in peace and stabilization missions abroad. He was under great impression of our engagement, not only present, all over the world. "I am greatly impressed by your participation in so many missions and for so many years. This certainly must be useful for the soldiers who gain great experience" - said the Slovenian general.

The heart of the Operational Command, or Duty Operational Service (DOS), has appeared to be organizationally close to a similar command in Slovenian Armed Forces. Gen. Gutman signed the DOS memorial book displayed in the battle room and thanked for detailed information and cordial hosting. "We have deep hopes that your visit is not the last here" - said Brig-Gen pilot Piotr Luśnia.

Judging by the guests' interest and their warm farewell words one may assume that this is a beginning of our cooperation.

Maj. Dariusz Kacperczyk
Press Spokesman of Operational Command of Armed Forces of Polish Republic
source: http://www.mon.gov.pl/pl/artykul/3618
translated by MZ

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/zdjecie_1063_12607.jpg

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/zdjecie_1063_12608.jpg

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/zdjecie_1063_12610.jpg

Mishka Zubov

10-14-2007, 11:01 PM

Polish Navy Warships

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto22.jpg
Guided missile frigate ORP Gen. T. KOŚCIUSZKOhttp://hotimg2.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto924.jpg
Guided missile frigate ORP Gen. T. KOŚCIUSZKOhttp://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto730.jpg
Guided missile frigate ORP ORP Gen. K. PUŁASKIhttp://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto167.jpg
Guided missile frigate ORP ORP Gen. K. PUŁASKIhttp://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto658.jpg
Anti-submarine corvette ORP KASZUBhttp://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto342.jpg
Anti-submarine corvette ORP KASZUBhttp://hotimg3.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/foto785.jpg
Missile corvette ORP PIORUNhttp://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto.jpg
Submarines class Kobbenhttp://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto.jpg
Submarine ORP SĘP class Kobbenhttp://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto854.jpg
Submarine ORP ORZEŁ class Kilohttp://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto.jpg
Submarine ORP ORZEŁ class Kilohttp://hotimg2.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto.jpg
Missile boat class OSA during target practice to a surface targethttp://hotimg2.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto651.jpg
Minehunter ORP FLAMINGhttp://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto.jpg
Minesweeper ORP ŚNIARDWYhttp://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto104.jpg
Transport-minelayer ship ORP GNIEZNO during beach landinghttp://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto126.jpg
Transport-minelayer ship ORP KRAKÓWhttp://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto939.jpg
Logistic support ship ORP Kontradmirał Xawery CZERNICKIhttp://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/foto.jpg
Logistic support ship ORP Kontradmirał Xawery CZERNICKIhttp://hotimg3.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/foto471.jpg
Rescue ship ORP LECHhttp://hotimg5.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/foto.jpg
Survey ship ORP ARCTOWSKIhttp://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto107.jpg
School ship ORP WODNIK

wholagun

10-14-2007, 11:14 PM

what is happening with the proposed new warships. I don't know what they are called or what class but they were Polish design and there were a few diagrams/design plans.

Mishka Zubov

10-14-2007, 11:25 PM

You mean the Gawron Class corvette? I think the program is going OK. I've read about it somewhere not so long ago.

The following link might be a bit outdated.
Meanwhile Poland’s multi-purpose corvette programme is progressing, with the first under construction at Naval Shipyard Gdynia following the keel laying last November. These new Gawron Class ships will be capable of anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare.source: http://www.warshipsifr.com/polish_fleet_update.html

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_89/corvette.jpg

Mishka Zubov

10-14-2007, 11:43 PM

GE Powers Polish Navy

Tuesday, June 05, 2007
http://www.marinelink.com/images/StoryImages/LM2500_GT_hanging_angle_shotweb.jpgGE Marine reports that its LM2500 gas turbine will be used to power the Polish Navy’s next generation Type 621 corvette, to be named Gawron. The LM2500 gas turbine will be applied in a combined diesel and gas turbine configuration, with two diesel engines. GE’s LM2500 gas turbine currently powers the Polish Navy’s Gen. K. Pulawski frigate. The gas turbine for the Gawron will be manufactured at GE Marine’s Evendale, Ohio facility. The LM2500 will be placed into a propulsion module by Avio of Torino, Italy. Avio, a GE partner, will also design and supply the LM2500 module electronic control system. The new corvette will be built by Poland’s Gdynia Shipyard, Warsaw, Poland. Installation of the gas turbine module is slated for June 2008.

Mishka Zubov

10-14-2007, 11:49 PM

Poland's top soldier can empathize with Canada over Afghanistan
Peter O'Neil, Europe Correspondent, CanWest News Service

WARSAW -- Gen. Franciszek Gagor, Poland's top soldier and perhaps NATO's after an upcoming vote to replace Canadian Ray Henault as chairman of the western alliance's military committee, can empathize with Canada's public relations challenge over Afghanistan.

"Well, it's a challenge for us also," Poland's chief of the general staff told CanWest News Service.

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/franciszek081507.jpg
General Franciszek Gagor, Chief of Staff of Polish Army. August 15, 2007. Photograph by : REUTERSGagor, competing with generals from Spain and Italy to replace Henault in the Nov. 14 vote, would be the first officer from the old Soviet Union's Warsaw Pact alliance to become top soldier in the 26-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

He brings to the international table considerable peacekeeping experience in the Middle East and guarded optimism about the Afghanistan mission.

But Gagor cannot claim popular support in his own country for Poland's military role there. One poll this month by the Warsaw-based firm CBOS said 72 per cent of those surveyed were opposed to Poland's decision earlier this year to deploy 1,200 soldiers primarily in the dangerous southeast provinces of Ghazni and Patika. Poland also has elite forces working with Canadians in Kandahar.

Objections to the fighting are even stronger than in Canada, where public unease and election fever have caused the government to declare that Canada's current role in Kandahar, where there are more than 2,000 Canadian troops, won't continue past early 2009 without an endorsement from Parliament. Three of four Canadian parties, in a position to trigger an election after Tuesday's throne speech, currently oppose an extension.

Poland, despite its rich though often tragic military history facing brutal invasions by neighbours like Germany and Russia, is a "peaceful nation," according to TNS Global managing director Andrzej Olszewski, a Warsaw-based pollster.

"We have become good soldiers because we are usually defending ourselves. But people don't recognize war as something good and beneficial."

Poland's public mood is soured partly by Iraq, where the country has lost about 20 soldiers since 2003. One soldier has been killed so far in Afghanistan.

The public objections, however, don't appear likely to have an influence on Poland's role. Despite this country's own current election fever there is no organized peace movement, the issue doesn't get major media coverage and the conflict hasn't become a political football in Poland's Oct. 21 parliamentary elections.

One possible explanation is that Poland, with 38.5 million people in a country half the size of Alberta, has been anxious since breaking free of Moscow's dominance in 1989 to use Europe and the U.S. as buffers against Russia. There is therefore an elite consensus to go along with NATO and, like Canada, take on a challenging role in a high-risk region of Afghanistan.

"Everyone considers this issue so fundamental for our foreign policy that responsible political parties would not like to have it as part of the daily campaign," according to Andrej Szeptycki, director of the Polish Institute of International Affairs.

A second argument is that Poles, sensitive to the country's dominance by larger neighbours through most of its history, are reluctant to criticize an institution that reflects Polish independence.

"The uniform in the Polish mentality (became) something sacred ... after the trauma of the 19th century, when Poland vanished from the map of Europe," said Gagor, still wearing military fatigues after meeting troops earlier in the day.

Gagor said the West's military effort in Afghanistan has been generally successful this year, particularly because NATO forces disrupted a threatened spring Taliban offensive by launching pre-emptive attacks.

But he said western countries must do more to win Afghan hearts and minds by bringing better health care, education, and basic infrastructure to the country.

"I would say if the international community was more generous in supporting the people there, I think that would enhance significantly the progress and success of the operation."

Gagor beams with pride when asked about Poland's military history, captured in various works of art in military headquarters here that typically celebrates Poland's famous charging calvary in colourful, bloody battle scenes.

Poland's major military victories have been few in number but spectacular in scope. In Vienna in 1683 the army of Poland's King Jan III Sobieski helped Austria's Habsburg empire successfully put down Ottoman Turk invasion. And in 1920 near Warsaw, in the so-called Miracle on the Vistula, the Polish army outmanoeuvred and routed the Soviet Union's much larger Red Army.

Both are victories that Poles, now Europe's most devoutly Roman Catholic country, say potentially saved Christian Europe from domination by Muslim and then Communist domination.

Even in defeat the Polish army is romanticized. In 1939 the out-manned and out-gunned Poles held off the German blitzkrieg for more than a month, inflicting 60,000 casualties on the Nazi invaders and 11,500 on the Soviets, who joined the siege as a result of a Hitler-Stalin pact to divide and conquer Poland.

A senior British officer at the time sniffed to a Warsaw-based colleague, "Your Poles haven't put up much of a show, have they?" But historian Norman Davies has argued that the Poles ended up performing better than British and French ground troops did while being subsequently steamrolled when the blitzkrieg rolled westwards in 1940.

There is one lingering myth of Polish calvary, with sabres drawn, charging futilely against the blazing guns of Nazi tanks during the 1939 invasion.

Historians have concluded that it is fiction, begun by Nazi propaganda and perpetuated by the Communist regime after the war to press the theme that the Polish military was foolishly brave and incapable of defending their country.

"Nobody's that crazy, to ride a horse against a tank," Gagor said.

"The truth is that Poles used horses as means of communication. When they got to the place of their destination they dismounted and kept fighting. That's it."
source: http://www.canada.com/globaltv/national/story.html?id=10883fa1-9fec-41ca-99a9-9057cec7cd0d&k=64539

Mishka Zubov

10-15-2007, 08:39 AM

I'm sorry, I edited the original post by mistake rather than providing an update. And since this post has been spoiled anyway, here is its final updated version.

Attack on Polish bases
by Wlodzimierz Glogowski
Monday, October 15, 2007

Two Polish soldiers have suffered superficial thigh injuries as a result of shelling at Polish bases, where the soldiers of Multinational Division Center-South are stationed.

The temporary patrol base and the Camp Echo in Diwaniyah have been shelled at this morning with mortar and rifle fire. A Polish helicopter has been also shelled at, with machine gun. The injured soldiers do not require any hospital treatment.

As a result of mortar fire four civilians have died in vicinity of the patrol base, and 17 others are wounded. The injured persons are currently in the Diwaniyah hospital.
Polish and Iraqi soldiers from the patrol base responded with fire towards terrorist positions.

source: http://redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=54

Jocker_89

10-15-2007, 09:42 AM

CIMIC light the streets of Ad Diwaniyah

On the 12th of October Polish soldiers from civil – military cooperation group (CIMIC) accomplished yet another project. This time, electricity was provided to the Old Hospital Street, in the center of Ad Diwaniyah. The cost of this project was equal to 131 thousand US dollars.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3216

30 local citizens were employed during the completion of this project and about 2 thousand citizens of the city will benefit from this enterprise. This project will make local people life much easier and safety. I also think that support for MND CS soldiers will increase - commander of CIMIC Group LTC Tomasz Wolszczak said. From the beginning of 2007, specialists from CIMIC carried out 68 projects, the cost of those projects equals about 8,5 million US dollars.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3218

Apart from the stabilization and training, CIMIC activity is one of the most important part of Multinational Division activity. Through improvement of living condition and economical development we win the hearts of local population. That increases our soldiers safety - commander of MND CS Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk said.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3217

www.piomndcs.mil.pl (http://www.piomndcs.mil.pl)

Mishka Zubov

10-15-2007, 05:03 PM

ORP CZAJKA is coming home

It has been five years this month since the Polish Navy warships first appeared in the NATO Reaction Force. Operating within the anti-mine defense group of the Alliance – SNMCMG1, and earlier within MCM FORNORTH, Polish minehunters have spent altogether 16 months under the NATO flag.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/foto709.jpg
Minehunter ORP „Czajka”Tomorrow, on Tuesday October 16, the minehunter ORP CZAJKA is coming back to its home harbor in Gdynia from a consecutive duty, lasting two and half months. The warship has been operating at North Sea and Baltic Sea - fully ready for operations in case of a crisis or a terrorist threat.

The main tasks of ORP „CZAJKA" was search, detection and destruction of bottomed and anchored mines, contact and non-contact trawling and marking out safe water courses for other units. Together with other Polish minehunter, ORP MEWA; warships of SNMCMG1 team; and anti-mine units from NATO and Partnership for Peace program; ORP CZAJKA has been participating in anti-mine operation "OPEN SPIRIT 2007".

SNMCMG1 - Standing NATO Mine Countermeasure Group 1 - is a permanent, international team of anti-mine warships of NATO countries, a part of NATO Response Forces. Those forces are being kept in constant battle readiness for peace operations, crisis situations and war. The Alliance countries send their units there on the rotational basis. The warships are constantly training and matching the crews, keeping high operational capacity.

They carry the anti-mine defenses - especially marking out safe water courses, seeking and destroying sea mines and other objects threatening safe sailing. They have been used for destruction of underwater arsenals at the coasts of Baltic countries. The crews of ORP MEWA, ORP CZAJKA and ORP FLAMING have served together 482 days under the NATO flag in the following missions:

• from 2002-10-12 to 2002-12-11 - ORP „MEWA”
• from 2003-04-23 to 2003-07-10 - ORP „CZAJKA”
• from 2003-08-16 to 2003-10-05 - ORP „FLAMING”
• from 2004-08-14 to 2004-10-13 - ORP „CZAJKA”
• from 2005-08-16 to 2005-10-25 - ORP „MEWA”
• from 2006-08-07 to 2006-10-26 - ORP „FLAMING”
• from 2007-07-30 to 2007-10-16 - ORP „CZAJKA”

The minehunter ORP „CZAJKA" (hull no. 624) is part of the 13th Trawler Command, the 8th Flotilla of the Coastal Defenses in Świnoujście, stationed in Gdynia sea base. The ship is designed for anti-mine defense operations. Its main tasks are the reconnaissance and control trawling, destruction of minefields; marking out safe water courses within minefields, guiding warships, groups and transporters; planting bottomed and anchored mines from a distance of 600 meters; and destruction of mines with an underwater vehicle or with the help of divers-miners.

The warship has participated in many international exercises of NATO anti-mine defense, such as BALTOPS, SANDY COAST, BLUE GAME, SQUADEX, OPEN SPIRIT, STRONG RESOLVE, PASSEX, NOBLE MARINER 07. She was also involved in destruction of WW2 torpedoes. In 2001 she was selected as the best warship of Polish Navy. The warship is commanded by sea Capt. Jarosław TUSZKOWSKI.
(...)
source: http://www.mw.mil.pl/index.php?vhost=www&akcja=news&id=18240&limes=
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-15-2007, 06:30 PM

Polish military sources have been announcing during the last week the exact content of Polish Military Contingent in a French-led mission to Chad and CAR, under auspices of EU and UN - 146 soldiers, including 105 Military Police from Special Unit from Gliwice, soldiers from the 10th Logistic Brigade and four civilians.

In meantime, Polish president has come up with some surprise, which he revealed last week in a meeting in Paris, France. Polish media have learned about it only today...

A mission to Africa greater than it has been announced

2007-10-15 18:29
We are sending 350 soldiers to Chad

Not about 100, but 350 soldiers will be sent by Poland on the peace mission to Chad in center Africa. This has been confirmed by Bernard Kouchner, a chief of the French Ministry of foreign Affairs, who is responsible for preparation of EU contingent. It is not yet known when the soldiers will depart for the Black Land.

European Union has been surprised by the quantity of the Polish contingent. "I was expecting that about 100 Poles will participate, but Poland announced 350 of them today" - said Bernard Kouchner, a chief of the French diplomacy - evidently very pleased by the news.

What will the Poles do in Chad? The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Mun, wants them to protect civilians, workers of humanitarian organizations and the UN Chad mission. Why do we send soldiers specifically to Chad? Because thousands of escapees from Darfur, a province of Sudan, are seeking refuge in Chad.

source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=96&ShowArticleId=64191
translated by MZ

See also this article in English: http://www.afriquenligne.fr/news/daily-news/poland-doubles-contribution-to-force-for-chad,-car-2007100910270/

Mishka Zubov

10-16-2007, 03:20 AM

Exercise at Baltic Sea
by Czesław Cichy
Monday, October 15, 2007

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/blmw_m.jpg

Operation „Northern Coast 07”, an exercise in crisis response, organized by German Navy, has commenced on October the 15th at Baltic straights and western Baltic areas. Warships, airplanes and helicopters of eight NATO and "Partnership for Peace" countries participate in the exercise, including Polish missile frigate ORP „Gen. K. Pułaski” and two anti-submarine Mi-14 PŁ helicopters from the 29th Darłowo Air Squadron. The exercise will last until October the 26th.

Eight participating countries are: Germany, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Lithuania, France and Great Britain. The scenario of the exercise assumes crisis response in order to maintain peace. The main elements of the exercise are: vessels' control, execution of international agreements, monitoring of surface and air situation, protection of sea transport against submarine and air attacks, shooting to surface and air targets, search for submarines, air defense and average defense.

Two Polish crews of anti-submarine Mi-14 PŁ helicopters will be in readiness in Darłowo for search and attack of submarines - either independently or in cooperation with the naval units.

This is the fifth international exercise this year for the 29th Darłowo Air Squadron. The crews of Mi-14 PS and Mi-14 PŁ have operated from their home airport of 44th Navy Air Base in Darłowo, as well as from 43rd Navy Air Base in Gdynia Babie Doły and from Danish airports Ronne and Alborg.

Photo: Capt. Czesław Cichy
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8765&Itemid=48
translated by MZ

"NORTHERN COAST" at Baltic Sea
by Bartosz ZAJDA
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
(...)

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/foto.jpg

On October the 10th the missile frigate ORP „Gen. K. Pułaski" went to sea from Gdynia Oksywie Navy Base, to take part in the operation „Northern Coast 07”.
(...)

Altogether there will be 26 warships in that exercise: frigates, submarines, patrol boats, mine-hunters, mine-trawlers an attack boats - as well as sea aircrafts.
(...)

This is yet another international exercise with participation of Polish missile frigates. Last May the frigate ORP "Gen. T. Kościuszko" took part in the NATO exercise „Noble Mariner 2007”.

ORP "Gen. K. Pułaski", has already operated in a dozen or so NATO exercises, including anti-terrorist NATO operation „Active Endeavour" at Mediterranean Sea.

More information about the warship at the Polish Navy web page: http://www.mw.mil.pl/index.php?akcja=oliver
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8646&Itemid=48
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-16-2007, 09:54 AM

Water for Afghans
by Janusz Wdowski
Tuesday, October 16, 2007

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/1362.jpg

Inhabitants of Khezer Khel village have been provided with a deep well equipped with a hand pump. The village is located three kilometers north of Wazi-Khwa base, within the responsibility zone of Battle Team "C", Polish Battle Group. The village is inhabited by about 170 families. There is a primary school and three mosques in the village.

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/1364.jpg

On October the 15th, Abdul Razak, a representative of the Khezer Khel village to a local shura in Wazi-Khwa district, cut the ribbon during a symbolic opening ceremony of the well. "I'd like to heartily thank ISAF forces for the execution of this project. Lack of good quality drinking water is a serious problem for most of villages in the south part of Paktika province. For this reason I'd like to stress the weight and value of the project delivered today. In the name of all inhabitants of my village I heartily thank the Poles thanks to whom the construction of the deep well could be finalized in our place."

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/1365.jpg

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/1366.jpg

According to pvt. 1st class Juliusz Wiącek: "Projects of this type create positive image of a Polish soldier in Afghanistan. In my opinion, we are being more and more associated by the locals as the people who bring many positive changes and improvements to standard of living of this incredibly poor society."

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/1367.jpg

PHOTOS: pvt. 1st class Juliusz Wiącek
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8806&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Jocker_89

10-16-2007, 10:36 AM

The 1st Warsaw Mechanized Division Day celebrations in Iraq

On the 11th of October Polish soldiers from the military base Camp Echo in Ad Diwaniyah celebrated the 1st Warsaw Mechanized Division Day. During the ceremonial assembly, commander of Multinational Division Center South Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk rewarded soldiers for their effort and dedication and thanked them for their service in Iraq.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3211

The celebrations started with the Holly Mass, in the Chapel of St Juda. Mass was celebrated by chaplain of the IX rotation, LTC Sebastian Piekarski. The chaplain preached the Word of God and celebrated a special service to pray for the soldiers from the 1st Warsaw Mech Div. Then, during the ceremonial assembly, Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk, who is also commander of the 1st Division, awarded 19 deserving soldiers with Commemorative Badges. 332 soldiers received Commemorative Medals. The rest of soldiers received badges for their second or subsequent mission in Iraq.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3212

On the 12th of October we celebrate the 64th anniversary of the battle of Lenino. Ad that time polish troops started their combat trail, from the East to Berlin. They paved this trail with their own blood and no one other then soldiers, especially those here, in Iraq, can understand and appreciate this – commander of Multinational Division said.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3213

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3214

372 soldiers from the 1st Warsaw Mechanized Division named after Tadeusz Kościuszko form the core of the IX rotation of the Polish Military Contingent in Iraq.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3215
www.piomndcs.mil.pl (http://www.piomndcs.mil.pl)

Mishka Zubov

10-16-2007, 10:48 AM

Some say that it is a presence of these soldiers in Iraq, who carry the 1st Kościuszko Division[1] traditions, that prompted Aleksander Szczygło, Minister of National Defense, to deliver his nice reconciliating speeches during the recent celebration of the anniversary of the Lenino Battle.

[1]Established in Soviet Union, fighting on Eastern Front of WW2. Recently being ignored as politically awkward.

Mishka Zubov

10-16-2007, 10:51 AM

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/korea_m.jpg
Korean Col. Jong Soo Jeong, a commander of Korean Engineering Contingent in Afghanistan talks to Polish Brig-Gen. Marek Tomaszycki, a commander of Polish Military Contingent (PMC), during his courtesy visit to the Polish White Eagle base in Bagram.http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/korea_d.jpg
Korean Col. Jong Soo Jeong, together with his soldiers and the commanders of PMCsource: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8814&Itemid=29

The Korean engineering unit has been in Afghanistan for quite a while, dating back to the operation "Enduring Freedom". They have been cooperating with Polish and American engineering units in construction of bases, roads, and bridges all over Afghanistan - Sharana included. They are the experts in construction of vertical structures. - MZ.
see http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2727496&postcount=52

Mishka Zubov

10-16-2007, 11:55 AM

Unified Endeavor 08
10.10.2007 Fort Campbell is home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), nicknamed the Screaming Eagles, the tradition of which dates back to year 1942.

http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/cat_1192005952.jpg

At the moment its staff is preparing for the deployment to Afghanistan in February 2008 in order to serve together with Combined Joint Task Force-82 (CJTF-82) and NATO ISAF Regional Command East.

The exercise takes place simultaneously in different places and involves military personnel from across the country as well as foreign partners, such as the MNC NE[1] members who as Subject Matter Experts (SME) are ready to share their own experiences gained in Afghanistan. Authentic know-how and lessons learned gathered during a six-month mission will definitely serve as a source of useful information for the soldiers who are about to contribute to the success of the Afghan mission.

In general, Unified Endeavor is designed as a mission rehearsal exercise (MRE), and therefore provides realistic training scenarios and replicated battle rhythm in order to prepare the staff for duty in Afghanistan. The exercise focuses on several areas of strategic importance, such as integration and coordination with the government of Afghanistan, the Afghan National Army and Security Forces, counter narcotics operations, detainee operations and disruption of enemy financial assets.
source: http://www.mncne.pl/?menupage=p_article.browse&root=d205e176672d6b4af4fa835c6d0b70f8&category_id=dc4f0c4a0b9743c97aab5ab7493c7bbf&product_id=376

[1]MNC NE - Multinational Corps North East, with headquarters in Szczecin Poland

19 officers from the Szczecin corps took part in that exercise - including Poles, Germans and Danes.

"Our officers have been there as the experts, due to experience they had gained during their half-year stay in Afghanistan" - say Com. Artur Bilski, a spokesman for the Corps. "In Afghanistan they were the part of a composite ISAF command, and their knowledge and experience in the operations in Afghanistan are very valuable to Americans."
source: Gzeta Wyborcza Szczecin, http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=13&Itemid=46

Mishka Zubov

10-16-2007, 02:42 PM

I have been watching several interviews handled by Monika Olejnik, a Polish radio, TV and newspaper journalist. I cannot say much about her brains but she has big mouth, for sure. I wished she had more culture. Taking one's arrogance for decisiveness is the same kind of mistake as assuming that dry wines must taste sour. Her audio interview with Aleksander Szczygło, Minister of National Defense, for Radio Zet sounds more like a shouting match - or rather her interruptions and his patient explanations.

I am not saying that the Minister sounds bright and that he is right here, I am just pointing to the quality of the dialog, so prevalent in Polish public discussions. Boy, I'd wish for a pinch of British wit in such discussions sometimes.

The following are some of the excerpts from this interview.

Szczygło: We fight in Iraq to protect Poland

Monika Olejnik: Today's visitor to Radio ZET is the Minister of National Defense, Aleksander Szczygło - Welcome, Monika Olejnik, Good morning.

Aleksander Szczygło: Bows to you, Good morning.

Monika Olejnik: In „Nasz Dziennik” - and I am reading – „members of the parliamentary commission for special services want to know details of anti-terrorist coverage of Iraq and Afghanistan, especially of their operational techniques and use of technical means". What's your opinion?

Aleksander Szczygło: If the law allows for it, then obviously a parliamentary commission - and in this case the commission for special services - is entitled to a civilian control of activities of such services.

Monika Olejnik: And does the law allow for it?

Aleksander Szczygło: I think that if every member of such commission has access to secret information; that is, the operational one, then such things can be discussed at the commission's meeting.

Monika Olejnik: "Attack on Gen. Pietrzyk might point to unsatisfactory anti-terrorist activities of Polish services in Iraq" - this is what I am reading in "Nasz Dziennik".

Aleksander Szczygło: This is a copy of Bronisław Komorowski's thesis.

Monika Olejnik: No, this is not Bronisław Komorowski, he is not in the commission of special services; this is according to information from a member of said commission.

Aleksander Szczygło: Madam reporter, but this is a copy of Bronisław Komorowski's thesis, who does not differentiate between anti-terrorist military intelligence and civilian intelligence.

Monika Olejnik: I think that this is your colleague Jędrzych Jędrych, who does not see a difference, because the today's interview in "Nasz Dziennik" is with him.

Aleksander Szczygło: But I am referring to Bronisław Komorowski's statetement, who does not differentiate...

Monika Olejnik: But I [am referring] to Jędrzych Jędrych.

Aleksander Szczygło: ... between anti-terrorist military intelligence, which handles protection of Polish Armed Forces, and a civilian intelligence, which handles the control...

Monika Olejnik: Mister Minister - Mary's talking about pierogies, I'm talking about Jędrych from PiS, and you - about Mr. Komorowski from PO. He is not here and I am not quoting him.

Aleksander Szczygło: But he comes here often.

Monika Olejnik: But I am quoting ...

Monika Olejnik: But aren't those Jędrych's statements silly?

Aleksander Szczygło: If he said this, then yes.

Monika Olejnik: And should not we increase the anti-terrorist protection in Iraq?

Aleksander Szczygło: Madam reporter, since the 9th rotation, that is since the end of July (...) we have been able to detain almost 90 terrorists - thanks to activities of Polish soldiers and anti-terrorist services. This is the result, which we had not been able to achieve before. Polish soldiers are very active, Iraqis see it - I am talking about average, regular Iraqis - and they willingly cooperate with our soldiers, after so many months of non-cooperation at the beginning of this year. There is peace, Iraqis - the inhabitants of such a big city ...

Monika Olejnik: What kind of peace is this if there are attacks on Polish soldiers? Mr. Minister, should we withdraw from Iraq, since our mission ends in December 2007, do we have a withdrawal strategy?

Aleksander Szczygło: We will come back to it after the elections.

Monika Olejnik: No, Mr. Minister, why don't you want to talk about it during the elections?

Aleksander Szczygło: This is because I deeply believe that this is a scenario written by the terrorists.

Monika Olejnik: But no, sir, in United States there are discussions about what to do with the soldiers in Iraq.

Aleksander Szczygło: There are no elections in US so far.

Monika Olejnik: But in the States there are talks about ...

Aleksander Szczygło: But there are no elections over there right now. I have appealed to everyone, to representatives of all opposition parties, already in August ....

Monika Olejnik: OK, then tell me when Poland should start talking with United States about the variant - are we staying or are we withdrawing?

Aleksander Szczygło: I'll repeat once again that there are four points to our mission to Iraq: firstly - the UN mandate; secondly - the request of Iraqi authorities; thirdly - a level of responsibility of Iraqi authorities for the safety level, or possibility of taking responsibility for security in Iraq; and lastly obviously - talks with our allies.

Monika Olejnik: Well OK, do you agree with President Lech Kaczyński that we need to extend our mission to the end of 2008?

Aleksander Szczygło: Mister President is a supreme commander of armed forces and my task is carry his orders.

Monika Olejnik: Do you agree that our mission should be extended?

Aleksander Szczygło: Madam reporter, the President of Polish Republic is a supreme commander of armed forces and every minister of national defense should execute orders of the superior of armed forces.

Monika Olejnik: Then well, I am asking his subordinate whether this is a good idea for us to stay to the end of 2008. Besides being a subordinate you also have your own brains and you know whether we should stay, don't you?

Aleksander Szczygło: I'll repeat once again - there are four points which will decide what to do in this question.

Monika Olejnik: Is this our war, Mr. Minister?

Aleksander Szczygło: Yes because this is a war against terrorists that is to protect Poland and well as Poles ...

Monika Olejnik: No, this war protects neither Poland nor Poles.

Aleksander Szczygło: No - to protect Poland and Poles against terrorists. Let you remember how many Poles have died in terrorist attacks who went to US, Spain or Great Britain to work. They have died there and nobody asked them about their views, they went there to work and built their life.

Monika Olejnik: But they have not died because they were Poles. Please, do not manipulate!

Aleksander Szczygło: Of course not, but they went to another country...

Monika Olejnik: Do you know that Collin Powell has misled Poland?

Aleksander Szczygło: I do not understand.

Monika Olejnik: Do you know that Collin Powell had misled Poland, and this is why we have joined the war?

Aleksander Szczygło: This is what Mr. Aleksander Kwaśniewski says.

Monika Olejnik: Yes, he knows what he says because it was his decision to send our forces.

Aleksander Szczygło: Well yes, but only several months ago...

Monika Olejnik: But everyone is talking about it now that...

Aleksander Szczygło: ... several months ago he suddenly said that he had been misled by Americans, he woke up.

Monika Olejnik: And is there any weapon of mass destruction in Iraq?

Aleksander Szczygło: But what was used by Saddam Hussein regime to murder the Kurds if not the weapon of mass destruction, the chemical weapon?

Monika Olejnik: But Mr. Minister, what are you talking about?

Aleksander Szczygło: Well, I am talking about deaths of several tens of thousands of Kurds, murdered by Hussein. What did he use for this? Was not it a chemical weapon?

Monika Olejnik: OK, tell me if Antoni Macierewicz, a chief of anti-terrorist intelligence, will continue in his position if he becomes a member of parliament?
(...)
source: http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,4892,wid,9299647,wiadomosc.html?P%5Bpage%5D=3&ticaid=14a6a&_ticrsn=5
translated by MZ

I've had enough. I am not going to continue with further translation. I am as tired as Mr. Szczygło must have been during that interview. Oh boy, I am glad that this woman is not my wife!

Mishka Zubov

10-16-2007, 08:24 PM

Common plans for Diwaniyah
by Włodzimierz Głogowski
Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Representatives of local authorities, Iraqi army and police have been invited to Camp Echo by Maj-Gen. Tadeusz Buk, a commander of Multinational Division Center-South (MND CS), to assess current situation and devise common plans of operations.

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During the October the 16th meeting, the Qadisiyah authorities have been represented by Hussein Hadi Al Beri, a chairman of Security Committee of Provincial Council; the Iraqi army - by Iraqi Maj-Gen. Othman Ali Farhood, and the Iraqi police - by Brig-Gen. Safa Kadum Jasin.

The participants assessed security of the province after the yesterday's attacks on the coalition bases and decided on common activity gearing towards its improvement. Special attention was paid to coordination of operations and a need for increased presence of the police and the soldiers of the 8th Division of Iraqi Army in the eastern Diwaniyah. A decision was also taken to introduce weekly coordination meetings in Camp Echo.

Hussein Hadi Al Beri expressed satisfaction of provincial authorities with the operations of the multinational division and assured that provincial authorities will cooperate in efforts to cleaning-up the city of the criminal groups. "Only the common operations and precise coordination of our plans will bring anticipated results in the currently carried 'Oil Drop' operation" - summed up Gen. Buk.

In addition to the soldiers of MND CS, the local police and the forces of the 8th Division of Iraqi Army also participate in the "Oil Drop" operation. Allied forces have created and developed a temporary patrol base in Al Iskan quarter, eastern Diwaniyah - used for carrying patrols and providing humanitarian aid. The goal of the operation is ensuring security and improvement of living conditions of the inhabitants of eastern Diwaniyah. The CIMIC group focuses on support of small enterprises and creation of new work places - contributing to economical development and reduction of unemployment in the city.

Photo: Maj. Michał Romańczuk
source: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117515&page=26
translated by MZ

SkyUS

10-16-2007, 08:24 PM

MZ, I know what you mean. There is nothing more that I hate than people like Monika Olejnik. She does not show respect or courtesy to her interviewees, and she just keeps on shouting at them. I know that some people might say , well she is a great reporter because she is persistant and keeps on pushing for the answers, but in my eyes she is just a disrespectfull, uncivilized barking dog

I would also like to add how much I hate the Polish media or its reporters. every time I watch any Polish news I think that I have been transported to a alternative world. A world where Polish reporters are not pronounciating Polish words, accordingly. istead of using the polish language, I keep on hearing English words being thrown in , whereever it is possible. They Polish-ize English words to agree with Polish rules of grammar and "ortografia". There are times, when I have to actually check twice, wheather I am actually watching the Poish TV channel and not an American one. Soon the beauty of Polish language will be tottaly destroyed. And instead of listening to Polish language, we will hear few Polish words with Polish-ized English vocabulary words. I will have to just stick to newspapers and magazines for my feed of news.

Mishka Zubov

10-16-2007, 08:27 PM

We are not poles apart
Ashok K Mehta, an Indian columnist, writes about Poland in a daily "The Pioneer". As the title of his essay implies he compares Poland and India, finds many similarities in cultural, economical, political and military spheres and suggests that India might learn a thing or two from Polish experiences.

I am always nicely surprised when I see honest journalistic efforts to understanding Poland, coming from the countries that are not centers of power themselves. This is quite refreshing when compared to mostly superficial articles about Poland - aside from professional reports - appearing elsewhere from time to time. Mr. Mehta might not get all the things right, but this is the effort that counts. A rather interesting read.

see http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnist1.asp?main_variable=Columnist&file_name=mehta%2Fmehta123.txt&writer=mehta

Mishka Zubov

10-16-2007, 10:25 PM

MS, I know what you mean. There is nothing more that I hate than people like Monika Olejnik. She does not show respect or courtesy to her interviewees, and she just keeps on shouting at them. I know that some people might say , well she is a great reporter because she is persistant and keeps on pushing for the answers, but in my eyes she is just a disrespectfull, uncivilized barking dog

I would also like to add how much I hate the Polish media or its reporters. every time I watch any Polish news I think that I have been transported to a alternative world. A world where Polish reporters are not pronounciating Polish words, accordingly. istead of using the polish language, I keep on hearing English words being thrown in , whereever it is possible. They Polish-ize English words to agree with Polish rules of grammar and "ortografia". There are times, when I have to actually check twice, wheather I am actually watching the Poish TV channel and not an American one. Soon the beauty of Polish language will be tottaly destroyed. And instead of listening to Polish language, we will hear few Polish words with Polish-ized English vocabulary words. I will have to just stick to newspapers and magazines for my feed of news.

I will not comment on your statement about Monika Olejnik because we basically agree here - there is nothing more to add.

But the rest - oh boy, a subject-river, as the Polish saying has it.. :-)

The Language

I have mixed feelings about it. There are times that I am as mad as you are when I see the purity of Polish language being trashed by introduction of foreign words for no other reasons but mental laziness. And unfortunately the journalists are mostly to blame because they shape the modern Polish language, not the university professors - who lack such media exposure.

I can understand that there are fields and situations where introduction of an English word is justified - be it because of fast developing technologies, such as computer science, or awkward grammar constraints in certain rare situations. But with some mental efforts even those obstacles could be handled if it was not for intellectual laziness, or maybe some fashion: Look at me, how international I am! For people leaving abroad - like you and I - this seems disgusting and stupid. I must admit that every time I hear or see the words "deweloperzy" or "na niusach" I shiver.

On the other hand I realize that such trend is not new at all. And not only in Polish language. French have been fighting such battles for years. There are language laws in Quebec, Canada aiming at protecting the purity of the French language. But such laws seem like a nuisance - at least for the English speaking inhabitants of Quebec.

Brits themselves take pride in pointing out that the English language itself is a mongrel, which has grown on the basis of so many foreign influences on the Anglo-Saxon core: Danish, Latin, French.

And Polish language has been borrowing from other languages for centuries: Latin (the only written language in Poland till the late 17th century), German (mediaeval and 19th technologies), Italian (mainly Italian cuisine brought to Poland by Queen Bona Sforza), French (a language of diplomacy), and recently English. The truth is that if you take any Polish dictionary you will find that a significant number of words are of foreign origin. I sometimes play games with my English speaking friends proving - with a dictionary at hand - that they can learn Polish in no time: abażur, abdykacja, abiturient, abonament, abonent, absolut, absorpcja, abstrakcja, etc...

Heck, when I hear certain words from other western or south-western Slavic languages - Czech, Slovak, Croatian, Slovenian - I feel sometimes ashamed realizing how much the Polish language has been bastardized by our ancestors over the centuries.

And they sometimes have had it wrong. The word "awantura" comes to mind, which has no connection with its French origin, or the English "adventure" but means "fracas" or "quarrel" in Polish.

As I have been explaining in Polish to one of our forum members - Professor Norman Davies, a historian, gives few funny examples.

In in his selection of essays "Smok wawelski nad Tamizą" (The Wawel's dragon at the Thames), and specifically in his essay "Polski bez frustracja..." (Polish without frustration...) he gives examples of funny language lapses of our ancestors, who had introduced many English words to Polish language, but which either lost their original meaning or their plural/singular characteristics. I quote, translating:

Poles have taken unusual liking to English trousers, which they know in many varieties: "bryczesy" (breeches), "dżinsy" (jeans) and "szorty" (shorts).

These fashion related terms are good illustrations of a peculiar non-English character of Slavic brain, which strenuously ignores plurality of the words ending with "-s". For a Pole "breeches" and "jeans" unambiguously suggest singular masculine words, which is highly inappropriate in relation to a part of clothing with two legs; so to maintain appearance of decency they must add to those words Polish plural endings "-y".

Analogously, English words ending with "-y" often bear unsuitable plural connotations, so the Poles revert the singularity of such words with help of the ending "-s". This is why there are these words: "dandys" (dandy), "jankes" (Yankee), "torys" (tory), dipis (DP, Displaced Person) or "hipis" (hippie).
:-)

SkyUS

10-16-2007, 11:33 PM

Well , I guess the evolution of our Polish language can't be stopped. I just wish that we could make it more flowery. Anglo Saxon language being the predecessor to English language was a brute, and streight to the point language. I personally find it beautiful the way Beowulf was written, but then again it's just me. I guess we should be thankful for Geoffrey Chaucer making and infussing French and Italian words into the English language. He is a great example of an individual actor who had quite the significant impact on the English language. Such has been happening since ever. Romance language come to mind when thinking of such. Cultural diffusion can not be stopped especially today when it takes less than one minute for news to travel around the world. Thanks to inventions such as Internet, and other fast communication systems, people begin to shorten certain words, for the sake of saving time. I am just afraid that in a decade I will be speaking with the Internet influenced language( LOL, ASAP, AAK, etc.) Just take a look here (http://www.dmoz.org/Reference/Dictionaries/By_Subject/Computers/Internet_Terms_and_Acronyms//), for an insight to our near and sad future. Some people say tah it would be more efficient to use such language, but when I try to imagine the "beautiful" poems with such language, I just get sad of such a mere thought.

Mishka Zubov

10-17-2007, 05:11 AM

A tragic incident at a military training area
by MON
Tuesday, October 16, 2007

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/hibneryt_1.jpg

A tragic incident happened yesterday, about 2100 hours, at the Central Training Area of Air Force in Ustka. A soldier has died during night shooting, carried by an anti-aircraft battalion of the 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade from Międzyrzecze.

As a result of an uncontrolled shot from an anti-aircraft kit ZU-23/2 HIBNERYT, caliber 23 mm, private Grzegorz Salomon has died and three other crew members have sustained injuries. The wounded soldiers have been immediately transported to a hospital. The condition of one of them, who has been subjected to a surgery, is serious but stable. Two other soldiers have sustained light injuries and their life is not in danger.

The families of all four soldiers have been notified. The commander of Land Forces ordered a special commission, which went to the place of the incident. The investigation is handled by military prosecutor's office and military police.

(...)

Photo: www.mon.gov.pl (http://www.mon.gov.pl)
source: http://redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=54
translated by MZ

Jocker_89

10-17-2007, 05:19 AM

Sad news :(

R.I.P

Switek

10-17-2007, 05:26 AM

R.I.P. pvt. Grzegorz SALOMON.

http://www.nfow.pl/images/smiles/salut.gif

Mishka Zubov

10-17-2007, 07:58 AM

The accident has happened when a column of three HIBNERYTs has been approaching indicated fire posts. A series of three-four shells from a 23 mm twin-gun of a preceding vehicle hit a following vehicle, killing its driver and turning it over. The crew members of the gun have been hurt - one seriously. The latter has been subjected to a complicated neurosurgical head operation. He currently remains in the intensive therapy ward and breathes with help of a respirator. His condition is still life threatening.

The injuries of the two remaining soldiers are superficial. One has suffered a shoulder blade injury and the other - a lacerated wound of his pinkie, described by doctors as "unfinished amputation".

source: http://www.tvn24.pl/-1,1525103.1,wiadomosc.html

HIBNERYT is designed to shoot in motion, not only from stationary positions, as one of its function is protection of convoys from ground attacks. I do not think the soldiers have been operating the armored version of the kit, the HIBNERIT-P, since only several such vehicles have been manufactured so far (exactly three - as of the end of September). But even the armored cabin would not protect the driver from the 23 mm shells, since the front armor of the cabin provides only for protection against 7.62 mm shells. R.I.P. pvt. Grzegorz SALOMON.

More about the armored version of HIBNERYT: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2810336&postcount=334

Mishka Zubov

10-17-2007, 02:13 PM

Remembrance day of soldiers, killed and wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan and other peace missions
2007-10-17 12:22:58
The day of October the 14th was celebrated in Wazi-Khwa base in unusually solemn way.

The day of October the 14th - Remembrance Day of soldiers, killed and wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan and other peace missions - was celebrated in Wazi-Khwa base in unusually solemn way.

It coincided with transfer of duties from the 1st to the 2nd rotation of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan (PMC-A). Soldiers of both rotations participated, at the various levels, in the celebration; on one hand - reviewing together their difficult service, on the other hand - remembering their killed and wounded colleagues with whom some of them have served in various places of the world.

In the morning of the Day there was the 1st Marathon Race in Afghanistan, under the patronage of the 8th Poznań Marathon. In this untypical way a group of soldiers-runners has decided to pay tribute to the killed in action. It was Father Maj. Henryk KACZMAREK, a chaplain of Wazi-Khwa base, who had come with the idea of the race and who also participated in the race. In the group of 17 runners there was a six-person team of American soldiers, which included one woman.

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The Marathon, taking place at 2300 meters above sea level, started at 0800 hours, local time. The participants had to endure 35 loops, 1215 meters each, altogether 42,195 meters. The route was technically difficult due to very uneven and sandy terrain.

The race winner, WO Mariusz SZOSTAK, reached the finish line with the time of 03:49:30 and the last participant with the 07:01:17 time. Despite the great challenge 16 runners have happily finished the race. The organizers of the 8th Poznań Marathon should be given the words of thanks for their approval and patronage over the race.

A focal point of the Remembrance Day was a mass celebrated in intent of all soldiers killed in missions to Iraq, Afghanistan and other places, where Polish soldiers had served. Many Wazi-Khwa soldiers participated in the mass. They came to pray for those who had walked the same road but had not been given a chance to return home and who had given their life away while serving the Fatherland.

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/1377.jpg

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The mass started with the "Mother's tears", a musical piece that had been played from the tower of Mariacki Church in Kraków, instead of the traditional bugle-call "Hejnał", on the funeral day of John Paul II. After the fires of remembrance have been lit the commander of Battle Team "C" recited the poem "Testament of the Fallen, 1942" by Ryszard Kiersnowski[1]:

We have not departed for fanfares to be sounded.
We've no need of glory in memorial orations.
Not to save the old world did we willingly perish,
Or that falsehood might blossom from dead generations.

We've no need to be subject of florid pronouncements,
Or a point of great value for furious dispute.
And let no man presume to reap his compensation
Through all that is holy in a soldier's last salute.

Beneath the turf of green there are no class distinctions,
No longer social cleavage can hope to wound our pride.
Respect this equal spirit. When blackouts are lifted,
Our ghosts together fallen let no one dare divide.

(...)

[1]I found this translation here:
source: http://dragonrazer.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_archive.html

Next, the names of 71 soldiers of Polish Armed Forces were read - who had died serving in Polish military contingents of peace forces of international organizations. A sound of gong was reminding us that they were no longer with us but we wanted to recall their memory, the memory of our comrades in arms. The name, date of death and the service location of each fallen soldiers was being displayed on a screen - simultaneously with the reading of his name.

After the mass, Maj. Olgierd CIEŚLA, a commander of Battle Team "C", thanked his soldiers for their excellent and committed service and wished them safe and happy return home. Each soldier received a commemorative token from the commander.

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These are the last days of service on Afghani soil for the soldiers from Wazi-Khwa base. In a short period of time they have achieved a lot. They have shown their true colors - gaining respect and appreciation in the eyes of local population. Today the uniform of Polish soldier and the white-red flag are not something unknown to Afghans from Wazi-Khwa and neighboring districts, who know that they can always count on help of Polish soldiers. The first step in the "fight for hearts and minds" has been already made. Its continuation is a task for soldiers of the 2nd rotation of the Battle team "C" of PMC-A. We wish them the soldier's luck.

Author: Battle Team "C"
Photos: Archive of Battle team C
source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_205.html
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-17-2007, 10:18 PM

Findings of WW2 ammunition are being reported almost on daily basis in Polish press. This usually happens during construction work. Some such findings are spectacular - either because of a caliber of an artillery shell found or a size of an ammunition cache. This finding was rather small, but here are some photos to show.

This was discovered during work at a wharf of the Swinoujscie harbour on Thursday, October 11. An operator of an excavator noticed a rusted box with ammunition in the excavator's bucket, along with the bed sediment. The box contained 16 WW2 hand grenades. After close scrutiny of the excavated mud a mortar grenade and 13 machine gun shells have been also found.

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/foto.jpg

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source: http://www.mw.mil.pl/index.php?vhost=www&akcja=news&id=18243&limes=

Mishka Zubov

10-18-2007, 05:34 PM

Arrests in Diwaniyah
2007-10-18, Diwaniyah.

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Iraqi security forces, in cooperation with soldiers of Multinational Division Center-South (MND CS), arrested two dangerous criminals in Diwaniyah. Both detainees are accused of carrying murders and of financing and planning terrorist operations in Qasadiyah province.

The detainees have been members of Qasadiyah Provincial Council. They are also linked to Mahdi Army. Besides terrorist activity they are also accused of abusing their official authority. They have been detained on the basis of Diwaniyah Court of Justice injunction.

Soldiers of MND CS carry mutual operations and train the 8th Division of Iraqi Army and Iraqi police in Qasadiyah province. "This particular operation has been successful due to daily exchange of information and coordination of activities between these three units. These arrests are related to the latest attacks on the bases of coalition forces and on civilian population" - assessed Maj-Gen. Tadeusz Buk.

Lt-Col W?odzimierz G?ogowski
Press Officer
Chief of Press Information Section
Multinational Division Center-South

source: http://www.mon.gov.pl/pl/artykul/3642
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 02:29 AM

Spaniards reorder AW129
2007-10-16

Spanish sea safety agency, Sasemar, ordered a second batch of AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters. This time a contract was signed for delivery of two AW139, variant SAR (Search and Rescue) - to be used for search and rescue of sea wreckers and evacuation of crew members from sea vessels.

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/i-i07-10-75hiszpania-aw139-1.jpg
AW139 is a medium, two-engine helicopter carrying 15 passengers, built in various varieties. 280 such units have been built so far for 80 recipients in more than 30 countries. This helicopter has been offered in a bid for carrying Polish VIPs but the offer - the only one satisfying all requirements - has been rejected for no apparent reasons.In February 2006 the Sasemar ordered three AW139 units dedicated to sea operations. These helicopters will be equipped with winch for hoisting people from water, thermal camera for observations in extremely difficult viewing conditions, radar for tracking surface objects, splash down equipment and autopilot operating in four planes of freedom.

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One AW139 helicopter was symbolically handed over to pilots of Estonian Border Guard on October 12, 2007, during an official celebration in Tallin. Estonia has chosen and ordered two AW139 for border patrol operations, as well as for rescue operations in their frontier zone - using Program Schengen funds from European Union.WSK PZL Świdnik manufactures fuselages for all helicopters of AugustaWestland company. A fuselage number 500 has been delivered to Italians on June 9, 2006 - marking 10 years of cooperation. Currently PZL Świdnik produces 100 fuselages per year for AgustaWestland. They are made with modern composite technology.

PZL Świdnik also cooperates with Bell, another manufacturer of helicopters, producing tail booms to its M412 helicopters. On November 2007, a tail boom number 100 has been delivered to Bell Canada. Since the year 2003 Świdnik has been producing 30 tail booms each year. Last May the contract with Bell has been extended to the year 2010.
source: http://www.altair.com.pl/
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 03:48 AM

CV90120T and PT-91M presented at Drawsko
2007-10-16

On October 16-17, 2007 the Grupa Bumar, ZM Bumar Łabędy and BAE SYSTEMS Hagglunds presented capabilities of PT-91M (SP2) and CV90120T tanks at the Drawsko Pomorskie training grounds. Among the invited guests were reporters and representatives of the Land Forces Command. The demonstration involved shooting with the training sub-caliber shells 120 mm APFSDS-T-TP L1 120 – L44, manufactured in cooperation with ZPS Pionki, FPS in Bolechów and ZM Kraśnik; and 125 mm shells with the training sub-caliber projectile TPSD-T, manufactured by ZPS Pionki.

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/i-i07-10-76drawsko-cv-pt1.jpg
A unique photo of size comparison of 49-tones PT-91M tank with the light tank CV90120T / Photo: Grzegorz HołdanowiczOn the first day traction capabilities of the two tanks have been demonstrated. ZM Bumar Łabędy shortly confirmed finalization of the Malaysian contract, according to earlier agreements and without contractual penalties [because of the late delivery - MZ]. Bumar also confirmed its PT-91Ex offer to Polish Armed forces in one of two versions: (1) modernization of the earlier PT-91A/A1 or (2) delivery of the new version with potential buyback of the earlier vehicles. The latter offer would be quite unusual in view of the current regulations.

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The second prototype (serial pattern) of PT-91M tank during presentation at Drawsko Pomorskie training grounds. Shooting with 125 mm shells with the training sub-caliber projectile TPSD-T, manufactured by ZPS Pionki / Photo: Grzegorz HołdanowiczIllustrative drawings of a technical support vehicle WZT-4 have been also shown. This vehicle is described as a completely new solution, integrated with engineering-road machine MID-M, as well as with PT-91M tank. The vehicle has a hydraulic 20-tones lift placed at its right-hand side. According to Bumar, work on the WZT-4 and the associated bridge PMC-Leguan is late, but the contract should be delivered on time and the first units should be presented soon.

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CV90120T tank, as demonstrated to Polish Armed Forces. As opposed to a version demonstrated at MSPO 2007 (Kielce Fair) this version is equipped with remote controlled Saab Lemur weapon / Photo: Grzegorz HołdanowiczHagglunds representatives were stressing a prototyped, or even pre-prototyped, character of the presented CV90120T. Drawings of its target version Mk III have been shown first time ever. It will be equipped with a new turret, adjusted to new requirements of potential users.

The afternoon presentation, in the presence of about 100 representatives of Land Forces, involved target shooting. Maj-Gen Paweł Lamla, a commander of the 11th "Lubuska" Armored Cavalry Division, was shooting with CV90120T tank, while Maj-Gen. Michnowicz, a commander of 16th Mechanized Division, was shooting with moving PT-91M. All shells have been delivered on targets.

The Drawsko demonstration was one of the last tests of CV90120 in Poland. In few days the tank will be returning to Sweden via Gdynia.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/i-i07-10-76drawsko-cv-pt4.jpg
Polish ammunition 120 mm APFSDS-T-TP L1 120 – L44 was used during the shooting. The photo shows the shell being loaded at the back part of CV90120T turret / Photo: Grzegorz Hołdanowiczsource: http://www.altair.com.pl/
translated by MZ

lightfire

10-19-2007, 06:21 AM

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8707&Itemid=69

[1]Curious - what on earth this meant, I found the following piece via Google. I still do not understand what was the source of those problems. Anyone?

Belgian source: http://home.scarlet.be/~jansensa/Three%20years%20of%20NATO%20Baltic%20Air%20Policing.htm (http://home.scarlet.be/%7Ejansensa/Three%20years%20of%20NATO%20Baltic%20Air%20Policing.htm)

The deployment of NATO combat aircraft to a former Warsaw Pact country so close to the Russian border aroused much press attention. The departure of the aircraft from Kleine-Brogel Air Base in Belgium and their arrival at Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania were covered live by numerous radio and television stations. The announced arrival in Lithuania was front page news for several days throughout the country.

During the Soviet period, Šiauliai was a closed city for its own inhabitants and a forbidden city for foreigners because of its military importance. Inhabitants of the city could not travel freely and nobody could visit them except for once a year during an organised meeting on a specific place. This meant that the local population had not been much in contact with other people or foreigners and by no means with members of NATO, the former adversary.

This led, in Luthuania as well as in Belgium, to an out of proportion press coverage of some minor incidents between members of the detachment and local people. The attention given to these rather anecdotic events was so disproportionate in scale and in time that the Belgians still encountered some prejudices at the beginning of their second detachment in 2006.

?

Better later than never with the answer.
I believe this article is slightly a pile of...natural dung.
First of all, deployment was in NATO member country, not in (even) former Warsaw Pact member country. The media covverage was bigger than ussual due to the importance of the event itself - NATO airspace has been secured since the first day of membership, when first F-16s have landed. After the mission began incursions into Baltic airspace have reduced quite significantlly, except few ocassions. Then Šiauliai was not sucha forbiden city as media described. Zokniai, the village near the base was forbiden, but the city itself wasn't such a ubersecrectclosed place afterall, I myself with parents visited it in 1988, as far as I remember without any problems, and the parents did not have any privileges or relations from/with soviet authorities.

And of the problems.. well...p-) After hard day of duty belgians found that some relaxation activities might end quite bitterlly. Use of alcohol (sometimes excessive despite MP presence), thus leading into small conflicts with some local population (which in Siauliai has a sort of reputation, like some rednecks from Lodz or Wroclav) over girls etc. There were few cases, when completlly drunk belgians have been robbed either by prostitues, either by some punks, therefore some might have some sore memories, I gues. However, lessons have been learnt and bigger control has been taken over, esspecially, after brits arrived. Tough guys, local "heroes" have got beaten quite hard (and MP added to that more) and did not attempt to repeat same mistakes again.

[2] I am a bit at loss here. There is a Polish-Ukrainian battalion, POLUKRBAT, which has been serving in many peace missions abroad, mainly in Kosovo. There are, or at least have been, Lithuanian soldiers serving in that battalion. On the other hand, there has been some Ukrainian opposition to that battalion, and I really do not know what is its current status. Is it formal or just informal? And I have also heard about some short lived Polish-Lithuanian unit.
Does it all mean that they finally decided to formalize the existing unit or create a new one - stressing the Lithuanian part of it

Ah yes, it's a bit confusing. There was a common Lithuanian - Polish battalion. LITPOLBAT it was called. The project was created mainly for common international missions, thus training, exercises etc. After Lithuania became member of NATO the need of this battalion has decreassed. Lithuanian soldiers in international missions ussually were attached to Polish contingent ( in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq), which ussually also included ukrainian contingent. The POLUKRBAT project certainlly is active and real, I am not sure, whether this one was enchanced to POLUKRLITBAT, or it's yet another separate project, however in 2005, May 10th in Kiev a protocol was signed of the creation of POLUKRLITBAT for international peacekeeping missions. As for today Polish, Lithuanian and Ukrainian soldiers serve in POLUKRBAT in Kosovo toogether ( Rzeczpospolita task force FTW!)

Switek

10-19-2007, 06:35 AM

Rzeczpospolita task force FTW!

Good one! rofl

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 01:49 PM

Yeah. They only need some wings. :-)

BTW, I recently came across a novel by Jonathan Scott, "On wings", also available online, http://www.jonathantscott.com/on-wings.pdf.
This is for aficionados of husaria. I thumbed through its 480 pages - he did some research, its action flows OK but I am not that impressed to hotly recommend it. Just some "curiosum" but understandable considering that the book had been commissioned by some Pole.

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 01:51 PM

F-16 aircrafts begin night flights
by pap
October 19, 2007

31st Air Base in Poznań Krzesiny will begin night exercises of F-16 aircrafts as of next Monday. The flights are scheduled from 1900 to 2200 hours - as PAP was informed on Friday by Capt. Waldemar Krzyżanowski, a press spokesman for 31st Air Base.

The night flights of F-16 fighters will be carried 4-5 times a month. According to military sources, such flights are necessary since pilots must learn to fly in any atmospheric conditions - and either day or night.

"Landings will happen without any additional approach simulations, therefore the inhabitants of neighboring settlements will not even notice a moment when an exercise is finished. To keep the number of flight constant the morning flights will not be scheduled on the days of planned night flights" - added Capt. Krzyżanowski.

There are protests of inhabitants of neighboring settlements against the F-16 flights. Some of them demand compensation for noise caused by F-16 aircraft taking off from the nearby military base.
(...)

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8917&Itemid=69
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 02:57 PM

Doctors: health condition of Ambassador Pietrzyk is good
by PAP
Friday, October 19, 2007

"Health condition of Polish Ambassador to Iraq Edward Pietrzyk, wounded in terrorist attack in Bagdad, is described by doctors as good. The patient is disconnected from the respirator, breathes on his own, and is in good communication" - states a communique sent to PAP from West Pomeranian Center for Treatment of Heavy Burns in Gryfice.

Ambassador Pietrzyk, staying almost two weeks in the Center, has suffered burns to respiration system and about 25% area of his body. The doctors continue treatment of burns and patient's rehabilitation - states the communique.

Speaking to PAP, dr. Andrzej Krajewski, a center ordinator, said that the ambassador has been disconnected from the respirator last Wednesday and that he can speak. When asked about how long the patient will be hospitalized the doctor said that it all depended on the hospitalization progress and healing of wounds. He added that the after burn wounds heal well and that skin grafts might not be necessary.

(...)

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8895&Itemid=69
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 03:15 PM

Attack on Polish patrol in Iraq
by Włodzimierz Głogowski
Friday, october 19, 2007

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/1.jpg

A patrol of coalition forces has been ambushed this morning in eastern Diwaniyah. The attack started with explosion of three IEDs, followed by shelling with a machine gun and an anti-tank grenade launcher.

Nobody in the patrol has been hurt. The Quick Reaction Force, made of Polish helicopters, has been immediately called. After the positive target identification and directing the fire by the ground patrol the helicopters have opened fire - destroying the enemy position. Consequently, two rebels have died and the rest have withdrawn.

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/2.jpg http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/3.jpg

Photo: MNDCS
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8929&Itemid=27
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 03:56 PM

Watch the video and read the transcript [in Polish though] - this is a tragicomedy. A hospital ward nurse, who received a phone from an emergency department[sic!] asking for confirmation that something was wrong with her patient, played it dumb - behaving like a bureaucrat. And the doctor did not sound any better.

A hospital patient called the emergency department
A patient from Grodzisko Mazowieckie, afraid of his health, called the emergency department to a ward where he stayed. The patient, who had undergone a large intestine surgery, suddenly began vomiting blood and felt bad. No help was provided even though he has asked medical personnel for such help. Seeing no other choice he called the ambulance asking for help. The hospital states that the patient was not in danger and that the doctor was just busy with more serious case.
source: http://www.tvn24.pl/2080251,12690,0,0,1,wideo.html
translated by MZ

** edit **
There are more horrors from the same hospital
http://www.tvn24.pl/-1,1525400,wiadomosc.html

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 04:43 PM

A novelist advices Poles
2007-10-19 00:47

Frederick Forsyth: Do not let Muslims in

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/532184-CEPCache.jpg

Famous British novelist discusses in "Dziennik" whether Poland could be attacked by Islam terrorists. According to him, if this could ever happen the best possibility for the terrorist attack would be EURO 2012.

[Stating the obvious in eight big paragraphs - I'll spare you the reading. - MZ]

If I were a Polish minister responsible for security I'd do - first of all - four things:

1. I would not be afraid of Schnegen but I'd tighten the borders and carefully monitor the border points. Observe, observe and observe once again - this brings the results.

2. I'd infiltrate Polish Muslim society with agents.

3. I'd be very careful in planning big sport events. I'd order detailed monitoring of fans, especially those coming by land from the west of Europe.

4. I'd order discrete control of all off the shelf products, which could be used to produce explosives. I'd make sure that the sales force writes down and notifies the police about any major shopping of this sort.
source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=64629
translated by MZ

Oh, my - the "Dziennik" is getting better and better. Several recent essays, by a journalist I'd rather not name, have been especially refreshing.

Jocker_89

10-19-2007, 05:49 PM

Detainees in Ad Diwaniyah

On the 18th of October Iraqi Security Forces in cooperation with soldiers from Multinational Division Central South (MND CS) arrested two dangerous criminals. They are suspected of murders and planning and sponsoring terrorist activity in Quadisiyah province.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3226

Detainees were members of the Quadisiyah province Council and they are connected with Mahdi Army. They were detained according to Ad Diwaniyah Court warrant for the arrest. Apart from terrorist activities they are accused of the abuse of authority. Common operations and training soldiers from the 8th Iraqi Army Division are essential elements of the MND CS activity. This operation was successful thanks to daily information – sharing and activities coordination. Those detainees are connected with last attacks against Camp Echo and the civilian population from Ad Diwaniyah - commander of Multinational Division Central South Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk said.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3227

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3228

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3229
http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2821693&postcount=388
The same news but from http://www.piomndcs.mil.pl/index.php?vhost=mndcs&akcja=news&id=1021&limes=

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 06:05 PM

F-16 in Krzesiny
2007-10-19

There are already 27 out of 32 F-16 fighters stationed in Krzesiny air base. Today the base has 18 fighters of version C (single seat) and 9 fighters of version D (two seats).

18 pilots have already graduated from the 24-months air course in USA. Planned number of flight hours for the year 2007 is 2310 hours. Until now the F-16 pilots have spent in the air 1811 hours - about 85% of the plan.

The following photos, made by Mariusz Adamski, present F-16 fighters during training flights.

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/i-i07-10-92f16krzesiny1.jpg

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/i-i07-10-92f16krzesiny2.jpg

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/i-i07-10-92f16krzesiny3.jpg

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/i-i07-10-92f16krzesiny4.jpg

source: http://www.altair.com.pl/
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 07:26 PM

Canadians visiting Polish Land Forces Command

On October 19, 2007 a delegation of Canadian officers, headed by Canadian Brig-Gen. David Fraser, a commandant of Defense Academy of Canadian Armed Forces, was visiting Polish Land Forces Command. The guests were hosted by Polish Lt-Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak, a commander of Land Forces.

During the meeting, lasting several hours, the Canadian delegation and the Polish officers were exchanging their experiences related to various transformation aspects and development perspectives of land forces in both countries. Analysis of situation in Afghanistan and experiences from ISAF operations were important parts of the discussion. General Fraser was willingly answering questions and sharing his battle experiences.

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/2.jpg

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/1976.jpg

(...)

WO Adam Roik
source: http://www.army.mil.pl/10_07/191007_dwl2/191007_dwl.html
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 07:58 PM

Iraqi Violence Moves South
By DARRIN MORTENSON/BAGHDAD
Friday, Oct. 19, 2007

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/diwaniyah_1019.jpg
An Iraqi man carries the body of a child killed during an attack at a Polish Army base in Diwaniyah. Qassen Zein / AFP / Amid reports of mounting Shi'a infighting there, officials in the Southern city of Diwaniyah, about 100 miles south of Baghdad, say that not only Iran but other neighboring countries in the Gulf may be involved in stoking the violence. Two incidents this week have ratcheted up their concern. On Wednesday, seven Iraqi police officers were killed by a bomb in the nearby village of Afak. That followed bloodshed on Monday, when at least six civilians were killed and dozens wounded in a mortar barrage on the Polish-run Coalition base in town.

Such spectacular incidents overshadow the almost daily clashes between the rival Shi'ite militias that inevitably kill and maim civilians. Diwaniyah now nearly rivals Basra as a vicious free-for-all in the growing civil war among the Shi'a. While none of the recent fighting can be directly linked to any outside group, local security officials say that they can now add to the list of troublemakers elements of al-Qaeda and other Sunni Arab fighters, who appear to be taking advantage of the chaos to regain a toehold in the region and accelerate the flow of Shi'a blood.

Diwaniyah's Iraqi security chief, Sheik Hussein Hadi al Buderi, said at least 50 "Afghans," local slang for Iraqi or foreign Sunni militants trained abroad for jihad, have recently "penetrated" the town. "Yes," he said, "there is a presence of al-Qaeda now in Diwaniyah."

Even without these new sectarian elements, clashes between Shi'a factions have made Diwaniyah a recent flashpoint in Iraq even as other areas, most notably cities in Anbar Province, have calmed down. The local government and security forces of Diwaniyah are largely controlled by the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC) and its armed wing, the Badr Corps, who are challenged almost daily in the streets by members of the rival Jaish al Mahdi, the militia loyal to cleric Moqtada al Sadr. (The SIIC was formerly known as the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, with the initials SCIRI.) While both groups are engaged in a raw and bloody fight for dominance in the region, they are also pitted against each other by basic political positions that are key to the Shi'ite majority in search of a national identity and place in Iraq's future.

In general, the SIIC and Badr militia, who have shown more willingness to work with both the Coalition and Iran in their bid for power, advocate a soft partitioning of Iraq and the creation of a semi-autonomous political region in the South that they, of course, would control. The Sadrists, for their part, wrap themselves in a nationalist banner and advocate a strong central government in Baghdad, where the Sadrists have the majority of their most fervent constituency and the ear of the Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, and where they run several key government ministries.

Although the two groups recently pledged to work together in an accord signed by Sadr and SIIC leader Abdul Aziz al Hakim two weeks ago in Iran, the power grab plays out daily on the streets of southern cities such as Diwaniyah. "What's happening in this town is like a political duel over who's going to govern," said Ali al Mayali, a Sadrist member of the Iraqi Parliament. "It's a fight to control the street." Fueling that fight, Mayali said, is money and other support from neighboring countries. He would not point fingers. While U.S. officials point to the presence of Iranian-trained cells of both Badr and Sadr militias in Diwaniyah, residents talk also of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states having a hand in the growing violence. "There is a lot of money being spent in Diwaniyah and all over Iraq to create chaos and intolerance," Mayali said.

Besides Sadr's Jaish al Mahdi and Hakim's Badr Corps, a new group has recently surfaced in the city called the Brigade of Hussein, named after the 7th Century Shi'ite martyr Imam Hussein, the central figure of Shi'a Islam. The group claimed responsibility for the recent attack on the Polish ambassador in Baghdad, a coordinated ambush that included a series of timed explosions and pre-planned gunfire that wounded the ambassador and killed one of his security guards. In Diwaniyah, locals say these armed groups may focus their attention on the local Polish base in the city in an effort to push the Coalition out of the city. That's just what the militias did with the British in Basra, leaving the city up for grabs for an all-out fight for power, an intra-sect bloodbath that Sunni extremists would only love to hasten and exploit.

With reporting by TIME's Iraqi staff in the South
source: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1673730,00.html

Mishka Zubov

10-19-2007, 08:15 PM

Polish tanks being tested after delivery
Tuesday October 16, 2007
By PAUL GABRIEL

KUALA LUMPUR: Six of the 48 PT-91M Twardy main battle tanks, ordered from Poland for the army, have been delivered and are undergoing tests here.

The remaining Twardy (which means tough in Polish) tanks and 14 support/military vehicles, sought under an RM1.4bil military deal signed in 2003, will arrive in batches.

The deal made big news as it was the maiden acquisition of main battle tanks for the armed forces.

Previously, the army only had 26 of the British-made Scorpion 90 light tanks.

The Polish tanks were chosen over other battle tank designs due to their lighter combat weight (42 tonnes), which better suit local terrain and soil conditions.

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/n_19tanks.jpg
Army use: The PT-91M Twardy tank, which made its appearance at the 50th Merdeka parade recently, was chosen over other designs due to its lighter combat weight.
The six tanks, assigned to the Royal Armoured Corps based in Gemas, Negri Sembilan, made their maiden public appearance at the 50th Merdeka parade.A Defence Ministry spokesman said military personnel were testing the tanks and an official launching ceremony would be held later.

The contract with Poland also covers defence technology transfer to Malaysia and training courses for local military personnel in Poland.

The “after-sales service” from Poland will include setting up an ammunition manufacturing depot and tank repair plant here.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who inked the tank deal with Poland, will inspect the tanks soon.

Polish Ambassador to Malaysia Eugeniusz Sawicki said the arrival of the first batch of tanks signalled a proud moment for his country’s military industry.

“The tank deal was clinched after long negotiations. The tanks have been custom-made for Malaysia’s requirements,” he said.

MMC Defence Sdn Bhd, which specialises in armoured vehicle technology, is involved in the project with Bumar Labedy, the tank’s manufacturers.

The anti-explosion tanks, which had upgraded speed, power, communications system and firing range, can manoeuvre to reach difficult terrain.
source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/10/16/nation/19139487&sec=nation

Mishka Zubov

10-20-2007, 03:51 PM

Borne-Sulinowo - a town on mines and duds

Michał Stankiewicz
2007-10-20
Jokers say: "Borne-Sulinowo. Cheap lots. And also armed." But investors do not see it as a joke.

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/lotnic11.jpg
An aerial view of Borne-SulinowoA businessman has bought 21 hectares of land for planned rehabilitation center and hairdresser's on the outskirts of Borne. "He first found one dud. He thought it was an isolated case. But when he discovered several more shells he approached the municipality with complaint that he was loosing money and that he could not operate because it was too dangerous there" - says Renata Pietkiewicz-Chmyłkowska, the town mayor.

The municipality agreed and asked the State Treasury for money to disarm the terrain. It received 80 thousands zlotys. "We have found 15 duds on his lot" - adds the mayor. The money lasted only for several more lots. "But practically there are shells, hand grenades and mines all over the town area. We will be asking for more subsidies. I want to comb out the entire town" - announces Renata Pietkiewicz-Chmyłkowska.

Borne-Sulinowo, situated among forests of Western Pomerania, was first a base of German military forces, and then a base of Soviet forces after WW2. Soviets have built their own town there - with the airport, railroad and military training grounds. This is how it was until October 1992 when the last Soviet soldier has left the base.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/lotnic6.jpg
Former Red Army barracks in Borne-Sulinowo"We came here in September. I remember rows of containers along the Independence Avenue. Russians were packing their belongings" - recalls Tomasz Skowronek, a forester. Together with two colleagues he was sent by State Forests to take over the area from the Russians. They have been charged with creating a forest inspectorate. 70% of today's Borne are State Forests, and only 30% of land belongs to municipality. Skowronek says that the situation reminded him the year 1945, when Poles were taking over deserted German towns. "When the last train has left the town was quiet, gates were closed, Polish soldiers were standing on guard. Luckily the town was technically operating - there was water and electricity. We had problems with finding switches and shut-downs though. We have learned, for example, that there was only one power meter here."

A year after the foresters came Borne became a town. And it began to reconstruct itself. Cheap accommodation brought people from all over Poland. A flat could be bought for three monthly wages. Retired people, especially from Silesia, had been coming here. They took their retirement pays and went after the fresh air" - says the mayor.

She came here in 1995. A history teacher, she quit work in Toruń and came here with daughter and husband. She immediately fit in here. "I began as a director of a culture center. I was a town councillor, and I became a mayor last year" - she describes.

Today the municipality has 10 thousands inhabitants, and the town itself more than four thousands. The greatest advantage is the nature: micro-climate, beautiful forests and lakes. This is why the town wants to attract tourists. In summers - besides summer camps kids and adult tourists - treasure hunters and militaria lovers come. And everything would be well if it was not for mines and duds.

"I would be an unreliable official if I were claiming that the town was safe" - admits Renata Pietkiewicz-Chmyłkowska. "Why only now? We have had more important needs: electricity, pavement, street. But we have to do something about it now. After de-mining the investor's lot the town plans such operations around the lake and on the beach. The forest inspectorate has begun de-mining of forests around the town three years ago. Hired companies have checked 550 hectares of land to the level of one meter below the surface.

"We have found 170,000 dangerous materials" - stresses Ryszard Szatkowski, a chief forester. He shows the pictures. Most typical finds are the shells of caliber from 5 mm to 400 mm, grenades, mines, empty cases, and even anti-armor grenade launchers and rockets. De-mining is costly though. Until now the forest inspectorate has spent one million zlotys from subsidies. They recently obtained 800 thousands more. This should be enough for 260 hectares. But it is still not enough. "We are facing at least 3000 hectares to check" - says Szatkowski.

A military Terra Incognita on the maps

Borne-Sulinowo has appeared on maps in the 30s of the 20th century - as a German military base, built from scratch. During WW2 Germans have established an international POW camp in town vicinity, with more than 60,000 soldiers of many nationalities imprisoned there one time or another. There are estimates of at least dozen or so thousands who have died and have been buried in the nearby forests.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/Bs000.jpg
A billboard at approach to German Gross Born, today's Borne Sulinowo, from Nadarzyce. Late 30s of 20th centuryhttp://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/Bs074.jpg
The Officer's House, view from the lake. Late 30s of 20th century.After the war the Russian have created their own base there. This was terra incognita on the maps. In 1992 the last Soviet soldiers have left Borne and the Sulinowo municipality has been renamed as Borne-Sulinowo.

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/s110-2.jpg
Red Army sport activities. Today's intersection of Brzechwa and Rej streetshttp://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/s107-2.jpg
First Soviet contingent units departing from Borne in the early 90s.Today the municipality has 46.6 thousands of hectares, mostly forested areas. There are also 57 lakes.

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/dom_of_z_tylu.jpg
The Officer's House, view from the lake. Current photo.http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/rzeka-11.jpg
Pilawa Riverhttp://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/rzeka-14.jpg
Nenuphars, white waterlilies, on Pilawa riverhttp://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/wrzosy4.jpg
Heather in Borne-Sulinowo municipalityhttp://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/wrzosy5.jpg
Fields of heather in Kłomino, Borne-Sulinowo municipalitySource: http://www.rp.pl/artykul/2,63809.html
Translated by MZ
Photos courtesy of official Borne-Sulinowo website, http://www.bornesulinowo.pl/
see also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borne_Sulinowo

Myths, legends, curiosities

Borne Sulinowo has always been shrouded in mystery, which is understandable, considering a town history. Two great armies, which had ruled here, had not need any advertisement of their activities. Entire structure of the town was built for Wehrmacht from scratch, which provided technical possibility for creation of a secret part of town, underground. Equally mysterious as their stay here was sudden departure of German soldiers from the town. During the battles of Pomeranian Wall - Gross Born being its important part - the German soldiers simply left the town, leaving it intact.

Equally mysterious, if not more mysterious, was the "Soviet period" in history of town, where Borne was the most guarded base of the Northern Military Group. Officially, the Red Army did not have any strategic weapons with nuclear warheads on Polish territory. However, huge rocket silos have been left behind, which probably housed those "non-existing" weapons.
(...)

A ghost-town, or how to hide 18,000 hectares

Officially Borne Sulinowo did not exist. It was not placed on maps or road atlases and the roads leading to it vanished somewhere near Krągi or Starowice. And if they did not vanish then they "led" to Pile Lake only, or sometimes to a spot on a map, named "Sulinowo". Such maps, uncovering a part of mystery, have started appearing only in 70th.

Besides, this did not make any difference, because the road for a disoriented driver would end just beyond Krągi, in front of a barrier, with armed Red Army guards proposing: "turn around" - which obviously could not be refused. Similar barrier was near Starowice on the road from Nadarzyce, and another one at the Liszkowo bridge on the road from Łobowo.

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/ciekaw7.jpg
Information (or rather disinformation) billboard where many places did not exist: Borne, Kłomino, Zalewy Nadarzyckie etc.http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/ciekaw8.jpg
A brave spelling, but the meaning unequivocal. In Russian: "Stoy nazad", Stand back. In bad Polish "STUI. WRUCZ", should be "STÓJ. WRÓĆ" - Stop. Go back.A guide for tourists-kayakers described the shores of the Pile lake as "inaccessible, not suited for camping". Similarly, 18,000 hectares of military training grounds have been described in land registry as "forested terrains".

Rocket silos

There is a mysterious terrain, deep in the forrest, 30 km from Borne Sulinowo. This mini-town was self-supporting. There was everything required for normal living: command building, army barracks, garages, shops, movie theater and apartment blocks. Children used to be ferried to school in Borne-Sulinowo. About 300 soldiers of this elite unit and officers with families stationed there.

Construction of the objects in "middle of the forest" started in 1972. The work lasted continuously for six years. The terrain has been surrounded by a triple fence and live wired barbed-wire entanglement. The area was patrolled by armed soldiers. Nobody could approach this ultra secret base.

Only after the Soviets left it became apparent that this was a rocket base, where - besides common buildings - there were silos for movable rocket launchers with nuclear warheads.

Currently this secret and modern super-base is in a state of complete devastation. The locals have been "acquiring" secondary resources from the base. For example a silo door has vanished, which would not be that mysterious if it were not for the fact that one wing of such door was 3 meters wide, 6 meters tall, 40 cm thick and it weighed over 4 tones. In addition, the door had been welded and all opening devices had been removed. Nevertheless the door is there no more, which surely confirms to the thesis "A Pole is able".

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/ciekaw1.jpg
A hiding place for a vehicle with a tactical rockets' launcherhttp://hotimg5.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/ciekaw9.jpg
A photo of the base taken right after the Soviet army has leftHome gas stations

During the times when Red Army was stationed there the "Polish-Soviet friendship" was being executed at the basic level of intensive trade between the soldiers of "allied army" and local population. This is the best example that the citizen initiative is definitely able to outgo international agreements. Gasoline had a special place in such barter, since Red Army soldiers had too much of it somehow, and the local population - too little of it and too expensive.

Nobody cared for one gallon containers; they bartered in barrels and that's why a new institution - specific to area - has been born: "Home gas stations". These were all sorts of shape and size containers where soldiers poured out "surplus" of their fuel.

After the Soviets left many locals have been forced first time in their life to buy fuel in a real, official gas station. Obviously they were not happy with it. The Soviet prices had been beyond any comparison.

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/ciekaw10.jpg
Fuel containers at the main fuel center - 2 km out of town. The fuel stored here was not only used for propelling tanks or other military vehiclesMany more interesting pictures and curiosities here:
http://bornesulinowo.net/Turystyka/Ciekawostki/ciekawostki.htm
translated by MZ

Switek

10-20-2007, 04:04 PM

I used to drive few times via Borne Sulinowo few years ago, beautiful, quiet place...

Mishka Zubov

10-20-2007, 04:12 PM

Looks like it, I especially love those heather fields and waterways. I have never been to Borne-Sulinowo but I used to do a lot of kayaking west of there - Czaplinek, Drawsko, Stara Drawa river.

There were Russian signs on military training grounds.

Believe it or not - we once met a couple of Soviet soldiers fishing and who admitted seeing a kayak first time in their life. They looked very Asian to me.

Switek

10-20-2007, 04:19 PM

Borne Sulinowo is a quite different than Czaplinek or Drawsko (btw I was born there). Borne looks like a settlement in the woods what makes amazing impression.

As for Russians we used to meet them quite often (I come from Piła) couse there were plenty of scout's stanitsas where I used to go camping almost every vacations...

Mishka Zubov

10-20-2007, 05:46 PM

Talons for Hawks since November
PAP

"POLSKA": Polish F-16s will be getting weapons

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/ea58c3cf04906a596769c60be-24-1.jpg
Multi-role fighter F-16 in a shed of Krzesiny Air BaseFirst weapons for our F-16s will reach Poland in November - informs daily "Polska". Also in November six more new airplanes will fly into Poland - two more than planned for this year. Altogether 33 fighters, bought from Americans, will be available in November. Although they will achieve full battle readiness sometime in 2009/2010 these machines can be already used in battles in case of unexpected situations, such as attack against our territory.

Currently these fighters are used only for training. Bombs and rockets, which they have, are only the training versions of the true weapons. Currently their only real power is the 22 mm caliber M61 Vulcan cannon. This limits the F-16 battle capability; in case of need for air intervention of Polish Air Force the Russian construction MiG-29 and Su-222 would have to be used instead - says the daily.

According to the daily, the weapons that will reach Poland in November, constitute 30% of a total armament bought in USA. This includes air-air missiles of middle range (AIM-120 AMRAAM) and short range (AIM 9X Sidewinder). Laser controlled bombes of Paveway type and thermo-vision missiles AGM-65 Maverick for destruction of ground targets are also part of November delivery.

The only weapons that we still have to wait for are the long range gliding bombes AGM-154 JSOW.

According to schedule the first Polish fighter squadron, fully capable to battle operation, will be ready one year from now. At that time we will also receive all 48 machines, which had been ordered. And only then the Polish Hawks will be able to participate in military missions abroad. But right after the November weapons' delivery Poland will have already the capability to use its most modern aircrafts in critical situations.

mrk
source: http://www.tvn24.pl/-1,1525454,wiadomosc.html
translated by MZ

I was not around when this issue was probably discussed: Why Polish F-16 is dubbed "Jastrząb" (Hawk), and not Fighting Falcon? Is it because Poland already had the "Sokół" (Falcon) helicopters, or because someone in high military circles had troubles with English translation of the word "falcon"?

Mishka Zubov

10-20-2007, 08:38 PM

There is a copyrighted story by By STEVEN R. HURST, Associated Press Writer, in "The battalion", "US, Iraqi Forces Detain Militia Fighters", published on Oct 20, 5:40 PM EDT, http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ?SITE=TXCOL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-10-17-15-38-13.

Excerpts:
U.S. and Iraqi forces, backed by Polish army helicopters, swept through Shiite militia strongholds south of Baghdad on Saturday, rounding up dozens of militants and killing two.What do Polish helicopters do in Baghdad, two flight hours away from Polish Camp Echo in Diwaniyah? Do we have so many of them over there that we can afford sharing them between Baghdad and Diwaniyah? Any comment?

On Diwaniyah's east side, U.S.-led ground forces backed by two Polish army helicopters came under fire from machine guns and an anti-tank grenade launcher, the military said.

Coalition forces reported no casualties but said two militants were killed in the sweep. The statement reporting the operation said the Polish helicopters were called in after ground forces were attacked with three roadside bombs and small-arms fire.This looks like an excerpt from a story I already translated few posts back in this thread, http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2823528&postcount=396

Mishka Zubov

10-21-2007, 01:17 PM

Easy as in war?

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/2145570565.jpg

If it were not for artillery shelling, dangerous patrols and misgivings about terrorist attacks the Bielsko-Biała soldiers would fare as well in Afghanistan as on holidays in Zopott. Our portal has obtained exclusive relations from persons who have returned from the front. They all draw a similar war picture that we will never learn about from MoD communiques or pathetic press or TV reports.

Soldiers from the 18th Air Assault Battalion of Bielsko-Biała are stationed in three bases. Sharana and Wazi-Khwa are reasonably comfortable. Poles generally do not complain even though the military comfort of those bases is far from the comfort of Bagram base, which serves as ISAF service and entertainment center.

The worst is Kushamand base, where a protection platoon from Bielsko battalion serves. This little base is currently under construction. Immediately after exiting a helicopter the passengers sink ankle deep in sandy dust. Few days of local diet make an average European stomach turning belly up. And this will be happening as long as the soldiers are forced to prepare their meals from tins.

Ambiance in the bases are not the same as in Polish military barracks. Soldiers live in air conditioned camps; that is, in tin containers with essential sanitary equipment. There are usually three soldiers to one - several square meters - room. Air conditioned tents are not unusual but they are rarely permanently occupied. They are used as temporary quarters for visiting officers.

At first glance the Bielsko soldiers are hardly distinguishable from the crowd of other soldiers, only by their badges. As their colleagues from the 17th Mechanize Brigade, they wear kevlar helmets on base or on patrols. But since they miss the home country the name of our city can be found on signposts everywhere where they are deployed. Depending on a base the Bielsko distance ranges from 4300 to 4700 km. They usually go on patrols in hummers, while the "mechanized ones" from Międzyrzecze use Rosomak vehicles.

"The hummers, which we have obtained from Yankees, remember the times of Panama operation" - laughs Andrzej Walentek, a military expert, currently a "Super Express" reporter. "They have been produced in mid 80s. They have no extra armor. Their engines don't start the first time sometimes. When on patrol - they usually take the middle positions, while Rosomak vehicles protect them at head and tail of the column."

[Hmm, Poland is full of experts. - MZ]

They wear their maroon berets only when going to Bagram to rest. Bagram, the main USA forces base, a desert town built from scratch by Americans, has a population of 12 thousands. There are many messes, department stores and even hairdressers', where Thai and Russian women are mostly employed.

One of the soldiers, who recently returned home, was telling us about wide range of services offered by the women-hairdressers. Some customers, besides shaving or hair cutting, order massage performed on special table. Unofficial price is 100 USD for one hour, full body massage.

The Bagram messes, or so-called DFAC, serve meals four time a day. The last meal is served at 2330. Going to the dining room the patrons pass taps with running water, where one may wash hands off the desert dust. A special instruction for American soldiers explains step by step the official procedure in performing those hygienic operations. One starts with soaping the hands with the help of provided soap, waits about 30 seconds, and then rinse them in abundance. There is no such instruction in Polish.

[It may sound funny to you, dude, but this is for your own good in this climate and hygienic conditions. You would not like surgeons washing their hands the way most of us do, would you? - MZ]

With a tray in smelling hands one must stay in line to the food stations. The beginning of this trail usually starts with a cheeseburger station, and then the army chooses from hundreds of dishes, specialties and mincemeats. There are dozens of soups, roasts and stews; pizzas in thousand varieties; olives, a gamut of vegetable salads, or even crabs. Drinks include coca-cola, milk shakes, coffee or cool tea. No alcohol is available. The only drink reminding a stimulant is a non-alcoholic beer Bitburger.

Meals in our Sharana base are a bit more humble. Dishes look wonderfully appetizing and - even though the meals are being prepared by Serbian cooks - the food has one and only one taste - the American, according to Bielsko soldiers. One can eat as much as one wants, and obviously for free. Plates and cutlery are made of paper or plastic.

Meals and patrols are few important reasons to get out of bed. Body building gyms are popular ways of sweating out the kilograms brought from a DFAC in your belly. In a free time, which is abundant in Afghanistan, one can also shop in PX stores. Most Poles buy laptops for watching DVD movies. A good quality computer costs only 1200-1400 USD.

Bielsko soldiers also buy individual equipment in PX stores. Additional supplies come from US Army depots. They later go on patrols with this above standard-regulation equipment: packsacks with water containers or assault knifes. One can guess that many of those goodies will later find their way to Bielsko stores with used militaria.

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/fot-3.jpg

Autor: Robert Kowal
source: http://www.bielsko.biala.pl/1211,artykuly
translated by MZ

perdurabo

10-21-2007, 04:01 PM

source: http://www.tvn24.pl/-1,1525454,wiadomosc.html
translated by MZ

I was not around when this issue was probably discussed: Why Polish F-16 is dubbed "Jastrząb" (Hawk), and not Fighting Falcon? Is it because Poland already had the "Sokół" (Falcon) helicopters, or because someone in high military circles had troubles with English translation of the word "falcon"?
because "mnighty duck" would be too political ;)

Mishka Zubov

10-21-2007, 08:12 PM

Extending Sikorsky's idea from another thread - after the elections the Donald Duck logo could be safely painted on the fuselages. :-)

Mishka Zubov

10-21-2007, 08:14 PM

A dangerous terrorist captured
by Włodzimierz Głogowski
Sunday, October 21, 2007

On October the 20th Iraqi security forces, cooperating with soldiers of Multinational Division - Center South (MNDCS), arrested five criminals in Diwaniyah. Among detainees there is one dangerous terrorist responsible for planning and executing latest attacks on Polish bases and civilians.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/2.jpg

Intensive operational-reconnaissance activity carried by MND CS soldiers and coordination with Iraqi Army have led to the Saturday's detentions. The arrested terrorist has admitted to carrying mortar attacks and shelling a temporary patrol base with anti-armor grenade launcher on October the 15th. Four days later he participated in attack on coalition forces in eastern Diwaniyah. During one of such attacks four civilians have been killed and 17 civilians have been wounded near the temporary patrol base.

"The latest arrests are effects of a coordinated planning of operations of coalition forces and Iraqi security forces, as well as good cooperation with provincial authorities" - stated Maj-Gen. Tadeusz Buk, a commander of MNDCS.

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/3.jpg

Photos: MNDCS
source: http://redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=54
translated by MZ

SkyUS

10-21-2007, 08:29 PM

Extending Sikorski's idea from another thread - after the elections the Donald Duck logo could be safely painted on the fuselages. :-)

Fixed it for you. p-)

Mishka Zubov

10-21-2007, 09:05 PM

EURAC in Warsaw
by Press Spokesman of Air Force Command

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/eurac_logo_m.jpg

EURAC – European Air Chiefs’ Conference took place in Warsaw, On October 17-19, 2007. Lt-Gen. pilot Andrzej BŁASIK, a commander of Polish Air Force, was an organizer and host of the event.

The main topic of the two-days conference was confrontation of air safety requirements with operation requirements. The participants discussed crew rest issues, management of airspace and usage of unmanned air vehicles in air operations.

EURAC has been created in 1993 for analysis of main problems of modern air forces and exchange of information between commanders of European air forces. Its 21 members meet once a year. Poland is an EURAC member since the year 2002.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/dsc_0024.jpg

http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/dsc_0026.jpg

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/dsc_0051.jpg

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/dsc_0058.jpg

Photos: Mirosław Wójtowicz
source: http://www.sp.mil.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=2
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-22-2007, 01:43 PM

Missile corvettes train in Baltic Sea

On Monday, October 15, Polish missile corvettes ORP „Metalowiec” and ORP „Grom” from the 3rd Navy Ship Flotilla, have been exercising usage of artillery weapons and sea communication equipment at military training areas of Gdańsk Bay.
source: http://www.mw.mil.pl/index.php?akcja=news&filter=&id=18249&limes=

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/foto.jpg
Shooting from 76.2 mm foredeck cannonhttp://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/foto143.jpg
Shooting from 76.2 mm foredeck cannonhttp://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/foto657.jpg
ORP „Grom”: Shooting from 12.7 mm machine gun
http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/foto869.jpg
ORP „Metalowiec”: training with anti-aircraft kit AK-360http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/foto.jpg
ORP „Metalowiec”: training with anti-aircraft kit AK-360

Mishka Zubov

10-23-2007, 07:27 PM

I've decided to expose this story in a separate thread:
http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2831193&postcount=1

Mishka Zubov

10-23-2007, 07:30 PM

F-16s will train near Łódź

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/f-16_samolot_afp_450.jpg

According to daily "Rzeczpospolita" - most training flights of Polish F-16s fighters will be executed at Łask, near Łódź.

The airplanes starting from Krzesiny Air Base, near Poznań will be executing all their tactical elements at Łask. Initially, 16 fighters will be stationed there while 32 F-16s will continue to stay in Poznań-Krzesiny airport.

According to unofficial information obtained from MoD by "Rzeczpospolita" - Polish Air Force is considering moving the main base from Krzesiny to Łask in the future. The military airport near Łódź will be ready to take first airplanes at the turn of this year. Construction of the airport infrastructure and the social base for pilots and technicians has been almost finished.

The Łask base is far from the city. The air force will therefore avoid protests from local population, which it is facing now. Localization of the main base of Polish F-16 in Krzesiny has been controversial from the very beginning. The inhabitants of Malewo settlement have been sending reports to the prosecutor's office about health and life threatening hazards.
source: http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,9911,wid,9321302,prasaWiadomosc.html
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-23-2007, 08:51 PM

Money for pilots and technicians
by SŁAWOMIR WŁODARCZYK
Tuesday, October 22, 2007
reprinted from "Głos Pomorza"

F-16 and Su-22 pilots will get 20 thousands zlotys raise

For several years the air force has had some problems with pilots. More and more often the officers and noncoms are applying for release from military duties. Such trend is also visible among civilians - the technicians servicing the battle aircrafts. The main reason are poor salaries.

"This is not right that my friend from the Eaglets' School in Dęblin, who has just become a civilian and pilots a Boeing aircraft, earns six-seven times as much as I, piloting Su-22M" - explains an officer from the 8th Tactical Air Squadron in Mirosławiec. "If this will continue then our airplanes will be flown by mercenaries, for example from the East, because they are paid even worse."

The pilot's words have been confirmed by his mechanic, who prepares the airplane to battle flights. "Recently several colleagues went to work for Sheiks in Middle East" - he says. "They earn up to $100,000 US early. Others will follow them."

It seems however that there come an end of troubles for Air Force soldiers. The force will give them a raise. A significant one, because a pilot of F-16 or S-22 will get 20,000 zlotys more, and his colleagues flying ordinary machine can count on 10,000 zlotys raise. The soldiers will be also paid for around the clock duties - 150 zlotys per such duty, and the will obtain a financial bonus for flight hours.

According to Jarosław Rybak, a press spokesman for MoD, the raise should motivate soldiers to increase their qualifications and stay in the armed forces.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9011&Itemid=46
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-24-2007, 06:59 AM

Shelling at Base Echo in Iraq
by Włodzimierz Głogowski
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

This morning the Camp Echo, where soldiers from Multinational Division Center South are stationed, has been shelled at with mortar fire. No Polish soldier has been hurt. Five coalition soldiers and one civilian have suffered light injuries. They stay in Diwaniyah military hospital, but they do not require medical evacuation.

Several vehicles and logistic installations have been damaged. The quick reaction air reserve has been immediately sent towards the enemy fire post. Investigative operations are under way to establish the attackers identity.
source: http://redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=54

Mishka Zubov

10-24-2007, 08:15 AM

Despite increased activities of in-fighting insurgence militia and criminal gangs in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, I had an impression that situation over there has been somewhat improving due to better cooperation of coalition forces with Iraqi Army and police, and the tough approach taken - in the last two months - by Polish Maj-Gen. Tadeusz Buk, a commander of Multinational Division Center-South.

Several articles I have posted here have been reporting on shelling at Camp Echo and at temporary patrol base in East Diwaniyah. But the reports have been also stressing some success of Polish Task Force Lynx and the Polish Task Force Falcon - a quick response air assault force, equipped with W-3 'Sokół' helicopters, capable of night operations.

Nice and dandy...

The following article sketches a bit different picture. It seems that three Marines sent over by Gen. David Petraeus are to fix all the problems, which could not be fixed by the 900-strong contingent of Polish forces there. But this is not so much the printed text below, but the audio report attached to this story that makes it quite interesting. It clearly lies blame on Polish contingent for failing to assure security of the Qasadiyah province.

I urge you to listen to the story and draw your own conclusions. It seems to me that either the Polish reports have been completely out of reality, or our American allies are so inherently arrogant. If the latter is true then my personal advice to Poles over there would be to "get the hell of out of Iraq and let the three brave Marines fix all the problems themselves" - MZ.

Three Marines Try to Build Trust with Iraqi Province
by Anne Garrels

Listen to this story...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15556579&ft=1&f=1001

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/moulton540.jpg
Capt. Seth Moulton and an Iraqi soldier take a break from training on a rooftop near a joint security station in Diwaniyah, the provincial capital. Courtesy Team Phoenixhttp://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gildroy540.jpg
Capt. Ann Gildroy meets with tribal leaders in the southern Iraqi province of Qadisiyah. She is one of three Marines sent to the area to help improve relations with local residents. Courtesy Team PhoenixAll Things Considered, October 23, 2007 · Various Shiite militias have almost completely taken over the southern Iraqi province of Qadisiyah, which also has become a transit route for weapons from Iran.

Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of coalition forces in Iraq, has dispatched three Marines to the largely ignored province — where the Iraqi army is stretched thin and the police are untrustworthy. The Marines' job is to try to glue the broken pieces back together.

Capt. Ann Gildroy, Sgt. Alex Lemons and Capt. Seth Moulton — all between the ages of 28 and 30 — have served multiple tours in Iraq, and all three have worked in this area of Iraq before. They bring that experience, as well as long-standing and hard-won relationships with people in the province.

The three Marines face significant challenges. They are fighting not only poverty and the mistrust that is the legacy of broken promises by the U.S., but also the influence of the Shiite militias. Their goals are to rebuild the trust of the local people, including forging ties with local tribes to counter the militias.
source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15556579&ft=1&f=1001

Mishka Zubov

10-24-2007, 06:16 PM

Mrufka said: Source: found on corporate info board serverHmm, some of your pictures look familiar. :-)
One of the pictures below seems to be from the same batch, but comes clean from US Embassy page. There are more of them there.

Recent odc activities 2007
Experts Review F16 Operations, Capabilities
16 October 2007

Experts Review F16 Operations, Capabilities
Aviation experts from the U.S. Air Force and Polish Air Force (PLAF) met from October 6-15 to conduct a joint Operational Capability and Sustainment Review (OCSR) of the F-16s based at Krzesiny Air Base near Poznan, Poland. The review is part of a regular process designed to recognize and evaluate the strengths and areas for improvement for joint operations. The OCSR is a key step in increasing communications and mission effectiveness between the two air forces. The PLAF currently has 27 of 48 F-16s, and routinely flies eight ship missions twice a day.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/F1606.jpg

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/100_0119.jpg

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/100_0117.jpg

http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/100_0108.jpg
source: http://poland.usembassy.gov/odc_events_2007/experts-review-f16-operations-capabilities-16-october-2007.html

Mishka Zubov

10-24-2007, 06:35 PM

Goodbye to Poland's Tarantul Missile Craft
Posted by JJL at 10/17/2007 2:55 AM

The Polish navy is decommissioning its two Russian-built Tarantul-class fast attack craft in 2008, the commander of the service's fast patrol boat squadron has told an international naval conference in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The two high-speed craft, armed with aging SS-N-2C Styx anti-ship missiles, are no longer compliant with NATO standards, Capt Krzysztof Jaworksi said at the IQPC-organized OPV Conference.

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/a-42f0-bb2c-ca0435219420-Large.jpg
The ORP Rolnik is one of Tarantul-class missile craft that Poland will take out of service. Photo: Polish navyThe Polish navy covers an area of responsibility that comprises 8,648 km2 of territorial waters and 32,502 km2 of economic exclusion zone waters extending out into the Baltic.

In the east the Polish-monitored waters border directly on those of the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, located between Poland and Lithuania.

The wider Baltic Sea has an area of 427,000 km2 and an average depth of 52 meters, stretching out some 600 naut.mi. north-south and some 320 naut.mi. east-west, Capt Jaworksi said.

Peacetime missions primarily involve supporting the Polish border guard and EEZ protection, while in a crisis situation, the Polish fast attack craft would be tasked with early warning as well as protection of sea lines of communication.

http://hotimg2.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/b-4c5f-8fcd-bbedac5fb256-Large.jpg
Tarantul-class missile craft firing a Russian-built SS-N-2C Styx anti-ship missile. Photo: Polish navyIn a shooting war, the squadron will try to destroy enemy forces within the Polish naval defense area, participate in operations against enemy landing forces, and attempt to maintain sea control, Capt Jaworksi said.

In other words: a purely national territorial defense mission much in the same fashion as the Cold War anti-invasion scenarios.

However, a new capability is being added in the form of long-range (150-200 km) land attack missiles: Saab Bofors Dynamics RBS 15 Mk 3s that will be carried by the three modernized Orkan-class fast attack craft and the planned class of six Gawron-class corvettes.

The Tarantul-class, the ORP Metalowiec and Rolnik, were both commissioned at the very end of the Cold War (1988-1989) but are not sufficiently compliant with Western/NATO standards.

The 500-ton, gas-turbine-powered craft have a maximum speed of 43 kts. and a crew of 45. Their main armament is four Russian SS-N-2C Styx anti-ship missiles (range: 80 km) which are still capable of delivering a devastating strike against surface targets.

Capt. Jaworksi showed a video clip in which two Styx missiles struck a surface target, arriving from slightly different angles with less than one second spacing.

The Tarantul craft also carry a 76-mm. main gun, two 30-mm. close-in weapon systems and four SA-N-5 surface-to-air missiles, as well as anti-submarine armament.

The three upgraded Orkan craft (modernized by a Thales-led consortium) each carry eight Swedish-supplied RBS 15 Mk 3 (Mk 2 initially, the Mk 3 should arrive next year) surface-to-surface missiles. These, said Capt Jaworksi, have the capability to attack land targets as well as ships.

The 300-ton, diesel-powered Orkans have a top speed of 36 kts and carry a crew of 36.

The Gawron-class missile corvette program, based on the German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems MEKO 100 design (2,035 tons of displacement), has been delayed.

A first ship is under construction and should be ready by 2010. But the remainder of the class (five more ships), will not be acquired until after 2012, Capt. Jaworksi said.

The Gawrons will also have eight RBS 15 Mk 3 missiles each as well as vertically-launched surface-to-air missile system and guns.
source: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a63c5ca53-f0b1-4836-b174-f939eee0e846

Mrufka

10-24-2007, 06:46 PM

Hmm, some of your pictures look familiar. :-)
One of the pictures below seems to be from the same batch, but comes clean from US Embassy page. There are more of them there.

source: http://poland.usembassy.gov/odc_events_2007/experts-review-f16-operations-capabilities-16-october-2007.html

Oryginal source is photographer Mariusz Adamski (Agencja Lotnicza Altar, Skrzydlata Polska), his website http://air2air.net

Venom PL

10-24-2007, 07:28 PM

Any news concerning Polish MLRS-P "Homar" ?

Things I know about it so far:

The system will be capable of firing guided and unguided rockets to a distance of up to 300 km (186.4 miles).
Polish MLRS will be able to fire 122 mm and 227 mm projectiles. First prototype should be ready in 2009.

Mishka Zubov

10-25-2007, 11:10 AM

Medical help for Iraqis
2007-10-25

Medical personnel of the Polish military hospital in Diwaniyah has performed a successful surgery on a 12 years old girl. Rugaja Hussein was injured on October the 10th, when her school in eastern Diwaniyah, near a patrol base, has been shelled upon by terrorists with mortar fire.

Help like this is just one of many examples of medical care provided by Polish hospital to inhabitants of Diwaniyah. The Medical Provisional Group admits about 50 Iraqi patients every Tuesday. But the medical personnel is ready to help not only on "White Tuesdays" - as was the case of little Rugaja.

The girl has undergone surgery performed by a team directed by surgeon Zbigniew Kuśnierz. Several wounds have to be sewn. "She was injured by shrapnel in her hand, chest and thigh. She was lucky because she might have not survived had she been hit few centimeters lower. The surgery has been successful, without complications" - stated dr. Zbigniew Kuśnierz.

The Medical Provisional Group, a part of Multinational Division Center-South, provides the level two medical care for the coalition soldiers and for the 8th Division of Iraqi Army. But delivering aid to inhabitants of Diwaniyah is equally important. "After the recent school bombardment, we have also provided help to the Diwaniyah hospital. We have delivered significant amount of dressing packets and infusion fluids" - said Lt-Col. Andrzej Żelowski, a commander of the group.

A CIMIC group also plans some support for the local hospital. This kind of activity create positive image of our soldiers amongst the inhabitants of Qasidiyah province, where Polish soldiers are stationed. This also helps in improving communication with local societies and increasing safety of our soldiers.

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/zdjecie_1102_12918.jpg

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/zdjecie_1102_12919.jpg

http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/zdjecie_1102_12920.jpg

http://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/zdjecie_1102_12921.jpg

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/zdjecie_1102_12922.jpg

Lt-Col. Włodzimierz Głogowski
Press officer
Chief of Press Information Section
Multinational Division Center-South
source: http://www.mon.gov.pl/pl/artykul/3674
translated by MZ

Jocker_89

10-25-2007, 12:18 PM

Clean water for Iraqis

On the 23th of October the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Group handed over to the Qadisiyah province society two additional projects. The cost of those projects was equal to 270 thousand US dollars. Thanks to two water treatment compounds about 4.5 thousand inhabitants of Shbara and Shamija village will gain access to potable water.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3240

Accomplishment of those projects will improve the living conditions of the inhabitants and sanitary facilities. On account of drinking polluted water the villagers have serious health problems. According to local Sheik Hameed local people started to celebrate whey they saw tap water. It should be emphasized that cooperation between coalition forces and local society is much better thanks to these projects - commander of CIMIC Group LTC Tomasz Wolszczak said. From the beginning of 2007, specialists from CIMIC carried out 70 projects. The cost of those projects equals about 8.7 million US dollars.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3241

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3242

Apart from the stabilization and training, CIMIC activity is one of the most important parts of Multinational Division activity. Currently, during the operation codenamed “Oil Drop” CIMIC has provided the equipment for three schools and teaching kits for children and the citizens of Nahda district will receive so – called “family packages” - humanitarian aid kits. Moreover, specialists from CIMIC Group have provided financial support for small businesses and institutions and coordinated the programme for public works.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3243
www.piomndcs.mil.pl (http://www.piomndcs.mil.pl)

wholagun

10-25-2007, 10:43 PM

A few things here:

1) can someone post the modernized version of the Beryl, I went on militarpedia but for some reason the pic won't load.

if im not mistaken there is a new fire select.

2) Will the clear mags be standard?

3) Remov a while back said something about new machine gun, but I also heard about that idea being scraped and just going ahead with beryl modernization.

4) Also what is happening with the Polish wz.2003 LMG.
http://img31.exs.cx/img31/8586/kbkm_wz2003_001.jpg

Mishka Zubov

10-26-2007, 04:42 AM

New Beryl's face
by Norbert Bączyk
October 19, 2007

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/beryl.gif

The Beryl carbine has been a standard equipment of our forces for ten years and during that time it has been subjected to various modifications and modernizations. This year the manufacturer – FB Łucznik – shows its next version.

The assault carbine caliber 5.56 mm wz. 96 Beryl has been developed in mid 90s - on the basis of the legendary carbine AK/AKM - and chosen by Polish Military Forces as its successor.

Today it is widely used as a standard infantry weapon. Due to its long exploitation period and of many of its users this weapon is variously rated. Generally, it has a good opinion although there are some allegations about its manufacturing quality (not the best) or its smaller tolerance to dirt, as compared to AK. Users have been suggesting many ergonomic changes for easier use of the carbine.

The current manufacturer of Beryl, Fabryka Broni „Łucznik”- Radom Sp. z o. o., has been gradually introducing many improvements and broadening its offer by new models, such as Mini-Beryl and Beryl-Commando.

At the same time, due to Poland's involvement in missions abroad, the soldiers themselves became engaged in modernization of the Beryl. The carbine have been subjected to various battle field tests, in rough climatic conditions. This kind of modernization by users - performed, obviously, without interference with Beryl's internal design - has led to a weapon that is better adaptable to new conditions and to expectations of its direct users.

The soldiers' experiences have been taken into account by the manufacturer, who tries to entice MoD by new variations of the rifle. This year FB Łucznik has been already demonstrating the newest Beryl's variations - a compact model 'Commando' (375 mm barrel, 406 mm with a flame damper) and a classic carbine with the same improvements, but of the standard size.

Will the army be interested in those? Without doubts they are worthy to look at - especially because some of the field addition mounted by the soldiers themselves have become standard here. The model shown below is a successive proposal. Some of its concepts are already known, some are new.

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/beryl1.gif

1. Original butt was one of the most criticized parts of the carbine. Currently, FB Łucznik suggests various solutions, including a butt that is both telescopically and side foldable - of their own design. The butt shown above is a UTG version, imported from Taiwan. This element makes it look similar to American M-4 somewhat.

2. The new detachable Picatinny rail MIL-STD-1913 (STANAG 2324), made in Radom. This one is taller than the previous one; the shooter sees through it a classical mechanical sights as well - allowing for on target shooting even when a holographic sights HWS EOTech 552 fails, or when its battery is discharged.

3. The wide safety catch and its additional fragment placed lower than before - allowing for using the thumb when setting the catch in the "off" position - while keeping the forefinger on the trigger all the time.

4. Wide magazine lever for quick unloading

5. Transparent magazine with 30 shells slowly becomes a standard.

6. The new, ergonomic handle. The one shown here is UTG, but there is variety of choices available.

7. The forward handle, mounted on the rail. Shown here is TDI from Israel. Since not everyone likes such a solution the forward handle can be quickly detached; that is, unscrewed. [Some soldiers may have trouble with efficient replacement of magazines under stress with forward handle installed.]

8. The four-jigs rail MIL-STD-1913; that is, Rail Integration System (RIS) from UTG. Theoretically four different devices can be mounted on each of four jigs, since each subsequent jig is at 90 degrees angle in relation to a previous one.

Assault rifle Beryl wz. 96 caliber 5,56 mm x 45 mm (classical version)
Technical data

Shell: 5,56 x 45 mm SS109 or M193
Initial projectile's velocity Vo: SS109 – 920 m/s, M193 – 940 m/s
Initial projectile's energy: SS109 – 1690 J, M193 – 1570 J
Type of fire: single, 3-shells, continuous
Theoretical rate of fire: 700 shells/minute
Tactical range: 600 m
Sights regulations : 100 – 1000 m
Magazine capacity: 30 shells
Principle of operations: use of gasses from barrel
Count of threads in the barrel: 6
Pitch of thread/lead of thread: 228 mm

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8911&Itemid=35
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-26-2007, 06:38 AM

A non crossable barrier
by Tomasz Gos
October 21, 2007

A Maritime Technique Center (CTM) has a chance to become a supplier of Polish designed underwater intrusion detection system for NATO strategic harbors. One such barrier protects Gdynia base of Polish Navy and is named "Kryl" (Krill).

The Kryl barrier is a monitoring system of everything that happens underwater in vicinity of Gdynia's military harbor. It detects unauthorized divers, small underwater vehicles, as well as submarines and surface ships. Hydro-acoustic, magnetic and optical sensors are used for the monitoring. The first ones send acoustic signals, which - when reflected from obstacles - are then processed by a computer. In addition all noise emitted by moving objects is also being analyzed. A chain of magnetic transformers, lying at the sea bottom is a magnetic part of the Kryl barrier. All auxiliary optical equipment, such as TV cameras and thermo-vision cameras, belong to optical part of the Kryl barrier.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/kryl-1.jpg

A magnetic barrier

Last year the Italian Navy carried a special exercise in La Spezia harbor. Their trials were examining detection efficiency of enemy divers' during their normal activities in a military harbor. The exercise has proven that even high quality sonars are not able to detect and trace the divers when there are big acoustical interferences in the water.

However, the magnetic barrier designed by CTM, which was operating in equally difficult conditions, has been able to detect everything that was moving under the surface - sending appropriate information to the console operators. This is because the magnetic barrier responds to every interference of its magnetic field - and this happens every time when anything floats over the magnetic transducers. They warn about the intrusion and about the exact spot where the barrier has been crossed. There are several dozens of such transformers on an arch at the approaches to Gdynia Navy harbor. Each T-shaped transformer is equipped with its own compass - allowing for its precise setup at the sea bottom.

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/kryl-2.jpg

A harbor's sonar

The next element of the Kryl barrier is the active stationary sonar AS2, also designed by CTM. It is not designed for working on open sea but in the approaches to ports and sea bases. The equipment works on any depth above 8 meters. It detects a diver from a distance of 300 meters, and a small submarine vehicle - from 600 m. It is capable of simultaneous tracking of 10 targets and can be serviced by a single operator, provided with two monitors. This sonar has also special noise filters, allowing for detection of more small targets, as well as for improved display. The active stationary sonar has been presented in several countries and on international symposia and conferences, where it has been viewed with great interest.

Poland leads the way to standards

According to CTM specialists, current monitoring underwater systems are not satisfactory. The active sonars, used in shallow approaches to harbors, are easily disturbed and they are not able to cope with objects submerged close to the water surface.

Because of it such monitoring systems should be supported by magnetic barriers, which are not susceptible to the above limitations. NATO has not any underwater uniform monitoring system as yet. The Kryl barrier is one of the best systems of this kind and because of it - it can become a basis for NATO standard.

Maritime Technique Center

Research-Development Center 'Maritime Technique Center' (OBR CTM) has been operating since 1982. It conducts research and implements modern solutions in armed forces of Polish Republic. OBR CTM is a research and development center, under the control of Ministry of Economy. Most of its projects are for Ministry of National Defense and for Polish Navy. The center is very active in the arena of international exchange of science and technology, especially in the area of adaptations of Polish Navy and other Polish armed forces to NATO requirements.

A Norwegian solution
Norwegian company KONGSBERG MARITIME has designed a submarine monitoring system SM 2000. USA bought several such units for its Coast Guard, which have been integrated into so-called Integrated Anti-Swimmer System IAS. One of its elements are so called air-rifles, which force divers to surfacing by sending strong acoustic impulses.

source: Weekly Polska Zbrojna, NR 43 (561), October 21, 2007, www.zolnierz-polski.pl (http://www.zolnierz-polski.pl)
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-26-2007, 10:09 AM

General Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszewski, a good soldier, a protege of the Józef Piłsudski and a hero of many anecdotes from the period before the WW2, was once ordered to report to the Marshall on account of his brawl the night before. But he came in civilian clothes, rather than in the uniform. He explained to angry Piłsudski: "I obediently report, Sir, that a Polish general in uniform must not be slapped in the face." The amused superior gave up his idea of disciplining Wieniawa-Długoszewski.
http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/pilsudski.jpg
Sitting, second from the left - Józef Piłsudski, first from the right - Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszewski

Mishka Zubov

10-26-2007, 10:18 AM

Platoon on wings
October 21, 2007
Jacek Szustakowski

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/wings.jpg

They jumped out of Casa at 3500 m, quickly opened steerable parachutes AD 2000, known as wings, and then they flew for about 12 km. After landing, the 7-person group commanded by MCpl Piotr Ciągło started preparation of a drop zone for the rest of the reconnaissance platoon of the 16th Airborne battalion, commanded by MCpl Paweł Gniazdo.

The platoon had been previously training at Aeroklub Kraków in Podbiednik near Kraków - jumping from 2-2.5 thousands meters. "We had been trying to keep flying formation and we had been gaining new experience" - says MCpl Paweł Gniazdo. "Most professional privates from the reconnaissance platoon have not made too many parachute jumps yet. But I am glad of what they already know and what they have shown at "Dragon '07" exercises today" - he adds.

The platoon commander has already made 107 jumps, including more than 50 jumps with steerable "wings". The section commander MCpl Piotr Ciągło, who was the first one to jump out from the 3.5 thousands meters in the "Dragon" exercise, has already jumped 140 times, including 50 jumps with "wings". "The task for my group was to secure the drop zone, as well as to protect our landing colleagues from enemy fire" - says MCpl Piotr Ciągło. There was minus five degrees at 3.5 thousands meters altitude and hence the soldiers had to be dressed appropriately. "We were dressed in polar mittens, and Goretex pants and jackets" - he explains. "The soldiers should not freeze during the flight, otherwise they could have problem landing."

Lt-Col. Leon Stanoch, a commander of the 16th Airborne Battalion, stressed that the High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) tasks, such as the one performed by the reconnaissance platoon, must be carried by all soldiers from reconnaissance platoons, not just by instructors. "Taking advantage of good meteorological conditions, a long distance flight allows soldiers to quietly and covertly get into specific place, for example at the region of enemy deployment" - says Lt-Col. Leon Stanoch.
source: Weekly Polska Zbrojna, NR 43 (561), October 21, 2007, www.zolnierz-polski.pl (http://www.zolnierz-polski.pl)
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-26-2007, 10:45 AM

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/pozegnanie_m.jpg
Farewell to almost 160 soldiers of Battle Team Charlie from FOB Wazi-Khwa, commanded by Maj. Olgierd Cieśla, at the Bagram Base, Afghanistan. They have been replaced by the soldiers from the 2nd rotation of Polish Military Contingent.source: http://redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=54

wholagun

10-26-2007, 10:59 AM

the beryl looks like a brainchild of Dr. Frankenstein.

Why don't they just make the rails permanent, instead of detachable?

Mishka Zubov

10-26-2007, 01:25 PM

Afghanistan: More NATO soldiers
Wojciech Jagielski
2007-10-26

One thousand additional soldiers, mostly the instructors to train the governmental army, will be sent to Afghanistan. Poland does not intend to increase its contingent.

The Americans are disappointed because they had expected more. "I can't say I am happy but this is true that I am more happy today than yesterday" - admitted Robert gates, US defense secretary, during meeting with 25 NATO chiefs of defense in the Dutch town of Noordwijk. Asking and threatening, Gates has attempted convincing them to send more soldiers to Afghanistan. He has even threatened to withdraw 2000 American soldiers from Kosovo, in case of NATO's refusal of help.

Western diplomats, all speaking under condition of anonymity, admitted that nine countries have agreed to increase their contingents. According to Jarosław Rybak, a MoD spokesman, Poland is not among those nine countries. Poland has 1.4 thousands soldiers in Afghanistan.

According to unofficial information: France will send 50 instructors to Dutch-controlled Uruzgan Province, Germany will send 200 instructors to northern Afghanistan, 200 soldiers will be sent by Czech Republic, 150 - by Hungary, 50 - by Slovakia. Additional soldiers will be also sent by Great Britain.
(...)

source: http://serwisy.gazeta.pl/swiat/1,34274,4613088.html
translated by MZ

1. Ouch! Canadians and Dutch will not be happy at all.

2. This is the first time I have seen the number of Polish soldiers in Afghanistan declared to be 1400. Typically, 1200 soldiers are mentioned. However I have also seen some ISAF source setting it as low as 950. Refusing to accept the last number as unreliable (ISAF bureaucracy!) there is still a question: What is it - 1200 or 1400? Two explanations come to mind.

+ Current regime has been playing with numbers a bit, but now they have to come clean and tell the truth before giving the powers away to the new government.

+ The number of soldiers is indeed a bit higher than before due to the previous promise to increase the number of instructors (OMLT soldiers) - from one OMLT team to three. That would - more or less - mean changing the number of OMLT soldiers from 50 to 150, or so. I already speculated that much in some other post of this thread.

~~~~

10-26-2007, 05:17 PM

source: http://serwisy.gazeta.pl/swiat/1,34274,4613088.html
translated by MZ

1. Ouch! Canadians and Dutch will not be happy at all.

2. This is the first time I have seen the number of Polish soldiers in Afghanistan declared to be 1400. Typically, 1200 soldiers are mentioned. However I have also seen some ISAF source setting it as low as 950. Refusing to accept the last number as unreliable (ISAF bureaucracy!) there is still a question: What is it - 1200 or 1400? Two explanations come to mind.

+ Current regime has been playing with numbers a bit, but now they have to come clean and tell the truth before giving the powers away to the new government.

+ The number of soldiers is indeed a bit higher than before due to the previous promise to increase the number of instructors (OMLT soldiers) - from one OMLT team to three. That would - more or less - mean changing the number of OMLT soldiers from 50 to 150, or so. I already speculated that much in some other post of this thread.

it's nothing but journalistic incompetence. in the same article they claim there are 15 000 american servicemen in Afghanistan and a few sentences further they write about 25 000 US troops in this country.

PS: When I read this article today morning I knew you'll be the one to comment here the 1400 soldiers issue :-) but IMO it's nothing but a mistake and lack of proper knowledge. as always when it comes to journalists...

Mishka Zubov

10-26-2007, 05:42 PM

When I read this article today morning I knew you'll be the one to comment here the 1400 soldiers issuePicky I am, am I not? :-)
You are probably right when commenting on journalistic incompetence. I went with the reference to Rybak (MoD spokesman) as the apparent source to that info, hence my speculations.

Speaking about competencies or lack of such. A certain Polish reporter, whom I am not very fond of because of his useless reporting from Afghanistan and his nonsensical essays about Polish missions abroad, was recently given a red card by Public Affairs Office of 82nd Airborne Division of US Army. This is apparently the first case when accreditation to Polish reporter has been withdrawn.
source: http://www.mon.gov.pl/pl/artykul/3615

Mishka Zubov

10-26-2007, 09:35 PM

15 Dromaders from Mielec will go to China

PZL Mielec has signed a contract with a Chinese province Heilongjiang for delivery of 15 aircrafts M18 Dromader (dromedary).
(...)

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/Dromader_Perth_2007.jpg

The airplanes will be used in aerial agriculture and aerial fire combat. 14 machines will be delivered in the basic version, and one in a two-seat training version for practical training with "water bombes".

The contract provides for first four airplanes to be delivered in March 2008 and the rest in October 2008.

The purchase of the airplanes will be financed from an international credit given by Polish government to China within the framework of enterprises undertaken by both countries to protect and enhance state of natural environment in both countries.

The M18 Dromader is a middle size aircraft designed for aerial agriculture and aerial fire combat. It is able to carry up to 2,500 liters of chemicals. This aircraft is extremely effective and efficient in aerial processing of large farming and forest areas. It can be used for pollinating and protective spraying, seed sowing and fertilizing.

The contract for delivery of M18 aircrafts to China is the first big contract of PZL Mielec after it was bought by Sikorsky company in March 2007. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., with headquarters in Stratford USA, is a world leader in design and manufacturing of helicopters and in providing related services.

PZL Mielec is the biggest manufacturer of aircrafts in Poland, cooperating with the world leading aircraft companies, such as: Spirit Aerosystems, Pratt & Whitney Canada, SAAB, GKN Aerospace - for whom it makes parts and subsystems.
http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/1629616,10,1,1,,item.html

I know nothing about this field of business but this deal sounds ironic on the surface of things: PZL Mielec supposed to make money and get rich on selling Sikorsky helicopters, not the poor old Dromader. This deal looks like a state subsidy to me.

Mishka Zubov

10-27-2007, 01:46 PM

AERO company exports its aircraft to USA
PAP, pr
2007-10-26 19:46

Polish manufacturer AERO Limited (AERO sp. z o.o.) intends to sell about 70 Light Sport Aircraft AT-4 to USA. On Friday there was a domestic premiere of this aircraft in Konstancin near Warsaw.

The American marketing name of this aircraft is Gobosh G-700. The Gobosh stands for "Go Big Or Stay Home".

The aircraft belongs to the American LSA class (Light Sport Aircraft). It is easier to obtain a license for this type of aircraft than a private pilot license.

AT-4 is two-seat; wing span 8.35 m, length 6.25 m, weight 380 kg. It may stay in the air up to four hours; maximal range - 780 km.

In turn of the years 2006-2007 the AERO has obtained investments from the Capital Partners SA, with 35% shares of the company. In 2007 the company has commenced construction of a new production hall in Mielec. The construction is co-financed with EU funds.

AERO plans its debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2008
source: http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/1631126,10,1,1,,item.html
translated by MZ

Gobosh Light Sport Aircraft
Press Releases

July 23rd 2007

Gobosh Aviation Introduces G-700S - First in a New Line of Premium Light Sport Aircraft

July 23, 2007 (Oshkosh, WI) Today, Gobosh Aviation unveiled a new Luxury
Sport Aircraft™ before a crowd of Light Sport enthusiasts. The new aircraft, named the G-
700S, represents a collaboration between Gobosh Aviation and the design efforts of
Tomasz Antoniewski and Aero – familiar names in aviation since 1990.
http://www.gobosh.aero/Press_Releases.cfm

Gobosh specification
http://www.gobosh.aero/G700.cfm
You can have it just for over $100,000 US.

After years of lobbying by the aviation industry and key pilot organizations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in September 2004 authorized a new class of pilot (called the Sport Pilot) and a new category of airplane (called the Light Sport Aircraft). These so called SP/LSA regulations opened the door for low-cost recreational flying.

Simply stated, a Sport Pilot is very restricted as to how, when, what, and where he flies. Consequently, the training required to earn a sport pilot license is significantly less than that required to earn a private pilot license. One of the biggest restrictions placed on sport pilots is that they can only fly light sport aircraft (LSA) . Generally speaking, an LSA is a small, two-seat, uncomplicated airplane that is fun and easy to fly. It is limited in size, weight, speed and capacity.source: http://www.skyraideraviation.com/about.html

Gobosh G700S

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gobosh1.jpg

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gobosh2.jpg

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gobosh3.jpg

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gobosh4.jpg

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gobosh5.jpg

http://hotimg16.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gobosh6.jpg

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gobosh7.jpg

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gobosh8.jpg

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gobosh9.jpg

http://hotimg1.fotki.com/b/99_234/51_136/gobosh10.jpg

The following points summarize the Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft regulations:

Sport Pilot

* Requires only 20 hours of flight training (By contrast, a private pilot license requires 40 hours)
* FAA medical exam is not required. A valid US drivers licenses serves as proof of medical eligibilty
* Can only fly light sport aircraft.
* No flights into Class B, C, or D airspace unless the pilot has received training and a logbook endorsement. Class B airspace surrounds only the biggest and busiest of airports like Denver International. Class C airspace surrounds small busy airports such as Colorado Springs . Class D airspace surrounds smaller towered airports such as Centennial and Jefferson County .
* No flights outside the U.S. without advance permission from the country being visited
* No sightseeing flights with passengers for charity fund raisers;
* No flights above 10,000' MSL;
* Daytime flight only; no night flights
* No flights when the visibility is less than 3 statute miles;
* No flights unless the pilot can see the surface of the earth for flight reference; (i.e. no flights above a solid layer of clouds)
* No flights contrary to any limitation listed on the pilot's certificate, U.S. driver's license, FAA medical certificate, or logbook endorsement(s);
* No flights while carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire (i.e. no commercial operations);
* No renting a light-sport aircraft unless it was issued a "special" airworthiness certificate;

Light Sport Aircraft

* Maximum gross takeoff weight of 1,320 lbs (1,430 lbs for seaplanes).
* Lighter-than-air light-sport aircraft maximum gross weight-660 lbs
* Maximum stall speed-51 mph (45 knots)
* Maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power (V h)-138 mph (120 knots)
* Two-place maximum (pilot and one passenger)
* Single, non-turbine engine only, includes rotary or diesel engines
* Fixed or ground adjustable propeller
* Non-pressurized cabin
* Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider
* Can be manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under a new Special Light-Sport aircraft certification without FAR Part 23 compliance. Aircraft must meet consensus standards. Aircraft under this certification may be used for sport and recreation, flight training, and aircraft rental.
* Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if kit- or plans-built. Aircraft under this certification may be used only for sport and recreation and flight instruction for the owner of the aircraft.
* Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if it was kit- or plans-built and operated as an ultralight trainers. Aircraft must be transitioned to E-LSA category no later than January 31, 2008 .
* Will have FAA registration-N-number.
* Aircraft category and class includes: Airplane (Land/Sea), Gyroplane, Airship, Balloon, Weight-Shift-Control (Trike Land/Sea), and Powered Parachute.
* U.S. or foreign manufacture of light-sport aircraft is authorized.
* Aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate that meet above specifications may be flown by sport pilots. However, that airworthiness certification category will not be changed to a light-sport aircraft. Holders of a sport pilot certificate may fly an aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate if it meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft.
* May be operated at night if the aircraft is equipped per FAR 91.209 and the pilot holds at least a Private Pilot certificate and a minimum of a third-class medical.
source: http://www.skyraideraviation.com/about.html

Jocker_89

10-27-2007, 01:56 PM

I wish to have one of those planes :)

Mishka Zubov

10-27-2007, 02:12 PM

You can still rent it for $80 US/hour. Not cheap but surely more fun than a dinner for two - sometimes. :-)

Switek

10-27-2007, 02:16 PM

Does the price include pilot service? ;)

Mishka Zubov

10-27-2007, 02:21 PM

A dinner for two is just an investment. Sometimes a good one. :-)

Mishka Zubov

10-27-2007, 03:16 PM

Neutralizing dangerous finds

The minehunter ORP „MEWA” from the 13th Minesweeper Battalion has participated in disposal of dangerous find at the sea bottom, from October 17th to 19th.

The minehunter has identified several objects found at the bottom of Puck Bay as WW2 torpedos. The investigation has shown that the three out of the seven torpedos found had been charged and that their lift up would be too dangerous. Those torpedoes have been detonated in situ, with the help of the underwater vehicle "Ukwiał" - used to put charges underneath the torpedoes. The remaining four torpedoes, as well as the remnants of the detonation, have been lifted up.

The operation has been carried under the command of Lt-Com. Piotr MIECZKOWSKI, a commander of the 13th Minesweeper Battalion, and coordinated with the authorities of Gdynia Harbor and the Department of Crisis Management of the Pomeranian Voivodship.

Stationed at Gdynia, the minehunter ORP „MEWA”, is a member of the 13th Minesweeper Battalion of the 8th Coast Defense Flotilla. This is a specialized Navy vessel used mainly for search, identification and destruction of sea mines. It uses hydro-acoustic stations, a remotely controlled submarine vehicle and acoustic and electromagnetic sweeps for its anti-mine operations. It also serves as a base for the divers-miners. The ship's equipment is capable of remote detection of anchored mines from the distance of 1600 meters and the bottom mines from the distance of 600 meters. The commander of this vessel is navy Capt. Jarosław IWAŃCZUK.

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source: http://www.mw.mil.pl/index.php?akcja=news&filter=&id=18261&limes=
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-27-2007, 11:35 PM

Polish soldiers stationed in Afghanistan help a local radio station
Saturday, October 27, 2007

Polish soldiers stationed in Afghanistan not only fight with Taliban or reconstruct schools and ambulatories. Our forces also help a local radio station in Sharana - Radio Paktika.

This radio station is one of several tens or so local radio stations operating in Afghanistan. As most of them, this one has no money, it is located in a decrepit building, and employs only six people. The reporters work on outdated computers and the music is played from cassettes. But the Afghans hope that the situation will be improving from month to month.

"We broadcast twice a day for now. The first broadcast is from 0530 to 11100 hours, and the second one - from 1600 to 2200 hours. We play music, talk to listeners and provide health advice" - says Abdul Hamid, a head station editor, to a delegate of Polish Radio.

Polish soldiers produce short sound samples for the radio. These are to make this station more competitive in relation to other stations. The Poles also explain to the listeners what do they do in Paktika. "A radio is this element of transmission. We make ourselves known and explain our presence in this province" - admits Maj. Aleksander Fortuna from Polish Psychological Support Group.

For the soldiers this is the best way to reach local population. Paktika is one of the poorest provinces in Afghanistan. There are few TV sets and nobody buys newspapers because most of the population does not know how to read.
source: http://www.polskieradio.pl/iar/wiadomosci/?id=21134
translated by MZ

I have already posted a message or two here about "Radio Paktika". Now this one. Actually, it amazes me why do they talk in circles here. That radio station is - pure and simple - for the propaganda purposes. Historically - this is nothing new. See for example:

A system of street loudspeakers in Polish cities during Nazi occupation. Special non-tunable radios for citizens of General Government. Soviet system of radio speakers in apartment buildings connected to a secured radio set. Voice of America. Radio Free Europe. Nothing new.

See the next post about a collector of old radio sets, and some interesting stories behind some unusual radio specimen.

Mishka Zubov

10-27-2007, 11:57 PM

Talking boxes or how radio sets have grown

80 years ago this was a small box with crystals or with two lamps and a headset. It was growing with time, becoming almost a furniture - ruling, together with its tube speaker, in a sitting room.

Even today one can still see strange metal structures on rooftops of old buildings, for example in Warsaw's Wola. Amongst them, like the wash lines, 50-meter antennas used to be stretched. These were the requirements of "Detefons", first detector radios. A black bakelite box, two cylindrical coils and a crystal enclosed in a glass tube. A steel needle was used to search for a sensitive point on the crystal. Detefons did not have any power supply. Their disadvantage was a short range and lack of amplifier - hence long antennas. Neighbors used to quarrel about those antennas - the simple twisted copper wires. There was not enough space on the rooftops, the wires crisscrossed.

Piotr Paszkowski, an English translator and a collector of old radio sets, gets excited when talking about those neighborly quarrels from almost a century ago. This human aspect of history is the most fascinating thing in collecting. He collects both - radio sets and anecdotes.

He started his hobby in 70s, still in England. He came back to Poland with a strong resolve to buy several nice radio sets from the 30s. But the old radios were not available at the end of the Polish People's Republic. They began to appear at flea markets only by the end of the 80s. The sellers had no idea how much worth those boxes were. One could buy a nice item for a cost of two packets of cigarets. "It was then when I have bought most of my collection; today I would not even buy 1/10th of it" - says Paszkowski. An acquaintance of his calls him a "radiesthetic", or a radio esthetic man, because Paszkowski does not hide that he is mostly fascinated by beauty of those old radio sets.

The slogan: "Entire country within a detector range" was posed in 1923 in Great Britain. Six years later Polish Radio SA decided to respond. Engineer Wilhelm Rotkiewicz, later a designer of the famous Pionier from Dzierżoniów, has designed a cheap radio detector. The cost of the apparatus - 24 złoty, or 39 złoty for the entire kit: the Detefon, magnetic headsets, crystal detector, 50 m long antenna with isolators, ground wire and the antenna switch with the lightning rod. The antenna had to be grounded because the metal structures have been attracting thunderbolts.

After the radio mast has been built in Raszyn in 1931 the "Detefon" could be used all over Poland. Only in Pokucie or at South-East of Wilno province the reception was a bit weaker. The sets have been selling well - almost half a million was sold before 1939. One could buy them anywhere, even at the postal offices. The customers were being attracted by low price, credit sales and reductions in subscription fees: the price of a yearly subscription for the farmers was 41.50 złoty.

In 1932 a speaker with an amplifier for a detector apparatus "Amplifon" has appeared on the market for more wealthy listeners. There was no need for the headsets and the entire family could listen to a broadcast. Those without such a speaker used other methods. "One good method was to place a headset into a large crystal vase, or to a brass vessel for frying preserves" - says Paszkowski. He has a Polish detector in his collection, but this one is from after the war. On its back wall is a name of the producer - T 7. During the Stalinist period all factories manufacturing electronic equipment had become secret. They had hidden the Kraków Radio Plant under the T 7 cipher.

A radio set without tuning

Germany has become radio-phoned thanks to mass production of a folk radio set. The lamp radio Volksempfanger has been sold all over Germany. Until 1939 more than 3.5 millions copies have been sold; almost 70% of German farms had a radio set before the WW2.

Every German manufacturer of radio equipment had to manufacture one of the three models of the folk radio set and sell it for a special price, regulated by the state. The authorities were delivering the enclosure molds and the electronic schemata. The final product costed 78 marks - not much, considering that the average worker's wage was 150-200 marks. Other, not subsidized, radio sets costed 300-900 marks. The folk radios could be bought on credit or one could buy a model with an attached money-box for monthly savings.

The folk radios had numbers, rather than names. Volksempfanger 301 has got its number to commemorate a date when Hitler raised to power - January the 30th. Besides the number - a name of one of 40 major manufacturers - Telefunken, Blaupunkt, Saba, Mende, IKA from Łódź. Radios manufactured in occupied Poland were called by Germans "Goebbelsschnautze", Goebbels' snout. Many of those radios have survived the war and the new settlers of the western Poland would call them "hitlerek", a little Hitler.

Initially Poles were not allowed to own radio sets. In 1943, however, the occupation authorities came to the conclusion that such prohibition limits the German propaganda. A new project has been conceived and shortly after a production of special radio sets for Poles has started. Those sets had no tuners and instead of three knobs - two only: one - for the audio level, and the other was a selector between three German radio station. Piotr Paszkowski shows it: The back face specially mounted, with seals and warning in Polish: "Removal of the back face and removal or damage of the seals is strictly forbidden." And the letter G - meaning that the set has been destined for the region of General Government. Today, there are only few such copies - each worth several thousands złoty.

Radio Free Europe upside down

The restrictions regarding ownerships of radio sets have not been lifted with liberalization from the German occupier. A decree of Polish authorities from October 30, 1944 set heavy prison penalties or the death penalty for handling, manufacturing, sale and purchase of radio sets.

In April 1945, in Poznań, the Citizen's Militia arrested - on orders of the Prosecutor's Office and the Regional Military Court - the citizen Stanisława Marinczenko. "During search of the premises of the above named citizen, a taylor by profession, a hidden radio set Philips was found, together with the speakers and the headset." She was convicted to death for breaking the decree of the state protection. Her application for pardon has been rejected. "The convict has not disclosed the location of the radio set, by she kept it hidden in the cellar - which is a proof that she is a person dangerous to Polish State. This is why she does not deserve pardon." The death sentence, by firing squad, has been carried on May the 1st, 1945.

Later on one could own a radio but the authorities would not allow for free-for-all. Conductor radiophony, or famous "kolkhoz" speakers was an improvement on the German invention of radios without tuning. It was even more secure, because there was not a back face for accessing the innards to de-tune the radio. The "kolkhoz" radio was simply a speaker with radio signals carried by a cable. Such cable was made of special 12 screened strands - and this was a challenge for the socialism constructors.

Most of the kolkhoz radios have been installed in Nowa Huta, which supposed to be the first Polish city completely radio covered. Even today, in the oldest buildings there are bunches of conductors hanging out of decrepit walls. The kolkhoz radios provided for reception of six programs: first three for the Polish Radio (even though there were only two PR stations), fourth - local, fifth - for broadcasts of programs from the brotherly countries and sixth - a musical one. There was a joke about the seventh channel - Radio Free Europe - which could be received by turning the kolkhoz radio upside down.

The speakers in a wooden casing were decorated by Mickiewicz portrait, three boats or a picture of happily working miners. The last one is the most sought collection item. The speaker picture was made with unusually ephemeral method: a gypsum mold stiffened by hessian. The Mickiewiczs and the boats have survived the passing of time much better.

The idea of conductor-type broadcast had not been taken with enthusiasm by the people. They preferred their own sets, with access to entire world. Others have been dreaming about a true radio Pionier. In 1952 the Nowa Huta experiment with radios was stopped. The central radio station has never broadcasted a single program. The only country where the experiment has become successful was Czechoslovakia.

Piotr Paszkowski has in his collection Polish kolkhoz radio sets, but the one he likes best is Czechoslovakian bakelite Tesla. "When I found it first I did not know what it was and I could not believe that one could produce such designer refined item in the socialism."

Receiver from U-Boot

The best to listen to "Radio Free Europe" or "Voice of America" were the radio sets, to be dropped by parachutes, manufactured in Great Britain by Polish engineers and technicians under supervision of British intelligence, destined for intelligence work, such as in Polish Resistance.

Before the WW2 the first such design has been completed by the engineer Tadeusz Heftman for the 2nd Section of General Staff of Polish Army. After the lost September campaign several officers carried its blueprints to France and from there to London. About 900 such units have been produced. Some get lost during the parachute drops, some during the war operations. Only few of them survived. One such specimen has surfaced on an Internet auction. The seller bought it from a radio wave listening aficionado. He, in turn, received it from his uncle, a retired Security Service (SB) man, who had stated that the copy had been sequestered from the "bandits" caught in the 50s in one of forest ranger estates in Lower Silesia.

Similar radio set, today property of Piotr Paszkowski, was destined for Polish resistance. The operating instructions on the inner parts of the upper lid and the signs on the control panel are written in Polish. Those radios have been also used by French resistance and by British intelligence operating behind Japanese forces. In such cases special stickers with translation to appropriate language would be added to the set.

Paszkowski has found his set, worth today about $4000 US, in antique shop in Katowice. He was in a hurry to catch a train but before he reached Warsaw he knew that he has missed something of great value. He phoned the antique shop, paid by wire and asked for sending it via courier. The shop owner did not know what it was - besides the fact that the black close-able box had some military connotations. He had received it from a man who also had not known what he had been selling. The radio had a good range and was receiving well the foreign stations, even those which had been jammed. The original owner used to listen with it the Radio Free Europe.

Paszkowski is fascinated by foraging in flea markets and antique shops in hopes of unusual chance of finding something like this in Katowice. Today's collectors forage more often in Internet than in antique shops - clicking on Allegro (Polish E-Bay) or other auctions.

He has found another interesting specimen by chance as well. One day he brought an old pre-war antenna to a galvanizer shop. The craftsman could not understand why someone wants to nickel up a piece of wire. He forced the collector to tell him a story of his passion for radios. When Paszkowski came back later for the antenna the craftsman proudly showed him an old radio. German Radione R3, a battle radio, Truppenempfanger, produced for Wehrmacht for civilian communication. For the German soldiers to listen to German broadcasts always and everywhere - at Stalingrad or in Africa.

The dark grey case looks like a military radio set. It has several power supply variants: from 110V, 120V and 220V AC to 6, 12 and 24 Volt batteries. A broad frequency range, resistant to vibrations. The father of the shop owner brought it with him as a war booty. It supposedly came from a U-boat. He used to listen on it to the Radio Free Europe after the war. The specimen was excellent for this purpose because of its precise tuning system.

After they disassembled the set they found out that the internal part of the back cover was penciled over by hand in Russian. These were the usage instructions regarding the tuning - as if the previous owner had been instructing the next one. Unfortunately the rust took over and the anti-corrosion fluid has washed the historical notes out.

Among the old Polish receivers the most valued are the specimen from Elektrit factory in Wilno. At those times, the factory had been boycotted as being Jewish. Today both Poles and Lithuanians are happy to collect its radios. In Poland the Elektrit radios are being bought by a rich Lithuanian, Sigitas Zilionis. He pays any money, buys them on Allegro, and the prices go up and up: Patria, Victoria, Fidelia, Herold. The most sought after is the Excelsior model. Actually most collectors are not sure whether there is any survival of the latter. "So far we know about one confirmed specimen, but unfortunately with a broken tuning scale" - says Paszkowski.

In the pre-war Poland the Elektrit has prospered quite well because of the esthetic valor of the radios and their good quality. After Wilno was taken by Soviet army in 1939 the factory has been disassembled and transported to Belarusian Minsk, a furniture factory by name of Molotov. The Elektrit engineers have been ordered to reassemble the factory and start producing the radio sets of quality no worse than before. A group of Wilno engineers was even welcomed in Kreml by Kkrushchev and Andreev. The radio specialists had gone all over Soviet Union in search of manufacturers and suppliers of materials and subsystems.

Vanishing Pionier

After the WW2 the Soviets restarted the Molotov's Radio Factory again and began production of ratio sets known as Minsk, very similar to pre-war Elektrits. Many former workers from Wilno has helped in that enterprise. However many have died. Some have gone all over the world - reaching USA, Israel, Poland. One such group has worked in Wrocław in the enterprise Radiotechnika. Another group was creating Polish Pionier in DZWUR Dzierżoniów. The similarity of names is not accidental.

(...)

I have also used here some information from the internet pages by Maurycy Bryks and Henryk Bereznowski.

Agnieszka Sowa
Polityka 05-09-14
source: http://www.kpk-ottawa.org/sip/bez_ogonkow/biuletyn/2005/0511.html#skrzynki
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-28-2007, 03:27 PM

A plane with Polish soldiers destroys guiding lights at Pyrzowice airport

Created: Sunday, October 28, 2007

A plane coming back from Beirut with Polish soldiers on board destroyed several dozen lights guiding the planes to the runway, which means that for at least three weeks the Pyrzowice airport, southern Poland may have problems with receiving the planes in bad weather.

The accident happened on Saturday night. Boeing 737-800, hired by the UN to transport soldiers returning from the peace mission, with 114 Polish soldiers and 11 crew members on board, came to low while landing and destroyed guiding lights at a stretch of around 870m, but managed to land safely.

Circumstances and causes of the accident are being investigated by the Air Accident Investigation Commission.

source: http://www.thenews.pl/archives/1586-Plane-with-Polish-soldiers-destroys-guiding-lights-at-Pyrzowice-airport.html

Mishka Zubov

10-28-2007, 03:54 PM

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Mishka Zubov

10-28-2007, 04:28 PM

More details from another source

Airplane accident at Pyrzowice airport

A Spanish airplane with Polish soldiers on board, coming back from Lebanon, has destroyed several dozens runway guiding lights at the Pyrzowice airport.

The accident happened on Sunday morning. 114 soldiers participating in UN mission in Lebanon have been coming from Beirut on board of Boeing 737-800. Besides the soldiers there was a plane crew of 11 members on board.

"The pilot came in too low and began mowing the runway guiding lights. Those lights are of different hight - ranging from dozens centimeters to 10 meters" - explains Cezary Orzech, a spokesman for the airport in Pyrzowice.

The passengers heard the noise of lamps being broken but nobody has been hurt - the plane safely landed. It appears that it has mowed several dozens of lights of the middle line - both the directional as well as the flashing ones (the guiding lights run in three rows). The plane has some body damage and broken lights at the undercarriage. It will be ready for departure only after some repairs are done, not sooner than in three weeks.

The accident has not caused any delays in landing of other airplanes. "The pilots know about damages done to some lights but this has not caused any landing problems so far. But this might cause some problems in extremely bad weather conditions, because not all pilots are certified to land in such circumstances. Everything should come to normal in about three weeks. This is how long will take to order new equipment from a manufacturer and to install it" - explains Orzech.

The airport representatives state that the landing procedure was handled correctly by the controllers but they refuse to answer whether this was a pilot's error.

A special commission for air accidents is investigating the incident.
source: http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80708,4619031.html
translated by MZ

Rumors from Polish national TV:

The pilot didn't report the incident to the TWR. He landed and taxied to position as if nothing happened. Only after the ground crew noticed the damages a rescue crew was informed.
The ground crew smelled alcohol on the pilot...

Mishka Zubov

10-28-2007, 04:49 PM

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This is how the Poles and Swedes fought in a supercup handball game today. Poland won 27:26:-)

wholagun

10-28-2007, 04:51 PM

goddamn swedes. Polish workers should boycott Sweden

Jocker_89

10-28-2007, 05:01 PM

It was great match!

GO POLAND woot

Mishka Zubov

10-28-2007, 05:35 PM

Already reported here
http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2834411&postcount=427
but this story is a bit expanded and comes from a different writer.

Shbara and Shamiyah get clean water
By Multi-National Division - Central South PAO
Oct 27, 2007 - 4:56:46 PM

Blackanthem Military News

Civil Military Cooperation Group members provide supplies to Shbara and Shamiyah residents in the in Nahda district of Diwaniyah Oct. (Courtesy photo)
CAMP ECHO, Iraq - Villagers in Shbara and Shamiyah now have clean water thanks to the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Civil Military Cooperation Group, which handed over two completed water treatment facilities to the Qadisiyah Province Oct. 23.

The new facilities, which cost about $270,000 to construct, will provide potable water to approximately 4,500 villagers in the area, improving living conditions and sanitation.

"It should be emphasized that cooperation between Coalition Forces and local society is much better thanks to these projects," said Lt. Col. Tomasz Wolszczak, Polish Army and CIMIC Group commander.

Since January 2007, CIMIC specialists have carried out 70 projects costing approximately $8.7 million to improve Iraqi infrastructure and self-sustainment capability.

Additional projects undertaken by the CIMIC Group include Operation Oil Drop, an operation designed to provide a safe and secure environment for the local residents of Ad Diwaniyah, and assistance for small business development and the economy in general, as well as delivery of humanitarian aid and efforts to decrease unemployment.

Recently, Operation Oil Drop provided the schools of the Nahda district with necessary supplies such as 600 school sets for pupils, 32 family packages for school personnel, gas cookers, liquid soap, air conditioners, soccer balls, carpet and heaters. Teaching kits were also given to teachers. Citizens continue to receive other items including electrical generators, cleaning chemicals, mattresses, food and cosmetics.

The CIMIC Group will continue to provide financial support for small businesses and institutions throughout Ad Diwaniyah Province.

Haji Shbara is located approximately five kilometers south of Al Hamzah and Al Shamiyah is about 30 kilometers west of Ad Diwaniyah.
source: http://www.blackanthem.com/News/U_S_Military_19/Shbara_and_Shamiyah_get_clean_water11121.shtml

Mishka Zubov

10-29-2007, 12:39 AM

More modest warship construction program until 2020
2007-10-28

Subsequent attempts to define an enterprise, unofficially described as National Warship Construction Program (NPBO), are under way. Current preliminary plans estimate spending costs in the range of 15-17 billions złotys until the year 2020.

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A prototype of a new Polish bottom mine with submarine stealth features - the result of Sikora Program from Navy Academy and CTM - is being loaded to a torpedo launcher of ORP Orzeł. Photo: Navy AcademyThe information about NPBO has been disclosed by Admiral Waldemar Głuszko - a chief of staff and a deputy commander of Polish Navy - at the conference "Maritime Technique and Weaponry NAT CON 2007", organized in Gdynia by Maritime Technique Center (CTM).

Unofficially, current NPBO version predicts construction of six multi-purpose corvettes of 621 Gawron class, five modern minehunters Kormoran, three big patrol boats, four multi-purpose freighters, and also procurement of one modern submarine.

This is a significant reduction of plans presented last year by a former deputy commander of Polish Navy, Admiral Marek Brągoszewski, at the conference "Modern technologies for state security and its borders", organized in May 2006 by RAPORT-wto.
The previous plans of so-called National Maritime Program discussed a budget of 30 billions złotys until 2020 and construction of 3-4 frigates, 6-7 multi-purpose corvettes, 10 minehunters, 3 sunmarines, 3 multi-role support warships and a command warship.

After a sleep period of the minehunter Kormoran program it has been reactivated - with a modern sonar system SHL-101T designed for those vessels by CTM. Gdynia Navy Shipyard has been working on a new variant of Kormoran design for quite some time. A technical study of logistical vessel WOWOSZ - multi-purpose warship for support of operations of armed forces - might start at the beginning of 2008. CTM is trying to obtain a contract for the WOWOSZ study. Polish Navy intends contracting out a design study of two specialized ships - a rescue ship and a reconnaissance ship with radio-electronic recce capabilities.

Adm. Głuszko has presented current technical priorities of Polish Navy. In his opinion the most important one is modernization of command support system for Łeba-3 Flotilla - to be able to exchange data with other NATO navies, operating in vessel groups, via network transmission protocol Link 11.

A concept of data exchange between Polish Navy and Border Guard is being born - as an integrated, seamless Navigation Safety Support System. Finalization of procurements of RBS15 Mk2 missiles, and later Mk3, for Orkan class warships is also important. According to unofficial information this will happen at the beginning of 2009. The Navy also considers a modernization proposal of MU90 torpedos, already delivered to our Navy by EuroTorp.

Current development and plans for Border Guard

Capt. Edward Szutkiewicz has presented intents of Maritime Unit of Border Guard. They are currently creating a network of automatic posts for coast control. This is a set of 18 towers, equipped with radar, one remotely controlled optical-electronic head and at least two vehicles with mobile radars. It is unofficially known that the Border Guard has been testing a vehicle with radio-locators made by Israeli Elta. The first network posts are already operating at the Gdańsk Bay area. In the future the network data from the automatic posts will be integrated with an observation and command center - creating an integrated situational view of our Baltic region.

The newest acquisition of the Maritime Unit of Border Guard are fast patrol boats IC16MIII, built in Sweden. Two of them are already in Kaszuby Battalion of Border Guard, and two more will be stationed in West-Pomeranian Battalion in Świnoujście. On November 16 there will be an official ceremony of raising the Polish ensign on those units.

Szutkiewicz has disclosed that the Border Guard is seeking financial resources for design of two big supervision corvettes with helicopter pads. The initial parameters are: length 57-65m, draft - 3.5m, maximal speed - 20 knots, range - 4500 nautical miles, crew - 14 sailors. Gdynia Northern Shipyard and Navy Shipyard will be probably competing for this project. The former has already submitted its proposal.

Maritime Technique Center (CTM)

CTM has informed that a new generation sea mine has successfully passed their tests. It has an intelligent, 4-channel, remotely controlled fuze and a body with an underwater stealth characteristics; that is, the mine is covered by a special material, minimizing the sonar echo. The mine can be set under water by a submarine torpedo launcher. ORP Orzeł torpedo launchers were being used for test purposes. The mine is a result of a Sikora Program by CTM, with participation of Navy Academy (AMW).

Such mines can be used to create a remotely controlled barrier, which is not dangerous to our own vessels, but which can be remotely activated during forcing attempts by enemy vessels. The remote control of such barriers is a result of yet another joint project by CTM and AMW - the "Biegus" program.

CTM, together with other Polish enterprises and the Swedish SAAB corporation, has formed a so-called "corvette consortium" and is bidding for participation in a subproject of the Gawron project - an integrated system of battle control. Since one of the bid requirements, set by Navy Shipyard, is a minimum five years experience in this field, the SAAB became a leader of this consortium.

The newest research project of CTM are autonomic unmanned surface platforms and submerged vessels. One very good idea of AMW scientists is a project for conversion of obsolete electrical torpedoes SET 53 into autonomic submerged vessels with a range of 70 km. The Navy, following MoD decision, has already supplied AMW with the first two such battle torpedos.

source: http://www.altair.com.pl/
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-29-2007, 12:53 PM

ORP "Kondor" will test the best ones
2007-10-29

Polish submarine ORP "Kondor" will take part in training of NATO vessels preparing for operations in elite NATO Response Force.

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The task of ORP "Kondor" is to test their abilities in carrying anti-submarine operations. The training will take place in English Channel and will last till the beginning of December.

Yesterday, on October 28, 2007, ORP "Kondor", commanded by Lt-Com. Leszek Dziadek, left her Gdynia port of registry and is on her way to the base of training center FOST, Plymouth, Great Britain. FOST stands for Flag Officer Sea Training.

The main tasks expected from her crew is training and testing NATO warships in anti-submarine operations. ORP "Kondor" will be simulating torpedo attacks, harassing strategic sea routes, performing blockade operations and any other activities that NATO Response Force must be prepared for.

British FOST in Plymouth is one of the biggest centers where the elite warships of NATO Response Force are trained. The FOST instructors organize and handle the training. During final examination the warships are subjected to practical tests, covering all kind of operations of naval warfare.

Polish submarines are among such "examiners" - they test preparedness of surface vessels to anti-submarine operations. Currently such tasks are being executed by ORP "Kondor". ORP "Sep" played such role last year, and three years ago - ORP "Bielik".

The FOST center has 50 years experience in maritime training and it represents the highest world standard. Passing such "course" means achieving the highest training standard. This is where Polish missile frigate ORP "Gen. K. Pulaski" had been examined before it became a part of elite SNMG-1 team of NATO Response Force. And this is where the second Polish missile frigate - ORP "Gen. T. Kosciuszko" - has been also trained.

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Lt-Com. Piotr Adamczak
Press Section of Polish Navy Command

source: http://www.mon.gov.pl/pl/artykul/3685
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 07:16 AM

Czech chief of staff discusses cooperation with Polish partner
By ČTK / Published 30 October 2007

Prague, Oct 29 (CTK) - Czech chief of staff Vlastimil Picek met his Polish counterpart Franciszek Gagor Monday to discuss the two countries' soldiers' participation in foreign missions and possible cooperation of the two armies at the new military training centre in Deblin, Poland, where Czech subsonic L-159s could fly.

According to Picek, the U.S. plan to locate parts of its missile defence system in the Czech Republic and Poland was not on the agenda of the meeting Monday.

Picek told journalists that the discussion on the cooperation at the military training centre was conducted only in general terms. If an agreement is reached, the Czech military is prepared to participate in the bilateral training of pilots.

Czech Deputy Defence Minister Martin Bartak discussed the cooperation between the two countries at the Deblin base in summer. Poland then showed interest in using L-159 aircraft. However, it was not clear whether the Czech Republic would allow its planes to be used at the centre or whether Poland would buy the aircraft and Czech pilots would be able to train at the Polish centre.

The Czech military is the only army to have bought the L-159s. It ordered 72 planes in 1997. Later, the Defence Ministry decided that the air force would not need such a big number of the subsonic planes and would only keep 24. The military has been trying to sell the remaining aircraft since then.

The Czech Republic and Poland also want to cooperate in the preparation and operation of a joint battlegroup within the Visegrad Four that includes, apart from the Czech Republic and Poland, also Slovakia and Hungary.

"We discussed the year 2015. An earlier date is impossible for time reasons," Gagor said.

Czech and Polish soldiers operate in the EU peace-keeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Kosovo and Iraq.

According to Picek, the missile defence is a rather political topic for the time being.

"It is the Foreign Ministry's business and the Czech military does not interfere in it yet," Picek says.

The USA wants to station a missile defence radar base in the Czech Republic and ten interceptive missiles in Poland.

Czech diplomats and experts are now negotiating with the Americans on two agreements that will define the status of the radar base. The final decision on whether the U.S. will station the radar and interceptive missiles in the Czech Republic and Poland is to be made next year.

According to public opinion polls, most Czechs are against the building of a U.S. base on Czech soil.
source: http://www.praguemonitor.com/en/201/czech_national_news/13948/

Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 08:39 AM

Szczygło: The first rotation in Afghanistan has managed well

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
PAP 09:40

Chief of MoD, Aleksander Szczygło, taking part in the official ceremony of command transfer from the first to the second rotation of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, in Bagram base, said that the first rotation had managed excellently.

"Comparing the situation from February and March with the current one it looks like that the first rotation has managed excellently. From this point of view the eight months that I have spent in the ministry is not a wasted time" - said Aleksander Szczygło. He has advised his future successor to pay attention to details of missions abroad, in order to avoid many mistakes.

General Marek Tomaszyck, a commander of the first rotation, stressed that even though many soldiers have had experience from previous missions abroad the challenges were different and "there was no place for a routine". "Many people have accepted us - both the soldiers from the other contingents, as well as Afghans. They wave to us in villages, 80% have positive attitude towards Poles" - said he, summarizing the service of his rotation.

Generał Jerzy Biziewski, a current rotation commander, said that he intended to train even more Afghan forces and to slowly transfer to them responsibility for the security.

Polish Military Contingent, operating within International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan (ISAF), has 1200 soldiers. All soldiers of the second rotation are already in place, and the service of the first rotation is ending.

The tasks of Polish soldiers are: combating insurgents, supporting Afghan army and police, training those forces, protection of reconstruction projects and participation in humanitarian operations.

Jakub Borowski (zel)
source:http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,9271,wid,9341377,wiadomosc.html
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 08:56 AM

http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/1451.jpg
Polish Brig-Gen. Marek Tomaszycki, a commander of the first rotation of Polish Military Contingent, receiving Bronze Star medal from American Maj-Gen. David M. Rodriguez for his merit and contribution to allied efforts in Afghanistan. October 28, 2007

Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 10:18 AM

Photos of Polish F-16 in the air!
2007-10-30 11:23:46

We invite you to a gallery of photos of Polish F-16, first ever taken in the air. The professional photographs has been made for Ministry of National Defense by Mr. Mariusz Adamski, a photographer and editor of "Skrzydlata Polska".
http://www.mon.gov.pl/pl/galeria/1112

High resolution photos are at the above address. Below are the same photos but reduced to a 640x480 resolution. And yes, we have already seen some of them. But this source is the official one.

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Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 10:27 AM

Mission of first Polish contingent in Afghanistan completed

Created: Tuesday, October 30. 2007

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The mission of the first contingent of the Polish troops in Afghanistan under the command of general Marek Tomaszycki has come to an end. Their duties will be handed over to a new Polish contingent commanded by general Jerzy Biziewski on Tuesday before noon.

The first contingent will be coming home without lieutenant Łukasz Kurowski who was killed by the Taliban on 14 August.

The first Polish military unit has carried out 844 patrols and 37 aid projects, including purchase of equipment for Afghan schools and hospitals.

According to general Jerzy Biziewski, the second group of Polish troops beginning their service in Afghanistan will have a much easier role to play.

“Our predecessors had to take a much higher risk, because they had to recognise the terrain and enemy tactics. We will have the comfort of drawing on their experience. They have told us about their own mistakes and what strategy to assume to avoid losses”, general Biziewski has told the Polish Radio.

He has also added that he will do his best to ensure that all of the Polish troops come back home when their mission comes to an end.

source: http://www.thenews.pl/archives/1608-Mission-of-first-Polish-contingent-in-Afghanistan-completed.html

Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 11:46 AM

Americans enlighten Poles on missile defense

30.10.2007

The US embassy has launched a series of meetings with representatives of Polish public devoted to plans to install parts of the American anti-missile defense system in Poland. Krystyna Kolosowska reports

The United States is intent on giving the Polish public a closer insight into what the American anti-missile shield actually is. US deputy ambassador to Poland Kenneth Hillas, one of the speakers in the series of public debates on the anti-missile defense system in Europe, is convinced that a favorable stand of public opinion facilitates the implementation of the project.

“Public discussion by young people, by all parts of society. These are important national questions that deserve full public discussion and my hope is that by providing information we enable people to make informed decisions about the question of missile defense.”

Wojciech Nowiak of the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, mid western Poland, points out that average Poles do not know much about the shield.

“Politicians not always inform us fully on this issue. And talks are under way on our relations with the United States. Sometimes our partners cannot understand our reservations. The more such debates are organized, the better the understanding of the whole issue is.”

The United States wants to convince the Poles that the location of the anti-missile shield in Poland will increase their security. And security was one of the issues discussed at a conference in Krakow, southern Poland, which focused on a new dimension of partnership between Europe, NATO and America. A key issue in this context was Poland’s participation in a NATO mission in Afghanistan. Poland’s representative at NATO Boguslaw Winid, says it is very important.

“Dangers for Poland originate on such distant territories. We live in the era of globalization and Poland may be attacked from regions that are far away. Another factor, is the need to combat drug trade. A large part of drugs reaching Europe comes from Afghanistan.”

Professor Roman Kuzniar of Warsaw University expects a change of style in Poland’s foreign policy under a coalition government to be formed by the Civic Platfiorm and the Polish Peasants’ Party.

“I think our foreign policy under Civic Platform governments will be more balanced. Poland will place equal emphasis on several important directions of our traditional foreign policy. We will tray to be a good European partner, EU member. We are going to be active in relations with important neighbors, including Germany, Ukraine and probably a few others. With regard to the US, I’m sure that the Civic Platform will pay due attention to the partner-like cooperation with the US, we need them and the US needs a partner like Poland. We’ll continue to have good relations with the United States but not at the expense of relations with the EU as it was in the past two years.”

The Civic Platform is not enthusiastic about the US anti-missile shield. It also wants to withdraw Polish troops from Iraq next year.
source:
http://www.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/gb/dokument.aspx?iid=65133

Jocker_89

10-30-2007, 12:31 PM

The assessment after the three-month cooperation

Security assessment and local authorities’ readiness to handing over the responsibility for the Quadisiyah province were the main topics of the PSTA (Provincial Security Transition Assessment) Conference, which took place on the 27th of October in Camp Echo.

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The commander of the 8th Iraqi Army Division Maj Gen Othman Ali Farhood, the Chief of Qadisiyah Police Brig Gen Safa Kadum, and the Chief of Provincial Security Committee Hassan Al Bderi, were invited by the commander of Multinational Division Central South Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk to the discussion. The participants of the conference emphasized the significant improvement of common activity. Moreover, they agreed that the security situation in the province will increase as a result of actions taken and the recent achievements. The building and protection of the second Joint Security Station (JSS), good relationship with the leaders of the local tribes and the formation of a civil guard are the basis for security in the province. I would like to emphasize the increase of the army and Iraqi police effectiveness. Recent detentions of dangerous criminals are the examples of their activity – Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk said. The increase in the number of city patrols and continuation of the recent level of coordination activities are the main tasks of the 8th Iraqi Army Division. The fulfill of those tasks will guarantee the security in Ad Diwaniyah – Maj Gen Farhood stated. In his speech, the commander of the 8th Division emphasized the need for purchase of military vehicles. Moreover, he said that the intensity of policemen training should be increased. It will broaden the scope of the provincial police activity.
After three months of the IX rotation of Polish Military Contingent’ activity, there are a lot of elements influencing the improvement of the security situation in the province. The building of JSS is one of them. JSS was built in the east part of the city, as the element of the operation codenamed “Oil Drop”. Thanks to that the number of Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces will increase. Close cooperation with local Sheiks is equally important. The leaders of local tribes protect the main roads in the province and prevent terrorist attacks on the roads. The convincing of Ad Diwanija inhabitants that cooperation with Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces is aimed at the improvement of living conditions and fighting against criminal activity. It will influence economic development and the increase in employment in the Quadisiyah province.

www.piomndcs.mil.pl

Jocker_89

10-30-2007, 12:34 PM

Joyfulness in the kindergarten

On the 28th of October the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Group from the Multinational Division Central South delivered humanitarian aid and the equipment to the kindergarten in the east of Ad Diwaniyah. About 160 Iraqi children received mascots, toys and teaching kits from the Coalition Forces.

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It was another humanitarian action conducted during the “Oil Drop” operation. The aim of this operation is to give local people security and improve the living conditions of the Nahda district inhabitants. Apart from gifts for children, specialist from CIMIC also delivered 13 air conditioners, carpets, curtains and mattresses. In the nearest future we are going to refurbish nearby schools anD the kindergarten. During the first month of the “Oil Drop” operation we distributed humanitarian aid for more than 350 inhabitants - commander of CIMIC Group LTC Tomasz Wolszczak said. The abilities of CIMIC activity is conditional on the security situation in the area of operation and soldiers from Task Force Falcon – The Maneuver Group, are responsible for this. Soldiers from the Falcon are on duty on the Joint Security Station (JSS) jointly with Iraqi policemen and soldiers. Joint patrols give local people security and reduce criminal groups’ activities.
In cooperation with Polish and American helicopters we carry out patrols both day and night. Good relations with the inhabitants of Ad Diwaniyah are a very important element of our activity. During the daily conversations we win their trust – commander of Task Force Falcon Col Stanisław Kaczyński said.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3259

www.piomndcs.mil.pl (http://www.piomndcs.mil.pl/)

SkyUS

10-30-2007, 03:18 PM

http://www.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/gb/dokument.aspx?iid=65133

Poland needs to realize that the AMB base will first and foremost defend the United States and not Poland. The secondary objective would be to defend the base itself in case of an attack. God forbid, but if anything was to happen, the United States would not give a damn about Poland or its base. The Polish goverment should really learn some history of the United States and it actions in events of such attacks. It needs to be in the interests of the United States to actually do something in a case of an attack on the base or Poland by any foreign forces. However, if the Polish goverment is determined to accept the American proposal for the base, it should have some tough negotiations. Poland is power in this situation. The Polish goverment should get as many benefits from the deal to outweight the negatives. The last time Poland put her whole trust in her allies, promises and obligations, it only saw RAF planes dropping flyers instead of bombs.

Sorry for the little rant of mine

Sevryn

10-30-2007, 03:40 PM

Unofficially, current NPBO version predicts construction of six multi-purpose corvettes of 621 Gawron class, five modern minehunters Kormoran, three big patrol boats, four multi-purpose freighters, and also procurement of one modern submarine.

So all were getting is
- 6 Gawron corvettes (Should have been 8)
- 5 minehunter
- 3 Patrol Boats (What kind of Patrol Boats, are they Frigates?)
- 4 Freighters
- 1 Sub (We need at least 5 to 7 new modern Disel submarines preferably built with swedens help their subs are awesome, seriously we have 1 old Disel sub that we got from Russia and 4 smaller subs that were given to us by Sweden. Those 4 little subs and 1 disel that we got during cold war will not last us till 2020 they are old. This is probably my biggest concearns.

I am dissapointed, I thought it would look something like this
- 7 Gawron corvettes
- 10 Minehunter
- 3-5 Submarines
- 4-6 Frigates
- 3 Support Warships
- 1 Command Warship

Our navy is our pride, ohh well it could be worse. I think it wont be too bad, I hope that we modernize our Army and Airfore first because they are more so of a Priority.

We need more then just 48 F-16, we need another 150 or so modern Fighters for our airforce cause it's getting old; mig 29's will have to be retired and the rest of the cold war era fighters have 1 foot in the grave already.

Seeing that the F-35 wont be delivered till after 2014-2017, then we should buy more of the F-16 100 or so, cause we need to plug up that hole that we have in our airforce. After that we can acquire 2 squadrons of F-35's.

Sevryn

10-30-2007, 03:48 PM

Poland needs to realize that the AMB base will first and foremost defend the United States and not Poland. The secondary objective would be to defend the base itself in case of an attack. God forbid, but if anything was to happen, the United States would not give a damn about Poland or its base. The Polish goverment should really learn some history of the United States and it actions in events of such attacks. It needs to be in the interests of the United States to actually do something in a case of an attack on the base or Poland by any foreign forces. However, if the Polish goverment is determined to accept the American proposal for the base, it should have some tough negotiations. Poland is power in this situation. The Polish goverment should get as many benefits from the deal to outweight the negatives. The last time Poland put her whole trust in her allies, promises and obligations, it only saw RAF planes dropping flyers instead of bombs.

Sorry for the little rant of mine

Good post, I agree. We have been thrown to the wolfs already by our so called allies on more then one occasion. We might as well get everything that we can from the Americans, I mean why not if the Americans have a problem with it I would point to Israel and complain about how much free aid they give to Israel who in actuality has done nothing for the US.

If they wont give us aid, and assistance then we don't need them. We don't need those interceptor missles, were not that paranoid. But before any deal I would make sure that that the Governement of Poland has control over the base, last thing we want is to let US use our territory to provoke WWIII with russia.

Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 06:13 PM

- 3 Patrol Boats (What kind of Patrol Boats, are they Frigates?)

I have no idea, the Polish original text just says: "3 duże okręty patrolowe", which I was not sure how to translate. I can only guess that the author would make much more noise here if those ships were to be the frigates.

I am dissapointed, I thought it would look something like this
- 7 Gawron corvettes
- 10 Minehunter
- 3-5 Submarines
- 4-6 Frigates
- 3 Support Warships
- 1 Command Warship

Our navy is our pride, ohh well it could be worse. I think it wont be too bad, I hope that we modernize our Army and Airfore first because they are more so of a Priority.
I have mixed feeling about it. Ministry of National Defense seems to have too much money for this year spending. But I guess the maritime expenditure is of a different, long term, sort and must be planned well in advance. The good news is - going by few recent articles posted here - our industry is picking up the slack. My guess is that Poland still misses good managerial practices, and this is what makes any long term planning so difficult to implement.

We need more then just 48 F-16, we need another 150 or so modern Fighters for our airforce cause it's getting old; mig 29's will have to be retired and the rest of the cold war era fighters have 1 foot in the grave already.

Seeing that the F-35 wont be delivered till after 2014-2017, then we should buy more of the F-16 100 or so, cause we need to plug up that hole that we have in our airforce. After that we can acquire 2 squadrons of F-35's.Possibly. But the obvious Achilles'es heel is not so much lack of equipment but the manpower. We have only 18 trained F-16 pilots so far. By the time we have all 72 pilots trained (assuming 1.5 pilot for each out of 48 fighters), to battle ready status the F-16 equipment will be obsolete. Hopefully such investment will not be lost. I am assuming that if one can fly F-16 then one can also fly easier types of fighters, and one can easier move into F-35, or whatever.

The recent announcement of salary raise by 20,000 zlotys a year is a good step in right direction, but it is still not good enough. Wages of pilots and technicians must become really competetive to lure young people to flight schools. The current MiG pilots, as possible candidates for F-16 piloting, don't count - they don't care for learning new tricks; all they want is to retire with not much trouble.

So we need young people, and a lot of them. And then: train, train, train them. This is more important than buying new fighters, in my humble opinion.

Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 08:43 PM

Marine helps train Polish soldiers in Afghanistan

Oct. 18, 2007; Submitted on: 10/28/2007 07:15:18 AM ; Story ID#: 2007102871518

By Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino Jr., Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan

GARDEZ, Afghanistan (Oct. 18, 2007) -- A Marine officer was among a team of Americans from Kabul-area posts who met with the newest Polish soldiers in country to ensure a smooth transition into their roles as mentors for the Afghans.

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Marine Lt. Col. Drew West, the Afghan National Army/ Operational Mentoring Liaison Team liaison team leader for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, speaks to Polish soldiers at Camp Thunder in late September. West, a reserve Marine activated from Dublin, Ohio, was part of a team from Kabul visiting the Polish OMLT to pass on information that may assist them during their tour in Afghanistan. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino Jr.The team arrived in Gardez to deliver some insight as to what the Polish Operational Mentoring Liaison Team assigned to mentor with the 203rd Afghan National Army Corps may encounter during their tour in Afghanistan. The team also gave a broad perspective of the OMLT mission and relayed some functional boundaries to the OMLT soldiers.

Marine Lt. Col. Drew West, the International Security Assistance Force ANA/OMLT Liaison Team Leader opened discussions with the OMLT’s place and mission amongst the many coalition pieces in Operation Enduring Freedom and the global war on terror.

West and the other presenters shared their perspectives of how things are supposed to run, acknowledging that they don’t always go as planned.

“We’re trying to build Afghanistan and protect it at the same time – that’s a tough thing to do,” said West, a reserve Marine activated from Dublin, Ohio.

Other presenters suggested that the OMLT may have to accept that they may not be able to teach everything they know, but they can still have a positive impact.

Army 1st Lt. David Baxley, the transitional readiness assessment tool officer assigned to Task Force Phoenix, said that it may be reasonable for the OMLT to focus their efforts on mentoring the ANA Corps in a few particular areas, and expect the following OMLT to focus on additional areas. This, he said, will allow the ANA to grow and learn incrementally.

All the presenters stressed that the OMLT’s place in Afghanistan is significant to the Afghan National Security Force’s overall success.

West said OMLTs are meant to replace American embedded training teams and continue to mentor the ANA.

“Your impact on the environment in Afghanistan is more than you think.” said West.

The OMLT arrived in Afghanistan about two months ago, relieving the previous Polish soldiers who have since returned home.[1] In that time, they have begun working with and mentoring the ANA soldiers. They have also learned about some of the challenges they face as a mentoring team.

The OMLT commander, Polish Army Lt. Col. Rafal Sznajderowics, said his team has already found a challenge in helping the ANA soldiers train for missions, because they are often assigned missions with limited time to prepare beforehand.

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Polish Army Lt. Col. Rafal Sznajderowicz, commander for the Polish Operational Mentoring Liaison Team in Gardez, Afghanistan, participates in a late September conversation with visitors from the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Force out of Kabul. The team from Kabul was visiting the Polish OMLT to pass on information that may assist them during their tour in Afghanistan. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino Jr.Despite these challenges, the OMLT was encouraged.

“What we have to do is help (the ANA) know that every time they go to the fight with their mentor – every time they fight – they’re going to win,” said West. “We have to build that confidence.”

The international security cooperation training officer for Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, Polish Lt. Cmdr. Zbigniew Zachariasz, was the only Polish speaking member of the visiting team. He and the others of the visiting team assured the OMLT soldiers that while they may sometimes seem to be alone from support, headquarters personnel is always mindful of their mission and significance.

http://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/071018-M-9719V-008.jpg
Polish Navy Lt. Cmdr. Zbigniew Zachariasz, the international security cooperation training officer for Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, listens in with Polish soldiers at Camp Thunder in late September to information meant to assist them during their tour in Afghanistan. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino Jr.West quoted NATO in saying, “The OMLT program is the single greatest contribution that NATO’s ISAF mission can make towards developing the Afghan National Army.”

Sznajderowicz said he hopes to see progress by the end of his team’s tour.
source: http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/ad983156332a819185256cb600677af3/87e458d6043bf9b585257382004351a2?OpenDocument

[1]The first OMLT rotation of Polish Military Contingent was in place about two months before the main Battle Group arrived. Hence the changeover to the second rotation took place also two months earlier.

wholagun

10-30-2007, 09:09 PM

how are the foreign language skills of Polish officers? Is there a shortage of officers with proficient english language abilities?

Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 09:13 PM

CSTC-A News
Polish soldiers excel at counter IED training in Afghanistan

Story and Photos by Marine Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino Jr.
CSTC-A Public Affairs

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/omlt-gardez.jpg
A Polish soldier looks for improvised explosive devises or IED indicators during a counter IED course in Gardez.Polish soldiers assigned to mentor Afghan National Army soldiers recently underwent counter improvised explosive device training, earning high praise from other coalition troops.

Like other Operational Mentoring Liaison Teams, the Polish soldiers assigned to mentor the 203rd ANA Corps received similar training before deploying to Afghanistan. They still saw the additional training administered by International Security Assistance Force and Task Force Phoenix personnel as an opportunity to reinforce their skills as mentors.

The training was especially significant for the soldiers because they were involved in an ambush attack during their first week in country.

“In my opinion each training is important, even if repeated,” said Polish Navy Lt. Cmdr. Zbigniew Zachariasz, the international security cooperation training officer for Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. “You see more things – more possibilities; you can develop skills better and better.”

During the training, instructors created a scenario in which the Polish soldiers encountered five “IEDs,” as well as several possible IED indicators. Instructors demonstrated several types of IEDs, including remote-controlled IEDs, pressure-plate IEDs and stringed IEDs.

The Polish OMLT identified all the IED indicators planted by course instructors Sgt. 1st Class Raymond E. Odum, the counter IED chief senior assistant for ISAF, and Kris A. Anderson, a counter IED advisor with Ronco Consulting assigned to ISAF.

The instructors said the Polish OMLT performed better in the exercise than any previous group they had taught.

“They did an outstanding job. They’re the first ones to actually find all the IED indicators,” said Odum.

The exercise also saw the OMLT soldiers respond to a scenario with an improvised IED attack that “disabled” a vehicle from their convoy and create a secure perimeter.
Having been in Afghanistan for a couple months may have played a part in their training success, in that they were very aware alert during the exercise.

“I think it played a big role – they had actual experience with IEDs (while they have been in country),” Odum said.

Anderson told the OMLT soldiers they really impressed him with their skills during the exercises, and he encouraged them to share the training experience with the ANA soldiers they mentor.

source: http://cstc-a.com/News/Oct-25-07PolishSoldier.html

Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 09:22 PM

how are the foreign language skills of Polish officers? Is there a shortage of officers with proficient english language abilities?

If you are referring to OMLT teams - they all have to speak English, down to the lowest noncoms ranks. And some of them even speak Pashto, as one of the funny stories posted here describes.

Soldiers of the battle group do not have to speak English, but I presume that all commanding officers and some noncoms speak it too. Take for example mechanics from Wazi-Khwa - somehow they had to communicate with their American counterparts.

I guess, what prompted your question was the mention that Polish Navy Lt. Cmdr. Zbigniew Zachariasz was the only member of visiting CSTC-A team that could speak Polish, not just English. :-)

SkyUS

10-30-2007, 09:31 PM

Good post, I agree. We have been thrown to the wolfs already by our so called allies on more then one occasion. We might as well get everything that we can from the Americans, I mean why not if the Americans have a problem with it I would point to Israel and complain about how much free aid they give to Israel who in actuality has done nothing for the US.

If they wont give us aid, and assistance then we don't need them. We don't need those interceptor missles, were not that paranoid. But before any deal I would make sure that that the Governement of Poland has control over the base, last thing we want is to let US use our territory to provoke WWIII with russia.

The reason why the United States had been giving all of the military and financial aid to Israel is because that is the only democray in the Middle East. America supports Israel because it does not want to lose a vital key player in the Middle East. If anything was to happen any regional conflicts or anything alike, The US of A will not mobilize to put down the conflict or any of such. It will pressure the Israeli goverment to do so. Israel is the neccessary key partner of America because of its geographical location. Even the so called ally, Saudi Arabia, is only considered an ally is because of the fact that the United States can get their neccessary quantity of oil. It is a known fact that Saudi Arabia is a supporter of Sunni Islam(Wahhabism) in the Middle East. All of those projects financed by the Saudi Arabian goverment in the Middle East was to be used as a way to sway Muslims to Wahhabism. And America "tolerates" it because it needs their supply of oil.

Since America has already bases military bases in Germany however due to the German political world it would be nearly to impossible to build AMB base there. In addition, Germany would only allow for such olny under the umbrella of NATO, however USA does not its AMB bases to be under hte control of NATO, in such case it would not have the complete control of the base as in this case with AMB base being located in Poland. Like I said before, the Polish goverment needs to serously negotiate for the best terms of the deal instead of just believing in the empty promises and assurances of the American Goverment. Once the deal is signed, the US won't give a damn about Polish security concerns.

I hope somebody can understand what I was trying to say.

Mishka Zubov

10-30-2007, 11:21 PM

A letter from an American soldier-mentor from Gardez, where the Polish OMLT team (or teams) operates. Provides some geographical and historical tidbits of area, as well as quite interesting insight into some technicalities of battle preparations, rarely reported. Where else you can hear about "drinking experience from firehose", "armed guide tour" or "mother of all terrain models"? It also talks a bit about Polish OMLT from Gardez.

Boesen Afghan SITREP #5

13 AUG 07-
Gardez, AF

Hi everyone, greetings from Gardez, AF, altitude approx 7500 feet. Life is better now that NFL preseason football has started and college football is not far from around the corner. Go Hawks! I have spent the better part of my time since the last SITREP getting settled into FOB LIGHTNING here in Gardez, AF.

This FOB is larger than CP Clark and doesn’t have the same close knit feel. When I and my team got to Gardez, we began the process of conducting a relief in place (RIP). This is a process the US Army uses to teach the new guys (us) what the old guys have amassed in experience over a long period of time. We call it drinking from the “firehose” because you cannot take in, or process everything they have learned over a year in a short amount of time.

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gardez-author.jpg
The author at FOB LIGHTNINGNonetheless, RIP we did. As part of the RIP, we went out on patrols (consider them armed tours) to show us where the suicide bombers might lurk from previous experiences, where the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are generally emplaced and to get oriented to the local nationals (LNs).

Our tour guides were the Polish Operations, Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) that we are supporting. They are the equivalent of US embedded trainers and have been here 6 months (they leave in late Aug 07). CPT Artur Synoracki was the lead tour guide. Artur speaks English very well and has a sister in Texas. He is a very competent officer and really makes the OMLT run as his commander, a LTC, is not very aggressive.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gardez-tour.jpg
(L-R) SGM Brian Olson, Team SGM; CPT Artur Synoracki, Polish ETT; Unknown ANA and Yours Truly at the “Castle” Aug 07 One of the places we went was an old castle where the Afghan National Army (ANA) used to call its HQs. The tenants before that were the Soviet Union when they passed through. It had old Soviet cannons on it and gave quite a view of Gardez City from it. There were still old Soviet radios and other equipment lying around and looked like it had not been inhabited for several years. As always, there is no money to pay for clean up, so you sort of feel like an archeologist as you unearth things that have laid around for years.

http://hotimg5.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gardez-city.jpg
Gardez City from the “Castle”http://hotimg14.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gardez-cannon.jpg
Old Soviet Cannonhttp://hotimg15.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gardez-radios.jpg
Old Soviet Radios at the “Castle”
One of the other places we went in Gardez City was to a small airfield. In that airfield was additional Soviet junk left over from the Soviet occupation and seized from Afghan Warlords who have been convinced to give up their stuff. Many are now in positions in the Karzai Administration. Equipment we saw were Soviet BRDMs, howitzers, T-54 Tanks, BMP-1s, things I have only seen pictures of in books or on threat identification cards for gunnery.

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gardez-brdm.jpg
Old Soviet BRDMshttp://hotimg8.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gardez-tanks.jpg
Old Soviet Tanks
Once again, I got to see a piece of Afghanistan’s history and was witness to its long history of warfare. This is another thing that our fellow citizens have not had to deal with: foreign countries coming in and occupying their country (recent Afghan history: the British in the 1800s and Soviets in the 1980s). Image what it would be like to see Soviet tanks rolling through your neighborhood? This is another reason why
we are doing what we are doing in Afghanistan: providing security so we can get out. Hopefully, someday, an Afghan child will never know that uparmored HUMMVs (UAHs) rolled through their village.

As part of our armed tour, we went up to Camp Phoenix, which is located in Kabul, the capitol of Afghanistan. Driving in Kabul is mass pandemonium and great for an adrenaline rush in a 12,000 LB UAH. Camp Phoenix is the major HQ of the ETT mission and provides (I use this term loosely) some of the support we need to do our mission.

To get to Camp Phoenix from Gardez, I got to ride on one of two paved roads that I have seen in Afghanistan. It was amazing (and I don’t just mean the absence of huge potholes and bumps in the road). This road was not unlike any you would see in the US; it even had painted dividing lines and was cupped to allow vehicles to stay on it when wet. You could also see the effect a paved road has in Afghanistan; few IEDs emplaced, villages that were more affluent with better economic development, etc. I saw the potential for the future, if we can get the country’s security situation under control.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gardez-road.jpg
On the Road to Camp PhoenixI am going to change subjects and jump to the last few days were we have been preparing for a large operation in my area of operations (AO). The higher HQ assigns AOs to deconflict who owns what area, so we don’t shoot each other up with artillery, close air support and other assets. It is also a way to focus a unit’s effort so they do not get overextended. Whenever we go on an operation, we do a lot of preparation and follow a process.

A critical part of this process is doing rehearsals; in this case a combined arms rehearsal (CAR). The CAR allows unit commanders to confirm their knowledge of the plan, to ensure we are synchronized across all of the players in the operation and to allow the “Boss” (next higher Commander) to know we are not all screwed up. Making unnecessary mistakes can cost lives. As part of our job to teach the ANA how to do things right, we did a joint CAR with the ANA, afghan national police (ANP) and the 82d Airborne unit operating in our area. CARs are usually conducted on a terrain model to allow everyone to visualize both the terrain we will be fighting in and how all the forces will be arrayed. Great tool, but this CAR took two days to complete.

Normally terrain models are big enough to walk on and are about the size of a HS gym or smaller, depending on time to build it and resources available. Well, we did ours on the “Mother of All Terrain Models”. This thing was over a football field in size and darn near had actual mountains to replicate the mountains we’ll be operating in. Biggest one I have ever seen.

Some of our Afghan counterparts, who are generally much shorter than Americans, couldn’t be seen as they moved down a mountain pass road on this thing. The 82d also had to set up a PA system so you could hear the participants speak. Below are pictures of the “Mother of All Terrain Models” and one of my teammates who is a team chief for another ANA Kandak (battalion) looking thrilled to be baking out in temps near 100 deg F in the hot sun.

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gardez-model.jpg[/url]
The “Mother of All Terrain Models”, FOB THUNDER, Gardez, AFhttp://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_136/gardez-model-2.jpg
One last look at the “Mother of All Terrain Models” OK, time to close this thing out. I’ve gone to this format because my internet access stinks here in Gardez and it is easier to upload a PDF file because the size shrinks. In other final news, I will be moving back to Camp Clark in Khowst after this upcoming operation to retake the Kandak I was mentoring when I first came into country.

I know, you are probably thinking I can’t hold a job, and that is probably right, but my higher HQ made a miscalculation about the Kandak I was previously assigned to. They have regrown into a large Kandak, necessitating regrowing my old ETT team to mentor them. So, I will be taking my traveling road show SE to Khowst Province in about a month or so. I’ll also be gone into the wild for several weeks on an operation and will be incognito.

On a positive note, I’ll be home on leave in mid Oct; boy will it be nice to see my family. I hope you all are doing well at home and I truly thank you for your support. It means the world to us over here and the e-mails and notes keep us connected with a little piece of home and sanity. I ask that you continue to pray for our Hooahs over here.

We just lost a young 82d Paratrooper 10 klicks away from my FOB to an IED consisting of three mines triple stacked. Although I make light if things at times to deal with things, we are doing serious business here were young lives are lost frequently. This Trooper left behind a young wife and a baby that he never met
because it was born while he was deployed. May he rest in peace.

Take care, and until the next SITREP, may God Bless You and America.

Regards,

Steve
source: www.honnold.org/users/bgumm/files/maj_boesen_SITREP_05.pdf (http://www.honnold.org/users/bgumm/files/maj_boesen_SITREP_05.pdf)
Reformatted from PDF by MZ