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

Mishka Zubov

08-04-2007, 04:10 PM

France propose our participation in Darfur mission

written by KAROLINA WOŹNIAK, MS
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Życie Warszawy (ŻW)

Polish Military Police might participate in peace mission in Africa. Polish government is considering sending our Military Police to Sudanese Darfur.

The experts warn, however, that we have no battle experience in that region. "They do not know where they want to go. Darfur is the most dangerous place on Earth." - tells ŻW Magdalena Nagórska, a coordinator of operation "Poland for Darfur". Nagórska has been organizing aid for that war engulfed country for many months now. She is glad that Polish soldiers will contribute to stopping "the first genocide of 21st century". "The war has brought 400 thousands dead, more than two million black Africans have been driven out from their land. They vegetate at the level of death in refugee camps on the border between Darfur and Chad. The fundamentalist government in Khartoum has decided to simply annihilate African tribes in Darfur and take away their land from them." - she reports.

The proposal of our participation in the mission to Darfur came from French authorities. Aleksander Szczygło, a Minister of National Defence, admitted that the government has been considering it. "There are talks related to details, such as the tasks facing our contingent and the transport" - said Szczygło yesterday.

Lack of experience

The aim of the operation, decided by UN on August the 1st, is to stop violence in Darfur. This would not be the first such mission with Polish participation. Only last year our Military Police were sent to Congo as an election observers. "Our previous missions, including the last year mission to Congo, have been successful. They have shown that we are willing to actively participate in UN forces (the Congo mission was under aegis of UN) and that we have come true in such operations." - stresses Radosław Sikorski, a former minister of defense.

But he points out that this mission would be quite different. "Even though both Congo and Sudanese Darfur are in Africa those two missions would be different. We went to Congo to help keep peace, while in Darfur we would have to create a peace first" - says Sikorski, and adds that all depends on tasks facing the Poles.

Jerzy Szmajdziński, a former minister of defence in the leftist SLD government, also agrees with these conditions. In his opinion, even though Polish soldiers were in Darfur several years ago and know the terrain, they would not be able to cope with all tasks. "We should not agree to everything. It would be too difficult for us to directly enforce the peace since we have no battle experience in that region. This is French specialty, not ours" - argues Szmajdziński.

Harder than in Iraq

He adds that the conditions will be harder than in Iraq or Afghanistan. "This is not only about the climate, but also about the language barrier" - says Szmajdziński. "The climate problem means that our equipment and accessories of our soldiers would have to be more robust than those in Iraq. And we already have problem with equipment." Sikorski adds that if our government decides to send our soldiers to Darfur they must assure that our officer is among the commanders. "This would influence whereabouts of our soldiers" - he adds.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6637&Itemid=46
Translated by MZ

Several countries — including Italy, Sweden, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, Thailand, and South Africa — said they had not made a decision yet. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the country would send a small number of doctors and nurses, but no troops or security personnel, given its existing commitments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands.

source: Globe and Mail, Canada, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070801.wdafur0801/BNStory/International/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070801.wdafur0801

Mishka Zubov

08-04-2007, 07:22 PM

Well, for those nay-sayers: A contract with Martin Lockheed for purchase of F-16 fighters brought at least something as an offset...

Controlled explosions

written by MARCIN SZTANDERA
Monday, July 30, 2007
Gazeta Wyborcza, Kielce

Zakłady Metalowe „Mesko“ (Metal Plants Mesko) have finalized the most expensive and most modern investment in its history - construction of production line for utilization of ammunition, the only one such line in Poland.

"A basis of this investment were problems we have with old ammunition in storage. In Poland there is about 50 thousand tones (of this). Some types are so old that our armed force have no use for them since they have already scrapped a corresponding armament" - says Piotr Mazurek, a chairman of ZM „Mesko“ in Skarżysko-Kamienna.

The assembly hall, for safety reasons, has been placed in the factory's training grounds, far from the nearest buildings. The modern-looking building does not look like any of the buildings which have been standing on the property of MZ Mesko for several tens of years. "We have finished mounting the equipment. We are going to begin technological trials and demolishing tests of the first batch of ammunition in August." - says Mazurek. He announces that the full start will commence not earlier than several months later. "Some inconsiderable delay is a consequence of troubles with bidding decision"- he explains.

There are two production lines in the building. The first one will serve for utilization of artillery ammunition of caliber greater than 57 mm. The second one would be used for utilization of ammunition of smaller caliber, rifle rounds say. "Thanks to this Mesko will be able to utilize any kind of ammunition - from small arms calibers to 155 mm artillery calibers" - stresses chairman Mazurek.

The factory has, among other equipment, an incinerator of explosives and a detonation furnace, a system for melting the explosives and dismantling the mines. There is a saw for underwater cutting of bigger missiles and untypical warheads. Thanks to this, they will be able recover some colored metals and some kind of explosives that can be reused in mining. "And everything will operate under the strictest ecological and safety norms. The line is completely automatic, fully monitored, and served by 30 people. We are now completing the crew" - stresses chairman Mazurek. He does not want to say how much the investment costs. "This is a trade secret" - he stipulates.

Launch of the line is a part of an offset programs related to six billion dollars purchase of F-16 fighters by Polish Air Force. Lockheed Martin (LM) - within the offset framework - agreed to make investments in Poland - part of which went to Mesko. When in 2005 the agreement was being signed between Mesko and Scandinavian Nammo, owned by LM, it was said that Mesko was worth 876 millions of dollars - after application of so-called an offset scaler. The offset program has been also used in Mesko for starting a production line of ammunition for F-16.

The utilization line in Mesko will be the only one of this type in Poland. There is a reason why such of investment was badly needed. After its entry to EU, Poland agreed to liquidation of old and unwanted ammunition by the year 2013. Utilization of one kilogram costs between $27 and $40 on the world market. "For us, the most important thing is to safely satisfy domestic demands, but we also have had queries from abroad, including Scandinavia" - says Mazurek.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6501&Itemid=69
Translated by MZ

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4629/kamionkarejowld5.jpg
Reservoir "Rejów" in Skarżysko-Kamienna - first created at the beginning of 19th century, destroyed in both world wars. After the WW2 it was used to provide all the water needs for ZM Mesko. Currently it fills the recreational and surge/expansion roles.

A note:
Deputy Minister of Economy, Paweł Poncyljusz, recently said that ZM Mesko had been brought back from a threshold of bankruptcy mainly due the contract with Rafael - a production of anti-armor guided missile Spike in Mesko.

Mishka Zubov

08-05-2007, 05:41 AM

Reports of Marcin Ogdowski

This was the first time I came across Polish interia.pl - "Portal of youth, irrespective of age". Its front page does not look too exciting, but hey - they have sent their own reporter, Marcin Ogdowski, to Afghanistan. Maybe we could learn something interesting from this additional source of news? So I decided to peak into some of his reports, http://fakty.interia.pl/raport/interia_w_afganistanie/relacje-marcina-ogdowskiego.

Well, his last report was somewhat embarrassing to read, let alone to translate it. So I will just give you a sample - his opening paragraph.

Taliban are afraid of us

Photo. M. Ogdowski /INTERIA.PL
Friday, August 3, 2007

A roar of engines disturbs the silence of the Afghan steppe. Somewhere away the Americans - attacked by Taliban - are waiting for the column of Polish vehicles. Suddenly the Kalashnikov bullets are also flying in direction of Poles. The response is unmerciful. The crew of Rosomak - equipped with a thermo-vision device - localizes, with no difficulty, the source of fire and directs there the barrel of their quick firing gun...

And so on, and so on. As I said - embarrassing, even to read. But wait, since we have seen the worst, maybe we'll find some fun in his other reports. Here is another one.

A crazy taxi to Kabul
Tuesday, July 31 (11:43)
"You, the journalists, are one of groups in this country, which is most vulnerable to kidnapping by Taliban" - these words of Gen. Tomaszycki, a commander of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, dog me as sinister mantra.

But our valiant hero shares a taxi from Bagram to Kabul with another hero from "Gazeta Wyborcza" for no other reason but to write a thrilling report. They have chosen a driver from a recommended transportation company, so he would not set them up to Taliban. But he could! The Afghan police, which stopped them at the gun point did not sell them to Taliban either. But they also could - according to warnings from a former Polish secret service officer. Boy, how glad they felt seeing a British soldier in front of ISAF headquarters in Kabul!

Remember the name: Ogdowski - do not google it for news from Afghanistan.

Mishka Zubov

08-05-2007, 11:14 AM

Well done
31.8.2007 On 3rd August most of the 160 soldiers from Multinational Corps Northeast, after working for more than six months in ISAF Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, will arrive back in their home base in Szczecin, Poland.

It was the first time MNC NE came into action in a real mission to support the stabilisation of peace. So this was a milestone in history of MNC NE also. ISAF Commander, US Four-Star General Dan K. McNeill, summarised his appreciation for the Szczecin-Team in a short ‘Well done’, describing the successful work of the Corps’ soldiers, carried out for most of them between January and August 2007.

http://www.mncne.pl/catalog/cat_1185888037.jpg

‘Multinationality is hard work but the only right way’, said Major General Jan Brun Andersen, normally working as Deputy Commander of MNC NE but during the mission in Afghanistan also the Senior General of the Szczecin-Team, with a view on the daily working business in ISAF HQ. The soldiers from MNC NE, coming from nine different nations, worked in Kabul as the main body of the so-called ‘Composite Headquarters’.

They had to integrate all the other soldiers from all 37 Nations, belonging to the ISAF family and fighting together shoulder to shoulder for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. The high level training the Szczecin soldiers got before the mission, is emphasised by Major General Andersen as the main reason for the outstanding record: ‘Good training makes the difference’.

The soldiers from Multinational Corps Northeast are redeploying but something of them will stay in Kabul and Afghanistan. There are many memories and also a lot of new friendships, established during the time with Afghans as well as with members of the International Community and, not to forget of course, with soldiers from other ISAF Nations.

And also the name of the town Szczecin, as home to MNC NE, is now integrated in ISAF HQ forever. One of the main HQ buildings, a container built office space area and formerly known as ‘White Building’ has been named ‘Szczecin’ now, to honour the work of the Szczecin soldiers and also to remember their very first and successful mission.

source: http://www.mncne.pl/?menupage=p_article.browse&root=d205e176672d6b4af4fa835c6d0b70f8&category_id=dc4f0c4a0b9743c97aab5ab7493c7bbf&product_id=364

Mishka Zubov

08-05-2007, 11:47 AM

Our soldiers are coming back from Afghanistan

written by MARCIN GÓRKA
Friday, August 03, 2007
Gazeta Wyborcza, Szczecin

They have been working in the command of ISAF operation. They will come home on Friday.

„Well done“ - summarized their mission during farewell the ISAF Commander, US Four-Star General Dan K. McNeill. 160 soldiers from Multinational Corps Northeast: officers and non-commissioned officers - mostly from Germany, Denmark and Poland - had been working in the staff of so-called Composite Command of ISAF operation. As part of NATO staff in Afghanistan they commanded all participating soldiers in that mission - including Polish Military Contingent, made with almost 1200 soldiers.

They were at key positions of the staff sections: logistics, recce , operations and communication. Jan Brun Andersen, a Danish general from the Corps had the highest position - being a deputy commander of entire ISAF operation.

"The Corps was carrying their tasks in the key moment for the entire NATO operation" - says COM Artur Bilski, a unit spokesman. "The situation in Afghanistan had become inflamed and complicated and accordingly our soldiers were facing a task of stabilization of that situation"

He stresses that the unit from Szczecin has put its mark into the NATO command structures, after the mission to Afghanistan. "We are already recognizable in NATO. It is already known that the Corps will co-command again the mission in Afghanistan in the year 2010." - says COM Bilski.

In order to honor the work of the Corps soldiers, one of the office building at the ISAF base in Kabul, formerly known as 'White Building', has been renamed ‘Szczecin’.

A military plane with officers from Szczecin on deck will take off on Friday around noon from the airport in Termez, Uzbekistan. The soldiers are expected at the airport Goleniowo about 1730 hours.

They will be welcome by gen. Zdzisław Góral, a Corps commander, by Jacek Kotas, a Deputy Minister of Defence and by families of soldiers.

After the medical examinations in hospital in Bydgoszcz they will go on vacation.

The officers from Multinational Corps Northeast have been already replaced in Afghan mission by soldiers from the Command of NATO Land Component in Heidelberg.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6624&Itemid=46
Translated by MZ

And they just came in time to watch the Tall Ship's Race in Szczecin and all that fun around it.

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/9/4363/z4363819X.jpg
Mexicans from "Cuauthemoca" say "Good morning" to Szczecin

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/0/4363/z4363810X.jpg
Welcome to "Dar Mlodzieży" in Szczecin

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1205/1001061692_0fe3c3b045_o.jpg
Cuauhtemoc Mexican Bark & Dar Mlodziezy Polish Frigate In Szczecin - Tall Ship's Races 2007

Mishka Zubov

08-07-2007, 05:17 AM

A Polish base in Afghanistan under attack
2007-08-07

A Polish base in Afghanistan has been shelled on Monday night. According to MoND spokesman, Jarosław Rybak - no one was harmed. The spokesman told IAR that the base was attacked at 2300 hours, our time. Two rockets has been fired on Polish base Sharana. A quick reaction force went to action, with help of Afghan police. Jarosław Rybak stressed that no such incident has happened in base Sharana for the last 18 years.

source: IAR

source: http://www.polityka.pl/polityka/index.jsp?place=Lead30&news_cat_id=1094&news_id=225843&layout=16&page=text
Translated MZ

Mishka Zubov

08-07-2007, 05:57 AM

This would not have been news at all if a Polish-Canadian had been offered a similar position in Canadian Ministry of Defense. But it is in this case, since Polish minority in Lithuania has not been treated fairly - for one reason or another, justifiably or not. This is good news for Polish-Lithuanian relations.

A Polish-Lithuanian took office in Lithuanian Ministry of Defense

written by PAP
Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Lithuania - Artur Płokszto, a Polish-Lithuanian, has been offered a high position in Ministry of Defense

2007-08-06, Vilnius (PAP) - Artur Płokszto, a Polish Lithuanian, former MP, a member of Lithuanian Social-Democratic Party, took office of Undersecretary of State in Lithuanian Ministry of Defense on Monday. His duties are supervision and coordination of provisioning of Lithuanian soldiers and anything related to infrastructure and economy of the department.

During interview with PAP Płokszto said that "the competition for this position was not easy" but "the examination board was not bothered by the fact that he was a Pole, but - in contrary - his knowledge of Polish language was an additional asset."

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6681&Itemid=69
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

08-07-2007, 12:40 PM

They drove over a mine
2007-08-07 13:34

Iraq: One Pole wounded in attack on patrol

An explosion of a road side bomb destroyed a Polish battle vehicle in Iraq. One soldier is lightly wounded and three others suffer hearing damages.

The Polish patrol has been attacked near Diwaniya. Five Polish hummers with 25 soldiers were going to a refugee camp in As Saniya. When a road side IDE exploded one of the hummers immediately burst into flame.

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/4380/449647hz1.jpg

Luckily no soldier has suffered serious injuries. One of the soldiers has a leg injury. However their vehicle has been completely destroyed.

After the patrol returned back to the base and after medical checkup it was found that only three of the soldiers have suffered slight hearing damages.

Bartłomiej Bajerski

source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=55779
Translated by MZ

Switek

08-08-2007, 04:09 AM

Iraq: One Pole wounded in attack on patrol

a picture of destroyed HUMWEE

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/wiadomosci/sierpien/mina_1.jpg

Mishka Zubov

08-08-2007, 06:17 AM

This article was first published a month before the eighth rotation of Polish soldiers in Iraq was to go home. And they all came safely home. The ninth rotation of Polish contingent and their new commander has replaced them over there. But the mission specifics are still the same: stabilization and training of Iraqi army. Officially, they are still not at war there.

Whistle of rockets in Iraq
2007-06-08*21:20
No hazing in camp Echo

Following the last Thursday's mortar shelling the Polish camp Echo in Iraqi's Diwaniya comes back to life. And it counts its loses. A broken generator, helicopters and a vehicle cut by shrapnel, damaged repair shop. It could be worse.. - writes DZIENNIK.

This was the 38th attack since February. The soldiers will apply security procedures, check out what kind of fire it was and where they were shelled from, and then ... they will be waiting for another attack. Actually Polish army is here in war, although their superiors prefer calling it a stabilization mission.

A war camp is a special place. Soldier - if you come here - forget everything you have learned in army barracks! In camp Echo of Iraqi's Diwaniya no one complains about food, no one salutes, no one runs around at the parade ground. No hazing, basic training, chastising loose belts. Here the rules are different: survive, rest, return.

Over here your evening relax may be interrupted at any moment by a whistle of rockets or explosions of mortar shells. That's right - a whistle. In Poland the word "whiz" (świst) is used - here they use another one. The reason is simple - one battalion commander's name is Świst. Once a soldier asked whether it was a whiz - he had in mind a sound of rocket, and another soldier answered "no" - thinking about the commander. But in fact it was a whiz because a rocket just flew over. Since that time everyone says "whistle of rockets", to avoid misunderstanding.

Soldiers here do not turn their noses up at food, because it is tasteful, diversified and does not give any reason for complaints. Saluting would be almost a sabotage, because it points commanders out to the enemy. There is no running at the parade grounds because too much care about fitness - in 45 degrees Celsius - could kill soldiers. Actually, such thing has happened to one American soldier who died after he passed out during his physical fitness test. Uniforms are worn here with a considerable appreciation of individual needs. This is a war base.

The camp's main street - Freedom Street, as a spine in human body, fulfills a role of an axis - focusing all activities in the camp. A soldier hits it at least few times a day. There is a staff, laundry, post office, movie theater and - what is most important - a canteen. The war aside, one has to eat and the canteen determines the daily rhythm of soldiers - not the patrols, base shelling, humanitarian missions or operations in town.

Fodder, as the army calls the food, is the foundation. And fodder feeders are very atttractive. The food supply is being handled by an American private logistic company KBR. American military has not been worrying for years about such trivia as cooking dinners or garbage removal, but has been contracting it out to civilian contractors. They operate quickly, professionally and inexpensively. And quality of services - for Iraqi conditions - is excellent. Poles summarize that system shortly: we will never have something like this.

"Difak" (from DFAC - a dinning facility), since no one here would use the word canteen, is open between 5 and 8 in the morning, and later from 12 to 14 and 17 to 20. The system is anglo-saxon: breakfast, lunch, dinner. The DFAC's opening hours impose the rhythm of base activity - more than the orders of your commanders.

Are you not on duty, brother? It does not matter, you will not get your sleep - get out of bed because they will close you fodder feeder! Even patrols, by a strange coincidence, always return to base during DFAC's opening hours. One must admit though that KBR is flexible - when there is night battle in town, a dining room is still open even at 1 o'clock a.m. But that happens on rare occasions.

At the gate to The Sesame there is a control - you have to show your pass, unload you weapon and attempt a shot into a box filled with dirt. There is too much of all sorts of military equipment around for leaving out the procedure of checking pistols and rifles. No one wants to risk an accidental gunshot wound in the canteen.

And there is really much to see: American gadgets, German, Austrian, all sorts of Kalashnikovs. In a word - gunsmith's art from all civilized world. Even soldiers with machine guns and grenade throwers enter the DFAC. A paradise for a militarist.

And here you choose and take. If one wishes a full dinner at 6 a.m - be my guest, a breakfast instead of dinner - go ahead. Salmon, Mexican style pork, Indian style vegetables - here you go. But after several days of such consumption there comes a reflection: how is it that DIFAC's apples don't rot? Well, they wither, they shrink but they do not rot. Why there are no cases of food poisoning? The answer seems obvious - the canteen's food has been loaded with preservatives and hence it has no rights to get spoiled; American military cuisine - although nutritious - is not that healthy.

A second important phenomenon, which gets soldier's attention, is shelling. Not the shelling*on patrols, not the roadside explosives, but the rocket or mortar attacks of the base - a place where military rests and should feel safe.

Attacks are always unexpected, the alarm sirens howl only when the shells are falling. When - as it was in March and April - this happens almost daily a soldier has to prepare his own survival technique. Why to go to a bathroom and then run to a shelter holding your pants in handful? Or why to take shower and then run naked with foam all over your body? And these kinds of incidents have been happening. Even a quick look at the bathroom might show an evidence that people had been running out prompted by explosions. In such moments no one cares very much about that place hygiene.

"We take our baths only when helicopters are up in the air" - says a CIMIC corporal. These are the words of wisdom, because rebels never attack when noise of choppers is heard. Helicopters can easily identify a shelling position and respond with murderous fire. Another way of using a shower is to do it at daytime only. Most of the attacks are carried after dusk. A third option is not to take baths at all, but luckily not many choose it in the Iraqi's heat.

One must run to a shelter after the first shells. Only few of them are solid buildings with souped up walls and roofs - most soldiers must be satisfied with makeshift shelters - 1.5 meters tall, in the shape of an inverted letter "U", made of concrete and covered with sandbags. They protect against shrapnel, but not against a direct hit. Hot and suffocating, forcing you to crouching position - too low for standing, too cramped for sitting. Once you are there you only think about getting out of there.

Although they are uncomfortable, it is good to know locations of nearest burrows of this sort. Soldiers live in tin containers with air-conditioning - shrapnel goes through them easily. And the places with no protection - roads, squares, gardens - are deadly dangerous.

Last Spring, an American soldier did not reach a shelter in time and when a rebels' rocket exploded in an open space, close by - he died. Another one hit a laundry - a young American women has been burned alive. People avoid this place now ... There is only an empty space and twisted remnants of that building. A new laundry looks like a bunker - a regular rocket is not good for it.

When enemy is not shelling the camp and when there are no patrols the greatest threat to the soldiers - according to common opinion - are Polish Military Police. There are only few of them, but they are a real nuisance. They are after, most of all, the drinking - strictly prohibited at the camp. They cannot enter containers without warrant, so they use all sort of tricks to get the soldiers outside. For example, they throw stones at a tin container and when the soldiers run out - they are ready with their alcohol testers.

"Right after the worst shelling they are after our drinking. But one has to react it out somehow. Nobody drinks on duty or when on patrol, of course. We have enough of them" - says a logistics soldier, who is happy to see a reporter at the base - so that he finally will have his say about the "real truth".

The truth is - our soldiers drink indeed. You will find an alcohol anywhere where a Pole is. And no prohibition will help. It is brought by those flying to Baghdad. The 90% alcohol provided by military for cleaning parts of precision equipment is not that bad, and makeshift wine - made from grape and apple juice taken out from the canteen - is drinkable too. How and where the wine is produced is a well-kept secret of the base. This knowledge is kept secret not from the enemy but from the Military Police.

Another amusement of the Military Police is a strict enforcement of speed limit to 20 km per hour. In the war camp one can easily receive a ticket, similarly as for the lack of driver's license. Not everyone is so acquiescent though.

A little skit: GROM operators, who officially are not here, drive their vehicle at the base. A Military Policeman jumps out and asks them to stop. "Your documents please, you were driving too fast" - thus begins a Polish dialog on the Iraqi soil. The side window slides down. "How long has it been since someone kicked your ass?" - Seriously, men, please show me your documents. "Well, I am getting out the car and I will seriously kick your ass." After several such scenes the MPs are not troubling the "specials" - special force commandos. You cannot blame them for that.

One more threat - although not as troublesome - is a boredom. Modern wars are rarely high intensity operations. When off duty and nobody shoots at him - that is, most of the time in Iraq - a soldier is getting bored to death. He cannot go out to town because this is seriously dangerous. There are only few entertainments around. There is a video lending library, but only with a dozen or so reasonable titles. Everyone has seen "Sexmission" at least eight times. There is a body building gym, so some troops exercise there; one has to admit that some soldiers look like real gladiators.

Another option is a visit to "Peweks"[1] - a PX shop baptized by Poles this way. - Tomorrow is a delivery, a gossip went around the camp - as back home at Jaruzelski's times. And shopping, in lack of a better occupation, can serve as entertainment too. New offers: American army T-shirts, a conditioner for body-builders, underwear, holsters for pistols and for magazines, kneepads, some electronics, adidas.

There is also a PX competition - more humble but more colorful - a small arabic bazaar near the gates, with a dozen or so stalls. Stallholders are carefully vented by security service and they get their license for one month only. They must be "nice" and "useful" to our military in order to get it extended.

And there are: prints with Mecca and Ali's mosque in Najaf, Koran, American military boots, tacky jewels, water pipes, electronics and - most popular among Polish soldiers - trifling cigarettes for two dollars a carton. Hundreds of them are being smoked when soldiers gather in their containers for a lazy chat - the most popular entertainment at the base.

The eighth rotation of Polish forces in Iraq has only more than a month to go. Too much time in order to start packing, but short enough to think about it all day long. Soldier's pay is quite good here and they may contract again in order to repair their house budgets. Let's not kid ourselves - aside from the staff officers, no one here talks about stabilization, introduction of democracy, or exercising of human rights. They do not talk about adventure, or world exploring. They talk about money.

Will they come here again? A woman-major from a battle unit: "I have been here for two rotations, this one is the worst, a constant stress. No, I will not return." A warrant officer from logistics: "Not a chance, I have enough." A corporal from a maneuver unit: "No. We are the occupiers [actually he was the only soldier who used such expression, others preferred less pejorative terminology]. I shall not return. I wanted to get out of military, but they suggested a pay raise, so maybe I will stay."**

***
According to a non-confirmed intelligence, Mahdi Army fighters are moving to Diwaniya from all over Kadisiya province. The goal - attacking the Polish base. Hopefully this is a false alarm. Let the eighth rotation safely return home in full complement.

Andrzej Talaga

source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=47881
Translated by MZ

[1] Peweks, Pewex, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peweks

Mishka Zubov

08-08-2007, 10:30 PM

Szczygło: Equally important missions
written by MON/PAP
Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Today, Aleksander Szczygło, Minister of National Defense, began his visit to Polish Military Contingent KFOR in Kosovo.

During a meeting with Polish soldiers he stressed that Balkan missions are as important as the other ones - especially because of approaching elections and Albanian drive to independence.

"We often forget that this mission deals with a part of Europe, forgotten for years, doomed for the sharp ethnic conflicts. Our soldiers are here to prevent repetition of the situation from the late 90th. This mission is as important as the other ones in which Polish soldiers participate" - said Szczygło after meeting with soldiers stationing in Uroszevac, 60 km from Prisztina.

He stressed that it is too early to withdraw from international forces. "Everyone expects some decisions about future of Kosovo. Albanians' hopes for independence have been - in my opinion - aroused too early. A situation where something does not come to fruition causes frustration. The armed forces cannot be withdrawn in the nearest future, for sure " - he added.

On Thursday Aleksander Szczygło will visit EUFOR soldiers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is anticipated that during his visit to Balkans he will meet with Brigadier Douglas Erhart, a commander of Multinational Task Force - East, and a KFOR commander, LT-Gen Roland Kather.

Polish Military Contingent of NATO-led KFOR mission consists of 280 soldiers from Polish-Ukrainian Battalion, POLUKRBAT. It is responsible for a region of 550 square kilometers, populated mostly by Albanians.

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

Some pictures of Polish soldiers in Kosovo can be found here: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2692691&postcount=1031

Jocker_89

08-09-2007, 07:08 AM

Support for Iraqi farmers

Multinational Division Central South (MND CS) in cooperation with 8th IA Div conducted distribution of fertilizers among farmers in sub district Al Mahnawiya, situated in western part of Quadisija province.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3060

From 7th to 8th of August soldiers from both divisions distributed 340 tons fertilizers among 295 Iraqi families. It was the second stage of large – scale support program, which will spread throughout all sub districts in Quadisija province. In accordance with agriculture support program, farmers united in Agriculture Union will receive rice seeds, fertilizers and agricultural machines. ”As a result of cooperation between 8th Division and The Agriculture Union in Agriculture Support Program, the aid will be provide for needful people and the aid will be carried out according to safety regulations”: commander of MND CS Major General Tadeusz Buk said. ”It’s our main purpose to raise the standard of agricultural production and to reduce unemployment”: stated Colonel Piotr Sadowski chief of civilian – military cooperation branch, the main agriculture program coordinator

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3061

Source:
http://www.piomndcs.mil.pl/index.php?vhost=mndcs&akcja=news&id=945&limes=

Mishka Zubov

08-10-2007, 07:42 PM

POLISH TROOPS TO JOIN EU'S DARFUR REFUGEE FORCE
Received Monday, 6 August 2007 13:00:00 GMT

WARSAW, Aug 6, 2007 (AFP) - Poland said Monday it was set to contribute 150 soldiers to an European Union peacekeeping force that aims to protect refugees and neighbour nations hit by the bitter conflict in Sudan's Darfur region.
Defence Minister Aleksander Szczyglo told reporters that he would ask for a green light for the deployment from President Lech Kaczynski, who has the final say on foreign operations by Polish troops.
Poland acted after a request from France, and is in talks with Paris on the "details of the mission, its precise character and the possible role of the Polish soldiers," he added.
France is among the EU members leading efforts to craft a new force to help stem the bitter conflict in the western Sudanese region, where at least 200,000 people have died from the combined effects of war and famine since fighting erupted in February 2003.
Polish soldiers, mostly from logistics units, could leave for the region in the autumn, Szczyglo said.
The move is part of wider efforts to bolster Darfur peacekeeping efforts which were approved last week by the United Nations Security Council.
In July, the 27-nation EU approved plans to send troops to Sudan's neighbour Chad, which is hosting 236,000 refugees from Darfur and where 173,000 locals have also been displaced by the knock-on effects of the conflict.
The EU troops are also set to be deployed in the Central African Republic.
The spillover of the Darfur conflict has compounded existing strife in both countries, sparking concerns about of a spiralling region-wide crisis.
The goal of the planned European contingent of 1,500-3,000 troops in Chad and the Central African Republic would be to support a UN police mission.
The Security Council voted unanimously last Tuesday to mandate a 26,000-strong UN force to take over peacekeeping in Darfur from 7,000 ill-equipped African Union troops who have been unable to control fighting between Darfur's rebels and forces loyal to the Sudanese government.
A handful of EU members have offered specific support for the UN force, with France and the Netherlands among those who said they would send troops.
Finland has said that a Nordic battle group of 1,500 troops -- to be formed by Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Estonian and also Irish soldiers -- could be deployed in Africa next year
Warsaw already contributes hundreds of troops to UN peacekeeping operations including in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lebanon, as well as the NATO-led Kosovo force (KFOR), which has a UN mandate to maintain security in the southern Serbian province.
Poland, which joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004, also has around 1,200 troops with the NATO-commanded force in Afghanistan and 900 with the US-led coalition in Iraq.

source: http://www.adetocqueville.com/200708061300.l76d0gh15137.htm

Mishka Zubov

08-12-2007, 03:20 PM

A Polish armoured personnel carrier runs over land mine in Afghanistan
Created: Sunday, August 12. 2007
A Polish Rosomak armoured vehicle hit a land mine last night, 40 kilometres from the military base in Sharan, Paktika province, eastern Afghanistan. No Polish soldiers were injured but the blast severely damaged the vehicle.

The Rosomak was on its way to assist US troops under fire from insurgents. The vehicle has since been taken back to base.

The Polish force, which are part of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, has 24 Rosomak armoured personnel carriers which are reinforced with a composite steel outer layer.

Poland sent an additional 1000 troops to Afghanistan this year after an appeal from NATO for reinforcements to tackle a regrouped Taliban. (photo: wiki)

source: http://www.thenews.pl/archives/1002-Polish-armoured-personnel-carrier-runs-over-land-mine-in-Afghanistan.html

lightfire

08-17-2007, 07:10 AM

But it is in this case, since Polish minority in Lithuania has not been treated fairly - for one reason or another, justifiably or not.

errr..what do you mean? Polish people have quite a lot of posts here, in Seimas, local municipalities (essp in Eastern part of natural reasons) they are alowed to build lots of polish schools in lithuanian teritory, some say - too many, since lithuanian one in Punsk (Polish town, where 80% of population are lithuanians) has a lot of preasure from local authorities. If you refer to polish name writings/iscriptions, this problem IIRC has been solved recently.

Jocker_89

08-20-2007, 02:38 AM

White day at Diwaniyah

On every Tuesday MSG Medical Support Group), together with CIMIC (Civil – Military Operation) Group conduct “White Day”, Within the framework of humanitarian aid. Today 14 August 2007 citizens of Diwaniyah and the Qadisiyah province sought medical treatment at Camp Echo’s Polish hospital. MSG carried out the examinations, minor surgery and delivered medicines as well as bottle water, food rations and toys to 25 people.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3073

The MSG main task is to provide medical assistance for coalition forces, but they also deliver humanitarian aid to the local populace. Our help is very important to the people of this area many do not have access to a doctor’s care and affordable medicines – stated LTC Andrzej Żelowski, MSG commander. A majority of our patients are children, and males with combat injuries. Such cases need long term treatment. Therefore, we see many return patients for follow up care – added MAJ Marek Żurek, orthopedist.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3074
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3075

The CIMIC group, in the framework of its operations, delivers the invitations for medical examinations to Diwaniyah and its local citizens. The local sheikhs however know the needs of their people, so they select the individuals for medical treatment. We established our operation closed to a doctor exam room, so patients can easy receive CIMIC assistance, – stated LT Damian Bober from CIMIC group.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3076
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3077

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

Jocker_89

08-21-2007, 03:52 AM

Defense Attaché of Ukraine In Camp Echo

From 17th to 19th of August Defense Attaché of Ukraine in Republic of Iraq Colonel Volodymyr Bakai paid a visit to Polish military base Echo in Ad Diwaniyah. During the visit Colonel Bakai met with Ukrainian soldiers from Multinational Division Central South and with The Commander of Multinational Division Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Buk.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3078
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3079
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3080

In the course of the visit with soldiers, Defense Attache of Ukraine was acquainted with specificity of their duties and with their main tasks. The next stage of the visit consisted of a meeting with Maj Gen. Tadeusz Buk. The purpose of the meeting was a discussed issues concerning cooperation and training of Iraqi police in the Ad Diwaniyah province. Multinational Division Central South consists of contingents from 10 countries. Ukrainian contingent comprises 27 soldiers. They form a team called PTT (Police Transition Team) and they are responsible for Iraqi police training.

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

packetloss

08-21-2007, 11:03 AM

I must say, im sorely disappointed: I fully expected reports of submarine screen door testing and developments of solar powered flashlights.

Mishka Zubov

08-22-2007, 01:25 PM

Poles safer in Afghanistan

Written by Marcin Górka
Translated by Mishka Zubov
source: Gazeta Wyborcza, http://www.gazetawyborcza.pl/1,75248,4407398.html
2007-08-22

Americans have finally agreed to mount addictional armour in Polish HUMVEES. And this is about time - last Sunday a Hummer protected this way has been blown up by a mine, but the crew survived.

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/8683/z4198670xhm0.jpg
Armoured transport vehicle "Rosoamak" and "Polish" Hummers in Afghanistan

American Army is buying armoured shields. They are being mounted by Polish and American soldiers under the floors of HUMVEES in our bases. Every one in four of 120 "Polish" HUMVEES has already such shield installed.

"Hard to tell when all the vehicles will be protected this way - it depends on American deliveries" - tells "Gazeta" MAJ Dariusz Kacperczyk, from Operational Command, which commands foreign missions of our military forces.

Last Sunday a mine exploded under one of the hummers. It destroyed only a back of the vehicle; the soldiers have been only shaken by explosion. "Their life has been most probably saved by that shield" - admits MAJ Kasperczyk.

Polish soldiers have been asking for additional shields for a long time. Several of them have demanded earlier release from the service in Afghanistan, since they did not want to take chances in such "casket on wheels". Leased from the American Army - a "Polish" HUMVEE has a decisively weaker protection than those used by Americans.

Finally, Polish Generals - Gen. Bronisław Kwiatkowski, a commander of Operational Command; Gen. Marek Tomaszycki, a commander of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan and Gen. Edward Skrzypczak, a commander of Land Forces - have commenced negotiations with Command of US Army in Tampa, Florida. "Americans have agreed to armor up those HUMVEES that are used by Polish soldiers" - says MAJ Kacperczyk.

Polish Hummers, however, will never be as safe as American ones. They will not have additional shields on doors. According to our command, this is not necessary. Roads in Afghanistan have no hard surface and hence the Taliban mount them at the middle of the road - and not at the road side, as do the terrorists in Iraq. "The impetus of explosion goes into the floor, not at the doors" - explains MAJ Kacperczyk.

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/4/4423/m4423114.jpg
HUMVEE M1114 technical data

Afghan patrol - the Polish way, or how to demonstrate power and avoid mines and bombers
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4798/m4423113qe7.jpg

"We control this region" - this is what NATO patrols suppose to show. In order to make it more difficult for Taliban to prepare their ambushes the Polish patrols have no pre-ordered hours, routes and formation of vehicles. There are usually five vehicles in a Polish patrol - with an AMV Rosomak frequently leading the way.

1. IDEs are usually the explosives blowing up under the direct pressure from a vehicle. For this reason the first vehicle is the most exposed to this kind of danger and it is better that it is a Rosomak than a weaker protected HUMVEE.

2. Each HUMVEE takes four or five soldiers, including a driver and a gunner.

3. The distance between vehicles is chosen by a patrol commander. It depends on a kind of terrain: an open space, a mountain road or a village. Soldiers must keep in constant visual and radio contact at all times.

4. Safety is provided by so-called "radio jammers", which do no not allow for remote mine blastoffs. Their 30 meters radius of operation protects not only themselves but also neighboring vehicles.

5. Vehicles are not allowed to stop in order to prevent a bomber from running up to a vehicle. Any vehicle attempting to pass a patrol poses a danger and therefore the last vehicles of the patrol formation blocks the way.

"Gazeta" thanks Grzegorz Hołdanowicz [an editor of the magazine Raport - MZ] for his help in gathering information about HUMVEES

Some Hummers are more equal than others
[Paraphrasing the saying taken from the novel "Animal Farm" - MZ]
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3479/m4423099hx9.jpg

This is a "Polish" HUMVEE M1025 (in a beige color). The vehicles of the type M1114, used by Americans, have better armor (green color) and stronger engines.

Ordinary armor and turret
A standard vehicle, as used by Poles, has an armor protecting against shelling from a popular Kalashnikov rifle, a bulletproof glass protecting against shrapnel, and a roof protecting against ammunition exploding above the vehicle. A 7.62 mm machine gun is mounted in the turret. In the standard version, the turret can be rotated, but it has only a forward protection shield. American HUMVEES have a shield all around a gunner with the bulletproof glass viewers.

The floor
Standard floor protects only against anti-personnel mines. Currently Poles are installing additional floor shields protecting against stronger explosives.

The super armor
A subject of sighs of Polish soldiers - the newest super-armor Frag Kit 5 is a kit protecting sides of a vehicle against machine gun shelling and - most of all - against anti-armor explosives. Thanks to it the soldiers are being protected against shrapnel from mine explosions. The kit includes not only the stronger floor but also stronger doors (weighing 280 kilograms) and special door catches - allowing to tear loose the doors that had been seized by explosion.

According to our command the extra armor on the doors is not necessary since Taliban plant their mines at the middle of the roads and hence the main impetus of explosion is directed towards the floor, not to the sides of the vehicle.

The radio jamming device
Effective in the radius of 30 meters the jamming devices makes it impossible to blastoff mines via remotely controlled devices. All Polish and American HUMVEES are supplied with jamming devices.

Documented by Marcin Górka
Photos by Wawrzyniec Święcicki

See also a post from an American soldier who had a chance to witness what was left of an unprotected Polish HUMVEE after it hit a mine in June 2007, http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2675605&postcount=966

It was a charred bit of rubble with huge puddles of aluminum that had solidified after the fire cooled. So little of the vehicle still existed I did not believe at first I was looking at what had once been a vehicle. I feel bad for the Poles having so little protection but I choose not to share their fate.

Jocker_89

08-22-2007, 01:41 PM

Nice read Mishka :)

Jocker_89

08-22-2007, 01:44 PM

CIMIC in Iraq doesn’t slow down

On the 22th of August Polish soldiers from civil – military cooperation group (CIMIC) Multinational Division Central South accomplished two projects. The Quadisiyah province citizens will gain access to the electricity and to irrigation system.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3081
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3082
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3083
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3084

Within the first project, the irrigation system was built in Al Sadear Town, situated in south part of province, about 10 km from Ad Diwaniyah. The main task of this system is to provide water into the farmlands. This venture will enhance local farmers crop productivity. The cost of the projects amounts to 416 thousand dollars. The second project concerns 4 transformer stations in Al Hamza Town, situated about 20 km from Ad Diwaniyah. The transformer stations enable to provide the electricity from substation directly into the living quarters. Moreover, 7200 meters electric line was provided into the streets of the Al Hamza Town. The cost of this project amounts to 145 thousand dollars. 15 local citizens will find employment with transformer stations, they will be responsible for technical support and the maintenance. "About 20 thousand citizens will benefit from the irrigation system and about 3 thousand from the transformer stations. Thanks to those projects their life will made easier and much safety” commander of CIMIC Group Lieutenant Colonel Tomasz Wolszczak said.

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

Mishka Zubov

08-22-2007, 03:47 PM

Tragic incident in Afghanistan
2007-08-22 16:40:44
With all regrets, we are announcing that a tragic incident took place on September 16th in the region Wazi-Khwa [of Paktika province - MZ]. A Polish patrol was attacked with IDE and then shelled on [by insurgents]. One Polish AMV Rosomak has been damaged but two insurgents have been captured.

During the chase Polish soldiers have been forced to exchange fire with terrorists who sought protection amongst civilians. As a result several civilians have been wounded. They have been immediately transported by helicopter to a coalition forces hospital, where they remain under special care.

Immediately after the incident the representatives of the coalition forces, together with a governor of the Paktika province, have met with the tribal elders. An ad-hoc formed commission will seek the explanation of the incident. In cooperation with local authorities a scope of help to families of casualties has been established.

Because of the open prosecutor's proceeding and safety of the soldiers and the villagers involved further information will be provided only after the final findings of that tragic incident.

The activities of ISAF forces are not directed against civilians. Together with local authorities, tribal elders and Afghan security forces, the coalition soldiers help civilians in their drive to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan and to increase the level of their safety.

Minister of National Defense took the information about the incident - provoked by the terrorists shooting at our soldiers - with deep sadness. This is not the first time that they have shown their ruthlessness.

Press Spokesman of Operational Command
of Military Forces of Polish Republic
MAJ Dariusz Kacperczyk

source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_140.html
Translated by MZ

Musashi

08-22-2007, 03:53 PM

[...]One Polish AMV Rosomak has been damaged but two insurgents have been captured.
Why didn't our soldiers kill them during the combat? :roll:

Starblast

08-22-2007, 04:18 PM

i think 5 dead is enough!

Mishka Zubov

08-22-2007, 04:32 PM

More details...

Excerpt from Dziennik, 2007-08-22:

Poles defending themselves against Taliban, civilians killed

Last Thursday, September 16, soldiers went on a routine patrol. Suddenly, about 0815 hours Polish time, a Rosomak carrying Poles run over a mine 26 kilometers North of Wazi-Khwa base. Then a band of Talibs jumped out of one of the shacks and started shooting at the Poles. The soldiers had no choice - they returned fire. Unfortunately, civilians were on the line of fire. Several of them died, many became wounded. How many? No one knows. MoND does not want to provide details of the tragic incident until findings of a special commission.

Two terrorists has been captured by our soldiers.
[/quote]
source: Dziennik, http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=57553
Translated by MZ

Switek

08-22-2007, 05:12 PM

Why didn't our soldiers kill them during the combat? :roll:

Should they? :roll:

Mishka Zubov

08-22-2007, 05:25 PM

This is not a laughing matter: a Polish military prosecutor and the governor of Paktika have been both involved. Do you remember one of my old posts about Mr. Governor? He is a serious fellow, apparently trying his best to help his people but also to explain actions like that one to the villagers.

And in what light the other positive actions in Wazi-Khwa of Polish soldiers (children of Paktika vacationing in Poland, CIMIC engineering works, etc.) will be looked upon from now on? The blame MUST be definitely assigned and carefully explained.

Please recall that almost twenty years of the Polish blameless UN peace service in Lebanon has been destroyed by one road accident when a Lebanese family has been wiped out by a Polish truck two months ago.

Mishka Zubov

08-22-2007, 10:58 PM

I must say, im sorely disappointed: I fully expected reports of submarine screen door testing and developments of solar powered flashlights.

Sorry, but it looks like you and I do not share the same sense of humor.

[Well, this entry is not exactly "military", but it is "Polish" and it is a kind of "humor" that some Poles like.]

From the introduction to Andrzej Mleczko gallery:

Mleczkoland is a curious and mysterious country. It has mountains on its South, a sea on its North, Europe on its West and Asia on its East side.

The inhabitants of Mleczkoland have seldom found habits and customs. They wash themselves not that often and they feel the best with dirt, disorder and mess around. They are very glad to fight for freedom and independence but when they reach those goals they do not know what to do next and begin to spitefully quarrel about every trifle. They are known to complain about everything and they dislike everything.

In spite of all the logic they elect the most stupid, the most primitive and often the most mentally retarded representatives to their parliament. They consider themselves the most wonderful nation on Earth but - at the same time - they have many complexes and inhibitions.

These unusual traits of Mleczkoland may interest a most finicky and exotics seeking tourist. We present you with a comprehensive guide to this original country, full of surprises, contrasts and universal paranoia.

source: http://www.mleczko.pl/mleczkoland_info.jsp
translated by MZ

Few samples of drawings by Andrzej Mleczko which I still like. :-)

http://www.mleczko.pl/img/sluzba_zdrowia/8.gif
So.. Are you saying, doctor, that tying a stone to the neck will be the simplest choice?

http://www.mleczko.pl/img/policja/4.gif
Believe me or not but I am so happy that the justice has won

http://www.mleczko.pl/img/policja/6.gif
Did not I warn you that we would tick him off by telling him he was driving too fast?
Actually - this scene applies to Polish Military Police attempting to check documents of GROM operators in Camp Echo, Diwaniya, Iraq. See one of my previous posts here.

http://www.mleczko.pl/img/sluzba_zdrowia/1.gif

Mishka Zubov

08-23-2007, 09:33 AM

The NATO ISAF monthly MIRROR runs the two known stories about Poles in Ghazni in its 42nd, August 2007 issue, http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/mirror/2007/mirror_42_200708.pdf.

But there is an interesting twist to it: at the last page of the MIRROR there is a picture [again, published many times before] of an Afghan boy flying a kite - given to him by the Polish soldiers - overlaid with a poem inspired by that picture, written by an anonymous ISAF soldier.
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/8250/boywithkitemp4.jpg

A Difference

How can we make a difference
asked the young man with a frown
when grief and pain and sorrow
make each breaking day their own.
A world of insecurity,
a land upon its knees.
How can we make a difference,
oh this I ask you please.

How will you make a difference
the old man did implore.
Our people are forsaken,
abandoned evermore.
Hearts immersed in darkness
as sunshine turns to shade,
how will you make a difference?
How will you make a change?

How do we make a difference
sighed the soldier wearily.
The battles, they continue --
Flags ‘mast in memory.
As time treks slowly onwards
like the shifting of the sand.
How do we make a difference?
What is the greater plan?

How did you make a difference
said the wise man in reply
What memory will grant to you
a future, tranquil joy
When the children’s smiles that shine for miles
light up your passing day,
you know you’ve made a difference
before you went away.
--anonymous ISAF soldier

seer

08-23-2007, 11:06 AM

http://www.mleczko.pl/img/rolnictwo/big/6.gif

No need to explain. The bull is happy and the intern is busy.

Venom PL

08-23-2007, 01:54 PM

Poland will send soldiers to Chad

WARSAW, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Polish soldiers will join a proposed European Union mission in Chad aimed at protecting refugees trapped in the violent region bordering Darfur, Defence Minister Aleksander Szczyglo said on Thursday.

Under a proposal from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the EU force would protect civilians, humanitarian workers and the U.N. mission in Chad, which is facing an influx of tens of thousands of refugees from neighbouring Darfur.

The force -- seen by EU diplomats as comprising 1,500-3,000 troops -- would also work in the Central African Republic to try to block the transit of armed groups between Sudan and Chad.

"I have taken a decision to start preparations of our troops for a possible mission in Chad, which could start as early as this autumn or at the beginning of next year," Szczyglo told Reuters in an interview.

If Ban's plan goes ahead, it would complement the dispatch of up to 26,000 U.N. and African Union troops and police to Darfur, which has been locked in a four-year conflict.

EU foreign ministers are expected to make a final decision on the force in mid September.

Szczyglo said the timing of the mission had yet to be set but diplomats say EU member state troops could go in October at the earliest. Poland has soldiers on foreign missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL23717667

Mishka Zubov

08-23-2007, 02:19 PM

For some reason, after I have recovered from hard disk crash, MP.net editor is not accepting special characters - appearing in Polish names. I had to go back to simplified spelling. Sorry for that. - MZ

Complex situation in Iraq
2007-08-19 23:42
Izabela Leszczynska
Attacks on Poles have become more refined

Iraqi insurgents organize themselves into units and change their tactics. Initially, they used primitive bombs with timers, now they activate them with help of photocells - "Dziennik" learns from the soldiers who have been recently distinguished by an inscription to the Honor Book of Ministry of National Defense. Six of the ten distinguished soldiers have served in Iraq. Three of them have been distinguished posthumously.

A situation in Iraq becomes more complex for two reasons. Firstly, the opposition movement against international coalition becomes better organized. Secondly, the partisans improve their killing technology.

"The first Polish Military Contingent found the opposition completely destroyed in 2003. The Saddam Hussain army has vanished from the face of the Earth. There were no terrorist groups, only singular people operated. They did not have a commander nor the operational directives" - tells "Dziennik" MAJ GEN W?odzimierz Potasinski, currently a commander of Polish Special Forces, who was twice in Iraq, and was a deputy commander of Multinational division between July 2005 and February 2006. He has been honored for his prominent commanding merit.

According to his relation, just after the first six months of operation the partisans have begun organizing. New leaders have emerged, such as Muktada As Sadr, joined later by former Saddam soldiers. "Now there are organized units, with commanders commanding in Iraq" - says Gen. Potasinski.

The killing tactics applied by partizans changes as well. Sgt. Arkadiusz Mendel from the 2nd Masovian Sapper Brigade, who served with the second contingent in Iraq, has learned about it first hand. His name has been written to the Honor Book because he carried away his badly burned colleague from under the mortar fire.

Mendel was on a de-mining patrol. The sappers were searching old warehouses and open terrain for old ammunition and rockets. They had to be destroyed to prevent partizans using them in production of mines. While the sappers were collecting the old rockets and transporting them to a controlled explosion site six mortar projectiles have been sent towards them. A truck went on flames from the first explosion, and the remaining shells hit the piles of collected rockets, causing huge explosions.

"One soldier was crawling out of that place. His entire body was burnt. Since his cloths were in flames he was ripping everything off. He lost consciousness. I thought he was already dead. But then he started pushing of the ground, attempting to stand up. I run to him. I caught him by hand - he was terribly burnt - and then I recognized him as my colleague. I began pulling him towards an engineering machine, where we had been hiding behind. He was in heavy shock. He was insisting on going back to recover his rifle. A Slovakian soldier run to us, and help me to move the wounded behind the machine. There were no end to explosions. Later on the Slovak was remotely operating that machine and I and my wounded colleague were withdrawing - under the protection of the machine - into a safe place" - says Sgt. Mendel.

The wounded soldier went through a long medical treatment. His face and the rest of his body was burnt. He still has some gunpowder under the skin. In this attack six soldiers have died, including two Poles.

"It won't be easier since the partisans improve their killing technology" - thinks Gen. Potasinski. They observe the behavior and operational tactic of our soldiers. Long ago they used primitive bombs with timers. They were evaluating speeds of our patrols. They knew that a patrol would need specific time to cover a stretch X or stretch Y of a road. They would set the timers at specific hours.

Later, they began blasting off the explosives with the help of cellphones.

"When we began jamming such devices, they were ready with electrical blast offs: when a vehicle was driving over two wires the conductors would connect and a mine would explode" - says Gen. Potasi?ski. He adds that now they use photocells to energize the ignition cables. The partisans also built explosive, which first hit a small steal plate deforming into an arrowhead, moving with a high speed. When it hits a hummer it destroys it. Equally dangerous are bombs filled with mortar bullets, which also have tremendous killing power.

Sawicki: Suddenly five machine guns started shelling at us.

Izabela Leszczynska: What kind of enemy do you deal with in Iraq?
Mariusz Sawicki*: Unpredictable. Two helicopters M-24 took part in the operation, where I was wounded. We were supporting Iraqi army and police from the air. They were combing up the As Suwariyah village, near Bagdad, in the Polish zone. They were looking for partisans and weapons. When we flew first time over the village all was quiet. We did not notice any suspicious looking people. When after a while we approached the village again suddenly five iraqi tracks with 7.62 machine guns appeared in a place where no one was seen before.

Apparently partisan live normal life in the villages like As Suwariyah. They live there, eat their meals and when needed they suddenly pull a track out of shack or bush, or take off the tarp from the vehicle full of weapons. A man with a firing gun suddenly appears in a place which seemed so quiet a while ago. And those people vanish as quickly as they appear.

How did you get wounded
I was a gunner at the right hand side of the helicopter. I suddenly saw those people and the same time I got hit. First bullets went to me. I was thrown back and I could not get up. I got it into my chest and my belly.

Did not you have flak jackets?
We had.

And those flak jackets did not protect your from the bullets?
The bullets found the weakest spots in the vest. A shell went through a kevlar sheet, theoretically non-penetrable. The bullet went from the side. This is a professional risk. We have to deal with it.

What kind of wounds were they?
A bullet went to the middle of my ribcage and probably turned around there. It broke my ribs, slightly damaged my lungs and liver and then exited from behind. Two holes are left: one bigger up front and one smaller at the back. At the beginning I did not know what was happening. An effect of adrenaline. Later I got a sense what has happened. I knew I had to keep cool. I did not loose consciousness but I could not move. I asked the second gunner to check on me. He gave me the first aid and called for American medics. We exited the threat zone and landed. Ten minutes later I was in a hospital in Bagdad. I even do not know what they were doing to me later.

How did you manage the pain?
I felt the worst pain only two weeks after the surgery. At the beginning, after the surgery, they give you anesthetics. I was probably receiving morphine. Later the anesthetics have been gradually withdrawn. The body defends itself, immunizes. Things stitched together begin to coalesce. Then the drains are being pulled off - this is when the pain is the worst. I am now on a sick leave. I still feel some pain at my right hand side.

What is for you to be entered into the Honor Book of the Minister of National Defense?
This is a surprise. This is a great commend, the most important that can be obtained from the Minister. But I do not feel a hero because of it, just a normal soldier.

Would you go back again to Iraq or to Afghanistan?
I am not excluding that. At the moment I need some rehabilitation time.

Corporal Mariusz Sawicki is a commander of a recce squad of 16th Pomeranian Mechanized Division of Elbl?g. He has served in the 7th contingent in Iraq. Has has been wounded during a battle action on October 28, 2006. He was a gunner of a helicopter Mi-24. He has been honored for courage during that mission.

source: Dziennik, http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=57132
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

08-23-2007, 02:23 PM

Dangerous terrorists captured
Written by Wlodzimierz Glogowski
Thursday, August 23, 2007

On August the 22nd Polish soldiers apprehended two dangerous terrorists in Iraq. One of them is on a list of most wanted terrorists. The suspect A.H. is a commander of one of the platoons of Mahdi's Army (Jaish Al Mahdi).

He is responsible for several operations against coalition forces and Iraq security forces. Many civilians and coalition soldiers died in terrorist attacks organized by A.H.

The second terrorist is still being interrogated. Besides the captured terrorists the soldiers found and confiscated stores of weapons and ammunition used by terrorists in attacks on coalition forces and Iraqi soldiers. Some uniforms of Iraqi police - used during terrorist attacks - have been also found.

The operation took place in Al Budayr, 58 kilometers East of Diwaniya. It was run by Polish soldiers from special forces formation of Multinational Division Center-South, together with the 1st Battalion of 8th Iraqi Army Division and American Soldiers.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7115&Itemid=29
Translated by MZ

It looks like Gen. Tadeusz Buk has received a more clear mandate than that of his predecessor from the previous contingent. This is the second message of this sort that I came across - indicating that Poles in Iraq operate now well beyond the Camp Echo vicinity.

I have no idea what "special forces formation", mentioned above, actually means. Rumors from one of the articles posted here previously would suggest presence of GROM operators in Iraq. Have they all been moved from Afghanistan to Iraq, or are they present in both places? The only official credit to GROM operations in Kandahar have been given by President Bush in one of his official speeches few weeks ago.

Venom PL

08-23-2007, 03:18 PM

Finally some good news :) Well done !!!

Mishka Zubov

08-23-2007, 11:55 PM

According to a long article in Polish, http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7118&Itemid=26, Aleksander Szczyglo, a Polish Minister of National Defense, has forced huge personnel changes within Polish military brass - the largest since 1989.

According to him, 47 generals have resigned or have been forced to resign from active duty in a period between January 1st till the end of last July. Most remaining generals and those recently nominated to the general rank are in their early forties, full of energy, creative, competent, educated in the best military schools of Western Europe, US and Canada - who have served in NATO commands or NATO missions and - ideally - have some battle experience from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some of dismissed generals and some potential candidates for generals who have not advanced to the general rank yet are kept in a cadre reserve, a MND 'refrigerator' - until the Minister is convinced that they meet the criteria for further advancement.

That's a theory. A lot depends on novelization of advancement rules to be passed by Polish Parliament, personal connections and other realities within the circles of Polish military brass.

Jocker_89

08-24-2007, 03:04 AM

Russia's MiG signs contracts with Poland at the MAKS aerospace show

http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=118822

mack pl

08-24-2007, 08:20 AM

The only official credit to GROM operations in Kandahar have been given by President Bush in one of his official speeches few weeks ago.

Could you give me a link, please?

Thx,
M

Mishka Zubov

08-24-2007, 11:19 AM

Could you give me a link, please?

Thx,
M
I was slightly mistaken - Those were not the direct words of President Bush, but a jounalistic comment.

17 July 2007
Poland a Strong Ally, Says Bush
Polish president backs missile defense plan during White House visit
By David McKeeby
USINFO White House Correspondent

Washington – From its troop contributions to international forces in Iraq and Afghanistan to its offer to host components of a European-based missile defense system, Poland is a strong ally that shares a commitment to peace, President Bush says.

“Poland has taken some very difficult decisions to help a young democracy survive in the face of extremist threats,” Bush said in a joint White House briefing with Polish President Lech Kaczynski July 16. “And I want to thank you ... and the Polish people for supporting the people of Afghanistan and Iraq.”

Poland has contributed 1,200 troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. While most are deployed in southeastern Paktika and Ghazni provinces to support security operations, Polish special forces also have played a significant role in bringing order to southern Kandahar province.

Poland also was among the first nations to join Operation Iraqi Freedom, deploying 2,000 personnel in 2003. Poland currently has approximately 900 troops in the country and the contribution of those troops gratefully was acknowledged by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in a videoconference with Bush earlier in the day.

“War is never popular,” Bush said. “But having heard from the Iraqi leaders today, and their expression of gratitude not only to the Polish government, but the Polish people and the American people for supporting this democratic experiment, Mr. President, it reminds me of how important what we're doing is.”
....

source: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=July&x=20070717122606idybeekcm0.7486688
(USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

mack pl

08-24-2007, 11:24 AM

Ok, so he was generally speaking about our participation in this mission, thanks.

Pzdr,
m

Mishka Zubov

08-24-2007, 11:25 AM

Poland holding key Taliban commander: report

24 August 2007 | 00:29 | FOCUS News Agency

Warsaw. Polish troops are holding a Taliban commander known as "Puma" who the radical Islamist militia has demanded released in exchange for 19 South Korean hostages, a report said Thursday.

Defence Minister Aleksander Szczyglo was cited by the PAP news agency as saying Polish troops serving with NATO-led forces had captured the commander on August 16 in eastern Afghanistan.

He said Puma was the fourth most-wanted militant in Afghanistan and was one of several captured fighters the Taliban were seeking to exchange for their South Korean hostages, seized on July 19.

"It's therefore someone very important," Szczyglo was quoted as saying by the news agency.

The government in Kabul has so far rejected any prisoner swap with the Taliban. (AFP)

source; http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n120207

Mishka Zubov

08-24-2007, 11:35 AM

TUR will protect our soldiers
Written by Marek Mejssner
Friday, August 24, 2007

Polish TUR supposes to be better than American HUMVEE

Five battle vehicles TUR have been sent to Afghanistan to test them in battle conditions. TUR resists explosion of 6 kg TNT mine, protects against shells from Kalashnikov and against shrapnel.
TUR is the first armored patrol-battle vehicle manufactured in Poland. It will be protecting Polish soldiers on foreign missions.

American HUMVEE in its basic variant (as used by Poles in Iraq and until recently in Afghanistan), without special modular armor kit, does not have the best opinion - both in Iraq and in Afghanistan. It is vulnerable to small mines and its armor does not protect against anti-armor shell from Kalashnikovs - the basic weapon of terrorists and ordinary bandits.

Not badly armed

.. and this is why the armored battle-patrol vehicle TUR, designed by Polish company AMZ Kutno, may occur to be very useful for our soldiers.

It weighs 6220 kg and carries five soldiers - four in the armored cabin plus a gunner at the gun station. Depending on the version - it can be armed with 12.7 mm machine gun, 20 mm cannon or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.

Harder than HUMVEE

But what is most important: TUR has better armor than HUMVEE. Its modular armor of boards and roof makes it a capsule protecting the crew. The engine and its cover is also shielded. Polish vehicle is able to withstand shelling of anti-armor rounds from Kalashnikov. The armored floor protects against mines most often used in Iraq and Afghanistan.

TUR uses some chassis elements from Italian manufacturer of special vehicles SCAM from Varese. It has very economical turbodiesel Iveco Aifo engine of capacity 2998 ccm. It burns only 20 liters of fuel per 100 km - 2.2 times less than HUMVEE, even though it is 1.5 times heavier than the latter. [HUMVEE's maximum acceptable mass is 4.5 tones]. TUR costs half as much as HUMVEE.

The gearbox has six gears but as many as 24 gear ratios: 12 for road driving and 12 for the off-road terrain. It keeps its power in driving uphill - a very useful feature for mountainous Afghanistan.

TUR is comfortable for its users. TUR is quieter inside than the American vehicle. It has also better air-conditioning. The crew communicates via intercom. Its standard equipment includes GPS and infrared system - allowing driving with lights off. A board monitor shows images from outside the vehicle.

Created in eight months

TUR has been created in a record time of eight months. The first batch of these vehicles is already being tested in Afghanistan. TUR will be sent to Iraq as well. This is not a secret that there is a huge demand for such kind of vehicles by world armies. If TUR passes the test the Polish design may appear in greater numbers on the world market of battle vehicles.

TUR's technical data

Persons: five soldiers, including a gunner
Engine: Iveco Aifo, 4-cylinder, 16-valves, turbocharge, capacity 2998 ccm
Power: 122 kW (166 HP)
Tank: 220 liters
Burns: 20 liters/100 km
Max mass: 6200 kg
Load capacity: 1000 kg
Length: 4780 mm
Height: 2350/2770 mm
Fording depth: 700 mm
Weapon: 12.7 mm machine gun, or 20 mm cannon, or 40 mm grenade/flair launcher
Gun station type: crows nest. The gun can be also remotely operated from inside the vehicle.
Multilayer bulletproof glass windows
Armored crew compartment
Cargo box
Anti-mine, v-shape floor.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7140&Itemid=46
Translated by MZ

http://www.amz.pl/pl/images/wojskowe/tur_1.jpg
http://www.amz.pl/pl/images/wojskowe/tur_2.jpg
http://www.amz.pl/pl/images/wojskowe/tur_3.jpg
http://www.amz.pl/pl/images/wojskowe/tur_4.jpg

Manufacturer: AMZ Kutno, Special Vehicle Adaptation Producer
source: http://www.amz.pl/en/military_vehicles/news/tur/tur/

Vehicle purpose:
Adapted for transport 5 person with outfit and equipment to danger area. Use for realization of intervention and patrol tasks.

Technical specification:
Engine: Iveco Aifo 4-cylinders, turbocharger and intercooler, Common Rail.
Capacity: 2998 cm3
Power: 122 kW (166 hp)
Gearbox: 6-gears, synchronized + rear gear
Permanent 4 wheel drive mechanism
Clutch: Hydraulic, dry, single disk
Reduction gear and Transfer case allow to use 24 gear ratios: 12 for road drive and 12 for off-road
Fuel tank: 160 L
Range: 600 km

Vehicle ballistic armouring:
Protecting crew against:
Armor Piercing Incendiary bullet: 7,62x39 API BZ (Level 2 - STANAG 4569)
Armor Piercing bullet: 7,62x54R B32 AP (Level 2 - STANAG 4569)
explosive material equal 6kg of TNT (Level 2b - STANAG 4569)
Engine protected by armoured steel plate FB6 class

Vehicle Dimensions:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - 6200 kg
Payload - 1000 kg
Wheel Base - 2800 mm
Track Width - 1700 mm
Total Length - 4870 mm
Height - 2350 mm (to the roof level)
Total Width - 2230 mm.
Fording depth (without preparation) - 700 mm
Crew - 5

http://www.rzeczpospolita.pl/pics/07/24160930.jpg

Polish TUR will challenge the Talibs
July 25, 2007
Written by Zbigniew Lentowicz

First Polish patrol vehicle with an anti-mine armor, from a private factory AMZ Kutno, will be sent to fight terrorists. MND is planning to sent a test vehicle to Afghanistan. [Five already sent - see above, MZ] It took only eight months to develop it from the initial concept.

Creating a new Polish armored vehicle in such a record time was only possible in a private company. "The armored intervention vehicle is a concept of our engineers, but we had to cooperate with military institutes" - admits Jaros?aw Stachowski, a vicechairman of AMZ Kutno. The company has started ten years ago in a small production hall, bought on credit - mounting simple bodywork of microbuses. Today the company sells its modern ambulances on Mercedes chassis, bank cars, and buses to Scandinavia, Germany and Arab countries - beginning with Saudi Arabia. The military is a very important customer of AMZ. Armored vehicles Dzik are used by Polish Military Police and 600 of those vehicles - adopted to desert conditions - will be delivered to Iraqi Army by the end of this year.

"The military is a very demanding customer but they pay reliably" - says chairman Stachowski. Last year's revenues of AMZ Kutno exceeded 160 mln zloty, and its net earnings - 16 mln zloty.

Polish Army became interested in TUR during the preparation stage to the dangerous Afghan mission. The vehicle, weighing 5.2 tones, carries five soldiers, uses some elements of Italian manufacturer SCAM from Varese and three liter engine Iveco. "I like the way the AMZ thought from the very beginning about construction that maximally protects people. Especially profiled floor - dispersing the explosion impetus, a modular armor - flexibly adapted to dangers and creating some sort of capsule around soldiers - these are the basic advantages of the vehicle" - enumerates Grzegorz Holdanowicz, a chief editor of the professional periodical "Raport WTO".

TUR is supposed to be much safer and definitely less expensive than American HUMVEE, which has not had a good press in Afghanistan. The economical engines Iveco will burn twice as less of fuel - about 20 liters/100 km - as legendary Hummers - which is very attractive idea for our military.

"For MND it is important that the production of those vehicles that are needed by our forces will be carried in a Polish plant. Thanks to military orders many people will have a chance to find employment here" - says Aleksander Szczyglo, a Minister of National Defence. He announces that before the TURs are ordered their prototypes will go through reliable tests in battle conditions of Afghanistan. Before that the vehicle will be seriously tortured in factory conditions. "We are expanding our plant and currently creating special laboratories for testing the vehicles against shelling and explosions" - says chairman Stachowski.

source: http://www.rzeczpospolita.pl/news.rol?newsId=12286
Translated by MZ

Venom PL

08-24-2007, 12:09 PM

Great news !!! I can't wait to see them in action. :)

marlowe

08-24-2007, 12:42 PM

Great news !!! I can't wait to see them in action. :)

Unfortunately, You will have to wait "a bit" longer. The information about five TUR`s in Afghanistan is untrue- this article is from "SE" and that explains a lot... Our MoND hasn`t made a decision on sending TUR`s to Afghanistan yet. AMZ Kutno hasn`t even made that many TUR`s yet.

Mishka Zubov

08-24-2007, 12:48 PM

Unfortunately, You will have to wait "a bit" longer. The information about five TUR`s in Afghanistan is untrue- this article is from "SE" and that explains a lot... Our MoND hasn`t made a decision on sending TUR`s to Afghanistan yet. AMZ Kutno hasn`t even made that many TUR`s yet.

I have no clue "SE" is. Couid you explain?
I have translated that text not from "SE" - whatever that means - but from "Redakcja Wojskowa" - which seems like a reasonable source to me.

marlowe

08-24-2007, 12:59 PM

If You check one of Your links: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7140&Itemid=46
You will find this:
SE: Ochroni naszych żołnierzy
Napisał Marek Mejssner
piątek, 24 sierpnia 2007
Super Express 24.8.2007 Ochroni naszych żołnierzy
And belive me, thats not a credible source when you`re looking for military news.

Mishka Zubov

08-24-2007, 01:17 PM

OK, lesson learned that "Redakcja Wojskowa" does not check their sources. I simply did not notice the "Super Express" reference.

And belive me, thats not a credible source when you`re looking for military news.
This comment was uncalled for. I am not that stupid.

Mishka Zubov

08-25-2007, 04:14 AM

http://www.dziennik.pl/Cache/468835.CEPCache

2007-08-24*21:14
Poles captured a famous terrorist in Afghanistan

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1117/villagewj7.jpg
After a regular battle with Afghan fighters, where many [civilian] Afghans have died, Polish soldiers captured two terrorists. This has happened on previous Thursday [August 16 - MZ] but only now the Ministry of National Defense boasts that one of the captives is a terrorist wanted by coalition forces. His pseudonym is Puma.

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4921/heloot3.jpg
He is now being interrogated by Americans who hope to learn more about whereabouts of other terrorists. Knowing mentality of Taliban there are no high hopes for any information from him. There is no doubt that the local population favors Taliban. After Poles have captured 'Puma' the village elders wished to negotiate his release. The villagers have proposed exchanging him for a dozen or so Koreans, kidnapped last July.

"One does not negotiate with terrorists" - responds MND.

"Puma" has been captured on August the 16th. Poles were on a routine patrol when at 1145 hours, local time, the personnel carrier Rosomak hit a mine 26 km north of Wazi Khwa base. A band of fighters jumped out of one of the shacks and started shooting at the Poles - who had no choice but to return fire. Unfortunately some civilians were on the line of fire. Several of them died and many became wounded. Later on Poles chased the terrorists and captured "Puma" and his companion.

source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=98&ShowArticleId=57905

Some pictures from Wazi-Khwa, I believe
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/10/watchhf4.jpg
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/266/trackaf1.jpg
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3214/cabindq8.jpg
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3175/roadchecknm3.jpg
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7207/hummerzk1.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4318/gatesdi6.jpg
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/466/badasslx7.jpg

The update - an excerpt from the official MND web page

2007-08-24 16:41:32
...
According to Polish Military Counter-Intelligence Service, one of the captured terrorist has been identified as Hakim Zobi Ullah Shahed ps. Puma, a commander of tactical level.
In July alone he has organized and executed two attacks on coalition forces. As a result six ANA soldiers have died on July the 2nd and one American soldier has burned to death in attack on his HUMVEE on July the 5th.
...

source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_144.html

Mishka Zubov

08-25-2007, 05:18 AM

http://www.polityka.pl/_gAllery/68/77/68771/ziobro200.jpg
A dictaphone. Small, shiny, easily to hide in a jacket pocket. The best friend and the worst enemy of a Polish politician.
source: http://www.polityka.pl/polityka/index.jsp?place=Lead33&news_cat_id=933&news_id=226391&layout=18&forum_id=11282&fpage=Threads&page=text

After glancing through yesterday news from Poland I am distressed, very distressed. Poland reached the lowest level in its political and cultural boorishness since 1989. I am ready to take a very long vacations from anything Polish.

Reading intelligent essays do not help either.
En passant - Od Sasa do Lasa - http://passent.blog.polityka.pl/?p=330
En passant - Paranoja to nie wszystko - http://passent.blog.polityka.pl/?p=329

perdurabo

08-25-2007, 05:54 AM

soon new elections and we will se only PO(center-right) PiS(socialist right) and LiD (postcommies) rest will fade away.

Mishka Zubov

08-25-2007, 10:15 AM

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/1055/76154853eo1.gif
http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/9154/38487140dr4.gif

How about this?
OK, OK, let me clarify. :-)
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1804/72870001bw4.jpg

Mishka Zubov

08-25-2007, 09:39 PM

International armed forces engineers work together in Afghanistan

23 Aug 07
By Army 1st Lt. Kenya Virginia Saenz
Task Force Pacemaker Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan- Afghans and Multi-national forces are currently working hand-in-hand on a variety of expansion construction projects here.

Soldiers from the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy); 1st Construction Company, 100th Republic of Korea Engineering Group; and Polish 1st Engineer Brigade, are working together to construct metal building systems (K-Spans), roads, ditches, culverts and sewage lagoons here.
TF Pacemaker Headquarters Support Company Soldiers, led by Army Capt. Eric Parthemore, from West Liberty, Ohio, are not only engaged in supporting the battalion, but also manage the missions of the multi-national forces.

The Polish engineers provide both additional capacity and leadership to multiple horizontal construction projects. Polish soldiers, led by Polish Army 1st Lt. Radoslaw Telezynski, are working to improve the roads here by ensuring that proper drainage and sewage structures are constructed before the rainy season begins. The Polish army has been deployed in places such as Lebanon, Syria, and Africa to support many humanitarian missions since the war on terror began in 2001.

“I didn’t know what to expect or what missions we would have, but working with American Soldiers has been a great experience. They have been very helpful,” said Telezynski. I have been able to learn different training techniques from the American Soldiers and compare them to our techniques. I changed our technique to what works best to accomplish the mission successfully.”

Polish Pfc. Rafaz Sobon added, “This is my first time deployed and it has been a new and interesting experience. We learned about different cultures in class, but it is better to learn from first-hand experience.”

The 1st Construction Company from the Republic of Korea focuses on K-Span construction. According to Parthemore, the Korean engineers are especially meticulous and bring a vertical construction capability to the HSC that it does not have. The company is commanded by Korean Capt. Bo Geol Choi from Seoul, Korea. Once completed, the K-Spans will enhance maintenance operations and provide more space for supply support activity here. Even though K-Spans are not common in Korea, the soldiers were previously trained by civil engineers in their country, said to Choi.

“We are very proud to be part of this mission. Our main goal is to bring the proper engineering assets for future Coalition forces,” says Choi. “There have been a few challenges over the language gap as well as different working systems, but over all, the construction progress and the relationship with American Forces are going well.”

Korean soldiers, Sgt. Chi-Keun Lee and Cpl. Min-Gi Kim agreed, “It is fun learning about different cultures, even though sometimes we have to use hand signals to communicate with each other.”

“The addition of Polish and Korean engineers along with Afghan contractors, gives our task force a tremendous capability that we do not normally have,” said Parthemore. Simply working on a single jobsite with engineers of four nationalities working together toward a common goal is very satisfactory. Also, our common understanding and respect for safe operations keeps us accident free despite the communication difficulties,”

source: http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/FrontPage%20Stories/International%20armed%20forces%20engineers%20work%20together%20in%20Afghanistan.aspx

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/News%20Pictures/070817-A-9699S-0020.JPG
Polish Pvt. Piotr Oparski, Polish Engineer Platoon, works on the final touches of a culvert in Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, as a scoop loader hauls the rest of the dirt. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Kenya Virginia Saenz.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3070/imgshowyb5.jpg
Korean soldiers work on the 20-foot K-Span that will help enhance maintenance support for Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo/1st Lt. Kenya Virginia Saenz)

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9483/434992bc6.jpg
Lt. Telezynski, Capt. Parthemore and Capt. Vasquez converse on the jobsite at the Polish Battle Group living area. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Ashley Dellavalle). Photo taken in May 2007, when the work just started on Polish quarters in Sharana

See also: http://blog-ah.typepad.com/blogah/2007/05/864th_working_w.html

Mishka Zubov

08-26-2007, 04:36 AM

Dzik and Tur - heavy caliber vehicles

In the article in Polish: http://www.wiadomosci24.pl/artykul/tur_polska_odpowiedz_na_hummera_38372.html Piotr Biegala, a reporter from Wiadomosci24.pl, describes his impressions of TUR - driven by an experienced factory driver. TUR is a vehicle of Polish design, manufactured by AZM Kutno, comparable to American HMVEE and supposedly better than the standard HMVVE. It has been described in the previous page of this thread. Some TURs will be tested soon in Afghanistan.

The following are some photos taken by Piotr Biegala during TUR's factory test drive. Several pictures below show also another product from the same plant - Dzik, "a wild boar", a vehicle used by Polish Military Police in their mission to Congo, but shown here in the desert version - destined for the Iraqi Army.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/9114/383121187030687fde0pcn8.jpg
Dzik produced for Iraqi Army
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4641/383121187031297efeepzq3.jpg
Dzik - being a wild boar - likes babbling in mud
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4507/3831211870312986c5fpfi4.jpg
Dzik after the mud crossing
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7526/3831211870313007eb1puj8.jpg
TUR in full view
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6199/3831211870313012fb6puc1.jpg
A wrinkled snout
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6626/3831211870313024ba7pzx6.jpg
TUR's backside
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/1410/383121187031304a039puf3.jpg
TUR in action
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/1708/38312118703130530acpfs8.jpg
TUR in mud
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/246/3831211870313060f84pyx9.jpg
A bit more mud
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2306/383121187031308989dpzf7.jpg
Going valiantly forward
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4130/383121187031309a721ptv2.jpg
No longer as clean
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4976/383121187031310eca8ppm9.jpg
A deep rut, but TUR handles it well
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4877/383121187031312e865pxy3.jpg
Mud splashing
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4795/38312118703131387e9pvs3.jpg
Forward, forward
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5526/38312118703131426c3ptz4.jpg
Can TUR smile?
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4254/383121187031315db37plo7.jpg
Dzik following the Tur
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5205/383121187031317488bpoi7.jpg
TUR and DZIK face to face
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3446/3831211870313185013pcp5.jpg
TUR's door from inside. I can atest that they are soft
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/9748/383121187031319aa37pgu0.jpg
TUR's back seats
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/5402/3831211870313210417pla8.jpg
Driver's seat
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9272/383121187031323aff8pmu5.jpg
Commander's seat
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7853/3831211870313244d7apwp0.jpg
Instrument panel

Mishka Zubov

08-27-2007, 05:06 AM

From American Embassy to Poland.

press releases 2007
U.S. Participation at International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce

23 August 2007

The United States will serve as Lead Nation at the 15th International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) to be held in Kielce, Poland on 3-6 September 2007. The U.S. national exhibit will be entitled “Developing Forces for Coalition Operations: Supporting Soldiers from Ground to Space”.

The International Defense Industry Exhibition is one of the largest defense industry fair events in Europe; 24 American manufacturing firms will be represented at this year’s fair, including industry leaders such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

http://poland.usembassy.gov/uploads/Yr/Xb/YrXbE_dKbuy9NTyU_l2INA/blackhawk.JPG
A Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter will be on display at the U.S. Pavilion (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle)Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski is scheduled to preside over the opening day ceremonies on September 3, together with Poland’s Minister of Defense Aleksander Szczyglo. The Honorable Claude Bolton, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, will represent the United States at the opening, together with U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe. Also present will be Director of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency and Chief Scientist of the U.S. Army.

The fair is open to journalists, who may gain access to the events by presenting valid press credentials. For more information about arrangements for the press, please see the Kielce MSPO fair website at: http://www.targikielce.pl/biuro_prasowe.html.

The U.S. Department of Defense has organized a series of seminars and conferences on defense and security issues that will take place at the Kielce fair. The series begins on September 3 at 2:45 p.m. with a seminar on ballistic missile defense (BMD) led by Major General Chris Anzalone, Deputy Director of the Missile Defense Agency. Seminars will also cover issues including Armaments and Security Cooperation; Research and Technology; U.S. Army future development; and Joint Operations. For a complete list of seminar and conference briefings at the fair, please check the Office of Defense Cooperation webpage at http://poland.usembassy.gov/poland/odc.html and follow the link for “MSPO – U.S. Seminars.”

For further information, journalists are invited to contact the press office of the U.S. Embassy at 022-504-2323.
source: http://poland.usembassy.gov/press_releases/press-releases-2007/u.s.-participation-at-international-defense-industry-exhibition-in-kielce-23-august-2007

Jocker_89

08-27-2007, 10:14 AM

Support for children and pilgrims

Pilgrims and children will receive next support from Multinational Division Central South (MND CS). The specialists from Civil-Military Cooperation Group (CIMIC) met with Helen Rahim, the chairwoman of local NGO (Association of Caring Homeless Families) of Qadisijah province. CIMIC handed over bottle water and food rations for pilgrims along with blackboards for local schools in Qadisiyah province.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3088
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3089
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3090

In few days, the pilgrims going to Karbala on the celebration of 12th Imama Al Mahdi birthday, will proceed in the main roads of Qadisiyah, in order to reach their destination on the 29th August. Association of Caring Homeless Families is going to establish an assistance distribution point, which will be located on the way of pilgrimage route’s rest spot. “Our assistance for pilgrims consist of 450 bottles of water, 3400 food rations, 20 medical sets, blankets, mattresses and additionally candies and toys for children – enumerated Edyta Górlicka, the humanitarian aid coordinator. The next CIMIC project, includes the handing over a thousand of blackboard for schools in Qadisiyah province. The MND CS delivered the blackboards to the Governorate Education Department in Ad Diwaniyah to be distributed to all schools in the province. “Conducting such project MND CS underlines our respect to religion, traditions and culture of Iraq. Rebuilding of Iraq and humanitarian assistance are important elements of our mission” – stated MND CS Commander Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Buk.

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

Jocker_89

08-27-2007, 10:16 AM

The Independence Day of Ukraine in Camp Echo

On the 24th of August Soldiers from military base Echo in Ad Diwaniyah joined the Soldiers from Ukraine in celebrating their sixteenth anniversary of Independence. The representatives of all military contingents from Multinational Division Central South were invited to the Ukrainian Independence Day ceremony.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3091
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3092
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3093

On the occasion of The Independence Day, Commander of Ukrainian soldiers, Colonel Yurii Doroschuk, received a small gift and best wishes from Major General Tadeusz Buk.”Poland and Ukraine are neighboring countries, and we also have common history and tradition. That’s why I am proud of possibility of taking part in today ceremony” commander of Multinational Division Central South said. Ukrainian contingent comprises 27 soldiers. They form two teams responsible for the PTT (Police Transition Team) and for training Iraqi police.

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

Mishka Zubov

08-27-2007, 10:26 AM

Inspired by this picture from today's thread "Polish soldiers all over the world", http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2729640&postcount=1089:
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/87/977_TN.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6051/lonewitnessgx1.jpg
http://l.yimg.com/www.flickr.com/images/spaceball.gif
http://l.yimg.com/www.flickr.com/images/spaceball.gif
Shaheenkot Gardiz Afghanistan. By Hashmat Moslih. He says in his Flickr profile: "I have no country, i am a refugee for life."It's hard to believe the city of Kabul in Afghanistan was once a lush oasis known for gardens and tree covered hillsides.

Asma Eschen Nasihi, Afghans 4 Tomorrow: "People would go picnic, and Kabul was beautiful and outskirts was beautiful."

Asma Nazihi Eschen lives in Marin County now, but she grew up in Afghanistan. In the last 30 years, her homeland has been ravaged by war. The beauty she remembered disappeared.

Asma Nazihi Eschen: "The Russians cut the trees. The Afghans burned the trees themselves for fuel, and Taliban did their own burning of the trees because they didn't want, they didn't believe in the beautification of Afghanistan." source: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=abc7_salutes&id=4000133

Mishka Zubov

08-27-2007, 11:07 AM

The Independence Day of Ukraine in Camp Echo

Judging by his handshake - Gen. Buk meant what he said. :-)

Mishka Zubov

08-27-2007, 12:05 PM

New patrol vehicles

Written by ZBIGNIEW LENTOWICZ
Monday, August 27, 2007
27.8.2007 Rzeczpospolita

Ministry of National Defense (MND) prepares in a big rush a tender for bids on armored patrol vehicles, worth hundreds of millions zlotys - learned Rzeczpospolita. They are to ensure more safety to soldiers, in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The army urgently needs 120 such vehicles - to start with. "We want the patrol vehicles as soon as possible, and this is why we first of all expect from the manufacturers their declarations of the earliest possible delivery dates" - informs Jarosław Rybak, MND's spokesman.

The military does not hide that it wants to deliver to the war zone the vehicles that are - first of all - resistant to mines. MND stresses this requirement as primary in its tender documentation. "We may have some problems with the express shopping. This is a time when most NATO forces replace their patrol vehicles. This has been prompted by experience of war against terrorism" - says Tadeusz Wróbel, a military expert from "Polska Zbrojna".

Currently used patrol vehicles by Polish Armed Forces, modernized Honkers (Skorpion) and American HMMVE, are not able to assure safety (including a ballistic one) at a desired level.

"We knew it long ago, but there was lack of a purchase plan of essential equipment" - says Wojciech Łuczak from a professional magazine „Raport WTO“. He adds that in a current hot period no manufacturer have armored vehicles on the shelf. The accelerated delivery program will cost a lot. Depending on a type, equipment and number of ordered vehicles the price range is tremendous: from $625,000 for Iveco LMV to $140,000 for French Auverland A4.

The choice is great: Israeli Rafael proposes Wolf vehicles, Swiss Mowag - a vehicle Eagle III, Slovak industry - an Aligator, Italians - a mentioned above multipurpose light vehicle Iveco LMV, that makes its career in British and Belgian armies. German industry manufactures a gamut of specialized vehicles, among them Rheinmetall (Caracal, Gavial). The armored vehicles competing in the tender must not be heavier than 7.5 tones.

A prototype of a Polish armored vehicle TUR from AMZ Kutno weighs above six tones. "It should be able to survive the explosion of a 6 kg TNT and to preserve its resistance in confrontation with IDEs" - praises the TUR Jarosław Stachowski, a vicechairman of AMZ Kutno. The vehicle is being tested now. Its sheet metal for the armor comes from Finland and elements of its chassis and its engine come from Italian companies SCAM and Iveco.

AMZ Kutno has already delivered 40 armored vehicles Dzik to Polish Army. It is also delivering Dzik to Iraq - altogether 600 units. AMZ Kutno produces 1000 specialized vehicles a year - from ambulances and busses to armored command vehicles Łoś for Military Police. The company's net earnings for the year 2006 are about 160 millions zlotys. The company employs 450 workers.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7201&Itemid=46
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

08-27-2007, 01:05 PM

Safety and cooperation

Safety and cooperation were the main subjects of the conference that took place in Base Echo, Diwaniya, on August 27. The participants were: representatives of command and staff of Multinational Division Center-South, authorities of Kasidiya Province and Iraqi security forces.

After one month of activity of the 9th Polish Military Contingent in Iraq all aspects of cooperation - between coalition forces, Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and provincial authorities - have been evaluated and discussed. All sides unanimously noted that there has been an improvement of safety.[1]

They agreed on principles of further cooperation. The goal of common operations will be improvement of safety and - by the end of December 2007 - transfer of responsibility in this area to local authorities and local police

During the discussion sheik Hussein Abdul-Khadhim Jubair, a chairman of Provincial Council, stressed common understanding and activity that translates into greater feeling of safety by inhabitants of Diwaniya.[2]

Brg. Gen. Safa Kadum Jassim, a chief of the police, presented investment needs that should improve safety of population, after their implementation.

"Intensification of training of Iraqi Police and construction of a center of police training in Echo Base will be the priorities for the nearest months" - stressed Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Buk, a commander of MND CS.[3]

During a press conference with participation of local media the Division Commander presented the results of the discussion and Divisional plans for the nearest weeks.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7220&Itemid=29
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Irak/sierpien/konferencja/konf_g.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Irak/sierpien/konferencja/konf_d.jpg

[1] Unanymously noted that there has been an improvement of safety? After one month? This is of course good news, but General Lamla - a commander of the previous contingent - must have been doing something really wrong and which has been corrected by Gen. Buk just after one month. Somehow I am not surprised though.

[2]Common understanding? I wonder what he meant here. I do not think that Polish attitude have suddenly changed - unless Buk can speak in clear voice and Lamla could not.

[3]Of course they must do it asap. Lamla was quite negative about the corrupted and untrustworthy police. Buk seems to giving the police a chance to vindicate themselves.

Mishka Zubov

08-28-2007, 01:47 AM

Newest BLACK HAWK Helicopter to Demonstrate Capabilities in First Visit to Poland
STRATFORD, Connecticut, August 27 /PRNewswire/ --

The latest Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. BLACK HAWK helicopter will perform an aerial demonstration and be put on static display at the Radom and MSPO air shows in early September. This will be the first time the aircraft has flown in Poland. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Spectators and military personnel will have the opportunity to view the technological and flight capabilities of a UH-60M, the newest BLACK HAWK helicopter, which Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. is currently producing for the U.S. Army. The aircraft will fly during demonstrations at the Radom Air Show on Sept. 1 and during the 15th Annual Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO in Kielce, Poland, from Sept. 3-6.

"The BLACK HAWK helicopter has become the world's leading multi-mission helicopter, from rescuing disaster victims to transporting troops," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino. "Soon we will begin building a new type of BLACK HAWK at Sikorsky's PZL Mielec factory in Poland, designed for the international market. We have great confidence that this new BLACK HAWK helicopter will be a great success and bring new attention to Poland as an aviation leader and as an important component of our Sikorsky Europe business initiative."

BLACK HAWK helicopter derivatives serve in 26 governments around the world in a diverse range of missions including troop transport, medical evacuation, electronic warfare, command and control, attack, assault support, and special operations. More than 3,000 BLACK HAWK variants have accumulated more than 6.5 million flight hours for the United States military and international customers. European governments that fly BLACK HAWK helicopters today include Austria, Greece and Spain.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing, and service. The company's long commitment to safety and innovation is reflected in its mission statement: "We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere ... every time(TM)." United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.
Web site: http://www.sikorsky.com (http://www.sikorsky.com/)
Distributed by PR Newswire on behalf of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
source: http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=205626

Mishka Zubov

08-28-2007, 07:50 AM

Polish convoy shelled in Afghanistan
Written by Jacek Matuszak
Tuesday, August 28, 2007

On Monday, 2337 hours, Polish convoy has been shelled on with RPGs. There were no casualties.

The incident happened 70 kilometers north-east of base Ghazni. Two RPG shells suddenly hit a convoy on its way from base Bagram to base Sharana. One rocket hit a recovery vehicle and another - the antenna of a HMMV. A patrol from Ghazni was immediately sent to tow away the damaged recovery vehicle. The entire convoy safely reached FOB Ghazni.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7244&Itemid=27
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

08-28-2007, 01:37 PM

More about the terrorists captured in Diwaniyah

Iraqi, Polish Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain extremist cell leader in Diwaniyah
Saturday, 25 August 2007

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070825-09
August 25, 2007

Iraqi, Polish Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain extremist cell leader in Diwaniyah
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Scouts and Polish forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained two suspected extremist militant cell members in the town of Al Budayr Aug. 22.

The targeted terrorist, from the Al-Askari district of Diwaniyah, is allegedly responsible for producing explosively formed penetrators and executing improvised explosive devices attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in the area.

Further intelligence indicated that in February 2007 he used a local high school as a screen to launch Katyusha rockets at a Coalition base and is connected to another criminal cell that attacks local citizens who oppose the Shi’a extremists’ illegal activities.

No Iraqi, Polish, or U.S. Forces were injured during these operations.
source: http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13605&Itemid=128

Mishka Zubov

08-28-2007, 01:43 PM

EVEN WHEN THE SURGE WORKS...

By Lisa Benson

http://media.townhall.com/Townhall/Car/b/lb0828cd.jpg

source: http://www.townhall.com/funnies

Read also: Iraqi Report: Targetting the networks, http://billroggio.com/dailyiraqreport/2007/08/iraq_report_targeting_the_netw.php

Mishka Zubov

08-29-2007, 09:17 AM

American fighters F-16 will be serviced in Bydgoszcz
Wednesday 2007-08-20, 06:46

A new Center-European service center for fighters F-16 will be established in Military Air Plant (WZL) in Bydgoszcz - as learned from reliable sources by daily "Rzeczpospolita". Lockheed Martin may be trying to repair its not so good image, damaged by not fulfilling its offset obligations, worth six billions of dollars - adds "Rzeczpospolita".

According to the daily's unofficial information, the military experts have defined the functional conditions of the service for multitasking airplanes in our country. Polish government and Air Force strongly desire that it will be placed in one of our plants. Lockheed have been having some reservations to such idea for long time, but the balance has been tipped off by last year malfunctions of new Hawks, which had troubles reaching Polish bases.

The details of industrial and business agreement related to F-16 service in Bydgoszcz's WZL will be revealed at the beginning of September, during the Defense Fair in Kielce. The value of such enterprise reaches millions of dollars since the Bydgoszcz factory - servicing until now the airplanes of the Russian design - would have to invest in very expensive diagnostic equipment - explains "Rzeczpospolita". (PAP)

source: http://finanse.wp.pl/POD,1,wid,9157107,wiadomosc.html?rfbawp=1188370343.859&ticaid=145e6tr
translated by MZ

wholagun

08-29-2007, 10:44 AM

any news on the choice for new transport helo for our military?

wholagun

08-29-2007, 11:05 AM

daily666

08-29-2007, 11:17 AM

Now, how the hell I could've missed this thread? Great stories :)

Mishka Zubov

08-29-2007, 11:25 AM

any news on the choice for new transport helo for our military?

I just read an interview with Lt. Gen. pilot Andrzej Błasik, a commander of Polish Air Force. He talks about many things but not about new transport helos. The interview is long; I might translate it later if time allows.
The closest info related to your question is this:

We will receive two more CASA C-295M this year. Growing transport needs of Military Forces indicate that we have to seriously think about finding some funds for at least two more.

Five An-26 are reaching the limit of their flying life in the years 2008-2009 and therefore the 13th Air Squadron should have 16 CASA planes. In addition, to support operation of air transport for Military Forces we plan to obtain C-130 Hercules airplanes. First of the five planes bought through the American FMF (Foreign Military Fund) should land in Powidz in September 2008, and the last one in July 2009 - according to the delivery roster.
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7300&Itemid=49

Mishka Zubov

08-29-2007, 11:55 AM

When looking at armour plating on foreign vehicles Fennek, LMV, Nala etc you notice they have smooth armour plating. On the other hand when you look at Polish armour plating on the WUS you see lots of rivets and bolts. Is there a reason for this, or just lack of technology?

If you are referring to TUR - I was also wondering about it. I would have to discuss it with my buddy who is an expert in stress analysis. But - putting my shock and vibration hat on - rivets and bolts might be actually beneficial. They disperse the hell of energy due to structural friction.

In one of the stories I translated for MP.net one of the HMMV end users, an expert Polish driver from Polish Battle Group, praises the HMMV for its riveted joints - as opposed to welding. He is using quite colorful language describing this phenomenon - worthy to search for.
[Sorry, my mouse batteries have been discharged and I feel quite invalid when using the built-in mouse-track of my laptop, rather than the real mouse, so I leave the search to you.]

But please note, that the internal part of TUR is a smooth, specially molded form. I've seen its picture in "Raport WTO" - I will copy it here later.

Mishka Zubov

08-29-2007, 11:57 AM

Now, how the hell I could've missed this thread? Great stories :)

Well, thank you, we are trying our best. Feel invited to make it even better. :-)

Mishka Zubov

08-29-2007, 12:04 PM

From a blog of an American soldier in Ghazni, Afghanistan:

...
A Kentucky Army National Guard soldier was killed in an ambush here in Ghazni on Sunday. We are going to a memorial ceremony today to show our final respects for our fallen comrade. Our prayers are with his family.

Two things happen when we lose one of our own here. The first is the obvious lowering of the flags. In addition to honoring the dead, it is a visible reminder for all of us of the persistent dangers in this country.

The other thing that happens is we lose the Internet connection. The idea is the powers-that-be do not want e-mails and chat rooms spreading the names of the fallen before their families are properly notified.

There is an appropriate way of letting wives know they have lost a husband, children they have lost a father, parents that they have lost a son.

The loss of the Internet is a minor inconvenience for us. So we don't get to talk to our families for a day or two. There is a family in Kentucky that won't get to talk to their soldier ever again.

So I didn't get to post on the blog for a couple of days to let people know about my experiences. An American hero's life experiences came to an abrupt end.
...
http://blog.al.com/afghanistan/2007/08/large_FOBGhazniFlags.JPG
U.S., Afghanistan and Poland national flags fly at half-staff at FOB Ghazni in honor of a fallen soldier.source: http://blog.al.com/afghanistan/2007/08/old_glory_and_glory.html

RIP

daily666

08-29-2007, 12:05 PM

Well, thank you, we are trying our best. Feel invited to make it even better. :-)

The small amounts of spare time I have these days is given to read and watch all you've posted here on mp.net (for which I'm grateful) but I don't even have any more (time) to post or look for all over the net. I sure will, when possible. :)

Mishka Zubov

08-29-2007, 06:43 PM

Marcin Firlej, a reporter of Polish TVN24 expresses his private opinion about attitude of American soldiers towards local population in Afghanistan. Do not kill the messenger, I am just a translator wondering how much of this is actually true. I am not in Afghanistan, I enjoy safety of my own home. But maybe, just maybe, some soldiers in Afghanistan need a mirror like this one?

About arrogance and contempt
Marcin Firlej
2007-07-07

If you loose this war it will be due to arrogance and contempt - not to those you fight against but to those whom you promised freedom and safety.

The beginning is optimistic. I had a chance to observe Polish soldiers at work. They are assertive but at the same time friendly towards Afghans. They seem to know well in whose country they are, who can help and who poses a threat. They do not mindlessly swing their rifles - as I have seen in French rendition in Kabul, and they do not lock themselves airtight in thick plates of their carriers - as Turkish soldiers use to do. They do not begin their conversation with every Afghan with "you ****ing idiot" - as Americans do. It may be that Poles have been prepared for the mission this way, or maybe this is just a beginning of the mission and they have not picked up bad habits yet. Whatever the reason - after several days spent in military bases - I appreciate their attitude.

I am however becoming more and more disappointed by actions of United States Army. The brutal and arrogant actions. I am disappointed by their huffy attitude, by their sense of military and technological advantage and their artificial cultural superiority towards everyone around. I am angry seeing an American soldier, with weapons hanging all over his body, yelling at kids because the terrorists once supposedly sent a six years old kid, loaded with explosives, towards a patrol.
I am furious seeing old men being pushed aside with butt-stocks. And when such soldier explains to me in a raised voice "I'm asshole, I know, but it's for our security" I can hardly force myself to a simple "I understand" - even if I remember all those terrorist attacks where Americans have died.

That does not mean I am an anti-American. I love the cosmopolitan New York, I like the metropolitan atmosphere of Chicago, and being in San Francisco - I have an impression of living in a beautiful book. I am impressed by American attitude towards law and order, respect to American flag, patriotism and belief in their country. I like American openness and "keep smiling" attitude. But I wonder why Americans are so different at home and abroad? Why do they apply different measures to their compatriots and other citizens, of Afghanistan say? Why do they get alarmed at each attempt in curtailing their own freedoms while they limit such freedoms here with no ends? Why do they throw away all those ideals the moment they cross the border?

I recently talk often about ideals and idealism. I quarrel with a person who I am sure has similar views to my own, but with added bit of rationalism. I was about to admit that I exaggerate in question of civilian casualties by criticizing NATO forces without mercy and without regard to circumstances. I was about to admit that I exaggerate in negative assessment of American approaches in Afghanistan. I was about to pour some ashes on my head and look around a bit more rationally - trying to remember all those threats to the soldiers who give away their life in the name of some ideals. But then I saw an Alabama sergeant. He was furiously yelling at every Afghan on his way pushing them with his rifle to the roadside.[1]
[1]During WW2 German occupation in Poland the rule for Poles was to step aside from the pavement when approaching Germans and to take their hats off. Poles avoided wearing the caps and some were wearing officer riding boots in pure defiance.

source: http://www.tvn24.pl/1398235,96,0,0,1,blog.html
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

08-30-2007, 08:02 AM

Iraq/Szczygło: More battle operations - Fewer attacks on Polish Forces
Written by PAP
Thursday, August 30, 2007

"Redefining the role the mission of Polish soldiers in Iraq and commencing stabilization tasks again brought the effects - the number of attacks on Polish Military has been definitely reduced" - evaluated Aleksander Szczygło, a Minister of National Defense, who visited Polish Military Contingent in Iraq last Wednesday. "The number of attacks on the base has been reduced ten-fold. The activity of our soldiers outside the base pays off" - said Szczygło. He underlined that the bigger proportion of battle units in the contingent's content is also beneficial.

He added that the problems of the previous rotation - increase in attacks on patrols and base Echo in Diwaniyah - was related to lack of adjustment of the mission character to changing situation.
"Rigid following of the assumptions from the first day of the rotation is not rational" - he said.
[This is as far as he decided to go in criticizing Gen. Lamla - MZ]

The minister pointed out that the Independent Air Assault Group has received in this rotation four Sokół (Falcon) helicopters capable of night flying and that patrol vehicles HMMVE, provided by Americans, are now better equipped and armored. The vehicles have stronger floors and additional door armor that protect against 7.62 mm ammunition.

The new addition to base Echo is a 98 mm mortar fire post, ready to return fire in one and half minutes after the base is first shelled upon. "The artillery sub-unit has appeared the first time in Iraq, and this is a result of situation changes" - said the commander of Fire Support Group, capt. Piotr Męczyński from 25th Air Cavalry Brigade. The mortars' crew uses American reconnaissance data.
The entrance to the base is watched by snipers and a support platoon with anti-aircraft cannons - with a reconnaissance section using radars.

"We will see what's next. It also depends on Iraqis taking more responsibility for security. We are not able to make order without cooperation with Iraqis" - added Szczygło. He estimated that "political solutions in Bagdad are not adequate to have positive influence on entire Iraq."

Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Buk, a Division commander, pointed out that mentoring and training of Iraqi forces is best achieved by common stabilization operation of Iraqi and Polish battle groups - and not just through activity of the training groups.

Evaluating the Iraqi Army, based on the example of a Iraqi battalion from the Iraqi 8th division, which cooperates with Poles, he stated that they do no lack abilities but do lack people and equipment.

He was not hiding that the real problem is Iraqi police - numerous, but badly trained, corrupted and opened on penetration by shiite radicals. In his assessment only 40% of about 8000 policemen - operating in the region of responsibility of Multinational Division-CS - has been trained at the basic level. "The rest is just at the beginning. We do what we can. We create joint army-police groups and we operate together. We train while - at the same time - effectively operating outside. However the idea of the training groups comes true only in relation to command units" - said Buk.

The general added that previous rotations were not able to flexibly respond for objective reasons. [Phraseology - "Objective reasons?" What the hell it means? - MZ] "But we are using the opportunity offered to us [during this rotation]"

Summarizing the effects due to changes in mission character and decisive reactions on attacks Buk underlined that during the last month the base was shelled upon only four times and there were only four IDE attacks on convoys - including two on Polish soldiers. None of the attacks was effective and the losses were only related to equipment.

The Multinational Division Center-South has been operating under Polish command for the last four years. It took responsibility for five provinces at the beginning of September 2003. Initially the Division had 9000 soldiers from more than 20 countries and Polish contingent had 2400 soldiers. Currently the Division is responsible for two provinces. About 900 Polish soldiers are a part of the Division. They came at the end of July as 9th PMC rotation.

Jakub Borowski

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7301&Itemid=69
Translated by MZ

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Irak/sierpien/minister/minister_d.jpg

Mishka Zubov

08-30-2007, 08:11 AM

Soldiers without rank insignia
Written by Mariusz Konarski

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/8231/beardswh2.jpg
Interpreter Aminullah talking to an elder. Long beards commemorate the prophet Mohammed They do not wear rank insignia on their epaulettes but, as other members of Polish Military Contingent (PMC) in Afghanistan, they wear Polish uniforms. Their task is to ease contacts with local population. Afghan interpreters - as this story is about them - can be found in Polish Battle Group in Sharana. One of them is Aminullah Yacob.

Thanks to a scholarship from Warsaw University Aminullah commenced his studies in the Institute of International Relations in the year 2002. He was born in Panyshir, northern province of Afghanistan, a home city of Ahmad Shah Muasud, an Afghan national hero. Because of it he speaks fluent Dari and because of it he has received an offer that is rarely directed to students.

At the heart of activities

One day I received a phone call with a proposal of cooperation within a framework of Polish Military Contingent - he recollects. He agreed. In April of this year he came to Bagram and from there he was sent to Polish Battle Group (PBG) Sharana. Since then he rides with our soldiers as an interpreter - most often to the governor, the police commander or to the commander of ANA unit stationing in Sharana. He is present during discussions regarding preparation of development plans for Paktika province and also operations aiming at stopping the Taliban and their influence on local population. Recently he was busy preparing fliers. He sometimes go with the group commander on battle patrols.

Hospitable and woman-less

He talks readily about his home country. He stresses that Afghanistan is divided language-wise and culture-wise on two parts: North and South. North, with its capital Kabul, is closer to our civilization standards. One reason for this is that this part of the country is much richer in natural resources, such as oil, coal and precious stones.

Aminullah describes that wearing long beards by elders is an Afghani tradition. This is a result of Islam, which has been established by a bearded prophet. Long beards are welcome, especially in Paktika province, where Polish soldiers are stationing.

Paktika is one of the poorest provinces of Afghanistan. Almost 100% women do not attend schools. Only the girls younger than 11 years old may appear on streets. Later they work at home, take care of animals and are busy farming. At that age they wear chadors - observing the world around them through a small opening for eyes. They are ready to get married when they are 14-15 years old. A married woman may go outside only when accompanied by her husband or somebody from her closest family.

Aminullah adds that Afghans are very hospitable. A visitor, even uninvited one, is treated by the host as a family member during the entire visit.

While traveling through villages one notice cemeteries. Flags, typically blue ones, flutter on top of stony mounds. I ask Aminullah what role do they fill. "This means that a dead person is still with their relatives" - explains the interpreter.

Similarly, he does not exclude coming back home. He has signed a contract for half a year, with possibility of extension. It may happen since the cooperation with PMC has been excellent. But then he would like to finish studies in Poland and get a job in Afghani Embassy in Warsaw or in Afghani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
source: weekly Polska Zbrojna, no 34 (552), August 19, 2007,
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/

Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

08-30-2007, 01:12 PM

Priorities of Polish Air Force

Written by N. Bączyk, A. Goławski ("PZ" 36/2007)
Wednesday, August 29, 2007

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/sily_pow/sierpien/gen_blasik_1.jpg

An interview with Lt. Gen. pilot Andrzej Błasik, a commander of Polish Air Force

After four months as a commander of Air Force you must know its state. How do you assess it in view of information about necessity of withdrawal of successive aircrafts?

Taking the duties of a commander of PAF I fully realized that equipment and weapons of certain units are outdated and of no high battle value. I also had a sense of challenges in front of me, related to necessity of withdrawal of obsolete equipment and replacement with a new one. At the same time, I knew that the most valuable material are my subordinates - officers, non-commissioned officers and privates - real professionals in uniforms, excellently trained and prepared for servicing any modern equipment and for participation in common operations with our allies.

What equipment is currently available to Air Force?

Keeping airplanes MiG-21 and MiG-23 in active service is no longer economically and operationally justified. Already few years ago a decision was taken to replace them with new battle airplanes. Multitasking airplanes F-16 has been introduced and they are the successors of MiG-s.

There are indications that MiG-29 can be still exploited for the next dozen or so years - even until year 2025. The Su-22 airplanes will be withdrawn - starting in year 2012. I hope - and such are the conclusions of the Strategic Defense Review and the analyses in Department of Air Force - that some activities to receive their successors will be undertaken.

Significant changes take place in Air Transport as well.

We are obtaining two CASA C-295M this year. Growing transportation needs of Military Forces indicate that we need to realistically think about new means for procurement of at least two additional CASA planes.

Five An-26 will be withdrawn in 2008-2009 and - because of it - the 13th Air Transport Squadron should look for 16 airplanes of CASA type. In addition - to support air transportation tasks for Military Forces - we plan to obtain C-130 Hercules planes. The first of five, bought through American Foreign Military Fund, should land in Powidz in September 2008, and the last one - in July 2009, according to the delivery roster.

Will you have enough people for servicing and flying all those machines?

As in the remaining kinds of Military Forces the Air Force has some problems with personnel. Especially lacking are noncoms for direct servicing of equipment. Salaries and work conditions currently offered to professional soldiers are no longer attractive to young people, and as a result the military institutions have no excess of candidates - as it was in the past.

But I am glad to inform, that almost all places in our air Alma Mater - and there are 181 of them - have been filled with new students. We still have ten vacancies in category of the airplane pilot and we will start additional recruitment of candidates this Fall.

Joining the activities aiming towards changes in the system of wages and salaries in all Military Forces, including Air Force, we have prepared a motivational proposal for pilots, navigators and service engineers.

In that case - What are the motivations?

To make the service more attractive we plan, among other things, return back to a system of bonuses for direct servicing of equipment, and introduce new bonuses for flying personnel, navigators and flight controllers.

I think that - if our proposal is accepted by Ministry of National Defense - we will be able to introduce it next year. I hope that those actions will make the Air Force more attractive not only to new candidates but also to those who were considering quitting the military. We would like to retain the trained and experienced personnel.

Is there a chance for Dęblin's Air Force Institute (WSOSP) to expand and become an international center of Air Force Training? Or is it just a wishful thinking of its personnel and soldiers?

Our priority is to create an advanced system for Air Force training. I am not talking specifically about Lead-in Fighter Trainer (LIFT) but about entire system - aircrafts, simulators, personnel training programs, logistics, etc. As any commander of Air Force, I would also like to have possibilities of domestic independent training of pilots flying all types of aircraft used by Polish Air Force.

The Minister of National Defense has charged me with the task of creating a team, which will prepare a training concept for flight, technical and support personnel of Military forces by the end of this September. We are preparing several variants of the proposal, which we will present with indication of the one optimal - in our opinion - for the needs of training.

In my opinion, the rational approach is to create a modern, national center for Air Force training - with a perspective of converting it into international center. According to the opinions of many experts a modern airplane for advanced training LIFT, available to Dęblin's WSOSP, will cause influx of training contracts from other countries.

How do you intend to choose that optimal variant?

This is a task for a team of experts from Department of Air Force (DSP), Air Force Institute (WSOSP), Main School of Air Force (SGWP) and other institutions, central to Ministry of National Defense.
At this time we are not pre-judging what is the most beneficial - procurement or leasing the aircrafts, contracting advanced training abroad or purchasing the flight hours.

We want to design such variant of a training system, which will be able to generate a necessary flight, technical and support personnel - prepared for tasks during peace, crisis or war.

I think that all work related to preparation of National Helicopter Program will be finished by the end of this year. We count that the pilots, as well as technicians of all helicopters obtained by Air Force within the framework of this program, will be trained in Dęblin.

Next year our pilots will be tasked again with NATO mission of protecting the airspace of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. These will be the MiG-29 pilots. From which squadron?

We have not decided yet which squadron - 1st TAS or 41st TAS - will take this task. Both are ready for it, since the 41st has been subjected to "Readiness Verification" in July and received the "good" mark. I will take the decision at the planing stage.

Will every Hawk pilot be equally well trained in fighter, attack and reconnaissance missions?

The world experience suggest that it makes sense to specialize pilots of these airplanes. According to this the 3rd TAS pilots will specialize in training of successive groups of pilots and in attack missions, the 6th TAS pilots - in fighter and attack, and the 10th TAS pilots in fighter and recce missions.

What is a true story about technical state of F-16 received from Lockheed? The rumors are that many of those machines are grounded because of technical malfunctions.

Although supposedly in every rumor there is a grain of truth but the rumor about fitness of F-16 airplanes is not justified. It's enough to look back at the old logs from times of introduction of Su-22 and MiG-29 programs and compare the statistics with fitness ratio of F-16. The statistics clearly indicate that the fitness of F-16 planes from the "introduction to exploitation" is much higher than fitness of Su-22 or MiG-29. Currently, 16 out of 23 F-16 machines are able to fly - that is, its fitness is almost 70%.

This aircraft is intensively used and they realized 68% of flight time planned for the year 2007 - which would be impossible with their lower fitness. If we had spare parts in our warehouses more planes would be able to fly. I appreciate all the effort of our technicians, who not only prepare the machines for flying missions but also train younger colleagues.

How do you intend to solve the problem of in-flight tanking?

We are planning to procure two airplanes for in-flight tanking. We are also considering joining a procurement program of tankers common for several NATO countries (within a framework of Prague defense commitment - PCC). These are the long term solutions. A temporary solution is an agreement with one of NATO countries about using its tankers for our needs. We are currently at the last stage of negotiations with a NATO member who will make its tankers available during training of its pilots in Poland.

Which kind of forces that are subordinate to Air Force will receive preferential treatment from you?

All kinds of Air Forces are equally important to me, because only their problem-less cooperation will result in a synergy effect and in realization of received tasks.

We ask because the equipment needs for anti-aircraft defense will become most urgent.

Indeed, we want to obtain as quickly as possible a small range anti-aircraft rocket kit, which uses AMRAAM shells - because of the unification with weaponry of our F-16 - for the defense of our air bases. We will start withdrawing rocket kits Newa SC in about year 2012. We will also need middle range rocket kits - successors of Krug, enabling protection of important objects and able to combat the tactical ballistic missiles.

Why this year Air Show will be so humble? No international aerobatic team will show up.

The Air Show in Radom in September will happen at the same time as other similar events in Europe and for this reason we did not aimed to invitation of aerial acrobatic teams to Radom. The motto of this year show will be "The battle airplane of yesterday, today and tomorrow". I think that participation - in Air Show 2007 - of airplanes such as F-86, F-15, F-16, F-18, Jak-50 and JAS-39 will make this event very attractive.

Inteviewers: Norbert Bączyk and Artur Goławski
The article appeared in number 36 of "Polska Zbrojna"
Last actualization: Wednesday, August 29, 2007
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7300&Itemid=49
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

08-30-2007, 03:56 PM

Rescuing da Vinci

Recent dispute between Poland and Germany about stolen arts brings this story to mind...

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/774/ladywithanermineqv6.jpg
Leonardo da Vinci, Lady with an Ermine, Czartoryski Museum, Cracow, Polandhttp://img406.imageshack.us/img406/1582/soldiers20with20lady20wme2.jpg

The photograph on the front cover of Rescuing Da Vinci shows Monuments Men returning the priceless painting by Leonardo da Vinci entitled, “Lady with an Ermine,” to the Czartoryski Museum in Cracow, Poland in April, 1946. The officer holding the painting is Polish Monuments Man Karol Estreicher, a national hero in Poland. Standing to his left, holding the protective wrapping paper is American Monuments Man Lt. Frank P. Albright.
Standing on either side of the two Monuments Officers are two, still unidentified, U.S. soldiers providing security for the trainloads of art and other important cultural materials that were being returned to Poland along with da Vinci’s masterpiece. We know that the soldier on the right was a part of U.S. Seventh Army, but sad to say that is all. http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2382/lamont20moore20and20shecu6.jpg
Monuments Officers Lts. Lamont Moore and Sheldon Keck inspect looted Polish treasure found deep inside the salt mine in Grasleben, Germany which they found in April, 1945.http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7430/book20cover3yr1.jpg
A cover of the book Rescuing da Vinci, by Robert EdselThe pages below contain many interesting stories, pictures and videos related to NAZI plunder of art treasures and the research to identify Monuments Men - the men who were searching Germany after the war to recover the stolen arts.

source: The website of the book Rescuing da Vinci, http://www.rescuingdavinci.com/

source: Blog of Robert Edsel, http://www.robertedselblog.com/index.php/category/identifying-unknown-soldiers-in-our-photos/

Jocker_89

08-30-2007, 05:46 PM

Polish Minister of Defense visited soldiers in Camp Echo

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3111

On the 29th of August the Polish Minister of Defense Aleksander Szczygło paid an official visit in Camp Echo in Ad Diwaniyah and Camp Delta in Al Kut, Multinational Division Central South (MND CS).

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3112
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3113
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3114

The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Iraq Edward Pietrzyk, Polish Land Forces Commander Lieutenant-General Waldemar Skrzypczak and Joint Operation Center Commander Lieutenant-General Bronisław Kwiatkowski accompanied minister on the visit in Iraq. The visit began with a meeting with MND CS Commander Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Buk. The participants spoke about current situation in the Quadisiyah province and the challenges of MND CS. Then minister Szczygło visited the Chapel and took part in common prayer for the soldiers killed in action during mission in Iraq. Those killed in action were honored with a minute of silence. After that the minister met polish soldiers. Soldiers presented their combat equipment and talked about their everyday living and combat experience. The Minister of Defense awarded the soldiers for dedication.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3115
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3116
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3117

After the visit in Camp Echo the Polish delegation left for Camp Delta in Al Kut, where the Minister of Defense met with the rest of Polish soldiers from the IX rotation of Polish Military Contingent in Iraq.

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

Mishka Zubov

08-30-2007, 11:26 PM

Stable Guardian / Euphrates IX

Polish Soldiers now in Iraq trained in June with U.S. Army, Europe Soldiers to prepare for their deployment, Poland’s ninth since the beginning of combat operations there.

Story and photos by Sgt. Matthis Chiroux

“There is more tension in the Qadisiyah province now than ever before. It is important that my Soldiers understand I want them to be safe, and I want the U.S. to know that we will give everything to our mission. But please pray for us.” - Polish Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Buk, commander, 1st Polish Mechanized Division

A quick flight from Munich can find you in Krakow, Poland, a city with history stretching back to the fourth century. From there, strike a course east for three hours in a quick car with good shocks, and you should arrive in Nova Deba, a small Polish town near the Ukrainian border. This is where 900 Polish Soldiers spent three months preparing to meet their nation’s call for a ninth rotational deployment to Iraq.

Partnering with them during the final phase of their field exercise, June 22 to 28, were 54 Soldiers and two civilians from U.S. Army, Europe. Forty-one Soldiers from 1st Battalion 4th Infantry Regiment stationed in Hohenfels, Germany, lived and trained with Polish 1st Mechanized Division Soldiers from Warsaw during the exercise. Another 15 USAREUR troops simulated a higher command entity like the one the Poles, now on a six-month tour is Iraq’s Qadisiyah province, currently serve under.

The whole event, dubbed Euphrates IX by the Polish Army and Exercise Stable Guardian 2007-2 by the U.S. Army, was designed to create an atmosphere of multinational cooperation in which the Polish Soldiers could prepare for their upcoming counter-terrorism and training missions as Multi-National Division Central-South Iraq, said Polish Army Lt. Col. Stanislaw Czosnek, chief of exercise management.

“This is the last step for these Soldiers until they deploy,” Czosnek said. This Polish rotation includes elements from the 1st Mech. Div., the 25th Air Cavalry, the 49th Combat Helicopters Regiment and the 10th Logistic Brigade.

Col. David Leckrone, the deputy chief of staff for support for the Illinois National Guard, attended the exercise and said he was pleased with the helicopters Polish troops trained and later deployed with.

“Insurgents are scared of anything that flies. These will be very helpful this time around,” he said.

Illinois National Guard elements worked in Qadisiyah province with the 8th Polish rotation, and will remain in Iraq until well after the 9th Polish rotation leaves and the newly announced 10th rotation arrives. Leckrone and a fellow officer flew to Poland directly from Iraq to participate in the exercise.

“We have a lot of high hopes for these guys,” Leckrone said. “They’re on top of things, they’ve got good equipment, and they have a very sharp commander. We’re looking forward to working with them (in Iraq).”

The commander Leckrone referred to is Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Buk of the 1st Mech. Div. Buk is not new to Iraq. He served there as a deputy commander for MND-CS in 2005. But while Buk was quick to note that more than half of the Soldiers deploying with him already have combat experience from prior rotations, he cautioned all in the rotation that the face of the war has changed, and new dangers lie ahead for MND-CS.

“There is more tension in the Qadisiyah province now than ever before,” Buk said. “It is important that my Soldiers understand I want them to be safe, and I want the U.S. to know that we will give everything to our mission. But please pray for us.”

Polish Minister of Defense Aleksander Szczyglo echoed Buk’s message during his speech at the IX rotation’s farewell ceremony, urging deploying troops in attendance “to avoid routine and not to misuse Soldier’s luck.”

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/5861/euphrateszczyglobukwo0.jpg
Polish Minister of Defense Aleksander Szczyglo answers questions during a press conference given at the Nova Deba training site. Mag. Gen. Tadeusz Buk, incoming MND-CS commander, stands to his left.During the exercise, troops practiced camp defense, reacting to ambushes coupled with improvised explosive device strikes, terrorist detainment and first aid procedures.

The American Soldiers from the 1/4 Infantry trained alongside them, conducting simulated multinational rescue operations, fighting off simulated enemy attacks and conducting cordon-and-search operations. They also found other ways to enrich the multinational experience.

“We switched weapons for a little while at the range today,” said Spc. Kenneth Clifford, a tank crewman who manned a 50-caliber machine gun on top of a Polish Humvee during the exercise. “I didn’t actually shoot any of their rounds, but I got to experience what an AK-47 might feel like in my hands right before firing.”

The Polish Soldiers also had a chance to lay hands on some American weapons. The exchange provided Soldiers from both sides a chance to talk and try to understand each other a little more. Most American Soldiers learned at least a few words of Polish. Many Polish Soldiers already spoke English moderately well.

“It’s good to interact. (U.S.) Soldiers are very professional and know what it means to fight,” said Polish Warrant Officer Martin Karpowicz, a deploying platoon commander from the 25th Air Cav.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4851/euphratepolishmachineguew6.jpg
Spc. Kenneth Clifford, a tank crewman from the 1/4 Infantry, listens to instructions on how to place a Polish machine gun on safe.http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1851/euphrateamericangunnerdv6.jpg
A Soldier from the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment stationed
in Hohenfels, Germany, rides on top of a Polish Humvee during field
operations June 25th.http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/971/euphratem16scopeai4.jpg
A Polish soldier sights the horizon through a scope mounted atop an American M-16 A4 rifle.http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/664/euphrateamericanclearinuu7.jpg
1/4 Infantry Soldiers demonstrate the U.S.’s method of clearing a building. Afterward, Polish troops demonstrated their technique, and the two forces discussed the strong points of each.Since Poland joined NATO in 1999, the nation has worked to posture its military doctrine in the same defensive mode as its allied partners, according to the
U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Web site. The Polish army still relies heavily on conscription to maintain its ranks, as
all male citizens, with some exceptions, are subject to a 12-month term of military service.

According to the State Department’s Web site, “Poland continues to be a regional leader in support and participation in the NATO Partnership for Peace
Program and has actively engaged most of its neighbors and other regional actors to build stable foundations for future European security arrangements.”

Poland maintains a unit in Southern Lebanon and a battalion in NATO’s Kosovo Force. Polish troops have served in both Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Poland first assumed command of MND-CS Sept. 3, 2003. Since then, Poland and its MND-CS partners, including Soldiers from Denmark, Romania and Mongolia, have worked effectively to stabilize south central Iraq while working to train Iraqi forces to operate independently, Leckrone said.

With the help of the U.S., Poland has recently been able to acquire F-16 fighter jets, C-130 cargo planes, Humvees and other items, which Szczyglo
called key to his country’s military restructuring. The Polish government recently announced that a 10th rotation of Polish Soldiers will be made available to deploy, should the coalition need them.

In the meantime, the ninth rotation is ready to go, Buk said. “We will be there for at least six months,” Buk said. “The (Polish) army will be there as long as
duty requires.”
source: Vol. 3, Issue 3, EUR Army 2, Summer 2007, http://www.hqusareur.army.mil/EURArmy/

Mishka Zubov

08-31-2007, 02:06 PM

See a separate thread: "An interview with Iraqi volunteer to Polish army in Iraq".

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2738574#post2738574

Mishka Zubov

08-31-2007, 03:54 PM

This image has been haunting me ever since I saw it two days ago

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/2900/pomnikpilyyl1.jpg
credit: Walerian Domanski, http://www.angelfire.com/comics/domanski0/POMNIK_PILY.JPG

Mishka Zubov

08-31-2007, 03:59 PM

Billions for Polish Army

Billions for Polish Army
(2007-08-31)
By: Polish News Bulletin

This year will see record spending on armaments, amounting to almost a quarter of Poland's military budget. In 2007 alone, the army will spend ZL5bn on new arms. At present, half of the 48 ordered F-16 Falcon fighter jets are being used in Poland. Every quarter, three more F-16 jets are arriving in Poland. The contract for the jets, worth ZL3.5bn, will cost Poland ZL1.4bn this year.

The Defence Ministry is also focused on paying for the purchase of 690 "Rosomak" armoured personnel carriers, which are to cost almost ZL5bn. Rosomak carriers are presently used by Polish soldiers in Afghanistan.

The Defence Ministry is also about to complete preparing the order of Casa 295 military transport aircraft. The Polish army currently uses 10 such aircraft.

At the end of 2008, Poland expects to receive five C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from US Army reserves.

This year, ministry experts are also preparing conditions for a tender for at least 80 helicopters. The value of the tender will amount to $3bn.

The latest arms will be presented at the international Armaments Industry Fair in Kielce. A total of 361 companies from 21 countries are expected to participate.

Rzeczpospolita p. B7, August 31 2007

Polish News Bulletin 2007, August, 31

Mishka Zubov

08-31-2007, 06:55 PM

New TURs at 15th International Defence Industry Exhibition at Kielce (MSPO)
31-08-2007

During MSPO 2007 two prototypes of patrol vehicle Tur from AMZ Kutno will be shown. Compared to the demonstrator version, both prototypes have several visible design changes. Following soldiers' postulates the shooting ports has been introduced and placed in armored doors - even though no such feature exists in other vehicles of this class.

The door locking system has been improved. The tank inlet has been relocated (final location is still under design). The driver and the commander seats have been changed to another type and are equipped with four-point safety belts.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4688/tur05bq2.jpg
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4949/tur06av4.jpg
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7296/tur04vw2.jpg

The first prototype, the green one, has been equipped with remotely controlled weapon module ZSMU-Kobuz, with OBRSM in the prototyped variation with the ammunition supplied from below the armor.

The second prototype, the desert (sand) one, is additionally equipped with self-defense system consisting of 4x2 launchers of 81 mm smoke grenades. It also features a modified back of its body.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9488/tur01da7.jpg
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1029/tur02vg6.jpg
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1609/tur03ln7.jpg

The prototypes have been placed on a chassis practically made entirely in AMZ Kutno - although evolved from the earlier known Italian chassis. The vehicle has been slimmed down by implementing newer technologies: the basic variant (without turntable, communication system and command system), with the armor assuring protection against 7,62 mm x54R B32 shells; that is, above Level 2 STANAG 4569, weighs 4800 kg. With the maximal acceptable weight of 6200 kg this gives a room of 1400 kg for the crew, additional equipment and the weapons.

AMZ Kutno is in a process of testing the Tur's armor against the Level 3 STANAG 4569 specification.

Grzegorz Hołdanowicz, chief editor of "Raport WTO"
source: http://www.altair.com.pl/
photos: AMZ Kutno
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

08-31-2007, 09:40 PM

Kielce after London and Paris

2007-08-31

Fifteenth International Defence Industry Exhibition 2007 (IDIE-2007) beats all previous records and pushes the fair definitely at the third position in ranking of the biggest exhibition events of defense industry in Europe, behind London's DSEi and Parisian Eurosatora. Such assessment was presented to the media at the press conference on August 30, 2007 in Warsaw by Marek Zająkała, a vice-chairman of Ministry of National Defense and Andrzej Mochoń, a chairman of IDIE 2007.

During IDIE 2007 about 360 exhibitors - 243 domestic and 117 foreign - will be presenting their goods on more than 20 thousands square meters. They will be representing 21 countries, besides Poland.

One can easily notice a dramatically increased interest in provisioning of our army and in military market in general - especially by domestic companies. There were "only" 288 exhibitors present at IDIE 2006 - 182 domestic and 106 foreign - presenting their goods on 17427 square meters.

According to initial information the IDIE 2007 will be visited - besides Polish Prime Minister and his ministers - by official delegations from 18 countries: Angola, China, Czech Republic, France, Israel, Canada, Qatar, Congo, South Korea, Pakistan, Peru, RPA, Romania, Slovakia, Thailand, Ukraine, USA and Hungary. Commanders of air forces from five countries will visit Air Show 2007 at nearby Radom, an event associated with Kielce fair.

IDIE 2007 will be dominated by national exposition of industry and defense of USA. Three countries had their national exposition in previous IDIE fairs: Germany (2004), France (2005) and Israel (2006). US Embassy informs that there will be 30 American corporations present. Pentagon stresses informational content at the IDIE 2007, organizing many seminars and conferences.

There will be 80 high rank representatives from Department of Defense and US Army and as many as 17 VIPs present, altogether, at Air Show 2007 in Radom and IDIE 2007 in Kielce. Among them there will be directors or deputy directors of 11 technical development programs of US Army.

The Pentagon delegation is headed by Claude M. Bolton, an Assistant Secretary of US Army for procurements, logistics and new technologies. Among other persons worthy special interest is Antony J. Tether, a director of famous DARPA - Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
source: http://www.altair.com.pl/
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

08-31-2007, 10:33 PM

Israel donated grenade launchers against Taliban
Marcin Górka
2007-08-31

Twenty automatic grenade launchers Mk 19 will reach Polish soldiers in Afghanistan in few days.

"Americans have grenade launchers. Their killing power is such that there is no way to hide or run" - says one of the soldiers who recently came home from Afghanistan. "It has taken a long time, but we will finally get them. Someone has finally woke up, a pity that not earlier, but better late than never."

"It has taken so long because of the ruling procedures for foreign procurement" - explains MAJ Dariusz Kacperczyk, a spokesman for Operational Command, which is responsible for missions abroad of Polish Military Forces.

Soldiers have been asking Ministry of National Defence for the grenade launchers from the time they went to Afghanistan. The 40 mm caliber launcher Mk 19 is an American product, but the Polish Army has received them as donation from Israel. The IDF is replacing the Mk 19 - first used by American Army in Vietnam - by their newest version, Mk 47.

The grenade launchers will be mounted in turrets of Polish HMMVs, near the machine guns. They have the range of more than two kilometers and they can shoot almost 400 shells per minute.

"There are better grenade launchers worldwide, but as a donation this equipment should be satisfactory" - assesses Grzegorz Hołdanowicz, an expert on military technology. "It is effective; its shelling can quickly force the enemy out of his hiding place."

Shooting from the grenade launcher is comparable to throwing a grenade - but on much greater distance and much faster. As opposed to a machine gun, which shoots at a point, a grenade launcher hits with shrapnel - and therefore it is very effective when shooting at an enemy hidden in a mountain chasm, say.

Twenty Mk 19 grenade launchers will be sent to Afghanistan in the next few days and 20 more may be later expected over there. But Polish army intends to buy more of them.
source: Gazeta Wyborcza, http://www.gazetawyborcza.pl/1,75477,4446015.html
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-01-2007, 07:45 AM

Głuszec is in, still waiting for Black Hawk
Marcin Sztandera
2007-08-31,

PZL W-3PL Głuszec (Wood Grouse) and Afghani version of Rosomak are the two biggest premieres of the 15th International Defence Industry Exhibition (IDIE), which opens on Monday in Kielce Fair.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1372/z4450797xkv2.jpg
PZL W-3PL Głuszec. Photo Jarosław Kubalski / AG"This year's exhibition will be bigger than the last year's one, but such is already a tradition of the Fair" - says Edyta Ruszkowska, a press spokeswoman of Kielce Fair. More than 360 companies from 21 countries will be presented in four pavilions - one of those devoted to the exposition of the Polish group Bumar. Metal Plant Mesko from Skarżysko with be showing its newest products over there.

American exposition will be also exceptional. Thirty one companies will be represented in its national exhibition, and during the Fair opening a flight of F-26 will fly over the city.

Halls of the Kielce Fair were under hectic preparations yesterday. Boxes were being assembled, equipment was being moved in. The exposition prepared by Land Forces was almost complete. This is where the newest versions of weaponry of the armored transporter Rosomak and the helicopter Sokół will be publicly presented, the first time ever.

The most interesting versions of Rosomak are the ones prepared especially for the needs of our mission in Afghanistan. One novelty is an extra armor. "Our colleagues in Afghanistan are already convinced how effective it is" - say soldiers, who were yesterday preparing the Land Forces exhibition.

The PZL W3-PL Głuszec was standing nearby the "Afghani" Rosomak yesterday. This is the newest version of the helicopter Sokół, described as a Battle Support Helicopter. "This is a prototype, which has already passed most of the tests. It is a real pleasure flying it" - says Lt-Col Paweł Półtorak, a commander of the 7th Air Squadron of Nowy Glinnik.

This is a premiere of the helicopter at IDIE 2007. It has new weaponry - a movable rifle under the hull and a container for NATO rockets S-70. "They are manufactured in Mesko" - stresses Półtorak.

Inside the cabin there is a HUD display - allowing the pilot to watch data on the front window panel. A special infrared and thermal-vision head allows for observation of the terrain and for seeking an enemy. Głuszec is also supplied with a special sensor that warns about approaching rockets. The floor and the fuel tank has been armored, first time ever.

But Głuszec is not the only helicopter at IDIE 2007. This weekend a Black Hawk should reach Kielce - a helicopter manufactured by American company Sikorsky. It will be soon manufactured by Sikorsky in ZL Mielec factory.

The Fair, which opens on Manday, will last till Thursday. The tickets, available only for adults, cost 45 zloty.

source: Gazeta Wyborcza Kielce, http://miasta.gazeta.pl/kielce/1,35255,4450802.html

Jocker_89

09-01-2007, 08:41 AM

Great work Mishka as usually :)

Mishka Zubov

09-01-2007, 12:27 PM

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9528/z4447282xpj8.jpg
An English-speaking tourist, taking a photograph of the name "Boner - Pałac" at Cracow's Main Market, to show it at home as a cheap joke. He, he - those Poles ...:-)

Who were the Boners

The Boners - A famous Cracow's patrician family of German origin, written to pages of Polish history as excellent managers, bankers and patrons of arts. The best known Boner was Jan Boner, the manager and the banker at the court of Sigismund the Old, one of the richest and most influential power dealer in 16th century Poland.

Although the house at the Rynek Główny (Main Market) has been built in 14th century, it mostly flourished in times when it belonged to the Boners.
source: http://miasta.gazeta.pl/krakow/1,35825,4447687.html

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8008/z4448599xuk8.jpg
Boner - Pałac. Five centuries of a German-Polish history look down in contempt on English tourist, who has never heard of a word "homonym"
Well, the new owners of the medieval building should stick to the Polish name "Pałac Bonerów" (Palace of the family of Boners) and not to pimp too much to English-speaking tourists.

On the other hand, the tourists should be given some history lessons and some reminder that there are English homonyms that makes Poles laugh hard too.

Super duper? Ha-ha, super arse owner.
Etc, etc.

Mishka Zubov

09-01-2007, 07:50 PM

8th Iraqi Army Division Soldiers begin course to learn advanced skills
By Multi-National Division - Central South PAO
Aug 18, 2007 - 6:58:46 PM

Blackanthem Military News, BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 8th IA Division began a six-week long course August 12 in Ad Diwaniyah.

The course is aimed at arming the Iraqi Soldiers with more advanced skills and qualify graduates to pass along knowledge gained to other Iraqi platoons.

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/223/militarynews2007081702ew3.jpg
A Polish Soldier looks on as an Iraqi Soldier with the 1st Battalion, 8th IA Div. fires at a target during the first day of a six week long course designed to arm the Iraqis with more advanced combat skills.The course will include instruction covering urban operations, hostage rescues [and] helicopter operations.

"The additional training will allow graduates to achieve full compatibility between Iraqi and Polish forces. In the near future, Iraqi platoons will be able to conduct joint operations with Polish forces," said Lt. Col. Arkadiusz Siwak, Military Transition Team chief.
source: http://www.blackanthem.com/News/Allies_20/8th_Iraqi_Army_Division_Soldiers_begin_course_to_learn_advanced_skills9591.shtml

Mishka Zubov

09-01-2007, 09:36 PM

Anti-mine operation on Baltic Sea
Operacja przeciwminowa na Bałtyku
Written by Bartosz Zajda
Friday, August 31, 2007

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/marynarka/sierpien/operacja_d.jpg

Two Polish minehunters will begin today a Baltic operation to discover and destroy war leftover objects, dangerous to safe sailing. The operation, known under the code name "Open Spirit 2007" will be carried at the Lithuanian sea coast.

The Baltic Sea bed still hides many dangerous objects, including misfires and dudes - the remnants of WW2 or WW1. They lie mostly at the areas where intensive battle operation used to take place. Each year the ships and specialized units of Polish Navy carry the neutralization operations at Polish, as well as international, bodies of water.

Several weeks ago people of Kołobrzeg have learned how many surprises are still hidden in Baltic, when the sea brought to the beach two barrels with unknown content. Sappers and chemists from Polish Navy were called to examine the objects. Although they have been proven benign yet they were a reminder of war "inheritance", which might still be dangerous - notwithstanding the fact that many years have passed since the WW2.

Last May the Navy specialists rendered safe a very dangerous, one-tone mine, found at the Gdańsk harbor. Earlier they have been neutralizing torpedos, mines, air bombs, and artillery ammunition in the Bay of Gdańsk and other areas where WW2 battles used to take place.

Polish Navy ships also participate in this type of operations beyond our borders. The operation "Open Spirit", which commences today, is organized under auspices of "Partnership for Peace" and is the 10th one in which Polish Navy participates.

Two Polish minehunters - ORP "Mewa" and ORP "Czajka" - join 20 navy ships from Belgium, France, Holland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Norwey, Russia, Sweden and Great Britain to perform battle operation of search, discovery and demolishing of submerged objects. The main task of Polish Navy ships is to clear the bodies of water of mines, warheads, torpedos, ammunition and other objects that are dangerous for sailing.

The ships will be using hydro-acoustic stations, remotely controlled submarine vehicles, and contact and contact-less sweepers. The diver-miners will be also operating from the decks of the ships. The operation will last till September the 10th.

Anti-mine operations are parts of the basic activity of Polish Navy on international forum. The expertise of Polish sailors is used by the elite NATO Response Force (NRF). Polish minesweepers and minehunters are part of NRF since the year 2002. Since joining the NATO those Polish Navy ships participated in more than 60 exercises and anti-mine operations.

Photo: www.mw.mil.pl (http://www.mw.mil.pl)
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7359&Itemid=48
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-02-2007, 11:15 AM

Few more pictures of some military equipment to be displayed at Kielce Fair

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/5497/albumpicqo6.jpg
A patrol vehicle Tur from AMZ Kutno at 15th IDIE Kielce in preparation for displayhttp://img441.imageshack.us/img441/5231/97877273ez1.jpg
Windshield of the Tur's turrethttp://img409.imageshack.us/img409/3118/10211516ys7.jpg
Foldable sides of the Tur's turrethttp://img104.imageshack.us/img104/1765/albumpicgw5.jpg
PZL W-3PL Głuszec (Wood Grouse) at 15th IDIE Kielce in preparation for display

Mishka Zubov

09-02-2007, 11:30 PM

A new thread "Norwegian tribute to Polish destroyer 'Grom'" in history section:
http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=119403
Enjoy!

Mishka Zubov

09-03-2007, 04:39 AM

Sokół helicopters (Falcons) in Camp Echo
Story and photo by maj. Michał Romańczuk
Monday, September 03, 2007

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/3773/sokolymxs3.jpg

Since few days ago the Polish squadron at Camp Echo Diwaniyah, Iraq has a flight of helicopters W-3WA „Sokół”. Made by PZL Świdnik, the birds will serve in Multinational Division Center-South, MND-CS.

The main task of the squadron is patrolling, air support and the base protection. "We also carry out other air tasks, such as air protection of convoys and patrols and air reconnaissance. In addition, our helicopters can serve in transporting people and equipment. Sokół helicopters (Falcons) are equipped with night vision devices, hence they may carry their tasks day and night" - said Lt-Col. pilot Jerzy Żabierek.

"Battle value of our 'Sokół helicopters has significantly increased due to night vision devices" - adds Warrant Officer Witold Maćkowski, a flight technician of one of the birds. The flight of helicopters "Sokół" will significantly increase the camp safety and will allow for more flexible response to a given situation.

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/7264/sokolydaw2.jpg
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7404&Itemid=29
Translated by MZ

wholagun

09-03-2007, 10:30 AM

^^^^^^ we really need new transport helos that are able to operate in various weather conditions and at night

Venom PL

09-03-2007, 11:12 AM

Few more pictures of some military equipment to be displayed at Kielce Fair

Great !!! I'll be there on wednesday - My camera is ready for action rofl

Mishka Zubov

09-03-2007, 11:21 AM

Yes, and "Sokół" should be able to flawlessly exchange data with the "mast" at the base and the battery of heavy mortars. The response time of 1.5 minutes seems incredibly long - by the time the mortars are ready to fire the insurgents are all gone. But what do I know - I used to do the triangularization by hand, flipping pages of a little red book, the "Shooting Tables". :-)

But did you take a note of the comment of an Illinois guardsmen - several posts back, about mutual training in Nowa Dęba? He was impressed with new capabilities of Sokół and had high hopes for it. No wonder - those guys have been having tough times in Camp Echo...

Mishka Zubov

09-03-2007, 11:31 AM

Great !!! I'll be there on wednesday - My camera is ready for action rofl
Good! Now I can relax a bit. :-)

Herrmannek

09-03-2007, 11:42 AM

Sorry for recursion.
wyksztalciuchy isn't defined by "educated elite".... True definition is simple: wykstalciuch(edumcated)- term applied to a person possessing formal higher education but still dumb as horse, of course official definition is little more delicate for edumcated :)

BTw Misha are you Ruskkie or just a impudent impostor. I somehow missed you talking your credits :)

daily666

09-03-2007, 11:55 AM

http://m.onet.pl/_m/646c68bcf5516ae428ccda9bfbd11b82,14,1.jpg
Głuszec@MSPO Kielce (PAP)

Mishka Zubov

09-03-2007, 12:36 PM

BTw Misha are you Ruskkie or just a impudent impostor. I somehow missed you talking your credits :)

Read my first post ever on this forum, if you have time. I sneaked in as a fifth columnist. Mishka Zubov of Piasecki's novel is my anti-hero, so whatever I do here will not be worse than his actions. :-)

signatory

09-03-2007, 02:17 PM

nvm. I answered my own question with ze powers of google :)

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 05:45 AM

Miracles of military technology
Written by Artur Grabarczyk
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Reprinted from Dziennik 4.9.2007 "Miracles of military technology came to Kielce"

Opening of the biggest Polish fair of defense industry

Polish battle vehicle Tur and new version of the helicopter Sokół are the hits of this year's exhibition

The 15th International Defense Industry Exhibition (IDIE) has assembled a record number of exhibitors. A so-called national exhibition is being presented by United States. Their Black Hawk helicopter was supposed to be a focal point of IDIE.

The event started with a strong accent: 200 soldiers from the 6th Air Assault Brigade and 25th Air Cavalry Brigade were presenting their abilities. There were battle helicopters and transport airplanes CASA. The demonstration included a 70-person parachute assault from the CASA planes.

But later a tension rapidly dropped down, even though the Americans tried very hard to overwhelm their competitors by a breadth of their offerings. Their hit was a Black Hawk helicopter. The Sikorsky company had bought Polish PZL Mielec, where the hulls of those machines will be manufactured. The public was allowed to enter the helicopters. They seemed very roomy and much more modern than Polish Sokół.

Opinions of experts were divided, but the prevailing opinion is that Americans have not shown anything interesting. "Instead of novelties, they are offering multitude of conferences" - says Tomasz Hypki, a chairman of Air Agency Altair. In his opinion the hit of exhibition is not a Black Hawk but a Polish battle vehicle Tur: "Hummers have been disproved in Afghanistan and Tur may be quite a good alternative."

Jarosław Lewandowski, a chief editor of a magazine "Strzał" devoted to weaponry, also praises those vehicles. "These machines exactly suit the missions abroad. Light reconnaissance vehicles have been disproved over there since they had to be rigged with additional armor, while this vehicle is supposedly resistant to mines."

Critical assessments regarding lack of novelties aside, the seasonal visitors to fairs are surprised by quantity of presented equipment. "Four halls are full of exhibits, this has not happened before" - comments Jarosław Lewandowski. "The exposition area is larger than before, but quantity of products and of significant novelties is somewhat smaller" - says Grzegorz Hołdanowicz, a chief editor of the monthly "Raport". When asked to indicate an exhibition hit he says without hesitation: "The Helicopter Sokół, which has been modernized and adapted to a battle support. It is much more interesting than Black Hawk."

Hołdanowicz describes the American offers as follows: "They have shown future solutions regarding battle field equipment. There are, for example, the bulletproof jackets, which protect a soldier from side shelling. There is an individual communication system, allowing a soldier to connect to higher command systems and to receive essential information during the operation."

The very important event of the first day of the fair was signing of intent letter of cooperation between Bumar and French MBDA, regarding anti-aircraft defense systems."We have good radio-location systems, while French have rockets. Thanks to technology transfer we could create a global defense system for our country" - stresses Tomasz Hypki.

The fair will last till Thursday. Yesterday's exhibition was open only for experts. Today and tomorrow the fans of military equipment may view the fair's exhibits.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7463&Itemid=46
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 05:46 AM

nvm. I answered my own question with ze powers of google :)

Please share anyway. I could not find anything relevant.

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 11:52 AM

Poland’s representative appointed as NATO South Caucasus Liaison Officer
03.09.2007 16:19 GMT+04:00

Zbigniew Repaczki was appointed NATO South Caucasus Liaison Officer, the RA MFA press office told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. The Armenian Foreign Ministry has received a notice from the NATO Secretary General.

Zbigniew Repaczki will replace Romualds Razuks at the post.
source: http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=23222

Repaczki? The spelling does not look right.

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 11:54 AM

Czech delegation at the Kielce Centrum
by Edyta Soszyńska
Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Jaroslaw Kopriva, Secretary of State of Ministry of Defense of Czech Republic, together with a delegation, was visiting the Training Center for Peace Missions in Kielce.

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/wiadomosci/wrzesien/czesi_1.jpg
Photo: sgt. Piotr MajeckiOn September the 3rd the Czech delegation visited objects of the training base of the Center, including a post modeled on the real post of the Polish Military Contingent of UNDOF mission and the multimedia room.

The visitors have been given a demonstration of procedures to handle the mine traps in the regions where Polish soldiers serve in peace missions, and a demonstration of equipment and supplies of Polish contingents. They have been also shown an urban mini center.

The visit ended at Traditions Room, where they have been presented with history of Polish peace missions and where the guests signed in the guest-book of the Center.
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7482&Itemid=27

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 11:55 AM

Szczygło at IDIE 2007
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/strategia_obronnosc/wrzesien/mspo_kielce/mspo_1.jpg
Aleksander Szczygło, Minister of National Defense, visiting 15th International Defense Industry Exhibition at Kielce Fair

Herrmannek

09-04-2007, 12:59 PM

Read my first post ever on this forum, if you have time. I sneaked in as a fifth columnist. Mishka Zubov of Piasecki's novel is my anti-hero, so whatever I do here will not be worse than his actions. :-)

can't see further back than 250 posts of yours and you have 300 something already :)

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 01:46 PM

Sorry, I thought it was easy to find it out. Here is how I sneaked into this forum:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2554171&postcount=9

and here are some of my early translations. These are the Hungarian Communist Party documents, which I find quite humorous:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2579904&postcount=123
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2580543&postcount=138

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 03:16 PM

At the doctor's office
by Jacek Matuszak
Friday, September 31, 2007

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/sierpien/lekarz/lekarz_1.jpg

To live in Afghanistan one has to be really strong, healthy and resistant to set-backs of fate. A man must depend only on himself. A road to a doctor might be quite long and dangerous. In addition, there are very few qualified medical professionals.

There are only two doctors in the district Wazi-Khwa, where Polish soldiers are stationing, and where few hundred thousands people live. Both doctors live in the town of Wazi-Khwa, nearby the base. What is also interesting, there are two doctor offices and 11 drug stores at its main street - in no means similar to any street of our understanding. The drug stores - as opposed to the doctors' offices - are quite well supplied.

At the doctor's office

It's hard to believe that this is a doctor's office by looking inside dr. Najibullah's office. It is situated in a characteristic clay hut. Inside, besides the desk, few chairs and a screen with a lounge behind - there is nothing more.

Well, there are also yellowish posters on the walls and a blood pressure apparatus on the table. Sanitary conditions, cleanliness or a medicine smell - so characteristic to Polish medical offices - do not exist. The only assurance that we are in the doctor's office is doctor Najibullah himself, dressed in white gown, with stethoscope around his neck.

"We lack everything. No medicine, no medical supplies, not a good hospital. But what we miss the most is a qualified medical personnel. Unfortunately, there are only few doctors in Afghanistan" - explains the doctor.

He is a graduate of the Kabul Medical Academy, but - according to ISAF doctors - it's hard to verify his skills. "Under such conditions, one cannot expect any help from a doctor when a serious need arises. To handle any examination one would need a laboratory with suitable equipment and qualified personnel. Unfortunately, there is no such post in our neighborhood. And patients are afraid to go to Sharan or Kabul because the dangers involved" - says Maj. Andrzej Sosnowski, a doctor from the Battle Team C.

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/sierpien/lekarz/lekarz_2a.jpg
A drugstorehttp://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/sierpien/lekarz/lekarz_10a.jpg
Doctor Najibullahhttp://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/sierpien/lekarz/lekarz_4a.jpg
Dr. Amanullah's officeThose difficulties notwithstanding, the local doctor, as well as Polish and American doctors are trying to bring help to those who can be helped. For this reason they have opened a clinic at the base, where doctor Najibullah and the military doctors receive the patients.

Contrary to the office in town, the clinic somehow reminds a healthcare center. This a building with several rooms, where - besides some beds and a medical cabinet - there is a cache with medicaments. There is a washbasin at the corridor and a busy boy attempts to keeping at least an appearance of cleanliness of the place.

Help and advice is also given to a second doctor - dr. Amanullah. His office is at the other end of the same street, in a similar clay hut. It has a similar modest equipment, and his office is full of waiting patients.

"We are going to assure that both local doctors will see the patients at the clinic near the base. This way our aid - although ad hoc - will bring better effect. Unfortunately, our capabilities are also limited, because we have no spare equipment nor a big store of medical supplies which we would like to donate to the clinic. We are doing our best but we do not want to offer any false hopes" - explains capt. Janusz Wdowski, from CIMIC section.

The patients

Many patients come almost every day to the clinic, where dr. Najibullah i maj. Sosnowski work. One was a man with a little girl. To reach the doctors he pushed her almost 15 kilometers in a wheelbarrow. "The girl was 14 months old. Her farther said that she had not had any bowel movement for more than two weeks. This has been confirmed by her blown up tummy. This could be caused by worms, but we could not evaluate it here, without laboratory analysis. But such tests can be only done in Sharan" - explains maj. Sosnowski. Unfortunately, we were not sure whether the farther would decide to take her to a distant hospital. Traveling by Wazi-Khwa road is dangerous not only for coalition forces. Afghans also become casualties.

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/sierpien/lekarz/lekarz_4.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/sierpien/lekarz/lekarz_2.jpg

Another patient was an older, more than sixty years old man, who was brought here by his son. His face reflected his sufferings. He has waited patiently at the waiting room, closing his eyes constantly. The diagnosis had shown that he had a stomach ulcer. To help him a bit in his pain he was given some medicine brought from the base. He was advised to keep diet, but it's hard to predict whether he would stick to it - considering living conditions of Afghans.

"Wazi-Khwa is a very poor neighborhood. People here must struggle just to survive a next day. This is why it's so hard to help them" - complains dr. Najibullah.

Among other patients there was a woman who lost her milk and could not feed her baby. She was given a big supply of condensed milk and the advice to come back for more when she runs out of it. She went home smiling, which is unfortunately a rare view here.

The doctors were also able to help an ANA soldier, who was complaining about his ear troubles. As it happened, cleaning out his ear was a cure. He was given a cleaning kit and an advice to wash himself regularly. This - funny at first - advice has quite different dimension here. "When we deliver cleaning articles, tooth brushes, toothpaste or soap we often have to explain what they are for. Hygiene is kept at the very low level here" - explains capt. Wdowski.

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/sierpien/lekarz/lekarz_9a.jpg
A clinichttp://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/sierpien/lekarz/lekarz_7a.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/sierpien/lekarz/lekarz_8a.jpg

There are several dozens of such patients coming to the clinic every day. Most of them reach a doctor only then when their health is in a really bad shape. They not always can be helped. Often it is too late or there are no means or capabilities. But sometimes they can be given some relief, which brings a bit of smile for a while. And this is really a lot.

The ad hoc aid means not too much in such conditions. Systemic solutions are needed: more qualified personnel, with corresponding medical equipment. An effort should be made to increase a basic knowledge about hygiene. But the soldiers cannot do it alone. Their activities in this realm are ad hoc. That does not mean that they should stop doing it. But it would help if they were supported by international organizations specializing in such activities. Otherwise the health situation in Afghanistan will remain at such low level, which is hard to understand by Europeans, 4500 kilometers away. And this not only about the physical distance, measured in kilometers.
Photos: Jacek Matuszak
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7374&Itemid=29
Translated by MZ

SkyUS

09-04-2007, 03:33 PM

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 04:40 PM

Thank you, I am glad you liked the posts.

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 04:41 PM

From the 15th International Defense Industry Exhibition:

Unmaned vehicle from ITWL
2007-09-04

Air Force Institute of Technology (ITWL) is presenting a new unmanned observation system, designed for discovery and observation of sea units. It is to be used by crews of ships in order to document objects and sea phenomena, but also for cover operations. Its wingspan is 2.7 m, length - 2.15 m and maximal starting weight - 18 kg. A deck catapult can be used for take offs and a catch net during its landings. It can also safely splash down.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/268/itwlls6.jpg
The flight speed is 90 km/h, and maximal speed - 130 km/h. Maximal flying time - 1.5 h, and operation radius - 20 km. Photo: Bartosz GłowackiThe unmanned vehicle is supplied with automatic flight control, to follow a given route, with possibility for manual remote control by an operator. The operator may also manipulate an observation head, based on real time pictures sent by the vehicle. There is also an option for an observation head with a digital camera or a thermo-vision camera.

source: http://www.altair.com.pl/
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 05:40 PM

From the 15th International Defense Industry Exhibition, Kielce Fair 2007:

PT-91Ex tank: Success of Łabędy
2007-09-04

Near the entrance to the pavilion of the Bumar Group stands a tank PT-91Ex, which has appeared here at the second day of the exhibition. According to the license plates, still left on its left fender, it can be uniquely identified as a prototype tank PT-91M, designed for Malaysia.

During grueling, 60-days tests in Malaysia - in a very diverse terrain and difficult climatic conditions - the tank has driven more than 3850 kilometers. According to the manufacturer, ZM Bumar Łabędy, this corresponds to 18 years of regular exploitation. During the fire tests in Poland it has been shooting to Nato 2.3 x 2.3 targets (also during the traverse motion), placed in average at the distance of about two kilometers. It has shot 250 shells and it has been successfully shelling at the distance of 3.5 kilometers. ZM Bumar-Łabędy has disclosed that a total probability of hitting a target has been 89.5 %.

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/5082/pt91m10oh8.jpg
PT-91Ex in front of Bumar's pavilion. In August, the General Staff of Polish Military Forces received for consideration a purchase offer of this type of tanks for some armored units of Landed ForcesAt the 14th IDIE in 2006 the first prototype, PT-91E, was shown, which had very few modernization elements, with the exception of a new fire control system Sagem - working in the system hunter-killer, a modernized 125 mm cannon and a self-cover system PCO Obra-3. The tank version at this year's Fair is shown in its full bloom. Especially visible is a side apron and a big basket for carrying the exploitation materials.

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/3231/pt91wkualahl9.jpg
Recall that the first six serial tanks PT-91M have been officially presented in Kuala Lumpur, during a parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of Malaysia creation, on August 31, 2007. The vehicles has been ordered in 2003 and they are to be delivered by the end of 2008, very much later than agreed. Photo: Ayam Gorengsource: http://www.altair.com.pl/
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-04-2007, 06:46 PM

And the last but not the least news from the second day of the 15th International Defense Industry Exhibition, Kielce Fair:

10 mln Euros for WSK-Kalisz from AVIO
2007-09-04

IDIE 2007 has become a place of signing the next important agreement - linking Polish industry with European potential. On September the 4th, Italian corporation AVIO, a provider of high velocity turbine module for the first Polish corvette of type 621 Gawron, has signed a compensation agreement with WSK PZL-Kalisz - prepared and negotiated earlier - worth 10 millions Euros.

The document - describing full offset commitment of AVIO corporation - has been signed by a chairman of AVIO Poland - Vincenzo Martorama and a chairman of WSK PZL-Kalisz – Bogdan Karczmarz. The agreement provides for a transfer of advance technology to Kalisz, certification of its products and free delivery of tools for the products ordered in the Polish factories.

It also specifies concrete delivery plans. Krzysztof Krystowski, a general director of AVIO Poland for development stategy told the "Raport Targowy" that his company has been ordering in Kalisz precise components of air engines - especially the gears. The Kalisz deliveries to AVIO are planned for the period 2007 - 2011.

According to director Krystowski, the American concern General Electric is going to deliver a gas turbine system LM2500, which is a heart of the high speed propulsion module for our corvette, from USA to AVIO in Brindisi, Italy, in January 2008. From there the entire module will be transported, probably by sea, to the Polish Navy shipyard.

Director Krystowski has informed us, that AVIO Poland has obtained today a certificate allowing it for special production of dual, civilian-military, aircraft technology in Poland, and for R&D operations in that special sector in our country.

In his opinion, this is the first step for future transfer of a plant manufacturing aircraft turbine engines GE T700 to Poland. The turbines propel American helicopters Black Hawk, as well as European NH90 proposed to our Air Force.

Almost 40% parts of turbine engines, manufactured by General Electric and delivered for American users, is of AVIO European origin. The percentage exceed 60% for propulsion systems installed in European helicopters.

Krystowski thinks that additional crowning of the decision about Polish national helicopter program should be a transfer of production and servicing of GE T700 engines to Poland. The ideal place, according to him, would be continuously evolving design and manufacturing center AVIO Poland in Bielsko-Biała. A modern test cell has been built over there under the direction of director Jan Piotrowski.

Chairman Vincenzo Martorama has informed "Raport Targowy" that AVIO Poland in Bielsko-Biała currently employs 70 Polish engineers in the design department and 230 workers in production. Sales of Bielsko-Biała branch are expected at 120 millions zloty.

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/5650/avioqw8.jpg
Vincenzo Martorana, a chairman of AVIO Poland, permanently resides in Bielsko-Biała. Photo:
Bartosz Głowackisource: http://www.altair.com.pl/
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-05-2007, 12:49 PM

Successive "Rosomak" vehicles up-armored
by PAP
Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Ministry of National Defense: 20 out 24 Rosomaks in Afghanistan have received additional armor

On Tuesday, Aleksander Szczygło, Minister of National Defense, has informed MPs from parliamentary commission of defense that 20 out of 24 armored transport vehicles "Rosomak" - used by Polish soldiers in Afghanistan - had been already armored with additional shields.

The steel-composite shield has been designed and manufactured by Israeli company Rafael. This sort of armor is used, for example, by Canadian transporter Piranha III. Insufficient Rosomak's armor has been the main complaint against the vehicle - being not that long in Polish army and at the first time in battle operations on missions abroad.

This is not the only complaint. The military representatives acknowledged on Tuesday's sitting of the commission that the soldiers who use the Rosomak have some reservations about the night vision equipment used by the vehicle drivers. The army has assured that the decision about their replacement by the newer models has been already taken. The successive production Rosomak vehicles will have this newer equipment installed as well.

Designed by a Finnish consortium Patria, Rosomak has won the bid on a new wheeled armored vehicle for Polish Military Forces, at the end of 2002. Until now Patria and Military Mechanical Plant in Siemianowice has supplied 100 such vehicles and the total production will reach 690 machines of different versions.

Agreeing to wishes of the Polish side the transporter has been subjected to modifications. Its size and weight has been reduced by slimming down its armor, simultaneously increasing its floating speed. Due to necessity of using it in Afghanistan, after additional tests, the decision was taken to supply it with an additional shield.

Aside from the finally applied steel-composite shield a reactive armor can also be used (its own explosives counteract the anti-tank shells), as well as an additional "grill" for catching the RPG shells - as used by Americans in Iraq.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=26&Itemid=69
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-06-2007, 07:03 AM

A disclaimer: I was trying my best to faithfully translate this article from the publication "Raport-wto 09/2007". While the depth of technical knowledge of the Author should be well appreciated his peculiar style constitutes a real challenge to both: a reader of the original Polish text and yours truly, as a translator. Long-winged paragraphs with many parentheses, off cuff comments and subordinate sub-sequences make it hard to handle it comprehensively. My apology to the Author for some shortcuts and possible misinterpretations of his original ideas and to the readers for some clumsy sentences of mine.

Raport-wto 09/2007

Time to buy vehicles for missions abroad

Grzegorz HOŁDANOWICZ

Polish Land Forces have finally started a procedure for procurement of new well armored patrol vehicles, resistant to mine explosion - a process that we have suggested many times before when writing about preparations to the mission in Afghanistan (see, for example, RAPORT-wto 01/07).

On August the 18th, Department of Supplies of Military Forces (DZSZ) of Ministry of National Defense sent a request to potential suppliers to declare their earliest possible delivery date of 120 Lightly Armored Patrol Vehicles (LAPV).

Such declarations were to be submitted before noon of September the 3rd. The vehicles have to satisfy the detailed and often exorbitant requirements, prepared by Land Forces Command. They have to conform to both: Polish and European norms - including the requirement that the propulsion system should satisfy the European norm Euro 3, which practically eliminates the vehicles from the other side of the pond.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7250/losp1xa7.jpg
Polish HMMWV in Afghanistan. Even though vehicles of this family have been marketed as a symbol of US military forces, past several years have shown their serious limitations. They have not been designed for battle operations in asymmetric conflicts. Their career in Polish army seems to be coming to the end. A new era of lightly armored patrol vehicles is coming. Photo: Polish Military Contingent, Afghanistan (PMC-A).Polish formal requirements narrow down the choice to three types of vehicles: Italian Light Modular vehicle from Iveco DVD (aka Lince in Italian army), Swiss Eagle IV from Mowag - the biggest and the most powerful candidate, and Polish Tur from AMZ Kutno. The latter is however in the relatively early phase of development and - even though it has been given some sympathy and good press in the past few months - it is not unequivocally destined to be a winner.

Even though the principal initial criterion of eventual negotiations is a delivery date of 120 vehicles one has to remember about the bid value. And this can be quite big: standardly equipped Lince costs at least 350,000 Euros, Tur - possibly 200,000, Eagle IV is even more pricey than the Lince. And we are just talking about bare vehicles, which have to come with special equipment. In addition, the special requirements of the client would require some changes to be made (probably the least ones in Tur). The potential contract may be between 25 and 50 millions Euros.

LAPV requirements

The main task of LAPV is patrolling and protection of convoys - as in stabilization missions, transport of soldiers, fire support of recce and assault groups - every hour of the day, under any conditions, all year round. It has to be able to provide fire support for foot soldiers, and to respond with fire to attacks - while in motion. Its weapons should be able to destroy lightly armored stationary and moving enemy targets at the distance of at least 400 meters, also at night, and low flying aircraft targets.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4898/losp2uc5.jpg
The group of Polish HMMWV in South-Eastern Afghanistan. It's possible that HMMV will be completely replaced by LAPV - beginning with the 4th PMC rotation. More realistic scenario is to partially amend the HMMWVs with LAPV vehicles. What's interesting - the LAPV specification does not directly mention a possibility of additional installation of electronic battle devices; i.e, the jamming devices to block radio signals for remote detonation of mine traps. Photo: PMC-ALAPV should weigh no more than 6.5 tones and should be able to carry no more than five persons: a driver, a commander, a gunner and two soldiers. It has to be protected against small caliber shells up to 7.62mm x 54R B32 API with initial velocity 854m/s, and 7.62 mm x 51 AP (WC) Vp=930 m/s (STANAG 4569, Level 3); against explosion of 6 kg TNT mine (STANAG 4569, Level 2A); and against IDEs in the form caliber 155 mm artillery shells exploding 25 m away (4 wg STANAG 4569).

What's interesting, the specification takes into account the users' postulate about passing the documents of the thickness up to 10 cm through the door - without necessity of opening the door.

http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/1096/losp3lm9.jpg
Since middle of July there is a talk about possibility of selection of the Tur vehicle from AMZ Kutno. So far there is only one prototype available (demonstrator)[1], designed to specification slightly different that the official spec recently published by Land Forces. The successive prototypes will certainly be different than the one shown here - as presented to the commander of Land Forces at the Nowa Dęba training grounds. This version is equipped with remotely controlled weapon OBRSM Kobuz. Photo: Grzegorz Hołdanowicz[1] Actually, two new prototypes have been already presented at Kielce Fair - MZ.

The undeniable asset of Tur is the fact that it uses many domestic subsystems, including elements of communication and command systems, as well as exploitation materials - according to expectations of Military Forces. Its disadvantage is its relatively early phase of development - even though the AZM declares that it can start the delivery of serial production vehicles no later than in the middle of 2008 - at the rate of several vehicles per month.

LAPV has to move with speed at least 100 km/h on roads (acceleration 0 to 80 km/h in 30 s) and at least with 60 km/h off roads. It must be able to move with a minimal stable velocity of 4 km/h - allowing the crew to freely board it and exit it while in motion. Its integral tank capacity should allow for 650 km range on roads and 300 km range off roads. It's chassis' clearance should be at least 300 mm and uphill climb and downhill descent angles at least 35 degrees. It should be able to ford water obstacles of at least 70 cm deep as is and 120 deep after a preparation for such task.

Its tires must be minimum 16 inches in diameter, all terrain, adaptable for winter chains. They should be equipped with inserts allowing for at least one hour travel with a minimal speed of 40 km/h, after the tires have been shot through.

Mini battle vehicle?

The battle tasks of the vehicle - cited above - imply a necessity for remotely controlled weapon module. And this is indeed a part of the spec - LAPV should be equipped either with turntable or zsmu[? MZ], adapted to installation of a 7.62 mm machine gun, a 12.7 mm large caliber machine gun, or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher - with supply of 2000, 800 and 120 shells, respectively.

The requirement that the ammunition of the weapon must be fed from below the armor is somehow doubtful: currently most practical solutions imply feeding from external magazines - with the exception of Norwegian Protector Kongsberg, mounted on their M113, and Polish OBRSM Kobuz - to be demonstrated at the 15th IDIE at Kielce Fair.

The LAPV must be equipped with a roof hatch to fire manually in case of emergency. It has to have six launchers of 81 mm smoke grenades - as part of its self-defense system.

http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/2002/losp4xf5.jpg
The serious contender is the most popular vehicle of this class - Iveco DVD Light Modular Vehicle (LMV), aka M65E19WM. Italians call it Lince (Lynx), Brits - Panther, Germans - Caracal. It's hard not to notice the similarities between Lince and Tur. Lince is however bigger and has been already bought by Great Britain, Norway, Belgium, Croatia and Italy. Most probably, most of the vehicles delivered and used in Afghanistan by Italians, Norwegians, Belgians and Croats have no ballistic and anti-mine protections, as required by Polish specification. Photo: UK MoDThe communication system must be able to cooperate with the system used by Polish Land Forces, and it must include UHF, VHF and individual crew broadcasting equipment (a minimal range of 800 m, as in Fonet PNR-500, used in Rosomaks). Everything must be managed via system of internal communication, as in Fonet.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8894/losp11xs2.jpg
Recently a "one-stretcher ambulance" version of LMV Lince has been presented. It's chassis has a bit wider track. It is on trial in Italian land forces. Photo: Ejercitohttp://img513.imageshack.us/img513/5862/losp12pn2.jpg

One has an impression that electronics should be a responsibility of the user rather than the producer of the vehicle, as so-called "Government Furnished Equipment". This practice prevents the latter from inflating the price of the base product and it is being applied world over, as in the case of MRAP vehicles in USA. This also make it easier to handle financial calculations and reduces level of difficulties facing the producer of the vehicle.

Challenges and doubts

The requirement of high yield air conditioning system and fire protection system can be troublesome because of the space limitations. In typical vehicles of this class the flames are allowed to spread beyond the crew cabin. For example, their fuel tank is typically placed beyond the direct fire protection zone.

The vehicle must have the ventilation system with NBC filters, which must create positive pressure of 200 Pa and yield minimal 30 cubic meters per hour. The impression is that such requirement is more appropriate for armored transporters rather than for light patrol vehicles.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4780/losp5zi1.jpg
Swiss Mowag created a new patrol-recce vehicle, Eagle IV, mounted on Duro chassis, rather than HMMWV. The photo shows a Danish version of Eagle IV, with remotely controlled weapon module BAE Systems/Bofors Lemur. 119 of these modules have been purchased for 270 mln DKK in January 2007 for installation in their Eagle IV, Piranha IIIH and armored tracks MAN. Photo: Danish MoDSwiss decided that the American design reached its limits. Danes bought 85 Eagle IV in 2005 for 28 mln USD. The entire project was worth 65 mln USD - with logistic and training package, the communication and command systems, additional protection package and zsmu. The contract was signed on December 9, 2005 and the first six Eagle IV for training were delivered on September 28, 2006. The last vehicles must be delivered from Kreuzlingen in Switzerland by the end of 2007.

Eagle IV has been tested by Bundeswehr for many months now, and its competitor is Caracal, that is Italian LMV. What's interesting, Mowag claims that Eagle IV is able to survive an explosion of 6 kg TNT mine - even though it has a flat floor. According to experts from RSA, which has been developing for years the modern constructions resistant to explosions of big mines, it is lowly probable that Swiss had been able to achieve this with their flat floor - unless they had found a highly refined method of escaping the laws of physics. Mowag however sticks to its claims.

Allowing for manual gear shift is, without doubts, a bow towards Tur, which does not have an automatic gearbox in any of its prototypes.

The service life of the LAPV vehicles has been specified as 30 years, and the body should survive a 12-month exposure to elements. The warranty should not be shorter than 24 months.

Of course, all possible Polish defense norms - including justifiable expectation of interoperability with domestic equipment and logistical system - will make it difficult for foreign offerings to satisfy the requirements.

The vehicles must also satisfy national road safety rules. LAPV must be transportable by Hercules airplane, version C-130J, which is a bit bigger than C-130E - bought by Poland. This requirement is a bit surprising.

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/2992/losp10xw6.jpg
This is what was left of Polish HMMWV after 6 kg TNT mine explosion and after the resulting fire. In this case, three soldiers have been slightly injured and one has been severely burned, but no one died - which looks like a miracle. Photo: CJTF 82The basic criterion of delivery date is a two-stage verification of the vehicle, with costs carried by the provider - according to a MoD decision no. 57/MON from March 9, 2005. The first stage involves the resistance tests on a model unit, which does not have to be equipped with weaponry, electronics and other costly elements. This was a lesson learned from the last Spring tests leading to "execution" of fully equipped Rosomak.

The second stage involves testing two completely equipped vehicles. During traction trials the maximally loaded vehicle must drive 15,000 kilometers - including 8000 on hard packed roads. After the both test phases the additional military-exploitation tests will be carried and if they are successful - the full procurement of LAPV will commence.

As quickly as possible to Afghanistan

It seems that it will be necessary to relax some requirements - especially those related to tests, which are lengthy and expensive. Otherwise, the vehicles will not be ready to Afghanistan - not only with the 3rd but also with the 4th rotation of Polish Military Contingent. But they are needed as quickly as possible.

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3841/losp6ad4.jpg
Iveco LMV after a simulation of IDE explosion. The crew cabin remains untouched. Photo: IvecoIn meantime, no formal MND agreement has been received to send a prototype of Tur to Afghanistan - even though such idea has been long announced. But delaying such decision week by week increases a chance of sending such version of vehicle that is best suited to expectation of Land Forces, and which represents a realistic offering to the users - at the highest safety level in its class.

The number of newly wanted vehicles uniquely indicates that a decision was taken to replace 100 vehicles M1025P1/1026P1 of HMMEV family, leased from USA and currently in use in Afghanistan - even though there are negotiations with US government about leasing 57 stronger vehicles M1114/1151 HMMWV, with kit Frag Kit5 (better protected sides and the roof) and better protection of floor and body-fixing plate.

It should be recalled that process of mounting of additional armored floor sheets in older version of HMMWV has already started last August in Afghanistan.

The negative experience from last months made it clear that the command of Land Forces has no will for further exploitation of HMMWV. The command is convinced that the under-armored older units already bought and currently used by 18th Air Assault Battalion (217 vehicles) should be transfered to other units of Land Forces, which have different operational character.

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/9177/losp7yj5.jpg
M1114 with additional armor Frag Kit 5, electrically controlled turret BAE Systems and the anti-mine sweep (it can be attached up front - Polish soldiers in Afghanistan intended to built something similar). Polish MoD is negotiating 57 such vehicles with US, but the negotiations are difficult since the US Army is also lacking such vehicles. Photo: US ArmyThe Command of Land Forces would like to buy more than just 120 LAPVs. They would be part of standard equipment of 12th and 17th Mechanized Brigades and 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade; that is, the units exploiting the Rosomaks - as well as of both aero-mobile brigades (6th and 25th), special units, reconnaissance units and military schools.

We will know more about LAPV procurement process at the beginning of September. Negotiations with providers should start in October. The contract could be signed not sooner than the end of November. This will be a real test for Department of Supplies of Military Forces.

Grzegorz Hołdanowicz

By the way
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6756/losp8mb2.jpg

We know that Polish HMMWV in Afghanistan are armed either with 12.7-mm wkm WKM-B from ZM Tarnów or with 7.62 mm km PK. However, some pictures from a long range patrol in Afghanistan show electronic equipment instead of a gun. One can guess that this is an equipment for communication intelligence (COMINT), allowing for discovery and tracking of cell-phone conversations among Taliban. The grey tall cylinder on the left looks like a standard jamming antenna, but it is mounted at different place and painted differently than jamming devices. Photo: PMC-Ahttp://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9479/losp9xm5.jpg
source: http://www.altair.com.pl/
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-06-2007, 08:44 AM

Tehran: 19:49, 2007/09/05

Iran, Poland mark 80 years of diplomatic ties
TEHRAN, Sept. 5 (MNA) -- Poland’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is not a hindrance to the country’s cooperation with Iran, the director general of the Political and International Studies Department of the Foreign Ministry, Rasul Musavi, said here on Wednesday.

Poland can talk with Iran about its security problems in Iraq and Afghanistan, Musavi said at a gathering at the Polish Embassy in Tehran marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iran and Poland.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Educational and Research Affairs Manuchehr Mohammadi said cultural ties between the two countries can help bring the world of Christianity closer to the Islamic world.
Iran and Poland have had relations for centuries and these ties have improved in a congenial way over the past 500 years, he noted. “During World War II, when Poland was occupied by the German Nazis, the Iranians hosted 100,000 Polish nationals and provided facilities to them,” he added.

Polish Ambassador Witold Smidowski said, “We are proud to have friendly relations with Iran.” During World War II, the Polish people regarded Iran as their safe haven, he added. A great number of Polish citizens sought asylum in Iran during the war, and it was the biggest migration of Europeans to Iran ever, the Polish ambassador to Tehran pointed out.
source: http://www.mehrnews.ir/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=547040

Iran and the Polish Exodus from Russia 1942
http://www.iranchamber.com/podium/history/041207_polish_exodus1942_iran.php

World War II: Polish Refugees in Iran

[IMG]http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/8857/01ps7.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish faces.http://img457.imageshack.us/img457/3537/02jv8.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish refugee families awaiting evacuation.http://img457.imageshack.us/img457/6201/03yd0.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish refugee families awaiting evacuation.http://img457.imageshack.us/img457/7391/04sl8.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish refugee families awaiting evacuation.http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3494/06ec4.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Women doing their laundry in a Polish evacuee camp operated by the Red Crosshttp://img413.imageshack.us/img413/7462/07uy1.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Women making their own clothing at a Polish evacuee camp operated by the Red Crosshttp://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8550/08nh3.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Women making their own clothing at a Polish evacuee camp operated by the Red Crosshttp://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8020/09be4.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish evacuee children playing in the dormitory courtyard at a camp operated by the Red Crosshttp://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7919/10vn6.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish youngster carrying an armload of loaves of bread made from Red Cross flour at an evacuation camphttp://img257.imageshack.us/img257/9300/11dr4.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Baby girl at a Polish evacuee camp with her motherhttp://img206.imageshack.us/img206/8827/12ls6.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Young Polish refugee at an evacuation camp operated by the Red Crosshttp://img120.imageshack.us/img120/6030/13se2.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish refugee colony operated by the Red Cross has a colorful setting in the outskirts of the cityhttp://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8006/14yz4.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish refugees at an American Red Cross camp using woolen bathrobes donated by the Red Cross as overcoatshttp://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8387/15ay9.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Little Polish girl in a big sheepskin coat who is at an evacuation camp operated by the Red Crosshttp://img264.imageshack.us/img264/8036/16ei3.jpg
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8783/17py9.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish woman and her grandchildren shown in an American Red Cross evacuation camp as they await evacuation to new homeshttp://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8255/18mj8.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish woman and her grandchildren shown in an American Red Cross evacuation camp as they await evacuation to new homeshttp://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3627/19vo0.jpg
Teheran, Iran. A Polish refugee who is a guard at an evacuee camp operated by the Red Cross. He had worked in Chicago, Illinois, but returned in 1934 to Polandhttp://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6673/20hn6.jpg
Teheran, Iran. Polish girl landscaping the patch of earth before her tent at an evacuation camp operated by the Red Cross. The Poles take great pride in the cleanliness of their campPhotographer: Nick Parrino
Source: The Library of Congress - American Memory
[img]http://www.parstimes.com/history/polish_refugees/

Mishka Zubov

09-06-2007, 01:48 PM

Clarification of a message posted few days ago from an Armenian source

A Pole nominated as a NATO liaison officer to South Caucasus
by PAP
September 5, 2007

A Pole, Zbigniew Rybacki has been appointed as a new liaison officer to South Caucasus region - learned PAP at NATO Headquarters on Tuesday.

He will replace at this position Mr. Romualds Razuks, a Latvian representative, who returned from the mission last year. His appointment will last three years. As a liaison officer in Tbilisi he will be responsible for contacts with authorities of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. His duties include, most of all, support for defense reforms and adaptation to NATO standards carried out by those countries.

Rybicki will begin his duties some time around September and October. This is a civilian position, not military. His nomination is not of a political character but based on a contest. The political NATO representative to regions of Caucasus and Middle Asia is an American, Robert Simmons Jr., a special representative of NATO General Secretary, residing in Brussels.
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7497&Itemid=69
translated by MZ

perdurabo

09-06-2007, 03:24 PM

BUMAR and BEA Systems Hagglunds signed a deal about developing new tank based on CV90120!

Mishka Zubov

09-06-2007, 04:37 PM

BUMAR and BEA Systems Hagglunds signed a deal about developing new tank based on CV90120!

According to the signed agreement the vehicle presented at the 15th International Defense Industry Exhibition at Kielce Fair will be sent to Bumar's plant in Gliwice for evaluation by Bumar's designers.
source: http://www.tvn24.pl/0,1520267,wiadomosc.html

Bumar and BAE bait our army with the support vehicle CV90120T. This vehicle, built on Swedish chassis BWP CV90, has a turret with 120 mm cannon. Its advantage is possibility of modular arrangement of series of modern equipment, such as additional armor (possibly active one), warning systems, or advanced observation-aim devices. At the moment CV90120T is just a prototype.source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7491&Itemid=26

wholagun

09-06-2007, 06:32 PM

Mishka Zubov

09-06-2007, 06:40 PM

wootwootwootwootwootwoot

sweet news!!!! Finally we'll be cooperating with western companies to build quality equipment.

I always liked the CV90 as an IFV. A new light tank for the Polish army or is it for export?

I'm still pissed off we bought the F 16 over the Grippen, it would be given us a huge boost when it came to deal with European defense companies which are more cooperative and friendly towards Poland then big US comapnies with huge lobbies. We missed the chance with the grippen, let's not repeat it by getting the Blackhawk.

There are better pictures around of course but this is all what I got for you to enjoy.
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7974/008763900201188980993maeq1.jpg

Blackhawk? Nooo... Everyone is talking about Głuszec now. :-)

GRAND PRIX FOR GŁUSZEC

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/4863/045336100201189078349ag5.jpg

The Grand Prix of the 15th MSPO International Defense Industry Exhibition was awarded to the Wytwórnia Sprzętu Komunikacyjnego PZL-Świdnik S.A., for the PZL W-3PL Głuszec helicopter gunship. This is a further modernization of the PZL W-3WA Sokół helicopter gunship developed at Świdnik since several years in cooperation with Instytut Techniczny Wojsk Lotniczych of Warsaw and Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Sprzętu Mechanicznego of Tarnów. The gunship is fully STANAG 4555 compliant. The heart of the Głuszec is the new digital “glass cockpit” avionics system, centered around the new, modular computer, managing the on-board systems via MIL-STD-1553B data rail, and with a day-and-night optoelectronic observation head.

Also the armament has been extended to include the 70 mm rocket pods and laser-guided missiles, and a 12.7 mm WKM-Bz heavy machine gun in a remote-controlled WS-4610 mount from OBR-SM in Tarnow. Advanced self-defense system includes radar warning devices, and the Ukrainian KT-01 AV Adros system defending against the MANPAD missiles by jamming their IR homing heads. Another Gluszec’s novelty is the HUD system, first used in Polish-manufactured helicopter. So far the Gluszec program, implemented over three years of hard work cost 100 million PLN.

wholagun

09-06-2007, 07:22 PM

Misha my dear friend - you are for a better lack of words simply amazing. Where have you been all these years while I have been searching the net for info on Polish military?

I really like the fact that Polish companies are getting more exporsure and that Poland is buying its own, despite the fact that I would love foreign, but if we buy our own we improve upon it better equipment with new tech and engineering.

one question about the CV90120T, if it already exists as seen in the photos, then what exactly will Bumar be doing?

Mishka Zubov

09-06-2007, 07:56 PM

Well, thank you, I try me best. :-)

one question about the CV90120T, if it already exists as seen in the photos, then what exactly will Bumar be doing?

This is just a prototype. They hope to sell it to Polish Land Forces. They hope to make some modifications to adapt it for the missions abroad (see below). They think that they can also capitalize on their export version of tank "Twardy" - which is a success on its own.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HäGGLUNDS AB AND ZM BUMAR ŁABĘDY

An important event for the Bumar Group, opening new perspectives for the tank and automotive plants of the group took place at 14.00 on September 4. An agreement was signed between the ZM Bumar-Łabędy, Bumar Sp. z o.o. and BAE Systems Hägglunds AB on cooperation in designing and manufacturing of the armored vehicles systems. The first shared project will be the further development of the CV90120-T light tank.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6097/035490400201188980232iq0.jpg

One of the prototypes would be sent to Gliwice, to make the Bumar-Łabędy designers familiar with the design and characteristics. Future polonized CV90120-T may be taken into consideration as the versatile combat support vehicle mostly for the expeditionary units, because of its small weight (up to 35 tons) and dimensions enabling it to be transported with the A400/Ił-76/C-17 Class aircraft. The 120 mm smoothbore L/50 cannon and advanced FCS gives the CV90120 firepower at the same level as the modern MBTs.

The CV90120-T light tank is on display at the ZM Bumar-Łabędy booth (C-2) in Hall C.
source: http://www.magnum-x.pl/mspo/index.php?day=1&lang=en

POLISH PT-91MS IN MALAYSIAN PARADE

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/3862/033954900201188744696ul3.jpg

Polish-designed and manufactured PT-91M MBTs were presented in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur during the military parade on the 50th Anniversary of the National Independence (Merdeka Day). The first batch of the series-produced PT-91Ms was delivered to Malaysia this summer. Six tanks paraded under own power in front of the HM King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and crowds of exited Kuala Lumpur residents, with two more transported on low-riders. This was a second time Malaysian variant of the PT-91 was presented on Merdeka day – in 2005 the SP1 prototype took part in it while on final troop trials.

A total of 48 PT-91M MBTs, with 6 WZT-4 ARVs, 5 PMC-Leguan bridge tanks and 3 MID-M engineers’ vehicles are to be delivered under 2003-signed contract worth ca. 370 million USD.

The photograph above is an unofficial one, taken during the parade, and borrowed from the Internet.
source: http://www.magnum-x.pl/mspo/index.php?day=1&lang=en

wholagun

09-06-2007, 08:14 PM

but this wont replace the heavy Leo 2s right

Venom PL

09-06-2007, 08:18 PM

Not a chance !!!

Probably it will replace those crapy T-72's but not our PT-91's and Leo's.

Mishka Zubov

09-06-2007, 08:48 PM

Have you seen paintings, drawings and posters of Rafal Olbinski? Simply amazing: http://www.patinae.com/olbinski.htm

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9203/mctrainonfloorsmanl4.jpg

Jocker_89

09-07-2007, 10:27 AM

Training of Iraqi policemen

On 06 September 2007, 17 Iraqis policemen accomplished SWAT (Special Weapon and Tactics) course, conducted by American and Ukrainian instructors in Camp Echo. On the graduation day the policemen received certificates from the hands of the Multinational Division Central South commander MG Tadeusz Buk and Qadisiyah province Police Chief BG Safa Kadum Jassim.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3128

The policemen were trained for three weeks in the training facility in Camp Echo to gain the skills to fight with criminals. The American instructors shared their experiences and trained the Iraqis with the most useful tactics and techniques to fight with crime. The Ukrainian MiTT (Military Transition Team) plaid a big part in the preparation and conducting the course. During the ceremony MG Buk congratulated the policemen the high level of skills and wished them successes in the service for citizens of the province. The training of policemen is the one of the MND CS priority, we want to closely cooperate with Iraqi police to create the safe conditions of life for citizens of the province – stated general Buk. The Police chief of Qadisiyah province BG Safa Kadum Jassim congratulated his subordinates and also thanked to MND CS commander and instructors for a very professional preparation and conducting the training. The Iraqis policeman, after the accomplishment of the course they came back to the daily service in Diwaniyah .

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3129
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3130
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3131

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

Mishka Zubov

09-07-2007, 10:36 AM

Having in mind the above post...

Excerpt from a "Dziennik" article "New Iraqi police affected by wave of corruption"
by Piotr Czarnowski
Friday, September 7, 2007

Iraqis police cannot be trusted

Polish officer from Camp Echo, Diwaniyah, who wishes to remain anonymous:

Iraqi security forces cannot be trusted. One does not know who they are, whom they are cooperating with. Police are at each intersection, but the cars carry through town not only Kalashnikovs but also explosives, shells and rockets. Their security checks do not help in anything. It happens that at night rebels fire the rockets towards our base, few hundred meters away from their posts. Nobody reacts.

We were once shooting from the camp's gate above a police car and the police officer was just sitting there, observing the results - did they hit or not? Why was he doing that - out of curiosity?

When we go on joint patrols with Iraqi police we do not show them earlier our planned routes, because they will pass them to rebels. 90% police favor al-Sadr militia, some hand the weapons over to them, some join their operations against coalition forces.

Some police support the rebels, some do not want to afoul the Sadrists, because they live in the same district. Finally, some of them cooperate simply for money. In reality, the police do not exist - those are just people in police uniforms, who are neither loyal to us nor to the government.

They listen to their tribal sheiks, or to party leaders, or to rebel commanders. But certainly not to us - even though they are outwardly friendly, but it is scary to have them behind you in a dark alley. You never know who will shoot, who will expose you - but certainly none will defend you.
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7594&Itemid=46

I guess that the anonymous officer recalls his experiences from his service under Gen. Lamla, the previous commander of MND-CS. The situation was much worse then that it is now, I guess.

Before you read the rest of article about conflicting reports from Iraq, take again a look at this cartoon:
http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2732326&postcount=64

New Iraqi police affected by wave of corruption
by Piotr Czarnowski
Friday, September 7, 2007

Americans have not been able to build security forces and police, loyal to new Iraq authorities. "They are subjugated to religious bands, but not to the Bagdad government" - a conclusion from a report prepared - on instruction of Congress - by a group of generals.

And this new Iraqi police supposed to assure the order in the country - allowing western soldiers to withdraw in phases.

"Iraqi special forces and police should be disbanded and build from scratch again" - this is the most important conclusion of the report published yesterday. "If we do not do it now, Iraqis will only be able to take responsibility for their safety and peace no sooner than one and half year from now. Right now they are not able to independently fight the terrorist groups" - results from the 152-pages document, signed among others by Gen. James L. Jones, ex marines commander.

The list of allegations is long - deficiencies in training, low morale, frequent desertions. Their forces, 25 thousands people strong, should have been long able to control all 18 Iraqi provinces, but not just seven - stresses Gen. James. But the most important allegation is: "Special forces and police have been taken over by rebels and religious militia, whom the coalition forces have been fighting against for four years."

The report theses are being confirmed by experts. "This is e.g. in Basra, from where the British have withdrew recently. Iraqi security services, which keep the order there, are governmental by name only, since in reality they are loyal to several powerful religious militia" - tells "Dziennik" Christopher Cushing from British Centre for International Cooperation and Security (CICS).

This is almost in all Iraq, both in Shiite as in Sunni part. The reports, like the one from Bagdad, few months ago, do not surprise anyone. People dressed in police uniforms drove the cars with governmental license plates towards one of ministerial buildings, burst in and kidnapped the clerks working there.

It was reported recently that 200 thousands guns handed over to Iraqi security forces have vanished in thin air. The investigation has shown that part of it is in the hands of rebels, part was found at Turkish bazaars. "I saw it in my own eyes how a track, filled with boxes of AK-47 belonging to ministry of defense, has been unloaded in no time by crowd at one of the streets of Iraqi capital" - said col. David Styles at NBC program.

Pentagon belittles this detrimental report. "We are aware of the problem of influence of insurgent groups on Iraqi security forces. But we do not think that it is necessary to disband them" - stated Geoff Morel, a spokesman of Department of Defense.

In few days, however, the White House will have to face the conclusions of that report. It will become a counterbalance of a report presented by gen. David Petraeus, a commander of American forces in Iraq - representing his views on the newest situation in that country. According to leaks, he suggests withdrawal of some of the soldiers because - as he says - the fight against insurgents begins bringing some effects. "But surely the congressmen will ask then who will assure that Iraq don't get in chaos?" - tells us Christopher Cushing.

And they will certainly recall the words of President George Bush: "If we are able to create new Iraqi army and security forces we will be able to leave that country."

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7594&Itemid=46

Mishka Zubov

09-07-2007, 11:06 AM

Situation in Iraq is in the eyes of beholder

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5941/geyesofthebeholdersmkf6.jpg

"Eyes of the Beholder", 2006
Rafał Olbiński, http://www.patinae.com/paint2b.htm

Mishka Zubov

09-07-2007, 11:53 AM

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/general_m.jpg

I wonder what those brigadiers were really talking about?

Brig-gen. Marka Tomaszycki, a current commander of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan (PMC-A): "They made me a deputy commander of Combined Joint Task Force 82 (CJTF-82) but that does not mean a sh1t. But I was able to fight hard my soldiers expecting safer HMMVs."

Brig-Gen. Jerzy Biziewski, a future commander of PMC-A: "Oh, I only wish for 100 Lightly Armored Patrol Vehicles, Tur perhaps, and a dozen or so Głuszec helicopters."

Brig-Gen. Wojciecha Grabowski, a deputy commander of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A): "I wish you General that our cooperation with you will be as perfect as my cooperation with Gen. Tomaszycki." This is not a joke, this is what he really said. He seems to be full of himself.

Just joking.. :-)

Now, the serious part:

Working meeting in Kabul
by Wojciech Kaliszczak
Monday, September 3, 2007

Brig-Gen. Jerzy Biziewski, a future commander of the second rotation of PMC-A, was visiting Kabul on September the 2nd. He met with Brig-gen. Marek Tomaszycki, a current commander of Polish of PMC-A, and Brig-Gen. Wojciecha Grabowski, a deputy commander of CSTC-A.

The aim of their meeting was a presentation of tasks executed by team of Gen. Grabowski and the principles of cooperation with PMC. At the end of the meeting Gen. Grabowski handed a memento emblem over to Gen. Biziewski and said: "I wish you General that our cooperation with you will be as perfect as my cooperation with Gen. Tomaszycki."

The soldiers of the 1st PMC rotation are currently returning home. Soon the rotation of the main forces will commence, who will return home after half year mission.

Photo: Lt-Com. Zbigniew Zachariasz
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7448&Itemid=29

perdurabo

09-07-2007, 01:11 PM

I'm still pissed off we bought the F 16 over the Grippen, it would be given us a huge boost when it came to deal with European defense companies which are more cooperative and friendly towards Poland then big US comapnies with huge lobbies. We missed the chance with the grippen, let's not repeat it by getting the Blackhawk.

friendly towards Poland like EADS CASA? it's cheif even didn't know that they have factory in Poland, and it was one of the oldest aircraft factories in world (from 1920ties) PZL Warszawa-Okęcie...
F-16 has better capabilities and package was better than Saab-BAe one. From our expirience whole offset is a big mistake it makes price bigger and its benefits are ilusoric, from both US and EU companies, or even Israeli ones...

Mishka Zubov

09-07-2007, 02:06 PM

Poland has sent a second rotation of troops to Afghanistan
2007-09-06

The first contingent of Polish troops in Afghanistan has just completed six months of duty and are on their way home. Meanwhile a second wave of troops has just left Poland for Afghanistan. Reports say that this Polish contingent will have their hands full trying to establish a ******* with the civil population while at the same time in active combat with Taliban terrorists.

Bogdan Żaryn reports

Poland deployed its first contingent of troops to Afghanistan six months ago. The Polish troop movement operated in the volatile southern provinces where allied forces are fighting Taliban insurgents. Reports suggest that much of their time was spent on logistics and command and control issues. Polish General Jerzy Biziewski says that the second contingent will concentrate more on the civil population and their needs.

'Working and establishing a good line of communications with the civil population in the region. Attempts to accomplish that have already been taken but, the two sides have not gained experience in that realm yet.'

Artur Golawski from the Defense magazine Polska Zbrojna says that the second wave of 1200 polish troops will concentrate more on securing their area of responsibility.

'The second rotation will become much more active. They will perform much more patrols, reconnaissance and they will be engaged in fighting.'

Poland is taking part in a forty thousand strong NATO International Security and Assistance Force, ISFOR mission. Reports state that at first NATO had focused on peacekeeping and supporting reconstruction in Northern and Western Afghanistan. In August however, NATO forces moved towards the South an area which is believed to be under Taliban control. The ferocity of the insurgents’ resistance has caught NATO forces off guard. Observers say that the threat of active land combat is always present but, in several months time winter can also be troublesome for the troops

'Poles are [operating - MZ] 2500 meters [above - MZ] sea level which in Polish conditions is mountain area so they will most probably have a very tough winter. The normal temperature you could expect in the winter time in the mountain area is minus thirty and if you add the wind chill factor temperatures may drop to as low as minus fifty.'

One polish soldier has died while serving in Afghanistan. Surveys point out that 80% of Poles are against their countrymen fighting in Afghanistan.
source: http://www.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/gb/dokument.aspx?iid=58167

Mishka Zubov

09-07-2007, 02:40 PM

Labor Day Friday
Posted by Michael Tomberlin September 07, 2007 8:00 AM

http://blog.al.com/afghanistan/2007/09/labor_day_friday.html

We celebrated with the soldiers, sailors and airmen at the larger Forward Operating Base down the road here in Ghazni. The Polish soldiers also participated, though I'm pretty sure they don't celebrate Labor Day there.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3848/mediumpolishsoldierschetb4.jpg
Polish soldiers cheer their volleyball team

Mishka Zubov

09-08-2007, 09:40 AM

Subsequent terrorists apprehended
by Włodzimierz Głogowski
Saturday, September 8, 2007

Polish soldiers in Iraq have apprehended four suspects who are being alleged of financing and carrying terrorist actions in Diwaniyah district. During the operation conducted on September the 7th five rifles and 40 thousands of US dollars have been also confiscated.

Lasting two-days, this successful operation was carried about 20 kilometers south-east of Diwaniyah. Currently the suspects are under investigation. This has been one more successful operation of the soldiers from the 9th rotation of Polish Military Contingent, Multinational Division Center-South - executed to improve safety in Qadasiyah province and protection of coalition soldiers.
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7625&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-08-2007, 02:30 PM

Rosomak with Pilar and side cameras KDN-1
2007-09-08

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/9876/rosopil1xp3.jpg
[quote]One of the wheeled armored transporters "Rosomak", up-armored by soldiers from Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan (PMC-A), with added side day-night cameras KDN-1 and shelling localizer Pilar

This Rosomak is equipped with day-night cameras KDN-1 (made by PCO), which are used for observation of side zones of the vehicle. The pictures from cameras are displayed on 10" monitors mounted in the assault compartment and on the monitor of the terminal DD-9620T-10 in the turret.

The Rosomak is also equipped with Pilar MkIIw, an acoustic detector and localizer of shelling sources, manufactured by French company 01db-Metravib and distributed in cooperation with Polish company Optimum. The Pilar has been integrated with the on-board systems in cooperation with Polish company WB Electronics. The Pilar systems had been long delivered to Poland, but no confirmation of their installation in Afghanistan-based vehicles have been given until now.

According to information from PCO, the KDN-1 cameras had been delivered several months ago, but their installation had been postponed until installation of additional armors on Rosomaks.

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/2645/rosopil2ks7.jpg
A Rosomak during installation of additional steel-composite armor, manufactured by Rafael. The new armor covers larger area of the vehicle - a result of additional requirements defined after the shelling trials at the Nowa D?ba training grounds.
Photos: PMC-A

source: http://www.altair.com.pl/
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-08-2007, 03:40 PM

AgustaWestland - a strategic investor in Swidnik privatization?
2007-09-05

AgustaWestland (a consortium of Finmeccanica group), one of the biggest world players on the helicopter market, a distributor of the future command fleet for the US president, a partner of PZL WSK-Swidnik - a Polish helicopter leader - for 11 years, officially announced on September the 5th that it is willing to become a future strategic investor in Swidnik company - providing that Polish authorities confirm their intent of privatization of the company.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2627/agus1hr0.jpg

According to the public announcement in Rome, the investment of AgustaWestland in Swidnik would create a base for taking the 11 year, very successful cooperation to a higher level and assure long term development opportunities for the Polish producer.

AgustaWestland added that the known and valued technical abilities and possibilities of Swidnik excellently match its current and future strategic development plans.

Their official communique states that both companies are proud of the results of their industrial cooperation, which has been initiated in 1997 - when Polish manufacturer has begun production of the hulls for the helicopter AgustaWestland AW109 Power, delegating to that enterprise almost 60 employees. Serious investments during the following years have led to the current stage where Swidnik produces hulls of five types of AgustaWestland helicopters: AW109 Power, AW109 LUH, AW119 Ke, AW139 and Grand.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8650/agus2ic6.jpg

More than 1000 qualified employees of the Polish manufacturer are involved in execution of the cooperation plans. Swidnik has delivered more than 650 helicopter hulls (A celebration of 500th unit delivery to AgustaWestland took place in June 2006).

Currently Swidnik produces 12 AgustaWestland hulls a month. The cooperation with AgustaWestland brings to Swidnik about 30% of its revenues. According to estimates this indicator may significantly increase in the near future.

source: http://www.altair.com.pl/
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-08-2007, 04:21 PM

Polish helicopters found the submarine
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4941/pol1kx3.jpg
Sub Lieutenant Majchrzak has more than 2000 flying hours on a MI-14.– We got it. Even twice. The words come in both Polish and English, when Sub Lieutenant Majchrzak proudly tells about the hunt for the Polish submarine SOKÓŁ.

07-09-2007 kl. 18:08
Text and photo: Major Michael Christiansen, SPAO DATG

Sub Lieutenant Majchrzak is pilot on one of the two MI-14 helicopters from 29 SQN in Darlowo, Poland. Presently they participate in Exercise DANEX 07. During the first week, when the exercise was taking place in sea the around Bornholm, they were operating from their home base on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.

Now they’re flying from Air Transport Wing Aalborg. The unit’s task is to find and neutralize the submarine SOKÓŁ and so far with succes every time the squadron has been airborne.

– We have three ways to spot and localize a submarine. It is sonar, sonar buoys and MAD – a system that registers magnetic fields around a submarine, explains Majchrzak. During the last 25 years he has logged more than 2000 hours of experience in the cockpit of a MI-14.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/1750/pol2fy8.jpg
The sonar is normally placed in the back of the helicopter, under the tail.– Thursday we found the submarine in Skagerrak with our sonar. A system that we lower into the water, where it then sends out sound waves.

If they hit a submarine, the sound waves are reflected, and in the helicopter we can register distance and bearing to the sub. We managed to sustain contact for more than 20 minuttes, explains Majchrzak.

MI-14 has a take-off weight of 12-14 tons depending on it’s configuration and a maximum flying time of four hours. The crew consists of two pilots, one or two navigators and a flight engineer. It is the navigators, who operate the sonar, MAD and sonar buoys, which can be dropped from the helicopters belly. It can carry more than 30 buoys, but normally only carries 18 during exercises.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/3894/pol3un8.jpg
MI-14 with tail number 1011 looks formidable.source: http://forsvaret.dk/DANEX07/eng/News/2007-09-09polhelo.htm

Mishka Zubov

09-08-2007, 04:23 PM

Good training opportunity for ORP GROM

So far, the commanding officer of the Polish fast patrol boat ORP GROM has been very satisfied with DANEX 07.

07-09-2007 kl. 18:29
Text and photo;: Lt Cdr Klaus Randrup, PIO Admiral Danish Fleet

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9122/grom1bf5.jpg
Commanding and executive officer of ORP GROMThe Polish commanding officer Marcin Jaszulski looks at his ship with pride, as she is refuelling at Naval Base Frederikshavn. Recently the ship has been mid-life updated, which is a larger upgrade of the different technical systems on board.

DANEX 07 is the first international exercise since the upgrade, for both ship and crew, and has according to Jaszulski so far offered good challenges and training.

The commanding officer has especially been happy to conduct the exercise moments, where the ship had to communicate with the merchant traffic. In Poland this is normally done by the Coast Guard and therefore has been new and interesting to the crew of ORP GROM.

Both the commanding officer and the executive officer Wójcik are looking forward to get back in exercise DANEX 07.
source: http://forsvaret.dk/DANEX07/eng/News/2007-09-09grom.htm

Mishka Zubov

09-08-2007, 05:37 PM

Malfunction of AN-2 in Podkarpacie region
2007-09-08 17:58

A plane was on fire, but a crew is safe

They had improbable luck! Two pilots and five parachutists escaped from a plane in flames. The skydivers quickly left the plane and the pilots safely landed nearby a road Bachórz-Dynów, Podkarpacie voivodship.

There were seven people on board of the plane from Krosno Air-club. The AN-2 plane went on fire up in the air. Most probably it was the exhaust system that caught the fire. After learning about the fire the skydivers immediately evacuated themselves. The pilots executed emergency landing. No one has been hurt.

"The pilots have extinguished the fire after landing, and then called a fire brigade" - says Marcin Betleja, a spokesman for Podkarpacie fire brigade.

source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=96&ShowArticleId=59621
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-09-2007, 02:13 AM

See a long post "Reconnaissance systems for Hungarian Army" in separate thread:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2753354#post2753354

It describes a result of cooperation between Polish WB Electronics and Israeli company Top-I-Vision, a manufacturer of mini-UAV SOFAR.

Mishka Zubov

09-09-2007, 04:38 AM

Do you remember this article: "Have you seen our Bozena?", http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=115762

The story continues...

Afghanistan: Polish mission PAP, JG /04.09.2007 19:22
They are looking for sapper-engineering "Bożena"

There are chances of finding the sapper-engineering machine "Bożena", which have been lost during transport to Afghanistan" - learned PAP from sources close to military circles. There is a suspicion that its new "owners" have turned to the manufacturer with request for spare parts. The information has been handed over to appropriate services, which are going to verify it.

Polish soldiers in Afghanistan have three more such machines, which - as assured by Gen. Tomaszycki, a commander of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, in the interview with PAP - "satisfy the needs of the army." Instead of the missing "Bożena" the soldiers have been given a robot "Inspektor", which handles the de-mining of IDEs and neutralization of dudes. Soon a heavy equipment for similar operations will be also sent to Afghanistan.

The ministry has been asserting many times that Polish Army will not carryany financial losses due to the theft of "Bożena", because the cargo had been insured and the carrier will pay for the losses. "Bożena" had been lost last Spring during transport through Pakistan.
source: http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/1600022,,,,,,6333,itemspec.html
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-09-2007, 12:19 PM

Those guys at DANEX 07 exercise must have had their fun inventing this scenario:

Scenario

The scenario for DANEX 2007 is entirely fictitious and has no resemblance to any real world situation. It has been designed solely to support the exercise aims and objectives.

For the benefit of the players, countries named Dania, Swelandia, Islandia, Polandia and Bonnie Isle have been created, along with the Independent Enclaves of Islandia, as depicted on the map below.

Religion is added to the scenario in order to illustrate the different perception of a situation in the confined area that constitutes the geography and has no resemblance to any real world situation.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9326/scenariowebuz6.jpg
Click on any country to read more
source: http://forsvaret.dk/DANEX07/eng/Scenario/

When you click on Polandia there is nothing spectacular:

Polandia

Polandia is a multi-ethnic democracy and a neutral nation, which actively strives to stay out of the present conflict.

Polandia consists primarily of Catholics, Protestants and Jews.
But look what they have for Vendia in store:

Vendia

Vendia is one of two remaining Muslim countries and has always been regarded as a prosperous state in the region with its oil- and gas resources and related industries providing the bulk of the economic drive.

Not recognising the significance of the fundamentalist developments, the previous Vendia rule fell in 1981 during a violent revolt against the country’s Emir. This gave rise to the Council of Truth and Purity which established a fundamentalist rule based on the law of the Holy Writings. The violent revolt was lead by the former head of the Emir’s security forces – the charismatic Colonel Memet Ali.

In the wake of the new Vendian regime many fundamentalist fractions of the Muslim faith spawned – most with their main focus and hatred centred on the paradigm of the western world and Islandias dedicated effort to exploit the Muslim society. These fundamentalist fractions were all Vendian sponsored, turning the masses attention away from internal social inequalities, mismanagement and corruption.

The Vendian Radical (VR) is by far the most militant and dominant terrorist movement and have during recent years displayed an increasingly hostile attitude towards western interests in the area of terrorist attacks primarily against western and islandian embassies and trade interests. Vendia has close ties to the VR terrorist movement and provides weapons, economic support and shelters terrorist training camps within Vendian mainland. This is officially denied by Vendia, but it has nevertheless been proven beyond reasonable doubt that Vendia supplied weapons and explosives to a series of very grave VR terrorist attacks that hit several western nations in 2005 and 2007.

Geological surveys have shown that the resources on Vendia territory will be exhausted within the next twenty-five years. The bordering resources in neighbouring Islandian Independent Enclave however, are assessed to be much richer and still capable of several decades of exploitation.

Vendia armed forces are relatively strong, modern and well equipped and comprise a regular army, an Air Force with both PA200 and F-16 and a Navy with an SSK and several SSM-equipped FPBs. Morale of the armed forces is high and support of the current leadership is strong.
Well, the poor Polish submarine ORP Orzeł, representing Wendia forces is being hunted all over the Baltic. Not only Polish M-14s have claimed their success, but the Danish Lynx helicopter found her too: "We found the submarine!" - they exclaim. Polish fast attack craft-missile ORP Grom and the two Polish M-14 helicopters, are on the good guys side.

Mishka Zubov

09-10-2007, 08:04 AM

An interview with test pilots of Sikorsky Aircraft

Americans presented a Black Hawk
2007-09-10 01:10
Mielec will make a dream helicopter

Yesterday a UH-60 M Black Hawk helicopter has flown over Mielec. This way the machine has symbolically welcomed the city where successive units of this helicopter will be produced. First Black Hawks will leave the assembling halls of PZL Mielec in year 2011, but the plant will start assembling first fuselages of the American version of Black Hawk already next year - announces DZIENNIK.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/8995/486859cg3.jpg

The helicopter can carry 14 soldiers and their equipment. Other versions are fit for transport, evacuation of casualties, battle operations, assault operations and support of special operations. DZIENNIK was witnessing the machine demonstration at Air Show in Radom. Pilots flew backwards, sideways, lifted up suddenly. Few days later they were presenting the machine and its abilities at International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce. Izabela Leszczyńska, a DZIENNIK reporter, has met them over there on the deck of the Black Hawk.

Many people have been very much impressed with the helicopter's lift speed...
Vincent Vannoorbeeck: This helicopter has a powerful engine and it can lift up suddenly and very quickly. Initially we have been moving up with a speed of almost 900 meters per minute, then 1400-1500 meters per minute. This was a very aggressive climb.

How useful is such maneuver in battle mission?
Jim Hammel: This was only a presentation of incredible abilities of the machine. From my battle experience in Iraq I recollect mostly forward lifts, when we had to suddenly avoid flocks of birds or other obstacles, such as trees. But not necessary other machines up in the air since they are visible from far away.

But if someone shoots at you? Can you escape upwards this way?
Jim: This is not the best response to shelling because the machine becomes easier target this way. Sometimes it is better to continue fast flight forward and hide behind some obstacle. I would do that - I'd dive behind a rock, say, since it would separate me from a shooter.

The sideways flight has made a big impression on the viewers too.
Jim: We did not show all we could in that maneuver. We have flown with velocity of 45 knots. Usually the helicopters fly sideways faster, but we wanted unlookers to view the machine well. We had to conform to the limits imposed on the demonstration: the maximal roll angle not bigger than 60 degrees, the maximal pitch - smaller than 30 degrees. Safety rules did not allow for more.

What does impress you most in Black Hawk?
This is a very strong helicopter, able to survive in any conditions - designed so a pilot will safely return to his base.

How hard is it to shoot it down?
Vincent: It is protected against a 12.75 mm caliber ground fire. The rotor blades sustain even a 23 mm weapon shelling. When a fuel tank is shot through the holes will immediately encrust and no fuel will spill out. Kevlar covers protect the engine and the pilots against shelling. We put kevlar mats on the floor and at the sides of the cabin before rushing to battle - and this provides us with additional anti-shell protection. The windshield is resistant to shrapnel.

Jim: Take a note that - what is most important in engineering - all flight key components: engines and hydraulic installations are placed at the top of the helicopter to make the machine resistant to damages. It has also a double steering system. If you loose one, the other one turns on.

The fuselage paint layers are supposedly unusually important, are they?
Jim: The top layer is designed to help in protection against nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Poisonous substances would not stick to it and this prevents from contamination of the helicopter. The pilots are better protected but they of course should quickly leave the contaminated area.

***

Vincent Vannoorbeeck - col. of reserve, served in US Army for 11 years, recently a commander of a technical service company in 1/160 Aerial Special Operations Regiment, served in Iraq in the year 2003 as a colonel of National Guard, currently a test pilot at Sikorsky Aircraft.

Jim Hamel - served in US Navy for 20 years, recently served in Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Three, Jacksonville, Florida; currently a test pilot at Sikorsky Aircraft.

Izabela Leszczyńska
source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=59699
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-10-2007, 08:51 AM

TRIBUTES PAID TO OUR POLISH WAR HEROES
08:00 - 10 September 2007

People paid tribute to Polish Second World War pilots who flew from Lincolnshire at a emotional ceremony. The service took place in Faldingworth, near Market Rasen at the weekend.

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/8091/1533856dj1.jpg

Faldingworth was home to the Polish 300 Squadron who flew from there between 1944 and 1947. In 1944, three Lancasters were lost within months of each other, one crashing near Lissington, and two shot down over Europe.

And this weekend, pieces of the wreckage recovered from the crash sites were buried at a memorial to the servicemen, and prayers said for their crews. The memorial was organised by Faldingworth church warden Colin Mitchell-Smith and marks the 60th anniversary of the disbanding of 300 Squadron.

For more on this story and pictures, see Monday's Lincolnshire Echo.
source: http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=156130&command=displayContent&sourceNode=242285&home=yes&more_nodeId1=156139&contentPK=18341623

Mishka Zubov

09-10-2007, 11:45 AM

I hope you will excuse me for this little off topic post.

One of those long winged discussions about Polish politics takes place at Mark Mardell's Euroblog, http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/

Here is one comment from that blog that struck me hard:

At 12:11 AM on 04 Sep 2007, Owen wrote:

I was recently sitting in the park which surrounds Krakow reading a book when an old gentleman sat down on the same park bench. Poland being the rather sociable country it is, we struck up conversation and exchanged our two-minute life biographies as is the custom here.

We got onto talking about the latest hilarities in Polish politics and the old gentleman said something which will stay with me forever. He said, "Poland will go no nowhere until the older generations die. Me, the Kaczynskis, pretty much everyone over 35. We're bitter and jaded and our decisions are tainted by our upbringing. The young people have to assume power, the sooner the better".
source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2007/09/polish_political_pickle.html

Mrufka

09-10-2007, 01:41 PM

I agree with the old men 100%

wholagun

09-10-2007, 03:42 PM

If i were made president I would make euthanizing everyone over 35 a law. Then in order to repopulate our country I would order people to take time off work to have lots and lots of sex.

Mishka Zubov

09-10-2007, 10:42 PM

Well, I only see the right extremists here. Where are the leftists? :-)

Mishka Zubov

09-10-2007, 10:45 PM

This is all about image

This afternoon, while sipping a glass of red wine in a local Toronto bar, I was thumbing through a tabloid newspaper and there I found yet another article of the sort "We have done enough in Afghanistan - let the other NATO nations pick up the slack." The message did not surprise me, because I have seen many such articles popping up in the last two months or so.

But there was a standard NATO place-mat attached to it, which I am sure you are all familiar with. It comes directly from the NATO ISAF headquarters and is has been actualized in July 2007, http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/epub/maps/index.html. It shows a diagram of Afghanistan with national flags of contributing nations placed over it. It also includes some keys facts about ISAF command structure, description of variety of PRTs and a table with NATO-members contributions to ISAF effort. This is how it was presented to a local reader:

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/5136/isafplacematks1.png
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/2600/isafcontributionoq4.png

The readers of this tabloid are not famous for their analytical minds: they just glance at the top picture and readily accept the thesis of the article: "Fvck, our boys are indeed doing most of the work, where the hell are the other NATO members?"

There are two problems with this image. Firstly - as any internet surfer knows it well - sites of this sort are rarely being updated. Call it what you want: inadequacy, fog of information, laziness, self-promotion - but this is a fact of life.

So what is wrong with this picture? The top map displays flags of all the nations that either represent regional commands or national PRTs. Arranged according to troop contribution they are: USA (14750), United Kingdom (6500), Germany (3000), Canada (2500), Italy (2500), The Netherlands (1300), Turkey (1200), Australia (700), Spain (650), Norway (500), Sweden (260), Hungary (180) and Lithuania (130) - altogether 13 flags on the map which a reader of Toronto Sun will notice.

He/she will not care very much for analysis of the table shown below the map. He/she will not notice that there are ten nations that contribute more than 130 troops to ISAF effort: Poland (1075), France (800), Romania (500), Bulgaria (400), Belgium (295), Croatia (175), Czech Republic (220), Greece (145), New Zealand (150), Portugal (150) and which did not receive a honor to be placed on that place-mat. And there are of course the remaining 14 nations with a lesser troop contribution.

Well, I realize why that place-mat was constructed this way. But this is not a point: this is what a reader of tabloids see, and this is what is being copied to all sorts of blogs since the time immemorial.

This is all about image. I have a personal beef with the ex Polish command in Kabul. Our bureaucrats who had been there in charge for half a year with Multinational Corps Northeast from Szczecin, have not bothered with projecting a better image of Polish contribution to ISAF efforts.

And soon, if someone from Polish propaganda department does not wake up, the same thing will happen with POLUKRBAT image in Kosovo, which used to have quite nice press in the past, but does not have it anymore. Nowadays this is more about who is in charge of regional commands, and less about what soldiers of contributing nations - with the exception of Americans who have their own well designed site - really do in the field. Just take a look at NATO KFOR site: http://www.nato.int/kfor/, browse through their KFOR Chronicle and photographic galleries and you should see my point: mostly transfer of authorities, saluting, visiting - this sort of stuff.

Mishka Zubov

09-11-2007, 12:18 AM

Ramadan
2007-09-10 11:38:22
This is Ramadan, a month when Koran has been sent - a straight road for people and clear proofs of the straight road.
(...)
Ramadan falls in the ninth month of Muslim calendar. Ramadan is for Allah followers not only a time of restraint from eating and stimulants but also a period of internal discipline and of a struggle with weaknesses of one's character.

This is time of reflection and penance. It is important for Muslims since it is a pillar of their religion. With advent of the Allah faith a lunar calendar has been also established. It is shorter by 11 days than a sun-based calendar, which results in Ramadan moving back from year to year.
This year Ramadan begins on September 13th and ends on October 12th. For the Afghans this is a time for praying and contemplation. During that time they will fast and avoid sexual relations from sunrise to sunset.

At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning.

"This period might be dangerous for both - the coalition forces and for Afghans as well" - said Col. Asir Khan, a commander of Afghan police in Sharana. "People who do not eat for many days are stupefied and have slower reaction times. They might react slower on signals from convoys or patrols of coalition forces. Intensified activity of terrorist groups, increased number of suicidal attacks in cities or against military camps might be also expected. According to our faith, a fighter - and terrorists consider themselves as such - who dies in Ramadan is considered a martyr, and that means that he goes directly to heavens" - adds Col. Asir.

Polish Battle Group is being prepared for this difficult period. "We have prepared fliers for all soldiers, which describe the role of Ramadan and the rules of conduct during that time" - said Maj. Aleksander Fortuna, a chief of psychological support group. "We point out that soldiers should not eat, smoke or chew gum in presence of Afghans" - adds Maj. Fortuna.

Ramadan ends with three day feast, which is comparable to our New Year. Rifle bangs might be heard during that time.

Wojciech Majeran
source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_159.html
translated by MZ

Jocker_89

09-11-2007, 09:41 AM

Another terrorists detained

On 7 September 2007 Polish soldiers from Multinational Division Central South (MND CS) detained four men, suspected finance and conduct terrorist activity in Diwaniyah. As a result of the operation soldiers confiscated five machine guns and 40 000 USD.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3132

The successful operation was conducted 20 km south west from Diwaniyah and lasted two days. It was the another effective operation accomplished by soldiers from MND CS aimed to improve security in Qadisiyah province and provide safe for coalition soldiers.

www.piomndcs.mil.pl

Jocker_89

09-11-2007, 09:44 AM

Working meeting In Camp Echo

On 10th of September in military base Echo in Diwaniyah the Commander of Multinational Division Central South (MND CS) MG Tadeusz Buk met with the representatives of PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team). The process of Quadisiyah province development and cooperation between PRT and MND CS were the main topics of conversation.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3134

PRT is responsible for the reconstruction of the regional economy. Among the representatives of PRT was Angus Simmons, the Chairman of the team responsible for the reconstruction of three neighboring provinces: Quadisiyah, Najaf and Karbala. The Polish side was represented by the chief of CIMIC Group LTC Tomasz Wolszczak and the chief of civilian – military cooperation branch COL Piotr Sadowski. As a part of cooperation the specialists from PRT and MND CS discussed the progress of CIMIC projects aimed to improve the life condition of Qadisiyah citizens. They also coordinated future activity in the province and assessed the local government activity and economical situation.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3135

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

Mishka Zubov

09-11-2007, 11:11 AM

(...)
The successful operation was conducted 20 km south west from Diwaniyah and lasted two days.
(...)
www.piomndcs.mil.pl (http://www.piomndcs.mil.pl)

This is old news, posted already in message #136. But thanks for the picture though. The source you are citing, the official site of Multinational Division Center-South, piomndcs.mil.pl, has switched from Polish to English presentation of their news a month or so ago, when a new commander, Gen T. Buk took over. Which is good.

But they are slower than other sources by an average of three days, so we have to watch for duplicates before we post. [Another example of duplicate news here was a story about Sokół helicopters delivered to Camp Echo]

Knowing that the Camp Echo stories will appear sooner or later in English translation on their official site, and that someone (Jocker_89) will post them here, I tend NOT to translate such news myself from other sources - unless they are the HOT news. :-)

Mishka Zubov

09-11-2007, 12:41 PM

Farewell to the last group of OMLT
by Jacek Matuszak
Tuesday, September 11, 2007

- Today we are saying goodbye to the most experienced element of our rotation - OMLT. Such grade can be confirmed by a number of battle tasks carried by this team, as well as by their sacrifices and experiences - said Brig-Gen. Marek Tomaszycki, a commander of Polish Military Contingent, at the ceremonial muster.

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/4480/afganmgv8.jpg

He addressed these words to Col. Tomasz Kowalczykiewicz and the rest of the troops during the ceremonial farewell that took place on September 10, at the parade ground of the White Eagle camp in Bagram. The OMLT team, stationing in Gardez, has served almost seven difficult and often dangerous months alongside one of the Afghan ANA units. This group, although one of the smallest in PMC, has experienced a painful loss, when a one of their colleagues, Lt. Łukasz Kurowski was killed in action on August the 14th. The examples of tasks carried by OMLT clearly show what are the difficulties of the Afghan mission.

-You have managed to succeed - attaining something that have not been attained either by American or other coalition nations. You have been able to establish cooperation with ANA Afghans, whom you have been advising. You have managed to win their trust and gratitude. And this is really valuable and important achievement. You are now going home for the well deserved rest. In my opinion you are the best soldiers and the experience you have gained here is invaluable - stressed Gen. Tomaszycki.[1]

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6613/afgan1dou4.jpg
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/9981/afgandtg7.jpg

The contingent commander thanked, equally warmly, other soldiers who - together with their OMLT colleagues - are returning home - the soldiers from the Battle Team C (Wazi-Khwa) and from the engineering platoon. As stressed by Brig-Gen. Tomaszycki, their contribution to tasks carried by PMC is eqaually important.

Lt-Col. Tomasz Kowalczykiewicz, responding in name of the soldiers returning home, stressed that such effective work carried by his subordinates would not be possible without the support from the contingent command. The commander has awarded his soldiers with NATO mission participation medals and commemorative diplomas and gorgets.

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/5135/afgan2duj9.jpg
Photos: mjr Wojciech Kaliszczak
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7693&Itemid=29
Translated by MZ

[1]A pity that not many of these stories have been ever published. Yes, there were two or three of their stories published by Polish military media in early Spring, which have been copied to "Polish soldiers all over the word" thread. Other than that no information has ever reached the public, aside from few mentions by an American medic in his blog - which I copied to "Observing Geneva Convention in Afghanistan" thread, http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117293.

Jocker_89

09-11-2007, 02:23 PM

This is old news, posted already in message #136. But thanks for the picture though. The source you are citing, the official site of Multinational Division Center-South, piomndcs.mil.pl, has switched from Polish to English presentation of their news a month or so ago, when a new commander, Gen T. Buk took over. Which is good.

But they are slower than other sources by an average of three days, so we have to watch for duplicates before we post. [Another example of duplicate news here was a story about Sokół helicopters delivered to Camp Echo]

Knowing that the Camp Echo stories will appear sooner or later in English translation on their official site, and that someone (Jocker_89) will post them here, I tend NOT to translate such news myself from other sources - unless they are the HOT news. :-)

heh Ok mishka :)

Mishka Zubov

09-11-2007, 02:54 PM

Last tests
by (EŁ)
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Reprinted from: Dziennik Polski 11.9.2007 Ostatni sprawdzian

Significant part of the second "Afghan" rotation are soldiers from Kraków (Cracow).

Soldiers from the second rotation of Polish Military Contingent - Afghanistan (PMC-A) have been training at the Wędrzyn training grounds. Among them is a battalion of 6th Air Assault Brigade from Kraków. The 16th Airborne Battalion of this unit will be a significant part of Polish Battle Group (PBG) - about 800 soldiers - to be commanded by Lt-Col. Piotr Zieja. Soldiers from 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade will serve alongside the Cracow's unit. Other soldiers from the 6th Brigade, specifically from the 18th Air Assault Battalion, currently serve in the first PMC-A rotation, stationing in Ghazni and Paktika provinces.

About 1200 Polish soldiers (the same number that currently serves in Afghanistan) and about 250 Americans from Illinois National Guard participate in „Immediate Response ’07“ exercise, lasting from September the 3rd to september the 15th.

According to Capt. Krzysztof Plażuk, from the exercise media outlet, the US soldiers training in Wędrzyn might be sent to Afghanistan some time in the future[1]. Officers from 2nd Mechanized Corps from Kraków, headed by Gen. Andrzej Knap - a deputy commander of the Corps, manage the exercise. Gen. Jerzy Biziewski, from the 1st Armor Brigade of Wesoła, will be a commander of 2nd rotation of PMC-A.

PGB sub-units train foot patrols, convoying and freeing hostages. They also practically learn - on a specially designed didactic track - about most typical mines and IDEs used in Afghanistan.

Joint Polish-American training of snipers and artillerists is also being conducted. The exercises at these training grounds are the last tests of Polish soldiers before their departure to Afghanistan.

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7711&Itemid=46
Translated by MZ

[1]I have read somewhere that they will go to Iraq

See also photos from this exercise in the thread "Polish soldiers all over the world", post 1124, http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2755297&postcount=1124, and several posts that follow

Mishka Zubov

09-11-2007, 08:02 PM

Exercise "Bagram 2"

by Krzysztof Wilewski
Tuesday, September 11, 2007

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/4095/bagram1kv0.jpg

Exercise "Bagram 2", concluding preparation period of Polish soldiers from the 2nd rotation of Polish Military Contingent to Afghanistan (PMC-A), has begun on September the 10th at the barracks of 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade in Wędrzyn.

Brig-gen. Andrzej Knap, a deputy commander of the 2nd Mechanized Corps, officially opened the exercise in the presence of Maj-Gen. Paweł Lamla - a commander of 11th Lubuska Armored Cavalry Division and Brig-Gen. Jerzy Biniewski - a commander of the 1st Armored Brigade, who will be a commander of the 2nd rotation of PMC-A.

The "Bagram 2" exercise, attended by almost 1200 soldiers, mainly from the 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade and the 6th Air Assault Brigade, will last almost a week.

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5916/bagram2xr2.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1665/bagram5hy3.jpg

For the soldiers from the 130th and 178th Infantry Regiments of American Illinois National Guard the maneuvers in Poland are the one of the last tests before planned deployment in Iraq in 2008.

For this reason American soldiers are being assessed at each stage by instructors who came to Poland from their bases in Germany. During Monday exercises on a tactical lane of the training grounds, where the Americans were conquering a small hill, many elements were tested: coordination of units, fire accuracy, reaction time to a sudden threat and obeying safety rules. The instructors were not hiding that the guards still face a lot of work.

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/7051/bagram3na9.jpg

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/7145/bagram6ac4.jpg

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/1562/bagram4eh3.jpg
Photos: Krzysztof Wilewski
source: http://redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=54
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-11-2007, 08:58 PM

Considering the source - The Frontier Post, National Daily published from Peshawar and Quetta - take it with the grain of salt. They once substituted a battalion of Romania with a Polish battalion in their news, so be warned. But wait - the same story, although shorter, is also published in Ottawa Citizen and Edmonton Journal. So go ahead - read it.

Below are some comments of high rank NATO officials - who have met at Victoria last weekend - about possible withdrawal of Canadian forces from Afghanistan in 2009. Gen. Gągor from Poland presents his views as well. And yes - he mentions Polish special forces operating in southern Afghanistan.

Canadian exit from Afghanistan would be sorely missed, top officer says

OTTAWA (Agencies): Britain’s top military officer says Canada’s contribution to Afghanistan is enormously valuable to the ongoing efforts in that central Asian country and would be sorely missed if its troops were to leave.

Britain’s chief of the defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said that the international community has to stick with the Afghanistan mission or that country will fall back into the hands of terrorists and extremists. “As far as military contributions are concerned it is entirely up to Canada what it wants to do,” Stirrup said in an interview Sunday. “All I would say from our perspective is that the contribution that Canada makes is so effective and so highly valued that we would miss it sorely if it were to go.”

NATO officers meeting in Victoria on the weekend for long-range military planning sessions consistently emphasized it will be up to the Harper government to determine if it wants to stay involved in the Afghan mission. But behind the scenes, NATO nations are quietly making overtures to Canada not to withdraw its soldiers. Several days ago, German officials added their voice to concerns about the possibility Canada would end its Afghanistan mission in 2009. The Harper government has said Canada’s troops won’t continue combat operations in Afghanistan beyond February 2009 unless there is a consensus in Parliament to extend the mission.

Canada has about 2,500 military personnel in the volatile Kandahar region. But NATO officials at the meeting here privately acknowledge they were taken aback by recent comments by Defence Minister Peter MacKay about the combat portion of the Afghan mission ending in 2009. Last weekend, MacKay said Canada’s allies have been informed about the stance on Afghanistan and “the signal that has been sent already is that our current configuration will end in February 2009.” Aid and diplomatic work would continue, he noted in a television interview, but the way the mission is currently set up in Kandahar will come to an end. A spokesman for MacKay said Sunday that the defence minister has stated the same view as Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “Parliament voted to extend the mission through Feb. 2009 and the way ahead will be decided before that time,” Dan Dugas noted in an e-mail.

But NATO officials said that MacKay’s statements indicate to them that Canada’s combat mission is all but finished. The Netherlands is also looking at whether to pull out its troops from Afghanistan, although military officers here believe that nation will ultimately stay the course.

Canadian Gen. Ray Henault, the chairman of NATO’s military committee, said the alliance is hopeful Canada will find a way to continue operating in Afghanistan. Stirrup said although it might be difficult to measure, there has been progress in the southern part of Afghanistan where much of the fighting has taken place. “Canada’s contribution has been critical to getting to where we have got over the last 15 months in south,” he added. He said the public has to realize Afghanistan is an extremely long-term venture, not necessarily in the military sense, but in terms of the international commitment to that country.

Stirrup acknowledged dealing with Afghanistan is a massive challenge but that nations involved should have “the strategic patience to see it through.” “If you’ve got to eat an elephant you shouldn’t be surprised if after the first few mouthfuls you’re not down to the bones,” he said.” That’s the situation we’re in.” Stirrup said that the non-military response - improving infrastructure, the economy and governance - will be the factors that ultimately lead to success in Afghanistan.

Poland’s chief of the general staff, Gen. Franciszek Gagor also praised the efforts of Canadian troops, noting the two countries have had a long relationship of working together in military operations, including in Africa, the Sinai, the Golan Heights and Cambodia.

Polish special forces are operating in southern Afghanistan and its regular forces are in the eastern portion of the country. “The Polish military appreciates and has great respect for the Canadian military and appreciates what the Canadian military is doing in Afghanistan,” said Gagor. “It’s a very important, valued job.” “It is clear that NATO cannot fail in Afghanistan, that NATO has to succeed,” he added. “It is not easy, it’s not time-limited.”

But Gagor emphasized it is up to each country to decide the contribution to NATO. “Of course it would be good to have such NATO capabilities in Afghanistan that could more speedily carry out the mission set by the political decisions of NATO,” he added.

Henault said the future of Canada’s contribution to Afghanistan post-2009 was discussed at the alliance’s conference in Victoria. But he also noted other nations are trying to juggle their military commitments in Afghanistan with ongoing missions in places like Lebanon and the Congo. “There’s quite a few pressures on nations out there,” Henault explained. “So Canada wasn’t the only focus of problems in that respect.”
source: The Frontier Post - National Daily published from Peshawar and Quetta, http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=an&nid=54&ad=11-09-2007

Mishka Zubov

09-12-2007, 04:27 AM

Afghanistan/ Polish convoy shelled upon
by PAP
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Afghanistan/ Polish convoy shelled upon, no one hurt

Bagram (PAP) - "Polish military convoy was shelled upon in Afghanistan on Tuesday, but no soldier was hurt" - informed Maj. Wojciech Kaliszczak, a spokesman for Polish Military Contingent. The incident happened on 17:55 local time, 50 km south-west from base Sharana. The soldiers went after the attackers but without success. During the pursuit one of the HMMVWs broke down and had to be towed to the base.

Currently there are 1100 Polish soldiers in Afghanistan. The first rotation of PMC comes to end in the nearest weeks and the soldiers of the second rotation will take over at the middle of October.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7725&Itemid=69
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-12-2007, 09:25 PM

Self-promotion of Gen. Gągor by his staff? :-)

Meeting of NATO Military Committee
by General Staff, Polish Military Forces
September 11, 2007

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/8847/kwnato1fe2.jpg
Gen. Franciszek Gągor, Chief of Staff of Polish Forces, participating in a conference of chiefs of defenses of 26 NATO member-states in Victoria, Canada, September 4-6.The conference was about planning, preparation and execution of NATO operations - including current allied missions - and about changes in military structures in order to increase NATO operational abilities, as in NATO Reaction Forces.

A need for improvement of mutual planning, preparation and execution of NATO operations was being stressed during the meeting. Currently executed allied missions have been analyzed, especially the ISAF mission, which principal task is the improvement of security, expansion of authority of the democratically elected government over the entire country, reconstruction and creation of conditions for the country development.

Needs and methods have been discussed for provision and security of required abilities and resources for the operations - both national and multinational. It was decided that there is a need for design of detailed criteria for effectiveness evaluation of the operations being conducted.

The chiefs of defense also discussed a transformation problem of forces and military structures of the Alliance in order to increase their operational capabilities, as in the framework of NATO Response Force.

In his summary of the conference - Gen Ray Henault, a Chairman of NATO Military Committee, informed the participants that his three year contract for his current position comes to the end in the summer next year and that the official candidates for this functions are: Gen. Franciszek Gągor from Poland, Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola from Italy and Gen. Felix Sanz from Spain. Election of a new chairman will take place in a secret ballot during the Fall session of NATO Military Committee, on November 13-14 in Brussels.

NATO Military Committee is the highest military authority of the Alliance. Its formal meetings take place three times a year - twice (Spring and Fall) in NATO General Command in Brussels and once in a selected capital of a member state. Last year it was Poland who was a host of such meeting.

During Brussels meetings, aside from internal meeting of the chiefs of national defenses, the session protocol provides for separate meetings of NATO Military Committee with representatives of nations participating in "Partnership for Peace" and "Mediterranean Dialog", as well as with representatives of Ukraine.

Photo: Press Team of General Staff, Polish Forces
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7694&Itemid=27
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-12-2007, 09:30 PM

Language no problem for Illinois Guard troops training with Poles
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, September 13, 2007

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Illinois National Guard troops, in Poland for the annual Immediate Response 2007 exercise, have few problems communicating with their Polish counterparts.

According to Capt. Krispa Jekielek, a logistics officer with the Guard, many of the U.S. soldiers exercising in Poland this month are fluent in Polish.

“The unique thing about this is that Poland is our partnership country for the state of Illinois. We have a lot of soldiers in the National Guard who are of Polish descent,” she said, adding that many are dual citizens acting as translators during the exercise.

A company-sized task force based around 1st Battalion 178th Infantry Regiment, Illinois National Guard is part of a contingent of almost 300 U.S. personnel participating in the training.

“I’m trying to find out more about my ancestry while I’m here and learn as much Polish as possible,” said Jekielek, whose great-grandfather went to the United States from Poland long before she was born.

U.S. troops in the exercise will have a chance to check out Polish culture during a visit to the small town of Wedrzyn after the training wraps up on Sunday, she said.

Lt. Col. Sean Mulcahey, deputy exercise director, said other U.S. personnel in the exercise are from across Germany and Italy. They are training with about 1,700 Polish personnel, including 1,100 who are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan in the next few months.

The training of the Afghan- bound troops is called Bagram II and it is being run in conjunction with Immediate Response, he said.

The goals of Immediate Response include training U.S. and Polish forces to work as a coalition and to build on experience accumulated from working together in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mulcahey said.

In Bagram II, the Illinois National Guardsmen are training under the command of a Polish battalion, he said.

“The Polish battalion will have command and control of a different U.S. company when it arrives in Afghanistan,” he added.

Immediate Response is a priority exercise for the U.S. Army Europe as part of a program to engage with countries in the U.S. European Command’s area of responsibility, Mulcahey said.

“The Polish forces have worked very hard and are very interested in continuing the development of the relationship between our countries,” he said. “The exercise to this point has already improved our ability to work with them.”
source: http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=48736

Switek

09-13-2007, 12:30 AM

Language no problem for Illinois Guard troops training with Poles

Sure it's no problem, since Polish is a second language in Chicago... ;)

Mishka Zubov

09-13-2007, 05:20 AM

Yeah. I wonder what kind of phrases they have learned first. :-)

U.S. troops in the exercise will have a chance to check out Polish culture during a visit to the small town of Wedrzyn after the training wraps up on SundayThis is good too. Local bars in Wędrzyn have a lot to offer in terms of Polish culture.

Jocker_89

09-13-2007, 09:05 AM

Medals for Bosnia and Herzegovina soldiers

On the 11th of September commanding general of Multinational Division Central South (MND CS) Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk awarded the soldiers from the 5th rotation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Military Contingent and thanked them for their service in Iraq.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3136
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3137

I would like to reward you for your effort, dedication and a great commitment in your dangerous tasks – Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk said to Bosnia and Herzegovina soldiers. Then he awarded them with commemorative medals and thanked on behalf of all MND CS soldiers.
The 5th rotation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Military Contingent has 36 soldiers. Most of them are specializing in EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal). The main task of Bosnian specialists is to detect and to defuse remains of war.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3138
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3139

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

Mishka Zubov

09-13-2007, 05:23 PM

Chief of MoD: Extend the mission to Afghanistan
by PAP
Thursday, september 13, 2007

Minister of National Defense, Aleksander Szczygło, asked the Council of Ministers to extend the mission of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan (PMC-A) for the next year.

As he informs, his application proposes the same number of PMC-A soldiers as in this year.

Currently there are about 1100 PMC-A soldiers serving in NATO ISAF mission. Their main tasks are: providing security in chosen regions, protection of reconstruction projects and training the Afghan security forces - both the army (ANA) and the police (ANP). The second rotation of the Polish contingent will be of similar size and it will take over the duties at the middle of October.
source: http://redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7788&Itemid=69
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-14-2007, 02:06 AM

New ideas, new promisses
2007-09-13 17:35
(...)
Aleksander Szczygło, Minister of National Defense (MND), is currently visiting Polish bases in Afghanistan: Kandahar, Gardez, Sharana, Wazi Khwa, Ghazni and Kabul.

Gen. Roman Polko, a deputy chief of National Security Agency - who accompanies the minister - thinks that it might be a good idea to consider changes in deployment of our forces and lump them together in one zone of Polish responsibility.

Chief of MND, when asked about such possibility, said that "we are discussing these ideas with our allies."

"Placement of our forces in several bases has probably some advantages, as well as disadvantages - as all things in life" - he added.

According to Gen. Polko, soldiers from the special unit GROM could be better utilized than they are now. In his opinion they "currently execute tasks that are at too low level for them."

In the opinion of soldiers and commanders the most pressing problem, which has been reported for many weeks, is lack of their own air transport in Afghanistan. Chief of MND has declared that Polish contingent will get several helicopters Mi-17, with stronger engines, at the turn of next year.

Back home the exercise "Bagram II" is currently in progress. This is the last training of the second rotation of Polish Military Contingent, which will take over the duties at the turn of November.

(PAP)
source: http://wiadomosci.o2.pl/?s=258&t=406067
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-14-2007, 08:37 AM

Radwar flies with Rheinmetall
by -z.l.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Reprinted from Rzeczpospolita

Warsaw's Radwar and German Rheinmetall Defense will build light UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) for Polish Army.

Rheinmetall has its own design KZO, used by Bundeswehr. Radwar will be adapting German solution to conditions and needs of Polish army. Thanks to the agreement between the two companies there are chances of exporting the UAVs to 20 countries - announce representatives of the Polish-German consortium.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7797&Itemid=46
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-14-2007, 08:41 AM

Three wounded Afghan women fly to Poland
by PAP
Friday, September 14, 2007

Three Afghan women, who have been wounded by Polish soldiers last August, will go to Poland for treatment. They will join the delegation of Ministry of National Defense (MND), returning back from Afghanistan by a governmental airplane. During the flight they will be taken care of by medical personnel.

The unlucky incident involving Polish soldiers took place on August the 16th, 28 kilometers north of Wazi Khwa, Paktika, North East Afghanistan. One of the armored vehicles "Rosomak" had been damaged when it hit an IDE and the Poles had been shelled at. The soldiers responded with fire, which caused civilian casualties.

According to recent unofficial reports there have been eight dead - five in action and three that died later due to wounds. After a pursuit two attackers had been detained. One of them, known as "Puma", is number four on the list of most wanted terrorists in Afghanistan. [Actually - in Paktika, MZ]

In atonement, the families of dead and wounded have been given monetary compensation and - according to local customs - ewes, rams and flour. The compensation was handed over last week.
"According to local Pashto customs one has to offer a compensation to the elders - usually in form of money or animals. Most importantly, it has been accepted, because it means that the apology has been accepted as well" - explains Maj. Wojciech Kaliszczak, a spokesman of Polish Military Contingent (PMC), during interview with PAP.

According to Gen. Marek Tomaszycki, a commander of PMC, the atonement has brought the expected effect and the situation in that region has become mitigated. "Notwithstanding the incident the relations with local population are better than before. We do not encounter IDEs over there, even though it has been already one month since the incident" - evaluated the general.

As part of the compensation, the army has also agreed to cure other persons from that village, who need a treatment. So far - one was chosen. He/she will also come to Poland next Friday. In addition, a boy with a heart defect will be taken care of in Poland by a foundation of one of TV stations. He will also join the governmental delegation on Friday.

Chief of MND, Aleksander Szczygło, stresses that handing the compensation does not prejudge that the soldiers are guilty, but it is meant to assure good relations with local population in the region where Polish soldiers operate. Investigation of the incident is carried by Military Police under supervision of a prosecutor. No charges have been laid so far.

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7805&Itemid=69
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-14-2007, 09:15 AM

Poland promises training of Afghan soldiers
by PAP
Friday, September 14, 2007

Poland promises training and equipment for Afghan soldiers

Aleksander Szczygło, Polish Minister of National Defense, has promised training and equipment for Afghan soldiers and invited Afghans to Warsaw to discuss their needs - states a communique of Afghan Ministry of Defense, published on Friday.

The ministry informs that during the meeting of Szczygło with Rahid Wardak, Afghani Minister of Defense, the political and military situation in the region and in Afghanistan itself has been analyzed. In response to Wardak's request, the visitor from Poland "has promised to analyze problems related to training and equipment for Afghan army."

He has announced - among other things - "sending three training teams for Afghan Army at the beginning of year 2008." Wardak said that his request is a result of his wishes to replace a 1200-strong Polish contingent by Afghan soldiers.

Szczygło has invited Wardak and his team to Poland in order "to discuss the details regarding the needs of Afghan Army." Polish minister has informed last Thursday that he had asked Polish government to extend the mission of Polish contingent for the next year - keeping the number of the soldiers at the current 1200-strong level.

Chief of MND is currently finishing his visit to Afghanistan, during which he has visited the soldiers in Kandahar, Gardez, Sharana, Wazi Khwa, Ghazni and Kabul.

According to a public opinion poll, carried last June by Social Opinion Research Center, 78% of Poles do not support participation of Polish soldiers in NATO mission to Afghanistan - including 48% of Poles who are decisively against the participation.
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7806&Itemid=69
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-14-2007, 11:21 AM

From Krasiczyn to Kosovo

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/4274/krasiczynmalemp3.jpg

On 324th anniversary of Vienna Victory a celebration of farewell to 17th rotation of Polish Military Contingent KFOR, leaving for Kosovo, took place at the yard of Krasiczyn castle - built by Stanisław Krasicki and his son Marcin, at the turn of 17th century.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/9394/krasiczyn2yv3.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4771/krasiczyn1gt7.jpg
At the castle yard, surrounded by arcades, more than 300 soldiers of Polish Ukrainian Battalion of Peace Forces (POLUKRBAT), a part of 21th Podhale Rifles Brigade, were seen off by MPs to Polish Parliament; representatives of General Staff, Operational Command and Landed Forces Command; PodKarpacie voivode Eva Draus; representatives of Podkarpacie uniform services and authorities - headed by Przemyśl President Robert Choma and by families of the soldiers.http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2769/krasiczyn3dq2.jpg
Brig-Gen. Janusz Bronowicz, a commander of 21th Podhale Rifles Brigade, handed over the alpenstock ("ciupaga"), a symbol of brave Podhale highlanders, to Lt-Col. dipl. Zenonowi Brzuszko, a commander of 17th rotation of PMC-KFOR.http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4467/krasiczynduzepe4.jpg
The new PMC-KFOR commander will go to Kosovo with this symbol of Podhale authority. POLUKRBAT will be serving Balkans for the fourth time. They have been to the region of Strpce, Drajkovce, Kacznik and Globocica at the turns of the years: 2000-2001, 2002-2003 and 2005-2006.http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7236/krasiczyn4hs9.jpg
Brig-Gen. Ryszard Jabłoński, a deputy commander of 1st Warsaw Mechanized Division and Rear Admiral Jarosław Zygmunt, Chief of Operational Command Support Center sign a document transferring the control of POLUKRBAT from Land Forces Command to Operational Commandhttp://img513.imageshack.us/img513/2616/krasiczyn6tq6.jpg
source: http://redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7783&Itemid=27
translated MZ

Jocker_89

09-14-2007, 05:08 PM

The Polish Army Day in Ad Diwaniyah

On the 12th of September 2007 in military base Echo in Ad Diwaniyah The Holly Mass and the ceremonial assembly took place on the occasion of The Polish Army Day. The commander of Multinational Division Central South Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk awarded soldiers for their effort and dedication and wished all the best for every soldier served in Iraq.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3140
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3141
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3142

Promptly at 18.00 a large gathered soldiers from Polish Military Contingent assembled in the Chapel of St Juda for The Holly Mass. The Mass was celebrated by military chaplain LTC Sebastian Piekarski. Then the commander of Multinational Division awarded soldiers with the commemorative medals, leaves and the letters of commendation. You should be proud of your effort during your deployment, here in Iraq, in such elaborated political and military situation and hard environment. Your families are proud of you because they know that you are not only serving Iraqi society but also serving your country and whole world security – Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk said.

www.piomndcs.mil.pl

Jocker_89

09-14-2007, 05:10 PM

Ready to action

13 September 36 Iraqis soldiers accomplished another stage of special training, which prepared them to joint operation with MND CS soldiers. Deputy commander of MND CS BG Ireneusz Bartniak, awarded soldiers by certificates and congratulated the high level of skills.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3143
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3144
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3145

Iraqi soldiers of the 1st Battalion from Diwaniyah were trained four weeks by polish instructors from MiTT (Military Transition Team) in camp Delta, Al Kut. The intensive training included the techniques of convoying, escorting and releasing of the hostages. Soldiers were shooting and acting in different conditions and environment in order to prepare to real threats. This period of training prepared Iraqis to join activity with MND CS – stated the chief of training section COL Marek Maj. The next stage of the education of this platoon will be conducting the common tusks with soldiers of MND CS. On the end of all preparations the Iraqi platoon will achieve full compatibility to operation with MND CS troops.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3146
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3147

www.piomndcs.mil.pl

Mastermind

09-14-2007, 05:34 PM

I'll just be able to contribute this about my experience with a Polish Soldier. My Sergeant in Germany in 1965, I remember his name as Kowalski (the spelling is no doubt wrong...my memory is a bit saggy after these last 40 years)...was a volunteer soldier in the Polish Army (as they all were then) when the Germans invaded. He fought against the Germans and was ultimately taken prisoner when Poland quit fighting. He was marched to a concentration camp and very narrowly avoided extermination because one of the Germans came out and asked in Russian if any of the POW's spoke Russian...Kowalski’s mother was part Russian and had taught the language to him as a child...he replied that he did and was separated from the group to act as an interpreter...the rest of his group were killed.

He was ultimately assigned duty to serve on the front between Russia and Germany. When hostilities began with Russia, he made it all the way to outskirts of Moscow ...where he was eventually captured by the Russians…who he said saved him from freezing to death...by then he had learned German fluently...and was again used by the Russians for his Polish/Russian/German language skills...A short time later, he was recaptured by the Germans, and he pretended to be a Russian who spoke German...again he was saved for his language skills and ultimately enlisted in the German army and was assigned with other volunteer “Russians” to the Atlantic wall...where, you guessed it, he was captured by the Americans shortly after D-Day...and was later used working close with American forces and intelligence gathering information from captured Germans. He was later allowed to enlist in the American Army kind of as a reward for his outstanding service....He had served in several areas after that, including Korea, where he was finally wounded...he recovered from his wounds and was reassigned to Germany. When I was assigned to him, in A troop, 2nd Sqdron, 2nd Cav (Airborne), he was an E-5 in charge of a ground surveillance radar truck...I was his only subordinate...and we became the best of friends. His only problem was a rather casual regard for officers and a deep love of German white wine. Every time he would gain a stripe he would lose it in a bar fight or a disrespect of some kind to a fresh faced second looey. I know he was very near full retirement and dreamed of living in a house boat on the Rhine…I don’t know if that dream ever came true for him.

He was a super great friend, a very smart and kind man, a fantastic instructor, and really, one of the best soldiers I ever knew. I’ll never forget him.

Switek

09-14-2007, 05:51 PM

Mastermind, thank you for contribution to this thread with a great story which is, no doubt, a certain truth. You did not make a mistake. Kowalski is a literaly the most popular Polish second name.

:)

Venom PL

09-14-2007, 05:54 PM

Mastermind thx for sharing this story with us - It was really interesting.

Btw: The spelling is no doubt correct. :)
Btw2: Switek was faster :-)

daily666

09-14-2007, 05:56 PM

Switek

09-14-2007, 06:09 PM

What a fantastic story, thanks for sharing it Mastermind. Kinda reminds me of the movie Europa, Europa by Agnieszka Holland. Except the main character there was a Polish Jew that after several different armies landed in Hitlerjugend camp in IIIrd Reich.

This story is worth to make a movie about as well. Mastermaid could you make some research and enlight some details about Sergeant Kowalski? I'd like to make this public in Poland and US. He's worth to not be forgotten.

Mishka Zubov

09-14-2007, 09:56 PM

Polish delicacies in the desert!

Mothokan 12.09.2007

Polish soldiers stationing in Afghanistan definitely prefer Polish food than American SKs (meals ready to eat, MRE). During patrol the most popular item is soup. The recipe for such soup is as follows: two big cans of bean soup, two cans of tomato soup, one can of meatballs and one can of peckled meat. Add to it six cloves of garlic, pepper and salt to taste. Heat and serve. For those interested: the above proportions suffice as the first dish for half of the battle patrol.

Photos: Wojtek Wilczynski/ FORUM

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5852/wiwo12090702vv5.jpg

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4296/wiwo12090701gz3.jpg

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3739/wiwo12090703og3.jpg
Loading cans to hummershttp://img511.imageshack.us/img511/7900/wiwo12090704jc1.jpg

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6836/wiwo12090705jp7.jpg
Soup preparationhttp://img511.imageshack.us/img511/9467/wiwo12090706ub4.jpg
A hole in a ground and a solid fuel burner substitute for a stovehttp://img480.imageshack.us/img480/8117/wiwo12090707po9.jpg
Cooking inside a hummer during a sand-storm

Mishka Zubov

09-14-2007, 10:55 PM

Aid to not-so-friendly village
Delivery of humanitarian aid to Monari village, Paktika, Afghanistan. Polish soldiers brought several tones of food, household appliances, toys and school utensils. The village is thought to favor Taliban and hence the elders reluctantly welcomed Poles at first.

Photos: Wojtek Wilczynski/ FORUM

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/9748/wiwo0609071gw1.jpg
A girl with bowl on her headhttp://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8052/wiwo06090715rg4.jpg
Young Afghan with Koran.http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2371/wiwo06090717er2.jpg

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/9870/wiwo06090719ls2.jpg
Children waiting for gifts to be unloaded.http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/9798/wiwo06090721ze0.jpg
Young Afghan with bundle of Koran books.http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/3514/wiwo0609073rn7.jpg

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/3407/wiwo0609074bf7.jpg
Polish soldiers register the elders.http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/1047/wiwo0609076pt1.jpg

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/7789/wiwo0609078si9.jpg
One of the village elders.

Mishka Zubov

09-14-2007, 11:33 PM

To serve the locals

Monurkhen 08.08.2007

Photos: Wojtek Wilczynski/ FORUM

A successive day of an allied operation, lasting several days - a humanitarian aid to the poorest Afghans. Polish and American soldiers deliver food, farming tools and simple household items. The operation aims to befriending local population and to turn them off from cooperation with Taliban.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7752/wiwo0809071oo8.jpg
An American soldier gives toys to kidshttp://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2811/wiwo0809072cz9.jpg
Soldiers hand over radios to Afghanshttp://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3143/wiwo0809073sq5.jpg
A Polish doctor dresses a wound of an Afghanhttp://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3224/wiwo0809074ee6.jpg
A Polish doctor dresses a wound of an Afghanhttp://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9814/wiwo0809075at7.jpg
A Polish soldier takes care of order in the villagehttp://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4096/wiwo0809076jm3.jpg
Old Afghan goes home with giftshttp://img77.imageshack.us/img77/8680/wiwo0809077vf2.jpg
Young Afghan runs home with giftshttp://img77.imageshack.us/img77/1281/wiwo0809078wi3.jpg
An American soldier scatters the gifts to the childrenhttp://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8522/wiwo0809079ae0.jpg
A Polish soldier looks after the order in the village

Mishka Zubov

09-16-2007, 04:46 AM

A convoy with supplies from Sharan to Khoshamand[1]
Khoshamand, 2007-08-06

Photos: Wojtek Wilczynski/ FORUM

A convoy crosses the region where Taliban have big influence. The supplies are being ferried by Afghans who risk their lives for this kind of job. The vehicles are being escorted by Polish and American units. A special sapper unit moves in front of the convoy, de-mining the track. Most of the bridges on this track have been blown up. The most difficult part of the road is near the Khoshamand base - following a dry lake bed. Here the vehicles move atop of a several-meters-deep layer of dust.http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8764/wiwo06090710ij7.jpg

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9972/wiwo0609073fa1.jpg
A local driver has been shelled at during the previous convoy. A bullet missed his head by several centimetershttp://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1584/wiwo0609072jf7.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1267/wiwo0609078gk2.jpg
A convoy waiting until the sappers de-mine the roadhttp://img257.imageshack.us/img257/711/wiwo0609074jd5.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/998/wiwo0609075qm9.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6261/wiwo0609076st7.jpg
The last part of the route to Khoshamand. The vehicles wade in clouds of dusthttp://img517.imageshack.us/img517/773/pbgmapwd5.jpg
A cutout of a map showing parts of Ghazni, Paktia and Paktika provinces of South-Eastern Afghanistan. Polish soldiers reside in the following bases, shown on this map: Gardez (Paktia), Ghazni (Ghazni), Sharan (Paktika), Waza Khwa (Paktika). To identify Khoshamand follow the main track from Sharan in South-Western direction: Yusuf Khot, Khair Kot, Jani Khel, Khoshamand. From there there is a track leading South towards Waza Khwa (Wazi-Khwa).[1]Alternate spellings of Khoshamand: Khosamand, Khvosh Āmad, Khvosh Amad, Khus Amad, Khvosh Mand, Khus̄ Āmad, Khos̄āmanḏ, Khus̄āmand, Khvoshāmand, Khushamand, Khusamand

Mishka Zubov

09-16-2007, 06:34 AM

Category: black humor

I do not follow Polish domestic politics - I hardly know names, faces, relationships - a so-called "system". But I read news and one name that appears in military-related news has been catching my attention for the last two months: prof. dr. hab. Stanislaw Koziej, a retired general and a darling "expert" of Polish media.

In his recent interview with "Fakt", summarized in "Dziennik" under the title "The third world war will begin next year", he presents his bleak scenario for our near future. I do not know what to make out of him. A disgruntled politician or just a disgruntled military man? A cheap fame seeker? A saboteur of the current regime, or any regime for that matter?

source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=60392

I hope some of you, who understand Polish reality, will enlighten me here.

In meantime, here is what some of the readers of that article think about him:

- Sister, quickly, a bottle of oxygen for that man!
- We urgently need a psychiatrist here
- Not again! A Mother of God revelation?
- A new Messiah appearing before the end of the world!
- Spunky idiot.
- What does he smoke? He needs to change his dealer.
- Why does the media promote such a jester?

I usually avoid reading readers' comments to Polish articles because many are nonsensical and argumentative - with no value whatsoever. But in this case most of the expressed opinions have been almost unanimous and to the point - the man is an idiot.

The sad thing is that the man has apparently many credentials, including high posts he used to hold in Polish Army. And he is not shy in expressing his nonsensical views. Unfortunately, in English as well. So consider yourself warned!

Mishka Zubov

09-16-2007, 01:25 PM

Emblem of Good Will and a personal travel in time. I share this personal story in a separate thread:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2766533#post2766533

Mishka Zubov

09-16-2007, 11:46 PM

The second rotation of soldiers to Afghanistan is better equipped

The second rotation of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan (PMC-A) will have some equipment that was badly missing during the first rotation - helicopters and automatic grenade launchers.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5749/img500xd1.jpg
Polish and American soldiers during the media day presentation - a finale of the exercise "Bagram II" in Wędrzyn. The aim of exercise was a preparation of the second rotation of Polish Military Contingent to its mission in Afghanistan. Photo: PAP/Lech MuszyńskiChief of Ministry of National Defense (MND), Aleksander Szczygło and Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak, a commander of Land Forces, were inspecting new equipment and new uniforms at the Wędrzyn training grounds last Saturday. "The army is well prepared for the mission. Equipment of our soldiers is as good as in other armies" - believes Gen. Skrzypczak.

The soldiers will be equipped with modified Beryl rifle that has additional rails for mounting all sort of devices - night vision device, flashlight and laser pointers. They will also receive the 12.7 mm sniper rifles "Tor".

Four helicopters MI-17 - with stronger engines - will be sent to Afghanistan at the turn of the next year.

The soldiers will also get some 40 mm M-19 automatic grenade launchers. Our army has obtained them from Israel for free. According to unofficial PAP information - Polish army has already 20 such launchers and it will receive 20 similar launchers in the next few weeks. In addition, they will also receive 5000 rounds of ammunition for the launchers. Some launchers will be sent to Iraq.

Gen. Skrzypczak was delighted. "This is the first time when our Land Forces will have access to the 40 mm caliber grenade launcher, which shoots in series. Polish industry could not handle the design. I am sorry that our industry was not able to deliver the launcher - in spite of a long time, many years of work, spent on it."

The army will have new uniforms. Tests of the prototype specimens are slowly coming to end. Assuming that they pass those tests - a procurement procedure will be significantly simplified and that means that the soldiers of the second rotation might be able to test them on the battle field in Afghanistan. And they will definitely obtain new winter down suits.

In the opinion of Minister of Defense - the most important is the fact that we have been able to reach a stage where soldiers themselves decide on the choice of equipment and that the industry has been motivated to quickly respond to the army needs.

Minister Szczygło has announced that the procedures regarding equipment procurement - especially for the soldiers on missions abroad - will be even more simplified in October.
source: TVP Wiadomości, http://tvp.pl/120,20070915560907.strona
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-17-2007, 06:50 AM

According to Gazeta:
"Goals and priorities of the mission remain the same" - says Lt-Col Sławomir Cieślewicz from Operational Command. "We will be still subordinate to American command of 82nd Division and our soldiers will be patrolling and training the Afghan army."

The only change is that more soldiers will be deployed in OMLT teams. Instead of one such team, which currently resides in Gardez base, there will be three such teams - beginning of early October[1].

Polish bases remain the same: Gardez, Ghazni, Szaran i Wazi-Kwa - with the exception of Mazar-e-Szarif, Northern Aghanistan[2]. A group of dozen or so officers will be withdrawn from there.
source: http://www.gazetawyborcza.pl/1,76842,4493127.html
translated by MZ

[1] Minister Szczygło has responded very quickly to Wardak's (chief of Afghani MoD) request.
[2] Swedish PRT

Mishka Zubov

09-17-2007, 07:44 AM

Here is a little gem - an excerpt from a blog of an American OMLT soldier. A Polish soldier whom he is referring to must have been a part of Polish OMLT team, deployed in Gardez, Paktia early last Spring. Apparently, not all Polish OMLT soldiers spoke English. :-)

Thursday, May 2, 2007
(...)
My I can't believe this happened to me this week item:

A Polish Soldier and I were evaluating the ANA (Afghan National Army). He didn't speak English and I had no idea what he was trying to convey. We however did find an equalizer. I looked at him and asked him a question in "Dari" the national language of Afghanistan. He looked at me started laughing and then answered my question in Dari no less. We went back and forth in our broken Dari, did our evaluation and went about our seperate ways. That was way too crazy to believe but it happened.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=104216243&blogID=250389153

Switek

09-18-2007, 04:55 AM

Triplets: Karol, Wojciech i Marek Czerpak serve as a conscripts all toghether in the army in engineering unit. They became the most famous soldiers in Poland.

http://img.interia.pl/wiadomosci/nimg/Trojaczki_wojsku_1956485.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/wiadomosci/nimg/Trojaczki_wojsku_1956483.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/wiadomosci/nimg/Trojaczki_wojsku_1956477.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/wiadomosci/nimg/Trojaczki_wojsku_1956493.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/wiadomosci/nimg/Trojaczki_wojsku_1956470.jpg

all photos by: Stanisław Rozpędzik /Agencja SE/East News

Jocker_89

09-18-2007, 06:02 AM

^^ Nice post Switek :)

wholagun

09-18-2007, 12:42 PM

AgustaWestland To Market NHIndustries NH90 In Poland
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that, together with other NHIndustries shareholders Eurocopter and Stork Fokker, it has been agreed that AgustaWestland will lead the NH90 marketing campaign for the upcoming Polish Tactical Transport Helicopter requirement. The NH90 has established itself as the NATO standard helicopter of the 21st century. Designed by NATO for NATO it is making a significant contribution towards interoperability between European Armed Forces and their overseas allies for NATO and UN missions. Additionally it contributes to fleet standardisation and rationalisation in terms of training and logistics.
The NH90 has a composite crashworthy fuselage with a constant cross-section cabin capable of accommodating up to 20 equipped troops. Power is supplied by two General Electric/Fiat Avio GET700/T6E1 or two Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RRTM322-01/9 turboshaft engines giving the aircraft excellent performance in all operating conditions. All the main vital systems are multiple redundant including the first ever full Fly-By-Wire flight control system on a helicopter. A comprehensive list of role change equipment suitable for the main and complementary missions is available enabling the NH90 to perform many operations including troop transport, casualty evacuation, logistic support and Combat Search And Rescue.
Beyond the outstanding capabilities of the NH90, this European solution will also be highly beneficial to Polish Industry due to the already existing wide cooperative experience of NHIndustries Partner Companies in Poland. AgustaWestland has developed strong industrial links with PZL-Swidnik since 1996 in the manufacture of various AgustaWestland products. The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 helicopter programme, provided by NHIndustries owned by AgustaWestland, Eurocopter and Stork Fokker, is the largest ever launched in Europe, with firm orders now reaching 495 units to equip and modernize the Armed Forces of France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Spain and Belgium in Europe as well as Oman, Australia and New-Zealand overseas. Final negotiation steps are yet under process with several other Defence Forces to secure contracts concerning additional NH90, both in the Tactical Transport and Naval versions.
http://www.shephard.co.uk/Rotorhub/IndustryNews.aspx?Action=745115149&ID=3c30fd27-7df1-4285-8ce9-7681298aa188

I still have mixed feeling about which helicopter I would like to see in the Polish armed forces (EH 101 or NH90). Both have their advantages over the other. However, I am certain that the Black Hawk would be a mistake as it is an aging platform, although battle tested. One problem with the EH 101 is it's size, it's a massive plane which means it is easily visible and a bigger target. The NH90 is sleek and small with 2 engines. I think that the 3 engines of the Merlin is overkill. I would choose the Merlin for SAR and anti submarine missions for the navy. I think the NH90 is a good choice b/c of the cross integration of equipment across Europe with other allies. also I'd love to see gatling guns as support weapons on both door ports but that is unlikely to happen - however one can only dream.
when the hell is the tender for a new helocopter going to start? It seems like it's taking forever for them to pick a new helo for the army, what is the hold up?

http://www.lebourget2007.finmeccanica.it/EN/Common/images/Exhibitions/Le_Bourget_2007/Helicopters/AgustaW_NH90_m.jpg

As for long distance and heavy lifting capability goes the there is the Chinook, and the potential Eurocopter HTH (pic below).
http://flug-revue.rotor.com/FRTypen/Fotos/eurocopt/HTHArt2.JPG

Mishka Zubov

09-18-2007, 01:13 PM

wholagun

09-18-2007, 01:20 PM

Interesting, thanks for posting that. I have too little technical knowledge about advantages and disadvantages of those helicopters, but I must say that a bit of competition in this field will not harm the Polish industry.

Świdnik, Świdnik! Mielec, Mielec!

Swidnik and Mielec don't make a medium transport helo such as the EH101, or NH90. We need to replace the aging Mi17 in the Polish army.

Mishka Zubov

09-18-2007, 01:47 PM

Mishka Zubov

09-18-2007, 02:30 PM

Poland, Sweden begin joint naval manoeuvres on Baltic

Warsaw - Polish and Swedish Naval training manoeuvres began Tuesday on the Baltic Sea aimed at practising search and rescue procedures for maritime rescues of distressed underwater vessels, Poland's PAP news agency reported. The three-day exercises focused on the evacuation of submarine crews under a 2002 agreement between the Polish and Swedish governments to ensure the safety of submarine vessels in the Baltic.

Poland's ORP Lech naval vessel and the ORP Kondor submarine and as well as divers and Sweden's search and rescue vessel HSwMS Belos and a URF state-of-the-art underwater rescue vessel will take part in the exercises.
source: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/109688.html

Mishka Zubov

09-18-2007, 02:36 PM

Little Jannat returns to Iraq from Poland

Created: Tuesday, September 18. 2007

Jannat, the little Iraqi girl with a heart deformity whose life has been saved by Polish doctors, has returned, with her father and grandfather to her home in Baghdad.

The girl will return to Poland in a couple of years when she will have to undergo another medical procedure.

Jannat’s treatment was made possible this year thanks to the help of Polish soldiers from the 11th Lubuskie Armoured Cavalry Division in Zagan, southwest Poland who are in Iraq as part of the coalition forces mission there.

The girl’s grandfather worked as an interpreter in Iraq and told the Polish soldiers stationed there about his grand-daughter’s predicament. They decided to help.

The army organized transport, while the 10,000 dollar by-pass operation was funded with donations.

Until the very last moment of their stay in Poland, Basim, the girl’s grandfather, kept wondering whether they should apply for refugee status.

Eventually, however, he decided to go back to Baghdad, particularly that Jannat’s mother is waiting there for their return.

Jannat will return to Poland when she is five when she has to get another bypass in order to continue to live normally.
source: http://www.thenews.pl/archives/1235-Little-Jannat-returns-to-Iraq-from-Poland.html

Mishka Zubov

09-18-2007, 03:38 PM

Language gap holding back efforts to train Afghan army
The Associated Press

BRUSSELS, Belgium: NATO should urgently step up the teaching of English to Afghan army officers so they can work alongside international forces there, the general coordinating allied training efforts said Monday.

"The biggest problem that we meet is language skills," said Brig. Gen. Ryszard Wisniewski. "The Afghan National Army has a lot of needs starting with the basic language skills to get more and better relationships and communication between allies and Afghans."

Wisniewski said the language problem was an obstacle to efforts to forge an efficient Afghan force which NATO commanders hope will eventually be able to replace some of the 40,000 troops deployed under the alliance's stabilization mission.

"Looking at the education of the Afghans ... the efforts should be bigger than we can provide at this time," the Polish officer told reporters at NATO headquarters through a video link from Kabul.

"We should start to develop a base for the institutional training and it is not so easy, because there is a lack of adequate teachers, trainers," he said.

A shortage of English-speaking candidates was delaying plans to post 65 Afghan officers to liaise with NATO forces in the Afghan capital and major regional commands, Wisniewski said, adding that the problem was compounded by the fact that some officers are illiterate in their own languages.

Wisniewski said he had also requested language teachers for Afghan military pilots, but had yet to receive a reply from NATO headquarters.

NATO commanders see the drive to train Afghan soldiers and police as key to an eventual exit strategy for international troops there.

Last week, the commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan said training efforts for the Afghan army were on course to produce an effective fighting force of 70,000 by the end of next year, but he declined to say if that would allow NATO to reduce troop levels.

Despite signs of progress as vanguard Afghan units join the fight against the Taliban alongside international troops, analysts and western officials think it could be five to 10 years before they can stand alone without U.S. and NATO support.

The training effort is being led by the United States, but NATO allies are offering support, notably through embedded teams of instructors to work with Afghan units. NATO allies are also providing the Afghan forces with weaponry. Donations under way include mortars from Bulgaria, helicopters from the Czech Republic and rocket propelled grenades from Latvia.

Much of the equipment is from former Warsaw Pact countries who are discarding Soviet- era kit as they modernize their forces. Although the Afghan forces would like eventually to have more modern NATO equipment themselves, they can't afford to be choosy.

"They need everything," Wisniewski said.
source: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/17/europe/EU-GEN-NATO-Afghanistan.php

Mishka Zubov

09-18-2007, 06:54 PM

More about joint Swedish-Polish exercise

Exercise "Crown Eagle 2007"
by Piotr Adamczak
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/9355/orpkondor1gq3.jpg

The main aim of the Polish-Swedish exercise „Crown Eagle 2007” is search for a damaged submarine and rescue its crew. Units of both countries will train crew evacuation procedure, rescue techniques, providing technical and medical aid and using submarine vehicles in rescue operations.

The sea phase of the exercise began today (September 18) and will last three days. The exercise takes place in Gdansk Bay waters. For this exercise Polish Navy provided the rescue vessel ORP „Lech”, submarine ORP „Kondor” and teams of divers and medical protection.

Swedes provided the rescue vessel HSwMS „Belos” and URF - a miniature submarine for dry evacuation of crews from submerged submarines. The latter is one of the world's most modern rescue submarine vehicles.

The exercise scenario anticipates all elements of an actual rescue operation. ORP „Lech” and HSwMS „Belos” will handle search operation of a submarine stuck at the sea bed. The divers and the remotely controlled submerged vehicle, lowered from the deck of the ORP „Lech”, will attempt to identify damages of the submarine and the rescue vessels will deliver on the deck of the submarine the life support means.

ORP „Lech” will deliver drinking water and air regeneration means and Swedish „Belos” will handle ventilation of the damaged unit and delivery of compressed air to its ballast tanks - to allow it to surface on its own.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/4663/belos2mr3.jpg

The most important part of the exercise will be "dry" evacuation of the crew of the submarine. The Swedish miniature submarine URF will dock at the hull of submerged ORP „Kondor”. The procedures of crew transfer on board of URF and from there - on board of the rescue vessel will be exercised.

The exercise will be obeserved by William Orr, chief of ISMERLO (International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office; Lt-Com. Per Hondeguard, a Norwegian coordinator for rescue of submarine crews; and representatives of Italian rescue services Lt-Com. Bruno Rocca and Antonio Di Caro.

In February 2002 the governments of Poland and Sweden signed an agreement about ensuring safety for Swedish and Polish submarines. The exercise „Crown Eagle 2007” is a successive execution stage of this agreement.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/200/orplech3gp1.jpg

ORP „Lech” is a universal rescue vessel of the highest sea bravery, designed for sea rescue in any hydro-meteorologic conditions. It is capable of carrying underwater work to the depth of 60 meters, or even 100-120 meters - when using special breathing mixtures. It can aid submerged submarines and raise objects weighing up to seven tones. The vessel executes rescue tasks - including search and evacuation of shipwrecked persons. It is able to provide aid to other boats and vessels - fighting leaks, water system malfunctions, towing, pulling ships of shallows, firefighting and carrying medical help - either alone or in cooperation with other sea or aircraft units.

It uses for such tasks his remotely controlled submarine vehicles. It is equipped with the most modern navigation systems, satellite and underwater communication systems, dynamic positioning systems and specialized systems and equipment for sea rescue operations, such as: lift equipment, rescue boats, decompression chamber, underwater TV system, sickbay, equipment for underwater work.

Photos: Lt-Com. Piotr Adamczak
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7923&Itemid=48
translated by MZ

wholagun

09-18-2007, 07:46 PM

I do not understand. Didn't your article imply that AugustaWestland wants to manufacture NH90 in Świdnik?
Didn't Sikorsky announce its future production of Black Hawks in Mielec? See some posts back in this thread.

what I meant in my previous post was that Swidnik and Mielec don't make a 100% Polish medium helicopter. The NH90 and EH101 aren't Polish helicopters, but could be produced in Poland if they are selected.

Jocker_89

09-19-2007, 05:47 AM

Electricity and water for Iraqis

18 September 2007 the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) group handed over society three projects in Qadisiyah province. Thanks the latest investments three thousands citizens of the province will have access to pure water and the electricity.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3152
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3154

The CIMIC group from Multinational Division Central South in cooperation with local authorities checked and handed three following project. The first of them, the electric feeder station in Al-Shamiyah, $ 350 thousand worth. The two others projects are the water treatment stations in Haji Shbara and Al-Samiyah, with total cost more than $ 320 thousand. These projects are very important for the populace living in this area, thanks to them the pure water and electricity will reach the houses of citizens. Conducting such projects we closely cooperate with sheiks and local authorities in order to provide our help for the most needed people. – stated commander of CIMIC group LTC Tomasz Wolszczak. The projects conducting by CIMIC in different towns of the province improve the life conditions of the inhabitants.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3153
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3155
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3156

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

Mishka Zubov

09-19-2007, 10:19 AM

Successful operation in Iraq
by Wlodzimierz Glogowski
September 19, 2007

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2198/akcja1ef5.jpg
Last night Polish soldiers detained seven persons suspected of carrying terrorist operations in Qasadiyah province, Iraq. American and Iraqi soldiers also participated in that operation. The detainees are currently under investigation.

The operation „Bowstring” took place in Afak, 35 kilometers east of Diwaniyah. All detainees are suspected of attacking coalition forces with IDEs and of mortar shelling of the Camp Echo.

"Today's operation is a part of a broader set of actions aiming to pin-point the leaders of terrorist organizations operating in our zone of responsibility. Our active combined air-ground operation bring anticipated results - increased security of the province and decreased number of attacks on civilian population and coalition forces" - said Maj-Gen. Tadeusz Buk, a commander of Multinational Division Center-South.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1667/akcja2gd9.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3503/akcja3sc0.jpg

This was one of the successive actions planned and executed by Polish soldiers against terrorist groups. There were no casualties among soldiers nor among detainees during last night operation. As a result of patrolling and reconnaissance activities of MND-CS units the number of attacks on coalition forces has decreased ten-fold in the last two months.

Photos: Gabriel Reza

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7968&Itemid=29
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-19-2007, 12:06 PM

Polish aid
by Wojciech Majeran
Wednesday, September 19, 2007

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5539/1110jb5.jpg

"In the name of the governor I'd like to thank Polish Battle Group for its great involvement and help. Its activity is visible all over the province, especially in Koshamand district, where they have run one of the greatest humanitarian aid" - said Mahmed Malik, standing in for the governor of Paktika province, during the meeting between district chiefs, soldiers of Polish Battle Group and Provincial Reconstruction Team.

The meeting, which took place at the governor seat in Sharan, was devoted to current problems of the province and to Ramadan. One of most important subjects was status report regarding building roads, which are to connect most important towns. There is some problem due to Ramadan fast, when workers have shorter work days. "This will cause big delays, and in some cases cutting the work because of approaching winter" - said Harim Thurik, who is responsible for provincial implementation of the Afghanistan reconstruction plan.

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/2868/1111tx0.jpg

"Approaching winter is also a yearly agony for the poorest" - added Shadey Khan, a director of social aid. Firewood and sporadically fuel oil or natural gas are the only sources of heat. The last two are accessible only to more wealthy Afghans. "Winters in this part of the country are severe. Big snow falls and low temperatures cause high degree of mortality among the poorest. Often the entire families become victims" - explained Khan, asking for help the district chiefs and the coalition forces.

"Polish Battle Group has already helped the poorest" - said Maj. Wieslaw Sarnowski from CIMIC team. During the three-days operation in Koshamand district the most needy have received blankets, clothes, shoes for children and adults, flour, cooking oil, cereal and beans. Most aid was given to inhabitants of Nagar Khel, for whom the winter time is a specially hard period.

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/7774/1112tg8.jpg

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/453/1113au0.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2473/1114kj1.jpg

Many warm words have been addressed towards Maj. Pawel Wojcik, a chaplain of PBG, who was a coordinator of an aid organized by Caritas Poland. About two tones of medicaments have been distributed to a local hospital, which is under patronage of International Medical Corps.

"The most important things for us were the means allowing for handling medical treatment" - stressed dr. Zamil Rasid, a deputy director of health department. The aid offered by Polish soldiers will help with functioning of the hospital for several months.

Polish soldiers also distributed schools kits, sent by Command of Land Forces, for the children of the province. "In one thousand of school knapsacks there are exercise books, pencils, utensils for teaching geometry, and - first ever for many kids - pencil-cases" - said Capt. Tomasz Kowal, a chied of CIMIC section.

During the meeting the soldiers from Polish Battle Group presented also two new projects, which will be executed in the near future. One of them is delivery of ten tents for the school in Khayar Kot. "Until now about 600 students of this school have been often taught under the open skies" - explained Capt. Jerzy Cecotka. "The second enterprise will be reconstruction of the village well, which has been destroyed by Taliban several weeks ago" - added capt. Cecotka.

At the end of the meeting Polish soldiers have been thanked again for the great aid provided for the people of Paktika, and for the local authorities.

Photos: Wojciech Majeran

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7928&Itemid=29
Translated by MZ

wholagun

09-19-2007, 07:42 PM

hopefully not a repost

I don't know how to inbed videos so here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT9V2XIpyVM&eurl=

that must've hurt! i'd be pissed too

Mishka Zubov

09-19-2007, 09:20 PM

U.S., Polish Enhance Interoperability During Exercise
Release Date: Sep 14, 2007
Immediate Response Public Affairs

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8338/filepg1.jpg

WENDRZYN, Poland – Lt. Col. Sean Mulcahey (left), Deputy Exercise Director, Immediate Response 07 / Bagram II coordinates with U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Warren L. McCray (center), Joint Terminal Attack Controller and Polish Captain Armin Piatkowski, for close air support provided by F-16 aircraft inbound from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany during U.S. – Polish military training here, Sept. 13, 2007. (Photo by Spec. Jerry L. Wilson, IR 07 Photo-Journalist)WENDRZYN, Poland – Nearly 300 soldiers from various U.S. military communities in Germany and Italy and citizen-soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard's Task Force 1/178th Infantry, coupled with airmen from the 169th Expeditionary Air Support Squadron from the Illinois Air National Guard are heavily engaged in exercise Immediate Response 07.

Immediate Response 07 is a United States Army, Europe exercise held in conjunction with the Polish-led Military Readiness Exercise called Bagram II, which is currently underway at the Wendrzyn Training Area in Poland.

“The primary objective of this training event is to improve coalition interoperability by building on experiences from working together in Iraq and Afghanistan and previous exercises," said Lt. Col. Sean Mulcahey, Deputy Exercise Director, from the USAREUR operations exercise division, who is serving under the Polish Exercise Director, Brig. Gen. Andrzej Knap of the Polish 2nd Mechanized Corps.

Mulcahey added that USAREUR plays a key role in the U.S. European Command Theater Security Cooperation program by participating in numerous multinational and bilateral exercises such as Bagram II.

"This training event provides USAREUR soldiers a unique opportunity to ensure that all our theater forces are able to meet current and emerging security threats,” he said. “We are at the forefront of building strong coalitions by enhancing interoperability and building long-lasting military relationships with our new and established NATO allies, such as Poland.”

U.S. Embassy, Warsaw
source: http://www.eucom.mil/english/News/main.asp?Yr=2007

Mishka Zubov

09-19-2007, 09:30 PM

U.S. Army Europe observer/controller team brings the latest training doctrine to Poland exercise

Release Date: Sep 19, 2007
Army Spc. Jerry Wilson
7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command Public Affairs Office

WEDRZYN TRAINING AREA, Poland - The "Grizzlies" observer/controller team from U.S. Army Europe's (USAREUR) Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany added some realism and a wealth of firsthand knowledge of the latest Army training doctrine to exercise Immediate Response 07 here Sept. 18, 2007.

The "Grizzlies" were part of the 300 USAREUR Soldiers from Germany and Italy who took part in the exercise to help prepare Polish troops and soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard's Task Force 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry for their joint deployment to Afghanistan later this year.

The "Grizzlies" role involved conducting situational training exercises and offering instruction in techniques, tactics and procedures. It's a mission in which the team has plenty of experience.

"JMRC deployed the same capabilities we offer at Hohenfels," - said Army Maj. William Duvall, the team's deputy senior task force trainer. "We came down here to observe a wonderful unit - the 178th from Illinois - as well as an outstanding Polish unit."

Duvall said the "Grizzlies" observed the units during all phases of their troop-leading procedures and other assigned tasks during the exercise and evaluated what they saw.

"We then provided them feedback, so they can better understand what they did, how they did it, and most importantly -- how they can do it better," the major said. "All of this is doctrinally based."

That doctrinal base is linked to the observer/controllers' expertise on the Army's most recent tactics and techniques, as well as threats being faced by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each member of the "Grizzly" team is a combat-experienced senior NCO, and the team deploys 'downrange' regularly to keep the knowledge they offer units fresh and up-to-date.

Duvall said exercises like Immediate Response are a vital part of keeping both U.S. and coalition forces prepared for their missions.

"More and more we are finding ourselves fighting alongside our coalition allies, and what's really important about exercises like this is we get the opportunity to understand our allies" - he said.

"So when we are executing operations 'downrange' we better understand our coalition partners' capabilities and limitations."

Duvall said the language barrier was the biggest challenge the team faced during the exercise, but said that challenge also provided a great opportunity to work with interpreters.

Team member Army Sgt. 1st Class Steven Dewitt said working with the Polish Soldiers was a dynamic experience.

"I didn't know what to expect from them at first" - DeWitt said. "But as they advanced in their missions they became more impressive in their abilities to adapt and overcome obstacles."

"They really are a force that is eager to learn and always improve on their abilities to complete any mission given them" - he said. "It has truly been an honor to work alongside them."
source: http://www.eucom.mil/english/News/main.asp?Yr=2007

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6799/filewx7.jpg
GORZOW WIELKOPOSKI, Poland — Polish and U.S. Soldiers begin initial coordination for the conduct of Bagram II (Immediate Response 07) at the Wendrzyn Training Area here Sep. 9, 2007. The week long Polish-led military exercise runs Sep. 9 - 16 and is designed to build on interoperability skills from previous experiences as well as develop new and stronger bonds of friendship. (File Photo)

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5271/filewj1.jpg
GORZOW WIELKOPOLSKI, Poland — U.S. Army Lt. Adam Cole, Task Force 1/178th Infantry and Lt. Marcim Wilga, Polish Battle Group, talk to Soldiers during Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training at the Wendrzyn Training Area here. U.S. Soldiers from Germany, Italy and the Illinois Army National Guard are integrated into the Polish Mission Readiness Exercise (MRE) called Bagram II. The Polish-led exercise provides a unique opportunity to train as friends and allies while continuing to build on the successes and lessons learned of previous combined exercises such as Immediate Response and Victory Strike. (Department of Defense photo by Corporal Miroslaw Antosz, Polish Army Public Information Office)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/8194/fileyk0.jpg
GORZOW WIELKOPOLSKI, Poland — A Polish “Wolverine” provides support to U.S. Soldiers from Task Force 1-178th Infantry at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) site at the Wendrzyn Training Area here during Immediate Response/Bagram II. The Polish-led exercise joins U.S. Soldiers from Germany and Italy as well as Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard and is designed to build on interoperability skills as well as develop new and stronger bonds of friendship. (Department of Defese photo by Max Blumenfeld)

Mishka Zubov

09-19-2007, 10:59 PM

We have been so focused on Land Forces - because of Iraq and Afghanistan - that we have missed the fact that Polish Navy was making some progress too. Some of you may know that one or two Polish Navy warships are currently part of NATO Response Force, NRF but - Did you know about Poland joining STRIKFORNATO? Old news but good one.

Poland Becomes the 10 th Nation to Join STRIKFORNATO

03 July 2007, Naples, Italy - Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) welcomed its first naval officer from Poland during an official ceremony that was held on 03 July 2007 in the NATO Community Conference Center Ballroom, Naples, Italy.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1145/0002zc5.jpg

During the ceremony, STRIKFORNATO’s first Polish Navy officer, Commander Slawomir Stasiak presented the Polish Flag to Rear Admiral Buenaventura Lopez, Spanish Navy, Chief of Staff, STRIKFORNATO. As the flag was put on display with the flags of the other nine nations that make up STRIKFORNATO, the Polish national anthem was played.

After the anthem, Rear Admiral Bob Cooling, United Kingdom Royal Navy, Deputy Commander of STRIKFORNATO and Brigadier General Andrzej Kaczynski, Polish Army, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, National Military Representative signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) making Poland the 10 th member nation of STRIKFORNATO. The other nations that are part of this MOU High- Readiness Maritime Battle Staff Headquarters are France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

During his remarks, Rear Admiral Cooling pointed out that Poland had “joined NATO’s premier maritime battle staff.” He went on to discuss how STRIKFORNATO had gained because “Poland brings a highly capable and robust Navy to the Alliance.”

As for STRIKFORNATO’s first Polish naval officer, Rear Admiral Cooling stated that “the command would benefit from Commander Stasiak’s expertise and professionalism and that Commander Stasiak also would benefit enormously from his time in Naples.”

Representing Poland, Brigadier General Kaczynski welcomed the opportunity for his nation to join STRIKFORNATO and to stand with the other nations as a force in readiness for the Alliance.

Commander Stasiak will be serving in the N5 Policy and Plans Directorate as the Maritime Anti-Air Warfare Planner and the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Warfare (NBC) Staff Officer. He will serve as STRIKFORNATO’s subject matter expert in these areas and will be responsible for conducting briefs on these subjects as well as doing operational planning for exercises and real world operations.

Mishka Zubov

09-20-2007, 08:39 AM

Patrol in Shinkey Mountains
by Janusz Wdowski
Thursday, September 20, 2007

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1772/patrolwazid2ga8.jpg

Team C paratroopers from the Polish Battle Group, Wazi-Khwa base, south part of Paktika province, Afghanistan, went on patrol into hardly accessible mountainous terrain - bordering the districts Koshamand and Wazi-Khwa. The task of the patrol was to evaluate needs of inhabitants of high mountain villages and provide some temporary aid.

On September 15-17 the soldiers visited villages in Shinkey Mountains - delivering food, charcoal, heaters to heat the huts during the approaching winter, blankets and winter clothing.

The appearance of Polish soldiers in mountainous places - located mostly above 2500 meters a.s.l. - was a big surprise, often a disbelief, to local population. Due to lack of road infrastructure, these villages are normally forgotten by everyone. But Poles brought things and materials - helpful and essential to survive extremely severe conditions of approaching winter.

Shinkey Mountains are inhabited by Alizae, a Pashto tribe. These people are extremely hospitable, open and articulate. They willingly talked with Polish soldiers about their daily gripes and problems. Poverty is a first sign to see when entering a mountainous village. According to inhabitants, most of them have trouble feeding their families - during the winter hunger might appear in many villages. For this reason the Polish aid has extreme meaning to local population. Every sack of flour, rice or beans, and every bottle of oil is precious here.

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3092/patrolwazid1li1.jpg

"Our patrol to Shinkey Mountains affirmed my conviction that CIMIC plays extremely important role in our presence in this part of Afghanistan. Every soldier serving here is in fact a CIMIC soldier. We always come in contact with local population during our operations outside the base. I always try to win the people over - win their hearts and minds. Sometimes a simple thing - a ball pen, a pencil, a crayon or fruit - is enough to bring a smile to a child's face. I am, however, convinced that this simple smile means something more - trust, sympathy, friendship and cooperation and belief in the better future" - says Corp. Rafał Batorski.

Meeting with mullahs, the local religious leaders, was the other important aspect of our patrol. They are the group which is considered the most skeptical and often negative towards the presence of coalition forces in this part of Afghanistan. Although they do not voice such unfavorable opinions openly but one has a feeling that they are not enthusiastic about foreign armies.

On the other hand, the Taliban have tried to stir local population to rebellion by stating that ISAF forces act against the culture and customs of local society, against Islam and - by not respecting the religion and the customs - against the Afghans themselves. For this reason it is important that coalition forces act in a way that ruins such opinions. Meeting with religious leaders and mutual talks help in explaining many understatements and creating bonds of understanding.

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8248/patrolwazidua3.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1174/patrolwazid3aw6.jpg

During the meetings with religious leaders in remote villages the Polish soldiers handed over - in the presence of inhabitants - mosque accessories, such as carpets and prayer rugs, and Koran books. During the currently lasting Ramadan - a period of fast, prayer, opening on miseries of others and eagerness to help - Polish efforts of this sort help in creation of a special bond of understanding and mutual respect.

According to Lt. Dariusz Ludwikowski: "By acting this way we successfully combat the Taliban arguments that we are against religion and Islamic culture. Local population and spiritual leaders see that we respect their religion, culture and customs and that we try to help them as much as we can."

In few weeks, with the first rains coming, the mountainous villages will be cut off from the rest of the world and no aid will be then possible to deliver. For this reason similar operations of humanitarian aid must be in the nearest plans of Maj. Olgierd Ciesla, a commander of Battle Team Charlie.

Photos: Lt. Dariusz Ludwikowski
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7987&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-20-2007, 11:03 AM

A separate thread:
http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2773822#post2773822

Mishka Zubov

09-20-2007, 12:19 PM

Meeting in dust

by MAJ. Wojciech Kaliszczak
Date: 2007-09-20

Brig-Gen. Marek Tomaszycki, a commander of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, was visiting Kushamand base to meet with the soldiers of the Battle Team Charlie, who have just finished their month stay in that base.

[Normally they station in the Wazi-Khwa Base, south of Kushamand. They have been delivering humanitarian aid to the mountain villages of that region. See the previous posts - MZ]

Lt-Col. Adam Stręk, a commander of Polish Battle Group, and Col. Robert Łączyński, a commander of National Supply Element, accompanied the General.

Gen. Tomaszycki had an opportunity to listen to remarks and proposals coming directly from soldiers. They were talking, without constraints, about their service, urgent needs and priorities. During the visit, lasting several hours, Gen. Tomaszycki have also become familiar with a work progress in the base development.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37484-2/Obraz+154.JPG

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37506-2/Obraz+434.JPG

Many soldiers' postulates have been resolved at once. The PMC commander announced that the rest will be realized a.s.a.p.

"This is the place for real soldiers, true "storm-troopers". I know that you are the best in this profession - as can be seen by the work you have done here. I am glad that you do not complain and that you do your work the best you can."

For example, the team of Lt. Maciej Nowak was responsible for the base security. "Frequent patrols, post duties and help with the base development in unusual conditions - that made us quite busy" - said soldiers. "There is still a lot of work. But we will manage" - they added smiling.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37482-2/Obraz+136.JPG

After the meeting Gen. Tomaszycki took a meal with the soldiers. Not the American hamburgers, fried chicken or French fries but the real meal - risotto with veggies and pork-beef meat, straight from the field kitchen. It tasted fine, almost as at home. This was due to the cook - Pvt. Tomasz Komorowski, or „Komar” (Mosquito). Today he has done his job above all expectations.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37486-2/Obraz+158.JPG

The Kushamand base is unusual because of the hefty, omnipresent dust. While walking at the base one steps on something that looks like a ground chalk, but in fact this is only dust - well compacted, 6-meter layer of dust. Americans work very hard on hardening of the surface. Using their heavy equipment they first bring in soil and then stones on the top of it.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37504-2/Obraz+318.JPG

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37506-2/Obraz+434.JPG

A commemorative photo with the PMC-A commander was taken before the soldiers left the base. One could say that this was the visit to a world of dust. Kushamand is a very rough place - but not to Polish soldiers, who have proven again that they can operate anywhere, in any conditions - as professionals, with a sense of humor. Even knee-deep in dust.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37488-2/Obraz+165.JPG

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37500-2/Obraz+223.JPG

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37498-2/Obraz+219.JPG

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37496-2/Obraz+205.JPG

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37494-2/Obraz+200.JPG

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37492-2/Obraz+187.JPG

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37490-2/Obraz+176.JPG

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/37502-2/Obraz+228.JPG

source: http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/document,,id,10312.html
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-20-2007, 01:05 PM

Do you remember Marcin Ogdowski and his "thrilling stories" from Afghanistan?
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2683021&postcount=4

Well, he did it again in his article "Po co nam ta wojna?",
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7996&Itemid=46

This time he presents "in depth analysis" of futility of the war. No, I will not translate it. Too embarrassing again. Treat is as an inside Polish joke.

I was not searching for his name, I swear. It just popped-up.

Jocker_89

09-20-2007, 01:17 PM

Switek

09-20-2007, 01:32 PM

I have sad news.
This little girl has died in her home

more informations in Polish:
http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/wiadomosc.html?kat=1342&wid=9227392&rfbawp=1190308496.404

I feel frustrated becouse of it.
Rest In Peace little Jannat

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:9E2afoQe1jY_GM:http://www.e-kartki.net/kartki/111382796217.gif

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:PF8ux8x4F4XKZM:lcamtuf.coredump.cx/photo/past/swieczka.jpg

Mishka Zubov

09-20-2007, 01:43 PM

I am frustrated too. We have to wait for more details from Iraq - an informal investigation. Finger pointing just started.

Mishka Zubov

09-20-2007, 01:47 PM

This is not a re-print of a previously posted story. Same subject, but a bit different take.

USAREUR plays key role for Immediate Response 07

Sep 19, 2007
BY Spc. Jerry Wilson

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6264/armymil20070919104536ng6.jpg
Sgt. Chad Droege, Illinois Army National Guard, learns how to fire a Polish sniper rifle from Polish army Cpl. Lukasz Bocwinski during Immediate Response 07 at the Wedrzyn Training Area in Poland. Photo by Spc. Jerry WilsonWEDRZYN TRAINING AREA, POLAND, Some 300 U.S. Army Europe Soldiers from Germany and Italy are in to Poland to train along side Illinois guardsmen and Polish troops during exercise Immediate Response 07.

Immediate Response 07 is a USAREUR exercise held in conjunction with a Polish-led exercise called Bagram II. Overall, USAREUR plays a major role in the U.S. European Command's Theater Security Cooperation program by preparing U.S. and coalition militaries for upcoming deployments via numerous multinational and bilateral exercises.

For IR07 and Bagram II, Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard's Task Force 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry and Airmen from the 169th Expeditionary Air Support Squadron of the Illinois Air National Guard trained shoulder to shoulder with Polish Land Forces for a deployment to Afghanistan later this year.

"We are here to build on our experiences working together downrange and during previous exercises," said the deputy exercise director, Lt. Col. Sean Mulcahey of USAREUR's operations division.

Mulcahey explained the central purpose of IR07 is to improve interoperability between the countries' forces, which will be crucial when they reach downrange - especially because Polish and U.S. forces will be working side by side and, in some instances, combined.

"Currently, in Afghanistan, we have a Polish battalion with a U.S. company and a U.S. battalion with a Polish company," he said. "We are trying to build on those lessons learned and to improve our ability to work together ... that is how we are fighting now and that is how we will continue to fight."

Mulcahey stressed that teamwork is vital for success in the Global War on Terrorism.

"We don't conduct any operations these days unilaterally," he said. "We fight in coalitions, and it is extremely important that all partners understand how we operate and our tactics techniques and procedures as well as basic communication."

Mulcahey said the Illinois guardsmen and the Polish forces proved to tactically proficient during IR07.
"They are approaching this exercise from a continuous improvement stand point," Mulcahey said. "They are learning lessons and quickly implementing solutions to the lessons that they learned."

Brig Gen. Jerzy Biziewski, the Polish 1st Armored commander called such interaction between coalition partners as "extremely important."

"I see this ... as a continuation of the ties between the U.S. and Poland," he said. "We have had a very good relationship for a long time and our Soldiers trust U.S. Soldiers."

"It is this human factor of trust," Biziewski added, "that makes this interaction between the forces so vital."
source: http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/09/19/4926-usareur-plays-key-role-for-immediate-response-07/

Mastermind

09-20-2007, 02:30 PM

wholagun

09-20-2007, 03:38 PM

Man, I just feel great that the US and Polish forces get along. The Pols are strong, innovative, dedicated fighters and of just about any nation on the planet, I would pick them among the first for an ally and absolute last as an enemy.

tell that to ppl in the Pentagon. We need money for our cash strapped military. Don't give military aid to middle eastern countries, send to us.

Mishka Zubov

09-21-2007, 02:28 AM

http://podcasting.fia.net/5765/2145679.mp4

http://images.radcity.net/5765/2129376.wmv
Two coalition partners training side by side simulating real-world combat operation and preparing for the future.* SGT Dijon Rolle is in the Wedrzyn Training Area in Poland with the latest on Exercise

http://images.radcity.net/5765/2134701.wmv
Military operations in urban terrain is more commonly referred to as MOUT training.* U.S. forces are caught in the crossfire as a dangerous scenario unfolds at a nearby Polish training site.* SGT Dijon Rolle reports from Exercise Immediate Response.

http://images.radcity.net/5765/2134705.wmv
It's a "hot" range and the rounds finding their targets have a very long reach.* SPC Shawnon Lott is in Poland and has more on these troops who can "reach out and touch you" from a pretty significant distance.

Jocker_89

09-21-2007, 06:36 AM

The common plans for Qadisiyah province

19 September 2007 the Multinational Division Central South CG MG Tadeusz Buk met with the governor of Qadisijah province Hamid Mussa Al Khudhari. The visit took place in the town hall of Diwaniyah. The mutual talks related the future plans of projects and cooperation to enhance security in the province.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3160

MG Buk presented the plan of reconstruction of the 62 km long canal located in Qadisiyah province. The accomplishment of this undertaking would allow more effectively irrigate the neighboring land and to increase the employment in the province. The cost of the project is assessed as $ 13 millions. The governor was very interesting of the project and he offered the close cooperation of his subordinate engineers in the preparation of the plans of work. The project currently conducted and planed by MND CS in Qadisiayh province aim to increase the productivity of the agriculture and decrease unemployment in the province. The aim of my visit was to establish the rules of support and to create the working teams, which will deal with preparation of the project. – stated MND CS Commander MG Tadeusz Buk. The another topic of the meeting, was the agriculture program, conducted by MND CS in order to provide local farmers with fertilizers and machines. On the end of the meeting the participants set the dates of the future contacts.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3161

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

Mishka Zubov

09-21-2007, 08:07 AM

Every summer many people risk their life by entering military training grounds in search for mushrooms. But this time a trespasser was a tourist sailboat

Austrian Army shelled at Polish yacht on Baltic Sea
2007-09-21

A crew of Polish yacht "Maytur" had a lot of luck during their Baltic cruise, near port of Ustka, when their boat had been shelled at by seamen. They unknowingly entered a military training area, where Austrian Army carried their exercise.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2417/502478gb2.jpg

A yacht captain, 57 years old Jan M. from Gliwice, explains that he neither knew about the training nor that he had entered the training area. On the deck - besides himself - there was a crew of five people. He could not explain why he had reached Ustka - considering the fact that he cast off from Świnoujście and his destination port was Kołobrzeg.

The Austrians were shelling at sea training targets with land-to-sea rockets, near Wicko Pomorskie. Suddenly the yacht appeared in their target area. This is a miracle that no one was hurt. The exercise was stopped and the yacht was boarded by the uniformed Border Guards.

Donat Szyller/IAR
source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=61165
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-21-2007, 07:14 PM

His life is not in danger
2007-09-21*19:59
Polish soldier infected by malaria in Afghanistan

One of the Polish soldiers in Sharana base has been infected by malaria. He has been taken to Bagram hospital.

http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/1497/503264hw0.jpg

According to Polish Radio reporters his life is not in danger. The military authorities assure that this is the only malaria case, and there is no epidemiological threat in Sharana base.

Maj. Wojciech Kaliszczak, a spokesman for Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, has assured that each soldier had obtained anti-malaria drugs - together with usage instruction - before leaving for Afghanistan. The infected officer has admitted to doctors that he has not been taking the drugs regularly.

The army also assures that hygienic conditions in all Polish bases are very good.
This is the sixth case of malaria infection among all NATO soldiers in Afghanistan so far.

source: http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=61261
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-21-2007, 07:56 PM

A promise of Minister of National Defense
2007-09-21 23:37

Szczygło: Soldiers, I'll bring you Doda

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/69/lebq2.jpg

Polish soldiers in Afghanistan did not have to wait long. Minister of National Defense, Aleksander Szczygło, has immediately responded to their plea. "I'll try to fulfill the dreams of our soldiers and bring them Doda" - promises the minister.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7205/501266ts0.jpg

It appears that not water but ... performance of Doda - is what Polish soldiers are missing most at the Afghan desert - writes "Fakt". They dream about her by night. If she could only come - think soldiers by evenings after their hard service, and they eye with envy their American colleagues, who are often being visited by very attractive singers. Soon a singing Hollywood actress, Scarlett Johansson, is coming to visit the American base.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/6202/501566iq9.jpg

But there is a chance for a visit of our sex-bombe, who compares to Scarlet as an ultra-modern F-16 to an outdated MiG.

Ministry of National Defense has been probing dreams of our soldiers for quite some time. It appears that all soldiers - be it in Iraq or Afghanistan - dream about Doda's visit. The minister could not remain indifferent to such voices. "I'll try to fulfill the dreams of our soldiers and bring them Doda" - promises the minister during interview with "Fakt".

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7283/lebn0.jpg

What next? "I think that there should be a meeting of Minister with Doda, to settle the details of the visit" - said Jarosław Rybak, the minister's spokesman.
These are the words that the biggest military fans of Doda have been waiting for. Pvt. Przemysław Wos, stationing in Ghazni base in Afghanistan, says that he cannot wait any longer.
http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=61212

Jocker_89

09-24-2007, 08:56 AM

Armenian Independence Day in Camp Echo

On the 21st of September Armenian soldiers from military base Echo in Ad Diwaniyah celebrated the sixteenth anniversary of the referendum, when the Armenian society voted in favor of independence. The representatives of all military contingents from Multinational Division Central South were invited to the celebration of the event from sixteen years ago.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3167

On the occasion of Armenian Independence Day, the commander of Armenian soldiers, Maj Salabashyan Karapet, received a small gift and best wishes from Major General Tadeusz Buk. Sixteen years ago Armenia proclaimed independence. Today, Armenian soldiers, as a representatives of sovereign country, are supporting Iraqi society. On the occasion of your holiday I wish you all the best – the commander of Multinational Division said. Then he awarded Armenian soldiers for their effort and dedication.
Armenian contingent comprises 46 soldiers. Most of them are medical staff and transportation sub-unit.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3168
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3169

www.piomndcs.mil.pl

Mishka Zubov

09-24-2007, 11:25 AM

Sikorsky hopes to find US market for Mielec

Rotorcraft Sikorsky has invested more than $46 million in factory facilities for its 100%-owned Polish subsidiary, PZL Mielec, since the spring, according Europe vice-president Bruce McKinney. The company plans to continue making its M28 Bryza/Skytruck STOL transport aircraft and M18 Dromader agricultural aircraft.

Three M28s were delivered to the Polish air force this year and three M18s went to China, which will take another 12 in 2008. The same year, Mielec is to deliver 48 UH-60 cockpit structures to Sikorsky, and a priority will be to establish International Black Hawk manufacture in Poland, with first flight scheduled for 2010. The M26 Iskierka piston trainer programme will be terminated.

McKinney told Flight: "Now it is difficult to talk about long-term strategy for Mielec." He added that demand was "high" for aircraft like the Bryza/Skytruck: "Maybe, in the future, it will be possible to offer M28s to the US government as a light tactical transport."
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/17/216762/business-briefs.html

Mishka Zubov

09-24-2007, 11:27 AM

Polish soldiers rebuild the bridges in Afghanistan
Reprinted from gazeta.pl
by mar, IAR
Monday, September 24, 2007

Polish soldiers have helped inhabitants of eastern part of Afghanistan - damaged by flood several months ago - by rebuilding some bridges and culverts and cleaning storm water drainages in the Mota Khan district.

Due to torrential rains in June some parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan have been flooded. Many areas of the frontier between the two countries have been damaged by water - including areas of Paktika province, where Poles are stationing.

Several days after the flood our soldiers went to Mota Khan district - bringing food and blankets. They also took careful look at the bridges destroyed by water. "We had evaluated in situ which bridges require renovation, rebuilding or even reconstruction" - explains Maj. Wiesław Sanowski, a chief of a CIMIC team.

The reconstruction of bridges and culverts is being finalized, but that was not all what Poles have been doing. "We have been able to select good places for construction of new wells" - adds maj. Sanowaski. The wells are currently being built by Americans.

Recently, the Polish soldiers delivered tents and 100 benches for the school in Khyer Kot. Everything has been financed by a special American fund.
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8069&Itemid=46
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-24-2007, 12:12 PM

Polish Land Forces Learn from U.S. Soldiers

Sep 20, 2007
BY Spc. Jerry Wilson

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7865/armymil20070920110835no1.jpg
Sgt. Maj. Robert Priest reviews plans for an upcoming training mission during the exercise Immediate Response 07 held in Poland. Photo by Spc. Jerry Wilson
September 20, 2007WEDRZYN TRAINING AREA, POLAND - Polish Land Forces here received a lesson in theater security straight from subject matter experts: U.S. Soldiers they will be working with when they deploy for Operation Enduring Freedom later this year.

A three-man U.S. contingency from the Afghanistan-based Task Force Paladin shared their downrange experiences while participating in exercise Immediate Response 07.

"We are working with the Polish battle group to help prepare them for rigors they are going to face in Afghanistan (while) conducting operations," said team member Maj. Gabriel Barton, adding that interoperability training is crucial for coalition partners. "It is very important for us to be working on the same page. In Afghanistan, they will be working with us as part of our brigade combat team."

This Polish battalion-size formation will be teaming directly with U.S. forces and "next to my battalion area of operations," Barton said.

The major added that one of his rifle companies will be attached to the Polish unit and one of their units will be working directly for him.

Accompanying Barton is Sgt. Maj. Robert Priest, senior enlisted member and counter improvised explosive device trainer for Joint Task Force Paladin, who noted the importance of the Poles training with their U.S. counterparts before deploying

"This gives them the chance to incorporate what we've taught them into their standard operating procedures," he explained.

Priest noticed many similarities between U.S. and Polish Soldiers

"I see the same dedication toward (meeting) the mission and the work ethic," he said. "They are out here everyday, working hard. This is an army that wants to learn and they are eager," Priest said.

Rounding out the trio from Task Force Paladin is Capt. Tim Healy, the assistant brigade intelligence officer for Combined Task Force Fury in Afghanistan.

He said taking lessons learned by units serving in Afghanistan now and sharing them with replacements was paramount, as "the sooner we can work with them, the smoother the transition will be when they change out with the current unit."

The captain added that verbal communication was one of only a handful of challenges they faced during training.

However, "we talk the universal language of security," Healy said. "The Polish force understands this and we have a common ground to work from."
http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/09/20/4965-polish-land-forces-learn-from-us-soldiers/

Mishka Zubov

09-25-2007, 09:54 AM

Italian AMX crashed near Czempin
by Piotr Laskowski
Tuesday, September 25, 2007

On September the 25th a subsonic airplane AMX, from the 51th Wing of Italian Air Force, Istria, crashed for unknown reason near Czempin, Wielkopolska Voivodship, Poland. Pilots safely ejected from the airplane before it crashed.

There were two pilots in the two-seat airplane: an Italian and a Polish pilot, Capt. Grzegorz Go/las', 7th Tactical Air Squadron, from Powidz. The pilots were flying during the bipartite exercise "Italian Dancer" in Powidz, which supposed to last until September the 28th.

Unofficially - the accident was caused by an engine malfunction. The pilots, after the lucky ejection, are in hospital in Koscian. The exercise and flights have been cancelled. A special commission will investigate the cause of the accident.

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

World News
Polish, Italian military pilots eject from plane during military exercises in Poland
© AP
25.09.2007 14:27:21

(live-PR.com) - WARSAW, Poland (AP) - A Polish and an Italian pilot parachuted out of their attack jet during military exercises in Poland, a spokesman for the Polish Air Force said Tuesday.

Both pilots survived the crash of their AMX trainer aircraft, which experienced engine trouble near Czempin in western Poland, Polish Air Force spokesman Wieslaw Grzegorzewski told The Associated Press.
Speaking later from the field where the aircraft's twisted wreckage lay, Polish Gen. Wlodzimierz Usarek told TVN24 television that one of the pilots said a bird flew into an engine, causing it to fail.

Usarek said a commission was looking into the accident.

http://www.live-pr.com/en/polish-italian-military-pilots-eject-r1048159333.htm

Mishka Zubov

09-25-2007, 11:22 AM

Food for needy
by Janusz Wdowski
Tuesday, September 25, 2007

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/7163/1147xu3.jpg

Before the approaching winter Polish soldiers try - as much as possible - to provide aid to inhabitants of the Wazi-Khwa district, for whom winters are especially hard.
On September 24 the soldiers of the Battle Team Charlie, Polish Battle Group, delivered food, clothing and other materials, such as charcoal, heaters, blankets, tarpaulins, etc.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/311/1142on0.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/589/1146bt6.jpg

The aid is destined mostly to the poorest families, who have problems surviving. The initiative came from Maj. Olgierd Ciesla, a commander of Battle Team Charlie. The operation was carried in cooperation with local authorities - the district chief and the shura members.

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/5395/1143cc3.jpg

Polish soldiers visited three villages: Aasheq Kalay, Khezer Khel and De Mollayano Kalay. According to Sgt. Krzysztof Dendura: "Operations carried by CIMIC, like this one, have always something unexpected that stays in my memory for a long time. Today I saw affection tears of a widow, who had lost her husband several years ago and who has four children to care for. Our help was really unusual and special for that woman today."

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2130/1144mn1.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3968/1145uj4.jpg

Aside from supplying the poorest inhabitants of three villages with clothing and food the Wazi-Khwa parachuters paid also a visit to the primary school in Khezer Khel. The school director, Mirad Khan, received school aids - abacuses, exercise books, chalk, drawing sketchpads, visual information boards.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7679/1141tw7.jpg

The soldiers brought with them a commemorative picture taken during the previous visit to the school.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9607/1140xr6.jpg

According to Abajdul Jahn, a representative of shura from Khezer Khel village: "Education is one of our priorities. Any help in this field is unusually valuable and this is why we appreciate efforts of Polish soldiers."

There are 250 kids studying in the Khezer Khel - including several dozen girls. Two students from that schools had spent their two weeks vacation at the Baltic seaside last summer.

Photos: Sgt. Krzysztof Dendura

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8093&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-25-2007, 11:48 AM

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/8817/jokegg0.jpg
Polish soldiers and local Iraqis share a laugh at the security checkpoint outside the north gate of Camp Echo, Iraq.

source: from the blog "US Tortures and Atrocities perpetrated by our military against Iraqi people", http://ustorture.blogspot.com/2007/09/hear-polish-joke.html

Switek

09-25-2007, 02:17 PM

Italian AMX crashed near Czempin, Poland

It was about ten kilometers from my home... :(

Mishka Zubov

09-25-2007, 03:02 PM

Polish popular music on Afghani radio waves
According to Super Express (hint, hint) Polish songs of "Perfect", "Doda" and "Stachursky" are currently on a top list of a local radio-station "Voice of Paktika" in Sharan, Afghanistan.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4734/120809gn8.jpg

A typical program of the radio-station is made of news, prayers by a local mullah and local pop music. Polish songs have been broadcasted by "Voice of Paktika" for several weeks now.

"We have received a record with Polish songs from your soldiers. After we had broadcasted several of them on a trial basis we have realized that it was a good idea. Our listeners call us saying that they like this music. They want more" - says Mohammad Nabi Humudurd, a chief of "Voice of Paktika"

Polish soldiers have donated all sorts of gifts for the radio-station, which are used as prizes for listeners - winners of local contests. Polish Battle Group intends to also donate several laptops and a satellite kit for internet access.

They also try to help with development of Afghan press. Aside from being a chief of a radio-station - Mohammad Nabi Humudurd is also a head editor of a bimonthly "Paktika", which will appear first time at the middle of October. It will be printed on Polish duplicators at Sharana Base.

source: http://www.se.com.pl/se/index.jsp?place=mainLead&news_cat_id=40&news_id=166654&scroll_article_id=166654&layout=1&page=text&list_position=1
summarized by MZ

Afghani magazine
by Wojciech Majeran
Friday, September 21, 2007

Until now one could learn about activities of Polish Battle Group (PBG) from an Afghani radio-station "Voice of Paktika" at Sharan, Paktika. Soon one can also read about them, and even see their pictures, in a bimonthly „Paktika”. Its first edition will appear in the middle of October.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/456/radiomgx6.jpg

"First talks about the magazine have started two months ago" - says Maj. Aleksander Fortuna, Psychological Operations Support Team of PBG. "They were not easy. A newly formed team had no experience with publishing. Several of its members used to previously work as radio reporters, since this is the most popular form of news in this country. But they did not even know how such magazine suppose to look like. The had to start from a very basics" - explains Maj. Fortuna.

"During the first working session devoted to the new magazine the Polish soldiers showed us some Polish periodicals, which they had received from home" - says Mohammed Khan, one of originators of the idea. "We have realized how much those papers were different from ours. A dozen or so dailies and several monthlies are published in Afghanistan. But they are graphically very poor. Most of them are printed on a poor quality paper, with poor quality black and white photographs. We could see many excellent photographs and many adds, which are rarely seen in our press" - explains Khan.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/5255/radiod1io7.jpg

The work on the magazine preparation has been slow. "The first problem concerned a definition of an audience" - says Capt. Marcin Rynkiewicz. "Such a paper should be addressed to the biggest possible number of readers. It must have an attractive form; there should materials for students, children or women" - adds Rymkiewicz.

"In the first edition we want to write about activities of Polish soldiers, about their help to people of the province, about news from Afghanistan and the world. There will be also some information about stars of Afghan music, since this is sought after by youths" - says Mohammed Nabi Hamudurd, a head editor of "Paktika". "We don't count on great success. We realize that a dozen or so percents of Afghans are illiterate, but we want to change it with the help of Polish soldiers. Such a paper is a tiny light in a tunnel" - explains Hamudurd.

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2271/radiodni6.jpg

The major problems of the new magazine team are lack of the Internet access and of the professional equipment. One thing they don't lack is a willingness" - stress the Poles. The PBG have agreed to help with search for required information on internet and with text editing. The first edition will appear on mid-October - with circulation of 10 thousands copies, 50 pages, and a cost of 20 Afghanis (1 US Dollar = 50 AFG).

The first edition will be entirely printed by Polish Battle Group. "The printing will take about a week, after the computer-based composition" -say WO Janusz Wisniewski. It will be printed on a multi-circulation polygraphic set, which came here from Poland.

Photos: Wojciech Majeran

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8013&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Switek

09-25-2007, 03:07 PM

I'm curious what song of Perfect is on top? I guess "Chcemy być sobą" ;)

Mishka Zubov

09-25-2007, 03:30 PM

Italian AMX crashed near Czempin, Poland

It was about ten kilometers from my home... :(

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/459/506834ga1.jpg

Switek

09-25-2007, 03:37 PM

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/459/506834ga1.jpg

Few hundreds meters from this site is a main route "5" from Wrocław to Poznań with heavy traffic.

Mishka Zubov

09-25-2007, 03:52 PM

Few hundreds meters from this site is a main route "5" from Wroc?aw to Pozna? with heavy traffic.

Wow, speaking of luck..

Mishka Zubov

09-25-2007, 03:54 PM

News
Afghanistan - successful action of Polish soldiers
Tuesday, September 25, 2007

A rash action of Polish soldiers in Afghanistan: A patrol from Wazi-Khwa base has been attacked by a Taliban group. The soldiers responded with fire and killed three enemies. None of the Poles has been hurt.

The Polish soldiers were on a routine patrol, when they have been shot at by a group of 20 Taliban driving motorcycles, 20 kilometers South-East from Wazi-Khwa. Our soldiers responded with fire and went after the Taliban, which still have managed to fire several mortar shells towards the Poles.

Two Taliban have died in a direct battle and the third - in explosion of a motorcycle hit by Poles. The exchange of fire lasted about half an hour. A call has been placed for reconnaissance planes, but they could not spy a place where the Taliban has escaped.

Our soldiers have confiscated a weapon arsenal belonging to the Taliban - mortars, grenades, rifles and materials for IDE production.

source: http://www.polskieradio.pl/iar/news/artykul3058770.html
translated by MZ

Starblast

09-26-2007, 02:50 AM

^^^ hooah! :)

wholagun

09-26-2007, 09:14 AM

don't we have UAVs in afghanistan?

Mishka Zubov

09-26-2007, 01:15 PM

Operation "OIL DROP" bring the effects

by Włodzimierz Głogowski
Wednesday, September 26, 2007

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2504/irdvb8.jpg

On September the 26th, during an early morning raid, Polish soldiers from Multinational Division Center-South detained two men suspected of attacking coalition forces in Qadisiyah province. Hand guns, rifles - including sniper carbines, grenades and ammunition have been also found at that place. The suspects are currently under investigation.

Neither any soldier from the Special Group, which was performing the task, nor a bystander has been hurt. A day before the Iraqi Police also detained two men with weapons, hand grenades and explosives found on them.

The operation „Oil Drop” has been designed and is being executed with the help of the 8th Iraqi Army Division and the local police. "The aim of the operation is an improvement of security in Diwaniyah and a stimulation of economical activity of its inhabitants. In its core is a close cooperation with Diwaniyah population, which our soldiers will be meeting with on daily basis - identifying those organizations and entrepreneurs who need our support" - said Maj-Gen Tadeusz Buk, the division's commander.

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2219/ird1ca4.jpg

The soldiers of Battle Group and of Independent Air-Assault Group - together with Iraqi Army and police - perform intensive reconnaissance and patrolling of the operation region. By doing this they assure secure conditions for the CIMIC group, which provides humanitarian aid and quick financial support for small entrepreneurs and institutions. Much bigger aid projects, aiming at improvement of population living conditions and reduction of unemployment in Qadisiyah province, are planned for the next stage of the operation.

Photos: Maj Michał Romańczuk
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8161&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-26-2007, 01:32 PM

don't we have UAVs in afghanistan?

GROM supposedly uses the miniature UAVs, but I doubt that they are being used on routine patrols of PBG. Although mini-UAVs can be operated by a foot operator they are best used with their control station installed in a specially adopted vehicle. Could one of the HMVVs be adapted for this? I don't think the PBG is ready for this yet, since they are still continuing with up-armoring their HMVVs.

I've read somewhere on a anonymous blog (this is why I have not posted it here) that all vehicles in Sharana base have been already up-armored. I do not remember the status of vehicles in Ghazni, but Wazi-Khwa guys are definitely still waiting for the conversion to begin. This is being done by Americans, since those are their vehicles and the Poles should not mess with them.

Mishka Zubov

09-27-2007, 11:56 AM

The Hot Florida
by Jacek Matuszak
Thursday, September 27, 2007

A burning sun, a beach, a hum of ocean, palm trees - in a word, a holiday paradise. This is what one usually associates with Florida. Polish soldiers from Battle Team Alpha, Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, have different kind of associations with Florida.

This is the name of one of the roads they are patrolling. One thing that is common to both Floridas is, at least at the moment, the burning sun. Other than that everything else is different. Instead of a beach - an asphalt, instead of humming waves - a wind in their faces during a ride, instead of palm trees - an occasional roadside bush. And the most important difference: instead of a blissful laziness of a holiday - a tense attention and a risk of IDEs threatening the convoy.

As the soldiers joke - they have exchanged their Florida bathing suits by flak jackets, weighing dozen or so kilograms. "Other than that the attractions are almost the same. But, as everybody knows, the word "almost" is a big difference here" - laughs WO Piotr Ostrowski, a paramedic.

Before the patrol left the base LT. Artur Zielichowski, a convoy commander, has given them the detailed instructions. "I know that this is not your first trip to Florida. But I ask you, as usually, to pay a particular attention. You all know how it is on this road. Remember that our main task is a demonstration of ISAF power in the region. And when we are at it we will also check those holes" - explained Lt. Zielichowski.

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/1296/11656cbb44co2.jpg

The holes he spoke about are the places where the rebels plant their explosives most often. In general, planting the IDEs on the asphalt road is not easy and requires a lot of work. One has to dig the holes, plant the explosives and then mask the places. But the number of holes have increased recently. One never knows which one is "hot". "It looks a little bit like a race. We check and eliminate known holes, but in their place new holes appear. Often, for example during a night patrol, we render safe an IDE found in some hole, but the morning patrol finds another IDE at the same place. This is why there is no place for routine in our operations. We have to be vigilant all the time" - said Maj. Michal Holub, a commander of Battle Team Alpha.

During the ride everyone was very careful. Even though the road surface allowed for speeding the column was moving with prudence. It slowed down often and it stopped at suspicious looking places. Those riding in Rosomak (Wolverine) could observe the terrain without leaving the vehicle. It can be done due to a system of cameras and monitors installed in the transporter. This helps very much in moving in dangerous terrain. In addition, Rosomak makes great impression, majestically traversing kilometers of the Afghan highway. When needed - it changes into a real predator and its 30 mm cannon is able to convince any attacker to withdraw. The transporter has also one virtue praised by the soldiers the most: the armor of their little "auto" has been already able to resist explosion force of several IDEs.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3783/11667078b9ip9.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/392/11677ca184ko8.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4608/11697cbc8eih6.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3124/117281c5aesz6.jpg

This time there was only one longer stop. At the right hand side of the road one could see a smoke and fire from far away. When the column approached it became clear that this was just one of the local trucks ending its life. But it was not caused by shelling or by IDE. The truck brakes had seized, and from this the wheels had caught fire, which then in turn had fallen off the truck. The truck owner was not even surprised. It was the Rosomak that impressed him more, when it blocked the road perpendicularly to the road axis - directing its barrel towards the open terrain and threatening potential attackers.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/6867/11687cae36ro2.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9950/11636adbc6dx8.jpg

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7843/11768730b4sl4.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/163/117181a024vz3.jpg

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7093/117381d08bav9.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9863/117486dd06dk2.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/850/1179906d73lh3.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9646/1180907ab1yx9.jpg

"This happens quite often here. None of the vehicles driving in Afghanistan would pass any technical control in our country. But here no one cares. Most of them are in a fatal technical state. They move until they completely break" - says one of the soldiers watching the roadside.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9894/116169d811en8.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9852/11626ba4a4id4.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9104/117587254acm0.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4493/11779027bfrf3.jpg

http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/2629/11789087b1vs4.jpg

This single road "incident" did not put the attention of soldiers to sleep. Although inside the vehicle is pleasantly cool and monotonic hum of the engine could put you to sleep no one sleeps. One has to pay attention all the time. This time our patrol has safely returned to base. But later the same day, at the same stretch of road, a coalition convoy has been shelled upon. Two HMMVs have been hit, caught fire and got burned. Fortunately nobody died. But this example clearly demonstrates how different is the Afghan Florida from the American one.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4677/11647c6e3flg6.jpg

Photos: Jacek Matuszak

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8189&Itemid=29
translated by MZ

A painful process of submitting the high-resolution photos for resizing and hosting in imageShack: by Jocker_89

Mishka Zubov

09-27-2007, 06:06 PM

Polish soldiers want to donate ambulances to Afghans
Thursday, September 27, 2007

Polish soldiers want to donate medical clinics on wheels to Afghan people. Special ambulances will be visiting villages of Paktika province, where Polish soldiers are stationing. Aid to the Afghan medical service is one of the most important tasks put forward by Polish soldiers.

They want to buy several special ambulances, equipped for all simplest medical tasks. And after the teams of doctors and nurses are put together the ambulances can start visiting the most remote and hardly accessible areas, which have not been visited by any doctor for many years.

"There are no medical clinics or health centers in many mountainous regions. We want to reach such places" - explains Maj. Wiesław Sanowski, a commander of CIMIC support group. The problem is that organizing medical teams and satisfying all the formalities related to purchase of the vehicles will be time consuming. For this reason the ambulances will go out on their routes not sooner than on Spring. The project will cost two millions zlotys and will be financed by Polish Ministry of External Affairs.

source: http://www.polskieradio.pl/iar/news/artykul3061837.html
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-27-2007, 06:32 PM

Polish soldiers set lamp-posts in the most dangerous places in Afghanistan
by gaw, IAR,
2007-09-21

Several tens of lamp-posts have been installed by Polish soldiers in two places: Wazi-Khwa and Jusuf Khel in Paktika, Eastern Afghanistan. They are powered by solar batteries, since there are no continuous power supply in those places.

Maj. Wiesław Sanowski, a chief of CIMIC team, told a special correspondent of Polish Radio that the lamp-posts have been set in the most important places, indicated by local tribal elders. "They will light up those places that might be the targets of the terrorist attacks: police stations, schools, mosques. They are to make it more difficult for secret approaches by the enemy, as well as to make life easier for the local population" - add Maj. Sanowski.

The project costs 80 thousands dollars and has been financed by the special American war fund CERP. Other than that, Polish soldiers have been delivering medicine to Afghans in need in the last few weeks and have rebuilt a roof of one of the medical clinics in Paktika. Polish doctors, in turn, have been providing medical service in inaccessible areas, not reachable by any humanitarian organizations.
source: http://www.zw.com.pl/zw2/index.jsp?place=Lead04&&news_cat_id=17&news_id=169261&layout=1&forum_id=45202&page=text
translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

09-28-2007, 08:40 PM

Kushamond is waiting

by Jacek Matuszak
September 28, 2007

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_1.jpg

A Kushamand base is one of the bases in Afghanistan where soldiers from Polish Battle Group reside. There are only 60 kilometers from Kushamand to Sharana, but our boys know well that in this country distances are measured in hours, not in kilometers.

In Poland such distance can be easily covered in one hour. Here such trip takes two-three hours, sometimes more. The columns is moving off the road - stopping often to inspect incoming vehicles. Sometimes they need to check for mines. They are travelling in heat and dust to their destination, which is Kushamand - a field base, made of just few tents, set atop a six-meters deep layer of dust.

They have to carry their tasks here for the entire month, nothwithstandind all the toils, ubiquitous dust and dirt. In coolness of evenings and nights, and in the heat of the high noon. After one month they will have to travel back the same distance from Kushamand to Sharana, to their temporary home. But each such trip nears the end of their mission, their meeting with the dearest. Even for this reason alone each successive trip is different than the previous one.

Photos: Agnieszka Pytko
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8229&Itemid=29
tramslated by MZ

http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_4.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_2.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_3.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_6.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_5.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_7.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_8.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_10.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_9.jpg
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/wrzesien/kushmond/kushmond_1a.jpg

Mishka Zubov

09-28-2007, 08:44 PM

Illustrations from "Archelia" by Diego Uffan, Polish translation 1643 in a History section:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=120984

This is about artillery.

Mishka Zubov

09-28-2007, 09:36 PM

Introduction to "History of Polish Artillery" by K. Górski
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2789037#post2789037

Mishka Zubov

09-28-2007, 11:31 PM

New strategy in Iraq
by Włodzimierz Głogowski
Friday, September 28, 2007

http://hotimg6.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/ocena_1.jpg

The 9th rotation of Polish Military Contingent (PMC) in Iraq has already seen two months of service. Now it is time to summarize its operational activity. Changes in operational strategy and adaptation of a structure of Multinational Division Center-South (MND-CS) to the situation in Qadisiyah province have brought expected results. There are visible signs of improvement in Qadisiyah: a significant reduction of terrorist and criminal activity and much better cooperation of local population with coalition forces.

Two units from MND-CS carry most operational efforts: the Battle Group (BG) and the Independent Air Assault Group (IAAG). Since the beginning of the 9th rotation the soldiers of these two groups executed 305 patrols and 145 escorts within the framework of four main operations. The pilots of IAAG have flown 197 hours, supporting their colleagues from the air.

Recently BG obtained additional HMMWV vehicles, version 1114; grenade launchers MK 19 and 98 mm mortars. This additional equipment has decisively increased BG mobility and its fire power. "The soldiers have now greater trust in their equipment since they know that these vehicles offer better protection against IEDs or shelling. Even though their workload is big, and their duty last 12 hours, they do not complain because they know how important is their service in our zone of responsibility" - said Col. Wiesław Mruk, a BG commander. Currently they participate in the operation "Oil Drop"; their main tasks are patrols, reconnaissance and providing aid to inhabitants of Diwaniyah.

http://hotimg12.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/ocena_2.jpg

http://hotimg3.fotki.com/a/99_234/51_89/ocena_3.jpg

IAAG is commanded by Col. Stanisław Kaczyński. He stresses: "My people are the professionals. Most of them have already been to Iraq or other missions, once or more. This is why they execute even the toughest tasks - requiring cooperations with other units or Iraqi Army or Police - at the highest level of professionalism."

The very important aspect, which has its impact on tasks execution, is opportunity for relaxing at the base. A sense of security and contact with families also play the big role. "This is why we have provided Internet access to each living container" - added Col. Kaczyński.

At the beginning of last September the IAAG has obtained helicopters Sokół W-3 (Falcon), which are equipped with night vision devices and are able to support ground troops also on night patrols. This new tactics, applied by the 9th rotation, allows IAAG to respond quickly and flexibly - irrespectively of time of the day.

A very important element of MND-CS is monitoring and training soldiers of 8th Division of Iraqi Army. Currently the Iraqi platoons are being trained by the soldiers of the Special Group, as well as in the battle groups. During the training they carry common tasks with the Poles, which builds a self-confidence and a sense of mutual trust - a very important aspect for successful operations.

All those changes in the divisional methods of operations, as well as the new equipment and weaponry, have significantly increased security in the Qasidiyah province. "Despite still existing threats the safety of our soldiers - working outside the base or relaxing inside - has increased as well. We are convinced that only the active and flexible operations bring expected benefits" - said Maj-Gen Tadeusz Buk, a commander of MND-CS. The number of mortar attacks on Camp Echo has decreased durring the last two months from 13 in July to just one in September.

Photo: mjr Michał Romańczuk
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8247&Itemid=29
translated by MZ