Polish Soldiers all over the World. [Archive] - Page 4

Mishka Zubov

07-06-2007, 08:41 AM

Well, the last bunch of pictures deserve some commments. First of all, complete lack of captures distresses me a bit: if I did not know the source I would not have a clue what those photos suppose to represent. Well, soldiers giving some goodies away to some kids. What soldiers, what kids, so what? Guys please understand that this thread is also visited by those who don't speak Polish and cannot go back to sources and read the stories themselves. One does not need to translate the full story into English - just few hints will suffice.

One of the moderators of this forum, DeltaWhisky58, wrote about it just a week ago:

Whoever said that "a picture is worth a thousand words" may well have been correct, however a picture is worth much more with a proper caption.

When posting images anywhere on MP.Net, ensure that the image(s) are correctly captioned so that members are fully informed exactly what you have posted.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=115055

What those pictures are all about

A bunch of officers from Polish command of Polish Military Contingent at Bagram Airport base, Afghanistan, including high brass, decided to collect some money among themselves to buy some candies for kids from an orphanage in the nearby town of Charikar, Parvana province. Good for them! I believe that they did it from the bottom of their hearts.

But judging by other items on display - not all the gifts came from the officers' pockets. I only guess that some came from ISAF and some from the Polish CIMIC stores.

The story then goes on telling how the convoy, led by hummers, braved its way through the crowded streets, pushing the people aside.

And then there is description of the orphanage for 130 kids and a long list of items that are badly needed. The director said it straight on: new beds, sheets, cloths, window panes, bathrooms in terrible shape, school utensils, medicine and bottled water.

The inspection of the facility proved that tap water was undrinkable, dining room was full of flies and kitchen had only few meagre items. Bedrooms looked crowded and sad, classrooms had broken tables and chairs. The only bright spot was a very clean medical room - although with very limited medical supplies.

Children of course enjoyed the gifts and some were even smiling during examination of contents of the bags they received: notebooks, crayons, teddy bears. But they fought for every bottle of water, as one might have expected. How sad...

Returning to Bagram base the soldiers thought about futility of single charitable actions and about millions of dollars needed to rebuild that poor country.

My comments
That action was useless in my opinion and not comparable with similar actions carried by Polish Battle Grooup in Paktika. The latter suppose to buy minds and hearts of local population. The former was a charity and did nothing but recognized the problem of the orphanage - which should be professionally fixed by local CIMIC and PRT.

Mishka Zubov

07-06-2007, 08:55 AM

I am not really sure if it is a very good idea to give these people (particularly children in this case) things with ISAF logo...

Do they have ISAF protection 24h/7days a week?... Or have to dump such things very fast right after soldiers goes out from village?

-
That's OK, Taliban do not care about orphanages. The kids do not go anywhere but reside in that sad place. ISAF logo should not harm them.

Forrester

07-06-2007, 09:06 AM

Winning hearts and minds, good. I hope they stuck some usefull stuff in those bags, pencils and even paper are very hard to get thers, so those kids can do alot of learning that way.
It's good to show teh future generation what western ways of living are about (I mean the good stuff) so when they grow up they can remember us as helpfull and gentile.

Mishka Zubov

07-06-2007, 09:31 AM

www.isaf.wp.mil.pl

Why do you always post your pictures in high resolution? We surely do not need it for everything, but only for most interesting details, and only when asked by other forum members.
I have a reasonably fast internet connection, but still - it is annoying to see all your pictures being automatically resized to fit my G4 (Apple) laptop screen, max resolution 1024x762. It takes forever and consumes lots of memory.

I am also inclined to think that serving huge pictures from Polish servers to American users is not such a big idea. I do not know how fast they are.

The recommended image size for forum usage is 640x480. ImageShack will do it for you automatically. Yes, it takes some time to prepare posts via ImageShack, but you can learn quickly how to do it efficiently. This method has been described on this forum many times, but ask if you need help.

jocker_89

07-06-2007, 09:58 AM

OK Mishka :)

jocker_89

07-06-2007, 10:23 AM

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4673/614vx2.th.jpg (http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image=614vx2.jpg)http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5306/615jd4.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=615jd4.jpg)http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9288/616te8.th.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=616te8.jpg)http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/921/617en1.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=617en1.jpg)

Soldiers from 6 landing-assult brigade and from 17 mechanized brigade prepare for departure to Afghanistan.

BTW: Is it good Now?p-)

Mishka Zubov

07-06-2007, 11:20 AM

BTW: Is it good Now?p-)

One of the methods, using thumbnails - good. When expanding - high resolution again, but this is OK, I can wait for one selected picture.

Another method: get your pictures automatically stored in ImageShack in the 640x480 resolution (or 800x600 if you are loosing too many details) and then embed them as they are. Take a look at my post about Wazi-Khwa school. Do you miss any details there? They are only 640x480. If you are not sure about the format - pretend that you want to reply to that post and check the format of my message there.

jocker_89

07-06-2007, 11:45 AM

Small test :)

Hi-res
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7711/561wr4.th.jpg (http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=561wr4.jpg)

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2513/561zu2.jpg

Mishka Zubov

07-06-2007, 10:47 PM

Pictures stolen from "Today's Pix - Friday, July 6, 2007" thread
[Courtesy MP user He219, Today's Pix - Friday, July 6, 2007]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49203.jpg

Afghan children and a Polish soldier assess each other while the Polish team leaders are talking with the village elders in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 23.

[Courtesy MP user He219, Today's Pix - Friday, July 6, 2007]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49204.jpg

Polish Maj. Thomas Stachera, commander of Polish Battle Group Company B, speaks with village elders in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 23. He is asking them about their village while his men hand out toys, candy, and school supplies to the local children.

[Courtesy MP user He219, Today's Pix - Friday, July 6, 2007]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49208.jpg

Polish 1st Lt. Thomas Novak, platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Company B, Polish Battle Group, has a discussion with a town elder while in a remote area of Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan June 26. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micah E. Clare)

[Courtesy MP user He219, Today's Pix - Friday, July 6, 2007]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49202.jpg

A Polish soldier gives out toys and candy to a crowd of children one evening at his field patrol base in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Polish Battle Group Company B's mission was to travel throughout the district of Andar and make connections and form friendships with the locals there.

[Courtesy MP user Createdeemcee, Today's Pix - Friday, July 6, 2007]
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z71/createdeemcee/070607.jpg?t=1183750175

Two Polish soldiers from the 1st Platoon, Company B, Polish Battle Group, show an Afghan boy how to fly his new kite, June 24, 2007, in Andar District, Ghazni Province. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micah E. Clare

Switek

07-07-2007, 04:14 AM

You've missed one pic ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49207.jpg

Polish Sgt. Jack Jedrzejowski, a squad leader in 2nd platoon, Company B of the Polish Battle Group, stands nearby a Polish Rosomak vehicle while approaching a remote village in Andar District June 26. His platoon arrived there to deliver humanitarian aid and assess the area.

Mishka Zubov

07-07-2007, 05:17 AM

Oops, thanks.

Home Press Releases News Archive Newsletter Archive Coalition Newsletter عربي Links

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

Title:
THE REAL KITE RUNNERS FLYING THE AFGHAN SKIES
Release Date:
7/6/2007
Release Number:
07-01-03P
Description:
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan — Even though best-selling books have painted pictures of Afghan children flying colorful kites high in blue skies against backdrops of snow-capped mountains that tower over quaint villages, not all Afghan children are fortunate enough to own such simple, yet wonderful toys.

However, when the Polish Battle Group arrived in Ghazni province’s Andar district near the end of June, the local children were finally able to take part in an activity shared by children in almost all countries in the world: flying kites.

While conducting patrols throughout Andar district during Operation Maiwand last month, the Polish soldiers of 1st and 2nd Platoons, Company B of the Polish Battle Group, made many humanitarian aid deliveries to the poor families living in the area.

The extreme poverty of some of the areas was quite a shock to many of the Polish.

“It seems like time stopped here 2,000 years ago,” said Polish Pfc. Chris Demko, a gunner on one of the giant Rosomak armored personnel carriers. “We see these kids running around with nothing, not even shoes, and we want to change that.”

Everywhere they went, children crowded around the vehicles as the smiling soldiers pulled out boxes of shoes, clothes, school supplies and toys. But the biggest hit of all were the multi-colored kites that the soldiers unfolded for them.

With big grins and excited chattering, the children jumped up and down shouting, “Patang! Patang!” (the Pashto word for kite.)

Soon the sky had several of the yellow, green and red kites with International Security Assitance Forces logos flying, much to the delight of the children dancing around below.

“These kites are so much fun,” said Mahmad-Amid Hahn, a 12-year- old boy, as he made whooping sounds while his kite dipped and swerved in the air. “The Taliban would never give us these things.”

For the children who had never seen a kite before, some of the Polish soldiers stepped in to assist, unfolding the kites and showing them how to take off with a running start to get it airborne.

“Any time spent with children is a good thing,” said Polish Pfc. Michal Ozog-Warclaw. “It is wonderful to see children who have been through so much with smiles on their faces.”

Ozog-Warclaw, who has a daughter of his own back home in Poland, spends as much time as he can with her when he is home.

“I spent many days playing with her just like this in the park, or forest,” he recalled.

While the children enjoyed their kites and new shoes, the Polish also gave out school supplies as an encouragement for them not only to play, but to learn and attend nearby schools.

The soldiers hope that their presence and influence in these areas will be able to help change an environment where the Taliban threatened parents against sending children to school.

“It is sad, because most children here have not had the same opportunities that my own daughter does,” Ozog-Warclaw explained. “It is not their fault either. Back in Poland, my daughter is developing in school in a safe, loving community where she is free to learn, play, and interact. Every person should have access to these things, because being educated is a weapon against people who would tell you to be something you are not.”

While the small youngsters who were screaming with excitement have many things to face as they grow older in their still unstable country, the pristine scene of children flying kites, completely free to enjoy their youth, still feels like it could come out of the pages of a book.

“We’re simply helping them make their lives better,” said Polish Maj. Thomas Stachera, commander of Company B, while watching the children playing as his men prepared to move on.

“I believe this to be a picture of what these people really want, a stable, peaceful, productive society,” he said. “These children are the ones who will be able to make it happen.”

Contact Information – CJTF-82 Public Affairs Office Tel – 0093-799-063-013
DSN: 318-231-7852
bagrammediacenter@afghan.swa.army.mil

For more news and information about CJTF-82, please visit www.cfc-a.centcom.mil/.

For more news and information about NATO's International Security Assistance Force - Afghanistan, please visit www.nato.int/isaf/

wholagun

07-07-2007, 08:27 AM

Why does the rosomak have a orange thing across its front.

perdurabo

07-07-2007, 08:34 AM

fast identification?

Mishka Zubov

07-07-2007, 08:58 AM

Why does the rosomak have a orange thing across its front.

I think this is some sort of identification for the pilots. However, I would not rely on it very much - as this old story about British soldiers being attacked by two American warplanes describes. The transcript clearly indicates that the pilots have noticed the orange strip - yet they ignored it for one reason or another.

336.57 POPOV36: Hey, I got a four ship. Looks like we got orange panels on them though. Do we have any friendlies up in this area?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/16/ninquest316.xml
Contents:
Video: Widow's reaction | MoD statement in full
Video: The cockpit footage that the US tried to suppress
Transcript of the 'friendly fire' video

Switek

07-07-2007, 09:24 AM

Mishka you're right. It's USAFproof protection ;)

Mishka Zubov

07-07-2007, 10:43 AM

Poland may extend Iraq mission again- def. minister

KRAKOW, Poland, July 7 (*******) - Polish soldiers may stay longer in Iraq than the government had initially planned, Defence Minister Aleksander Szczyglo said on Saturday.
Poland had previously said it would not keep its 900 soldiers in Iraq beyond the end of 2007 but Szczyglo said another extension could not be ruled out.
"We are preparing our soldiers for another change," he told reporters at a military airport near Krakow.
Most Poles oppose the presence of their troops in Iraq.
Szczyglo said the decision whether to stay in Iraq will be discussed by the Polish and U.S presidents later in July but would mainly depend on the security level in Iraq and on the level of training of the Iraqi army.
Poland is a firm ally of the United States and is negotiating terms to place a U.S. anti-missile shield on its territory despite fierce opposition from Russia.

source: *******

Mishka Zubov

07-07-2007, 11:53 AM

The article about Battle Team B, from Ghazni, posted in a separate thread, associated with some of the pictures from page 51 of this thread:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2617398#post2617398

Good read.

Mishka Zubov

07-07-2007, 12:30 PM

In a sad news from Wednesday, carried by this blog: http://canadianinfidel.blogspot.com/2007/07/6-patriots-killed-in-afghanistan.html, about "6 Canadian Patriots Killed in Afghanistan", I found an excerpt that indicates that GROM operators are indeed working west of Kandahar. Actually it says "Polish soldiers" but I am inferring that this means GROM.

R.I.P. to my fellow Canadians and their Afghan interpreter.
-MZ

He219

07-07-2007, 12:42 PM

You've missed one pic ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49207.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49207-1.jpg)

Pictures stolen from "Today's Pix - Friday, July 6, 2007" thread
[Courtesy MP user He219, Today's Pix - Friday, July 6, 2007]
[Courtesy MP user Createdeemcee, Today's Pix - Friday, July 6, 2007]
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z71/createdeemcee/070607.jpg?t=1183750175

Outstanding citing of references and sources (Mishka Zubov & Switek).
I wish everybody would do it properly like you guys.
Great job Gentlemen. You make me proud!
:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49181.jpg

An Afghan boy screams with delight as he flies his new kite, given to him by Polish soldiers in Andar District, Ghazni province, June 25. The Polish soldiers are from Company B, Polish Battle Group.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49180.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49180-1.jpg)

Polish soldiers demonstrate to an Afghan "koochie", or nomad, boy how to run with a kite to keep it airborne in Andar District, Ghazni province June 24. The Polish and Afghan soldiers delivered a supply of humanitarian aid to to the nomad's camp.

djiti

07-07-2007, 12:51 PM

hi guys !

very nice pics and interesting

do you have some pics of the new BRDM-2 of the polsih army ?
i saw a little pics a magazine but i haven't info about this
this vehicules looks to have a new turret maybe wit a NVT gun i'm not sure

thanks by advance and i'm sorry for my poor english

Switek

07-07-2007, 01:00 PM

~~~~

07-07-2007, 02:25 PM

I can confirm that GROM operators are in Kandahar.

Do you? lol

12345...

Switek

07-07-2007, 03:18 PM

Do you? lol

12345...

rofl, yes of course ... according to official news...

Smok

07-08-2007, 11:02 AM

PolakMaly

07-08-2007, 11:19 AM

Giving kites to Afgani people is very good idea. I heard that they love it and this is Afgani national sport. Talibs forbid to play with kites so now western forces have good chance to show that they respect traditional Afgani culture.

As much as I know from reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Kite Fighting is a long tradition and favorite past time in Afghanistan. I also believe that they have or at least used to have Kite Fighting Tournaments, before the Taliban came.

Mishka Zubov

07-08-2007, 11:44 AM

I've also read the same book ("Chłopiec z latawcem" - in Polish). After reading about expertise of little Afghans, such as making lines of their kites razor-sharp to cut through lines of other kites, I have been very sceptical as to the use of kites by Polish "propaganda ops". I was assuming that kites were not a big deal to kids over there.

But I have forgotten that the book deals with peaceful times and rich Kabul - not the poor provinces and war time. I admit, giving kites away was in fact a very good idea. Faces of kids on those pictures say it all.

Venom PL

07-08-2007, 05:40 PM

I've just found this movie:

Polish Troops - Iraqi Freedom

http://www.youtube.com/v/P76Z39-W77E

jocker_89

07-09-2007, 06:22 AM

Sharan is capital of province but there is only one primary school. In that school learn about 2000 boys on two changes. Walking to the school in A-stan is a privilege. Sometines children must walk several kilometers to the school.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7705/625dd47b4fs2.jpg
hi-res (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/58/625.jpg)

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/5079/624e00b49cy9.jpg
hi-res (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/58/624.jpg)

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7380/626uw2.jpg
hi-res (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/58/626.jpg)

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8069/627mx4.jpg
hi-res (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/58/627.jpg)

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/4712/628rd8.jpg
hi-res (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/58/628.jpg)

www.isaf.wp.mil.pl

jocker_89

07-09-2007, 06:49 AM

Electric line has supplied electric power to inhabitants from Hwaeer village in Kadisija province. - We are very happy from this project and now we can have an electric current. We thank polish soldiers from CIMC. Said Achmed Ali inhabitant of this village. In village live 600 people.

Whole project consist from 295 high pylons which have 9 and 11 meters, transformer and wires. total length of this line is 29 kilometers.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32719-2/9.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32717-2/8.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32715-2/7.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32713-2/6.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32711-2/5.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32709-2/4.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32707-2/3.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32705-2/2.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32703-2/1.JPG

www.wojsko-polskie.pl

Switek

07-09-2007, 06:50 AM

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/57/619.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/57/620.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/57/621.jpg

Switek

07-09-2007, 10:36 AM

Poland getting ready to extend commitment in Iraq
Warsaw, Poland July 9, 2007
Defense Minister Aleksander Szczyglo said on Saturday that Poland is preparing a new troop contingent that will be sent to Iraq early next year, if needed.

"We are preparing our soldiers for a 10th contingent, not because we foresee such a contingent, but because the Defense Ministry must be ready to act on any decision taken by the Government and the President," Szczyglo said.

Poland currently has a contingent of about 900 soldiers Southeast of Baghdad.

Poland has been one of the U.S.' chief allies in the Iraq war despite the fact that Polish public opinion is strongly against the war and Poland's involvement.
The Warsaw Voice (http://www.warsawvoice.pl)

Mishka Zubov

07-09-2007, 01:49 PM

I am trying to find some excuse for posting this picture in a military thread. OK, I've found one: Do you remember a series of pictures of Polish soldiers training in Śnieżnik Massif, http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2589760&postcount=692 . Here you go: Stronie Ślaskie is a little resort town in Kłodzko Valley from where you can travel up to Czarna Góra, a part of Śnieżnik. Just take a road up to the village of Sienna.

Now, take a look at this picture - one of several accessible over there: http://www.tvn24.pl/10435,2059124,0,0,1,0,galeria.html .
http://m.onet.pl/_m/a48576a9eaaa6e2648aebbd629c8bf01,14,1.jpg

This is where the flood began - Stronie Śląskie

How come, such a little creek, hardly worthy to be called a river (Biała Lądecka), can cause so much damage? These are the mountains, men!

My great grandmother used to describe to us how the border river Prut could raise in seconds, producing two meter high walls of water, and taking away everything in sight, such as people with carts and horses crossing the ford. Same supposedly can happen anywhere in Afghanistan.

He219

07-09-2007, 02:32 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49429-1.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49429.jpg)

A Polish soldier scans the mountains ahead through binoculars while his platoon patrols an isolated mountain village high in the mountains of Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 26.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49456-1.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49456.jpg)

A Polish Rosomak, or "wolverine" armored personnel carrier, and a Humvee scout an isolated area of the mountains in Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 23.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49425-1.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49425.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49417-1.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49417.jpg)

A Polish soldier sitting in a Rosomak or "wolverine" armored personnel carrier keeps an eye out while his platoon members are passing out humanitarian aid to Afghans living in an isolated village in the mountains of Andar District, Ghazni province, June 26.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49421-1.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49421.jpg)

A Polish soldier atop a Rosomak or "wolverine" armored personnel carrier watches while his platoon hands out humanitarian aid to Afghans living in an isolated mountain village in Andar District, Ghazni province, June 26.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49420.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49420-1.jpg)

A Polish soldier pulls security while his team members hand out humanitarian aid to locals while in an Andar District village in Ghazni province, Afghanistan June 26.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49428.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49428-1.jpg)

An Afghan girl receives new clothes and shoes from an Afghan national army soldier when Polish and Afghan soldiers visited her village in Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49412.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49412-1.jpg)

An Afghan soldier helps a small boy across a stream of water, so he can get to the crowd receiving humanitarian aid from Polish troops in an Andar District village in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan June 26.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49415.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49415-1.jpg)

Polish 1st Lt. Thomas Novak, platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Company B of the Polish Battle Group, has a discussion with a town elder while in remote area in Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan June 26.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49410.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49410-1.jpg)

Polish and Afghan soldiers talk to village elders under the shade of a fruit tree in an isolated mountain village, high in the mountains of Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan June 26.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49426.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49426-1.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49427.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49427-1.jpg)

Polish soldiers patrol an isolated village high in the mountains of Andar District, Ghazni province Afghanistan June 26.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49431-1.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49431.jpg)

A Polish soldier leans against a stone wall after he and the other members of his platoon climbed to a remote village in Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 26.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49418.jpg

A Polish soldiers stands in the shade of an apple tree in an isolated mountain village high in the mountains of Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan June 26.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49422-1.jpg
hires (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49422.jpg)

A Polish soldiers stands in a lush fruit orchard in an isolated mountain village high in the mountains of Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 26.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49439.jpg

An Afghan soldier teaches soldiers from the Polish Battle Group how to play an Afghan card game at their patrol base after a long day of patrols in Andar District, Ghazni province, June 25.

jocker_89

07-09-2007, 02:38 PM

Thank you He219 for these pics :)
they are greatwoot

Switek

07-09-2007, 02:41 PM

Great post He, Thanks mate :)

sarkastik148

07-09-2007, 02:56 PM

nice pics!
Many thanks!

Mishka Zubov

07-09-2007, 03:00 PM

Yes, thanks He219 for your gifts here. Good to have good friends around. :-)

It seems that the guys from Company "B", attached to Americans, have much better exposure than the others: from Sharana and Wazi Khwa.

Which picture do you like the best? I vote for that little girl eager to join the group of kids surrounding the Poles: "Me too, me too!"

Mishka Zubov

07-09-2007, 04:59 PM

Iraqi Air Force delivers water, displays proficiency
By Pfc. Robert H. Baumgartner, 82nd SB, 13th SC(E), LSA ANACONDA PAO
Jul 5, 2007 - 2:14:21 PM

Blackanthem Military News, CAMP ADDER, Iraq – Iraqi soldiers got a big boost in national pride and confidence Monday as they watched an Iraqi Air Force C-130 deliver fresh water to Camp Delta.

The fledgling Iraqi Air Force conducted this, its first logistical operation, to provide fresh bottled drinking water while keeping convoys off the uncertain roads.

The aircraft delivered the equivalent of roughly five truck loads of palletized water. This means keeping those trucks and the necessary security trucks that would accompany them off the roadway, said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Drushal, support operations officer in charge for the 82nd Sustainment Brigade.

This was a coalition effort. When the Iraqi cargo plane landed at Camp Delta, it was directed to a safe landing by Polish air control operators.

http://www.blackanthem.com/News/Allies_20/Iraqi_Air_Force_delivers_water_displays_proficiency8267.shtml

Where is Camp Delta? Al Kut?

daily666

07-09-2007, 05:26 PM

Those were some nice shots He. Thanks a lot mate!

Mishka Zubov

07-09-2007, 06:59 PM

Update - Polish Military Contingent KFOR in Kosovo, page 50, Post 747
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2613125&postcount=747

American-led TF Ibar vital in north and K-Serb relations
American Soldiers took charge of Task Force Ibar from a German contingent during a ceremony at Camp Nothing Hill May 4 with an inaugural first kick, which, according to Lt. Col. Williams, was attended by about 160 children and 40 adults. The Task Force, commanded by Lt. Col. Thomas Williams, currently consists of "B" Troop from TF Patriot as well as a Polish company and a company from the Czech Republic.
...

Along with supporting the local area, the Soldiers of TF Ibar are improving relationships between international KFOR partners with cross training on vehicles, weapons and tactics. "We've done some riot training with the Polish Soldiers and the Czech Soldiers, and I was extremely impressed", said Spec. Clark.
source: Internal Chronicle from Kosovo, June edition http://www.nato.int/kfor/chronicle/2007/chronicle_06/chronicle_06.pdf

Mishka Zubov

07-09-2007, 07:18 PM

The story "The real kite runners ..." that I have copied to this thread:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2616972&postcount=763
has been hitting the blogs (but no pictures though). Google search reveals 250 hits and growing. It appears that people love it...

Good! :-)

jocker_89

07-10-2007, 06:13 AM

Practical training of officer cadet in WSOWL.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32802-2/001.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32804-2/004.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32806-2/005.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32808-2/023.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32810-2/029.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32812-2/032.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32814-2/038.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32816-2/046.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32818-2/048.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32820-2/051.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32822-2/060.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32824-2/066.jpg

www.wojsko-polskie.pl

jocker_89

07-10-2007, 06:25 AM

Climbing take a place on rocks in north-east Kosovo, several kilometers from locality Kosovska Kamenica.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32830-2/IMG_3268.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32832-2/IMG_9673.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32834-2/IMG_9676.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32836-2/IMG_9684.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32838-2/IMG_9694.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32840-2/IMG_9715.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32842-2/IMG_9724.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32844-2/IMG_9741.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32846-2/IMG_9743.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32848-2/IMG_9753.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32850-2/IMG_9755.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32852-2/P6170584.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32854-2/PICT0035.JPG

www.wojsko-polskie.pl

adlep

07-10-2007, 09:25 AM

Practical training of officer cadet in WSOWL.

OK, you are making some progress here. Good. But not good enough.
YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN the acronyms that you have used. Possibly, some additional background information about the school would be usefully as well.
WSOWL = ?
Remember, this is English speaking forum, 99% of the visitors will not know what WSOWL is unless you will explain it.
:-)

Switek

07-10-2007, 09:34 AM

WSOWL - Officers Academy of Land Forces (rough translation)

Mishka Zubov

07-10-2007, 09:51 AM

Climbing take a place on rocks in north-east Kosovo, several kilometers from locality Kosovska Kamenica.

Climbing activities of piedmonters

Author: cpt. Jacek IWAN
Date: 10.07.2007

Piedmonters, true to their tradition of mountain units, exercise their abitities of rock climbing. Kosovian rocks, brittle and hard to climb, are excellent for exercising the skills of soldiers of 5th battalion, Podhale Rifle Brigade.[3]

The climbing takes place at the rocks of North-East part of Kosovo, few kilometers from Kosovska Kamenica. The soldiers are training under the supervision of experienced instructors. One of them is Sgt. J****z Paziewski, who has been climbing for over 24 years. Similarly as other instructors, he is an Instructor of Polish Alpine Association.

Rock climbing is one form of entertainment, popular among piedmonters. The skills learned during this training may become useful in battle actions; climbing is sometimes the only way to take on alpine terrain.

source: http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/document,,id,9973.html
translation - MZ

[1] hala = a high mountain meadow
[2] podhale = a terrain below a 'hala', a foothill - which I translated as a 'piedmont'.
[3] Podhale - a geographical term, describing Tatra's piedmont, or foothills of Tatra Mountains

jocker_89

07-10-2007, 10:16 AM

Ok I will remember it.
thanks guys :hug:

Mishka Zubov

07-10-2007, 11:36 AM

Practical training of officer cadet in WSOWL.

They have trained solidly
Author: cpt. Tomasz Szulejko
Date: 10.07.2007

There comes an end of training for 155 cadets of Officer Training Institute WSOWL[1] at Poznan's Stefan Czarniecki Training Center of Landed Forces. The students of faculties: Mechanized, Armoured, Recco, Air Cavalry, and Logistics take part in their last practical exercises.

They are facing now the final exams, which are the final stage in preparation to platoon commanding. But the lecturers do not let them relax. A great training pace and a mighty dose of knowledge make them tired often. It also invokes thoughts of more difficult times, facing them in two months, after their promotion to officer ranks. The future Second Lieutenants will undertake the real challenge. Their motivation to the officer service will be subjected to real trial. Working with people, necessity of undertaking quick and correct decisions, acting under stress and under pressure of time will verify the commanders. Their soldier's lifes will become more dynamic.

Two months has passed as a single day. There was a lot of activity from the reveille to the lights out. Each night seemed like a while. The cadets could only relax a bit at night - providing that they did not fall asleep during homework. Daily activities, nightly shooting practice, duties, equipment service, consulting and many other "round the clock" activities often caused the doubts whether their life choices were right on target. Only those most persevering and determined lasted to the end.

The School Commandant, Col. Jarosław Wierzcholski bets on quality. He stresses the importance of motivation to duties and solid, modern education. Training Center of Landed Forces gave the cadets a strong foundation, inspired and shown directions to future search. The practical training in army units will allow them to cool down and get into a rythm of army life. Their return home to their Wrocław's Institute to take their exams will be the last step after a year of hard work. And the forced march along the thorny road towards the stars...

source in Polish: http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/document,,id,9971.html
translation - MZ
[1]WSOWL = Officer Training Institute of Landed Forces

My comment: "And the forced march along the thorny road towards the stars.."???? What kind of language is this guy using? I have almost quit the translation of this pearl once or twice, after discovering so many empty, meaningless phrases. Back to Wiesław Gomółka times?

OK, here is my short interpretation of the above:
The cadets from Wrocław officer's school have been sent to Poznan's training facility for the two-months speedo theoretical and practical training - where they have got the hell of the abuse from Poznan's noncoms and officers. Their tired look clearly testifies to this - see the pictures. But they are happy to go back to Wrocław, to take their final exams, and to get hell out of there - after promotion to Second Lieutenants - to their assigned army units.
:-)

Mishka Zubov

07-10-2007, 12:48 PM

I've opened the thread "Taliban seize 18 Afghan mine clearing experts" in General Discussions section. Read it because this takes place in Andar district of Ghazni province - where those heart warming kites were flying last month (few days ago on our forum).

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2623302#post2623302

Switek

07-10-2007, 04:53 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49446.jpg

A Polish Rosomak or "wolverine" armored personnel carrier races across the brush littered terrain of Afghanistan's Andar District in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 25.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/49447.jpg

Afghan children play with a kite given to them by Polish and Afghan soldiers at their patrol base in Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 25.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/more/49444.jpg

A Polish soldier looks out over the evening horizon from at his platoon's patrol base in Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 25.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/more/49449.jpg

A Polish soldier pulls security while members of his platoon pass out humanitarian aid to Afghans living a remote village high in the hills of Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, during a patrol June 26.

From Today's Pix - Tuesday, July 10th, 2007 (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=115840)

jocker_89

07-10-2007, 05:46 PM

„Służba dla pokoju – Service for Peace” – Photo exposition in Central military library.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32511-2/Bogdanski_eksperyment.jpg

Experimenthttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32513-2/Celak_dekoracja_medalemONZ.JPG

Decoration of UN medalhttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32521-2/Gluszczak_Irackie_przyjaznie.jpg

Iraqi friendshiphttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32519-2/Domanski_zasieki_przed_obozem.JPG

Wire entanglements before the camphttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32525-2/Klupa_zawsze_z_bia_oczerwon_.JPG

Always with white-redhttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32517-2/Domanski_przerwa_w_szkoleniu.JPG

Break in traininghttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32523-2/Gluszczak_Jeden_cel.jpg

One targethttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32527-2/Kozicki_jeszcze_za_du_y.JPG

Still to bighttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32529-2/Kozicki_zasieki.jpg

Wire entanglements
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32531-2/Lemanowicz_Kreowanie+pozytywnego_wizerunku_sil_MNDCS.JPG

Creation of positive imagehttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32533-2/Lemanowicz_Pomoc_dla_bezdomnych.JPG

Assistance for poorhttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32535-2/Lemanowicz_przed_domem_wdow.jpg

Before house of widowshttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32537-2/Lemanowicz_Reakcja_dzieci_na_widok_zo_nierzy_MNDCS1.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32539-3/Lemanowicz_Reakcja_dzieci_na_widok_zo_nierzy_MNDCS2.JPG

Children reaction of view on soldiershttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32541-2/Milczanowski_Mury_babilonu.jpg

Walls of Babylonhttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32547-2/Pelec_strazacy_na+stanowiskach.jpg

Firemen on positions http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32557-2/POWITANIE.JPG

Welcomehttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32563-2/Windakiewicz_Droga_do_szko_y.jpg

Trip to schoolhttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32565-2/Zebryk_szarik.jpg

Szarik

These are not all photos
more on this page
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/v/inne/SERVICEFORPEACE/

Smok

07-10-2007, 05:52 PM

About origin of Szarik
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czterej_pancerni_i_pies

Mishka Zubov

07-10-2007, 07:51 PM

Meeting of attachés of defence
2007-07-10 09:11:16

On Sunday, July 8, the team of deputy commander of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan, Brigadier Wojciech Grabowski, organized a meeting for the attachés of defence in Afghanistan.
The military attachés came to Camp Eggers, hedquarters of CSTC-A, from the following countries: India, Pakistan, Turkey, Great Britain, China, Bulgaria, Kazachstan, Italy and USA. The discussions, during the meeting with the key personnel of CSTC-A, were about a need for the greater engagement of coalition countries into developing Afghan Security Forces through donations and training of army and police of Afghanistan.

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/plik/image/2007_07_04/attache.jpg
Andrzej Krzywicki

source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_89.html
translated by MZ

Venom PL

07-10-2007, 10:11 PM

Really nice movie (no pics) showing our soldiers during different types of exercises.
http://www.youtube.com/v/q1UqBijTsV4

KingoftheHill

07-11-2007, 02:35 AM

They look like Western soldiers except for the aging AK-clones, anything better in the pipeline?

marek

07-11-2007, 05:03 AM

Great video Venom! Thank's for posting!
They are only airborne troops in the movie, or others too?

jocker_89

07-11-2007, 05:41 AM

Great movie :)

BTW: these soldiers are from 18th landing-assault brigade

Mishka Zubov

07-11-2007, 05:52 AM

You meant "battalion", did you? 6th Brigade, 18th Battalion.

And yes, I like the movie. And also the "non-annoying" music.

Switek

07-11-2007, 05:55 AM

Jocker_89:

18th Air Aassault Batalion is a part of 6th Air Assault Brigade.

jocker_89

07-11-2007, 05:58 AM

Oh yes yes
My mistake sorry :roll:

Mishka Zubov

07-11-2007, 06:11 AM

Jocker_89:

18th Air Aassault Batalion is a part of 6th Air Assault Brigade.

Is this the official translation of "szturmowo-desantowo" (or is it "desantowo-szturmowa")? I've seen so many different interpretations that I am now confused. And not only I, Google is confused too. How do you search for that damn thing in Google - either in Polish or English?

And secondly - Are you sure that the soldiers were from the 18th battalion, and not the 6th or the 16th? I did not caught the colors of the badges. I am only asking... :-)

jocker_89

07-11-2007, 06:24 AM

At end of this movie you can see this caption "Zawodowcom z 18 b d-sz za udział w filmie dziękują realizatorzy"

18 b d-sz - 18 batalion desantowo-szturmowy(18th Air Aassault Batalion)

REMOV

07-11-2007, 06:31 AM

Is this the official translation of "szturmowo-desantowo" (or is it "desantowo-szturmowa")?6th Air Assault Bde (Abn) (6. BDSz) consist of (among others): 6th Air Assault Btn (6.bdsz, Gliwice), 16th Airborne Btn (16.bpd, Krakow) and 18th Air Assault Btn (18.bdsz, Bielsko Biala).

BDSz = brygada desantowo-szturmowa
bdsz = batalion desantowo-szturmowy
bpd = batalion powietrzno-desantowy

Switek

07-11-2007, 06:34 AM

Is this the official translation of "szturmowo-desantowo" (or is it "desantowo-szturmowa")? I've seen so many different interpretations that I am now confused. And not only I, Google is confused too. How do you search for that damn thing in Google - either in Polish or English?

And secondly - Are you sure that the soldiers were from the 18th battalion, and not the 6th or the 16th? I did not caught the colors of the badges. I am only asking... :-)

AFAIK, the term "desantowo-szturmowy" (which an official name of those units) should be translated as "air-assault"

As for your next question. No, I'm not sure :). They can be either 18th, 6th or 16th battalions...

Mishka Zubov

07-11-2007, 06:36 AM

That answers the second question, but definitely not the first. I was asking for OFFICIAL translation, not about what everyone thinks it should be.

Some basics aside, such as the existence of two words "szturm" and "desant", other factors are often taken into account to make something official.

Examples:
I used to study at UAM, now it is AMU (Switek should know what it is)
Similarly, I used to work at PTU, but I've seen PUT as well.
And I am not even talking about full names such as:
"My-City's Certain University" vs. "Certain University of My-City", etc., etc.

* Edit *
I just noticed the REMOV answer: seems official. Or not?

Argo AdAm

07-11-2007, 07:05 AM

I think the better translation of "desantowo-szturmowy" can be "airborne-assault" (better than longer "airborne - air assault"). A term "Air assault" is used for troops which are transported to combat mainly by helicopters and don't have to be train and prepared to perform parachute assault like "Airborne" troops. The best example is American 101st Air Assault Div. Polish equivalent of "air assault" is 25 Brygada Kawalerii Powietrznej (25th Air Cavalry Brigade).

Polish 6 BDSz is trained in parachuting and doesn't have helicopters so they are "airborne" or rather "airborne - assault" than "air assault". Just like the 82nd Airborne Division and the 187th Airborne Brigade.
So my proposition "6th Airborne Assault" is close to Remov's "6th Air Assault Bde (Abn)" ["Abn" means "Airborne"] ;)

Mishka Zubov

07-11-2007, 07:18 AM

With all due respect, you are missing the point Adam. I understand your arguments but neither you nor I can influence the brass to change the names of existing units. I was asking about OFFICIAL names - exactly as they use them in their military documents: "such-and-such Brigade" obtained 500 pairs of boots." :-)

Unless they are as confused as we are.

BTW, helicopters or not, this actually doesn't matter. In five years they may have helicopters, but the name of units would still be the same. Or not? You never know what the brass will decide. :-)

Smok

07-11-2007, 07:28 AM

They look like Western soldiers except for the aging AK-clones, anything better in the pipeline?

Our Beryl (this AK-clone) isn't so bad. It is quite good weapon. We don't think about replacing it.

REMOV

07-11-2007, 07:41 AM

I was asking about OFFICIAL names - exactly as they use them in their military documentsOfficial names are in Polish, in English there is only a tranlation sometimes without many details (i.e. official name is 6th Air Assault Brigade (Airborne), but in the normal paperwork it is just a 6th Air Assault Brigade). But the battalions names I wrote are official (from SFOR mission) - 6th and 18th are Air Assault Battalions and 16th is Airborne Battalion.

Our Beryl (this AK-clone) isn't so bad. It is quite good weapon. We don't think about replacing it.In fact, Polish Army is thinking about replacing 5,56-mm kbk wz.96 Beryl assault rifle as well as 5,56-mm subkbk wz.96 Mini Beryl carbine with a new, 5,56-mm NATO modular weapon system. I can say that this new system has already a military designate, quite a nice one p-)

~~~~

07-11-2007, 08:23 AM

I can say that this new system has already a military designate, quite a nice one p-)

kbk wz 2020 "Remov"?

Ksiunc

07-11-2007, 12:16 PM

In fact, Polish Army is thinking about replacing 5,56-mm kbk wz.96 Beryl assault rifle as well as 5,56-mm subkbk wz.96 Mini Beryl carbine with a new, 5,56-mm NATO modular weapon system. I can say that this new system has already a military designate, quite a nice one p-)

So my guess would be FN SCAR [nice name:)], it's modular, chambered for both 7,62 and 5,56 NATO [can also shoot the 5,45x39]. It's nice but it's just a dream. For what I know only sf can afford such weapons, not the regular army. SCAR won the contract for new US SOCOM weapon system.

Of course it could be something else, but for now it's the best weapon system in my opinion.

And Hi All btw. :-)

perdurabo

07-11-2007, 01:18 PM

or maybe Magpull Masada? HK416? Remov tell us more pls!

Smok

07-11-2007, 02:29 PM

rhino

07-11-2007, 04:43 PM

But is it serious thinking? Because every few years I hear about replacing Beryl but it is still just a plan without any consequences.

its like that joke about two sons in law who wanted to get some wodka and to trick their tesciowa started talking about getting some dimond earings for her, once mother was all out of alcohol they decided to just pierce the ears this year

come on Remov, spill the beans give us something:)

Mishka Zubov

07-12-2007, 10:32 AM

Medevacs "Ryś" in Sharana
Author and photos: Mariusz Konarski
2007-07-11
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Lynx_lynx.jpg/250px-Lynx_lynx.jpg
Euro-Asian lynx, "ryś" in Polish. Also a name of a Polish medevac vehicle.

Since April four armoured vehicles of medical evacuation "Ryś" (****ounce:rish) have been used by medical service of Polish Battle Group (PBG). Two of them are in Sharana base and two in Ghazni. They have been bought recently by ministry of defence. One has shown its usefulness last year in Iraq.
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/lipiec/rysie/rys_med1.jpg
- The vehicles have already participated in medical support in some actions - says Mjr. Marek Piekarski, a senior doctor of PBG, Sharana. - We have been supporting our sappers during demining tasks, and we have also used them for transport of water and food to flooded villages, when supporting humanitarian CIMIC actions. "Ryś" was used over there as a remote medical post for local villages.

-It has enough room for the patients and it is air conditioned, which is a plus. - says Piekarski.
- However, it is quite noisy while moving and it has sharp edges near its peryscopes. We can provide a basic medical help in "Ryś", since it is equipped with oxygen installation, it has a place for a defilibrator, and it has dressing and medicine chest for a broad group of injured patients. Compared to an American ambulance, based on HMMWV, our vehicle offers much greater comfort.

I joined the "Ryś" team and we went outside the base in a convoy of other vehicles. Driving in Afghanistan is a kind of great art. Roads are sandy and weakly compacted. Great clouds of dust build up when driving somewhat faster. But the vehicle moves efficiently and easily handles the slopes. I had no problems communicating via intercom with the driver and the commander. However, after our task was done, on the way back the air-conditioning broke. And the ride with the flak jacket and the headset on, in 40 degrees Celsius and dust everywhere - with no way to open the door or the upper hatch - was quite a survival lesson.

Lance corporal Krzysztof Gross from Warsaw has been a commander of one of "Ryś" vehicles since they have been delivered to Sharana. He previosly served as a driver on missions to Liban and Iraq.
- After several trips outside the base - says he - I may say that this vehicle is functionally satisfactory, although, if I may add, it could be better armoured at the bottom. In Afghani conditions the water propellers are obviously redundant but the automatic transmission would be useful here. Its all-axes drive has been a good idea - the vehicle does not sink in sand.
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/lipiec/rysie/rys_med2.jpg
Two representatives of manufacturer, Military Motorization Institute of Poznan (WZM), have been servicing the vehicles and collecting notes and user comments and opinions. We hope that the latter will be used by WZM to improve the "Ryś", so that our armed forces will end up with good medevac vehicles.
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Afganistan/lipiec/rysie/rys_med3.jpg

source in Polish: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5993&Itemid=29
Translated by MZ

Mishka Zubov

07-12-2007, 01:06 PM

Swiss Tank Challenge

Last week, July 2 - 7, the international tank championship, "Swiss Tank Challenge", took place in Thun, Switzerland. Tank crews from Switzerland and other European countries met at the Mechanical Training Center of Swiss Army to determine the best ones among them. Aside from the host country Switzerland, the following countries were invited: Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Spain - all those European countries whose armies use the battle tank Leopard 2.

The crews competed on Swiss Army simulators. The goal of the challenge was to acquire the targets in the shortest possible time and destroy them with the least amount of ammunition. Variety of conditions were simulated, including shooting from a driving tank. The task demanded perfect communication between the tank commander and its crew: the aimer and the loader.

The challenge was run in categories:
1. Swiss crews only
2. Foreign crews only
3. Swiss and foreign crews

The winner of the category 2 was Sweden, while Poland won category 3.

The crowning conclusion of the Challenge was an annual Steel Parade, on Saturday, July 7, 2007. On display were numerous vehicles, which played or still play a role in historical motorization of Swiss Army. The parade was opened by few former cyclists from Swiss Cyclist Company, followed by a squadron of Swiss Cavalry.

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/1757/200707stcradfahrer768x5mh7.jpg

Several former cyclists from the historical Swiss cyclist company open the Thun parade

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2825/200707stcpraga768x57611md3.jpg

One of the first Swiss Army tanks, of type Praga

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/314/200707stcleopard768x576vv6.jpg

Shooting Leopard 2

source: http://www.he.admin.ch/internet/heer/de/home/aktuell/swiss_tank_challenge.html

The Swedes have been already celebrating in another thread on MP.net. Now let us see, what Poles could boast about.

Poles the best
Crews of tanks Leopard 2 met at the annual championship in Thun, Switzerland, on July 5-7, 2007. The crew from the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade has affirmed its masterly class. After their success two years ago, when the tankers from Świętoszów came home with the gold and silver medals, they have proven this year that they definitely belong to the leaders of the prestigeous "Leopard Club".

In the most counting category (two best crews from each country) two Polish crews have been qualified on the first and third positions after the qualification round. The crew of Tomasz Potęga (plut. Tomasz Potęga, plut. Ryszard Woźniak and pfc. Daniel Delost) met with Norwegians in semi-finals which they won after a passionate fight. In the finals they met a German crew, who had won their semi-finals with Austrians. The grand final was won by the Poles, with significant points difference: 293:253. The Świętoszów tankers have shown once again that they are professionals in their calling.
(...)
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/120707_leo/zwyc.jpg

Polish winners of Swiss Tank Challenge, category 3

ppłk Dariusz Nawrocki.
Wydział Prasowy

source: http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/120707_leo/120707_leo.html
Translated by MZ

Juszi

07-12-2007, 01:24 PM

tony6

07-12-2007, 04:01 PM

Poles vs Germans in the final of tank challenge.
What a "classic" fight;)

Musashi

07-12-2007, 06:27 PM

IIIIIIIII-HAW
We did it AGAIN!

Rumcajs

07-12-2007, 08:48 PM

Mishka Zubov

07-12-2007, 09:07 PM

it´s not Praga but ČKD (Českomoravská Kolben-Daněk) Lehký tank Lt-38 (light tank Lt-38)

Thanks!

But don't kill the messenger: I just grabbed the word "Praga" from Swiss/Austrian/German articles - translated by Google to incredulous Engrish.
I cited one source, check it yourself.
:-)

Rumcajs

07-12-2007, 09:16 PM

Thanks!

But don't kill the messenger: I just grabbed the word "Praga" from Swiss/Austrian/German articles - translated by Google to incredulous Engrish.
I cited one source, check it yourself.
:-)
I know :) for them Praga,Tatra, Škoda, ČKD, or Bumar, PZL or for example Slovak ZTS is the same:-)) whital almost all these companies are much more older then a lot of western weapon producers

Mishka Zubov

07-13-2007, 01:57 PM

Dangers of Afghanistan
Wojciech Majeran
2007-07-13 12:30:02

There are about 27 millions of people living in Afghanistan. Statistically, there is one mine per each one.

Mines were used by Russians and by mujahedin. Their aim was to weaken morale of partizans fighting in mountains, as well as to stop military convoys with supplies and soldiers. According to experts, more than one hundred years is needed to clean Afghanistan up. Currently, the old remaining arsenal of mines is used by Taliban and Al-Qaida.

The main ingredient of IEDs in Afghanistan are all kinds of mines: small anti-personal and large anti-tank mines. Until recently this kind of war was unknown to people from around Hindukush. Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) came here with terrorists from Iraq. As stressed by the experts, each year there is more death carrying traps in Afghanistan.

However, their construction is differenet from those in Iraq. Afghan mine explodes either under pressure of a vehicle wheel or track, or by breaking off a staywire that holds its pin on. In Iraq most of the charges are blasted off by radio waves. Here in Sharana, this method is being thwarted by the radio interference system "DUKE", which has been installed in every vehicle that goes outside the base.

Each day the Afghan police post in Sharana receives dozen or so tips about IDEs found. From there the requests are sent to Polish Battle Group (PBG) via a small Polish-run outpost (10 Poles, 2 Americans, some ANA soldiers and AP police), the Provincial Coordination Center. The operation center decides on priorities. The highest priority is attached to places with the highest threat - both to soldiers and to locals.

Polish sappers from PBG have already become familiar with Afghanistan and its characteristic dangers. Most of them have participated in the operation Enduring Freedom in Bagram base.

This time the sappers will be defusing the IDE at night. The IDE has been localized at road leading to the only hospital in the neighborhood. Each day few hundred people walk by and hundreds of cars drive by over there. The threat is great so the sappers do not wait till the morning. A five-person team, commanded by Sgtfc. Damian Sierpiński needs only few minutes to go out the base. With them goes a quick reaction group to protect them during their work.

It takes dozen or so minutes to get from Sharana to the location of IDE. Local policemen are helping with it. They have been here securing the terrain until now. The Polish security boys take their positions and the experts begin to work.

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/5509/655wa9.jpg
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/7293/651oi5.jpg
"We'll begin with checking the terrain" - says Sgtfc. Sierpiński. In few minutes all necessary equipment is taken of the Hummer's trunk. Damian - slowly and in full concentration - uses a Schiebel's metal detector. Few minutes later he is near the object. Now, in the headlight of a Hummer it is seen that the mine is sorrounded by stones, laid there by the policemen.

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/5041/652rt6.jpg
"We need to prepare a small basket" - he tells pfc. Krzysiek Ubowski. Krzysiek bends a bit and gets a small frame from a pile. "Make it flat" - prompts Damian. The mine is shallowly digged into the sand.

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1485/657dm1.jpg
They work as one pair only because of the safety precautions. They trust each other. Krzysiek takes two TNT cubes, 400 gram each. "This should be enough" - they add in accord. Now they arm the fuse and unwind the ignition cable. Everyone moves back to a safe distance. We have to be careful not drive our Hummers over the cable. "We have never done it in darkness" - says Damian.

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/6458/653bv3.jpg
Everything goes a bit slow, because it's so easy to make a mistake in the dark. They turn the ignition on. A voice from the speakers: "Thirty seconds to the explosion." Two, one. A darkness becomes dispersed by a flash and a silence by a thunder. Eight hundred grams of TNT have done a job. They only have to check whether everything has been detonated.

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7237/656sp2.jpg
The sappers approach carefully. Damian kneels, checks with a knife. "Everyone back!" - he shouts and points to electrical cable sticking up. There must be something beneath. One more mine. "I need an extractor." Slowly and carefully he checks every centimeter. Schibel begins squeaking. Damian gently extracts about 10 cm of cable. Luckily - this is just a cable. The terrain is safe.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8215/654wu5.jpg
After a while come Afghan police officers. They thank us for removing the mine. They also have their success here. The patrol of Sgtfc. Damiana Sierpiński has luckily returned to the base. In meantime their friends run over an IED. "This could be our vehicle" - says Damian. "Sometimes when bringing help we might need it ourselves." - he adds.

source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_91.html
translated by MZ

My comment: The last paragraph seems like a "licentia poetica". The unlucky patrol of Polish sappers hit the mine at the evening when returning to base.

Mishka Zubov

07-13-2007, 04:24 PM

Polish Sappers, Bagram 2005

I somehow feel that sappers, not only the Polish ones, are somehow under-appreciated. So here is one of several stories with pictures that I have found on the net.

But first, see one of the historical threads in our own forum.
"Due to posting #2000, I will not forget Poland.", MP.net thread, 2004-10-19, http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=24654

Fields of Fire
Story and photos by Army Sgt. Matthew MacRoberts
20th Public Affairs Affairs Detachment
September 19, 2005

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan
While many service members slept, a team of Polish sappers readied their gear Aug. 24 and set out for a field near tower one to destroy one of the mines they had uncovered during the previous days work. During the past month, while working in the field across the street from the bazaar parking lot, the soldiers have found and destroyed more than 46 explosive devices; two TM62M anti-tank mines, two YM-1 anti-personnel mines, seven other various mines, 20 mortars, and 15 rocket propelled grenades.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/677/sappercalibrationsb9.jpg
"It is not often that I find a mine, it's mostly a piece of metal," said Polish army Sgt. Piotr Slabon, one of the sappers who recently found a YM-1 anti-personnel mine. "You don't know if it's a mine or not. (The YM-1) is a very small mine, but it's very dangerous because it has very little metal in it making it very hard to detect.

Their work day starts at 4:30 a.m. and finishes midday because of the heat. After destroying the mine, the sappers put together their metal detectors and started their 30-minute shifts to look for more ordnance. In the middle of the field, there are two underground bunkers, which presented a serious threat to the Polish soldiers. Going into them and probing for mines and other explosives held a high risk factor prompting them to call the Air Force's explosive ordinance disposal office on Bagram Airfield.

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1517/sapperbunkerqd1.jpg
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Mal and Master Sgt. Jon Ford arrived in the morning with a Packbot, a remote controlled EOD robot that would be used to scout the inside of the bunkers for mines and ****y traps. While searching the second bunker, the soldiers and Airmen on site visually identified two Type 72 anti-personnel mines, a RPG, a grenade and a recoilless rifle shell. These munitions were in sight of the ladders leading into the bunker.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3644/sapperpackbothv0.jpg
The sappers, EOD and mine action team members decided to leave the bunkers alone for now and have the Polish focus on clearing the land around the bunkers. While searching for mines the sappers have to probe by hand any objects their metal detectors find.

"It is very exciting to find a mine," said Slabon. "You get a lot of adrenaline when you find one. Sappers are only allowed one mistake." Polish army Sgt. Krzysztof Mariarz, another sapper that found a mine said, "I'm not so nervous while looking for mines." He explained that it is a very methodical and planned process that he keeps him safe. "But, when I find a mine I have to stop and ask myself if there could be a second mine nearby, one hidden by a stronger signal of the first mine."

During an average day, the Polish sappers clear more than 100-square meters of ground using metal detectors and probing techniques. They have been working in the general area of tower one for five months now.

"It's very difficult work to find mines here," said Slabon. "Normally mines are laid in a pattern. Here they are scattered in no particular order." Slabon said, with a hint of pride, no Polish sappers have been injured while clearing fields here.

About working as a sapper here, Maziarz said, "I like the adventure, but mines have
killed a lot of people - especially small children. I wanted to help clear the soil to make
it safe."

source: Afghanistan Freedom, http://www.25idl.army.mil/freedomwatch/Sep2005/Sep%2019,%202005.pdf

Mishka Zubov

07-13-2007, 04:53 PM

And one more story, this time from the year 2006.

Polish troops lead the way in demining Bagram base
By Anita Powell, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Sunday, February 19, 2006

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — Before officials expand this base to roughly twice its current size, they’ll have to manually evict countless longtime tenants.

Local officials estimate it will take between three and five years to clear all of Bagram Air Base, a former Soviet base, of Soviet-sown anti-personnel mines, Afghan-laid anti-tank mines and anti-personnel mines and countless ammunition rounds, small bombs, grenades and shrapnel.

The task illustrates one of the many obstacles facing Afghanistan: The nation is the second-most mined country in the world, with anywhere from 5 million to as many as 20 million mines scattered in its rugged terrain. Much of the ordnance is found in and around former Soviet bases — like Bagram — and at former Northern Alliance and Taliban strongholds.
“This is a pretty big mess right now,” said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Mike Messina, who helps lead the Mine Action Center, which coordinates demining activities for U.S. and coalition bases around Afghanistan. “There is a huge demining effort in Afghanistan right now.”

At Bagram, some of the most detailed and difficult demining work is handled by the Polish army, which has a company-sized presence on base. The sappers of the 1st Engineering Brigade of Brzeg, Poland, take to the base’s fields daily, spending hours kneeling in the earth, tentatively poking around with metal detectors and spades.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/9037/35171218154523qa0.jpg

Red flags mark areas on Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, where members of a Polish demining team search for mines and old ordnance used as bombs. As many as 20 million mines are scattered across the country.

The work is “a long-term process,” said Polish army Maj. Piotr Grzegorzewski. “It can be really boring.” That said, sappers say the extreme danger of the job is constantly in the back of their minds. “Only the crazy don’t get scared,” Warrant Officer 1 Mariusz Mazur said as he watched a kneeling colleague slowly turn dirt with a spade, as if preparing to plant a petunia.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4630/35171218154531ws8.jpg

A member of a Polish demining team at an area of Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, looks for mines and old ordnance used as bombs.

A dinner-table-sized plot of land might take 10 hours to demine, said Messina, adding that lacing the same area with mines could take as few as 15 minutes. “The Polish are very good manual deminers,” Messina said. “Any project we have that’s very difficult and terrain-intensive, we put them on.”

The center also uses civilian deminers and members of the 391st Engineering Battalion, an Army Reserve unit based in South Carolina, to conduct demining activities on the air base. Demining machinery and dogs are also used to clear areas.
“Every day they’re working, they’re finding something,” said Australian army Maj. Darren Morgan, officer in charge of the Mine Action Center.

Over the last four months, the sappers have found 12 anti-personnel mines, many of them Israeli-made box mines, in a small area on the base. Almost every search yields munitions, and deminers conduct two or three controlled detonations daily.
Even after the areas are considered clear, officials say, a few stubborn tenants will remain.
“There’ll always be something left out there,” Morgan said.

source: Stars and Stripes, http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=34289&archive=true

Valdas

07-14-2007, 10:03 AM

MZ--> Thanx for yours impressive contribution to this tread!

Musashi

07-14-2007, 04:50 PM

Misha, keep on doing the excellent job :hug:woot

Mishka Zubov

07-14-2007, 05:10 PM

Thanks to those of you with nice supportive thoughts :-)
The article that follows has been directly requested by Jocker_89:

Artillery practice of professional privates
Author: Warrant Officer 2nd. Class Zbigniew Płaczkiewicz
Date: 2007-07-13

Participants of a non-commissioned course for professional privates at Army Noncom School in Toruń took their fire exam, at Toruń military training grounds, on July 12. The future commanders of anti-tank missile launchers 9 P133 (PPK) and self-propelled howitzers 2S-1 „Goździk” were demonstrating their skills.

Thanks to the long lasting rains this month there is no threat of forest fires and hence the Warrant Officer 1st Class Wojciech Bućko may plan - without apprehension - today's target practice with live ammunition at the nearby training grounds. All soldiers still remember the dry and hot June, when - because the highest level of fire alert - there were no target practices. "Soldier's life is sometimes strange; rain clouds above, no sun in site in the past dozen of days, but we are all very glad - which could not be said about our collegues on their vacations. We can shoot at last!" - said Officer 1st Class Wojciech Bućko.
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32974-1/15.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32945-1/01.jpg

But before the first shot get fired the anti-tankers and howitzer-men had to prepare their equipment under supervision of their instructors: Sgt. Dariusz Zakrzewski (PPK) and Sgt. Wojciech Sowa (2S-1). After that they had to choose their firing-posts and sketch the lines of fire for every firing weapon.
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32948-1/02.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32950-1/03.jpg

The target practice has been prepared on two axes in the same direction under the intent observation of the fire controllers: Warrant Officer 1st Class Wojciech Bućko (self-propelled howitzer 2S-1 „Goździk”) and Warrant Officer 2nd Class Zbigniew Płaczkiewicz (anti-tank missile launchers 9 P133). The task of future artillery commanders was a direct shooting to stationary targets.
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32952-1/04.jpg

The anti-tankers began first. "Launcher one, marker 3 - left 30, a tank. Destroy!" - commands Warrant Officer 2nd Class Grzegorza Wessel, a PPK platoon commander, at the fire control post. Less than a minute later the commander of the first launcher, Pfc. Dariusz Wandas, reports: "Target destroyed, one shell used!" A satisfaction is painted all over the faces of the shooting crew - and this kind of reports will be heard to the end of their target practice. The anti-tankers have receved the "A" mark.
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32960-1/08.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32964-1/10.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32970-1/13.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32962-1/09.jpg

After a while, the howitzer crew joined the anti-tankers on the nearby fire axis. Again and again shots have been fired from the self-propelled howitzers, caliber 122 mm. The charges of Sgt. Wojciech Sowa (2S-1) have been also happy with their results. (.. details elided - MZ). The've got the mark "A minus" - they have only missed few hundres of a point to get the full "A" mark.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32954-1/05.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32956-1/06.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32958-1/07.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32966-1/11.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32968-1/12.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32972-1/14.jpg

A next target practice will be next week, July the 19th - a chance to prove that the currently received marks have not been just incidental.

source: http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/document,,id,9992.html
translated by MZ

jocker_89

07-14-2007, 05:11 PM

Like Musashi said excellent job Mishka :)

Mishka Zubov

07-14-2007, 07:34 PM

The fire exercise
Author and photos: Mariusz Konarski
Saturday, July 14,2007

I've had a chance to participate in a fire exercise in FOB Sharana (Forward Operation Base - MZ) - implementing a NATO procedure "Call for Fire", using mortars caliber 98 mm, with shrapnel-demolishion ammunition. Typically, the crew of this type of mortar is made of five soldiers: one aimer, one loader, two ammunition suppliers and a commander.

"I have received a fire data from the Fire Direction Command (FDC)" - says Warrant Officer 3rd Class Ireneusz Stasiński, a fire officer. The data, after passing it to the mortar crews, make it possible to shoot targets from the hidden fire posts. "First, the directional gun fires a single grenade. After a correction from an observation post, I'll switch to the effective platoon fire until a target is destroyed. We are battle ready to fire in any direction around the base at the distances up to 7200 meters."

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/7729/660vw4.jpg
A tremendous boom and a column of fire over the mortar makes an impression. The main task of our mortars is a power demonstration. They are served by professional soldiers from the 18th Air Assault Btn, the professionals with experience gained in past missions.

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/7271/659iw2.jpg
These type of trainings are organized often - to keep the soldiers in the high battle readiness. This is not a surprise that soldiers from the fire platoon sometimes run out only in shorts, flak jackets over their T-shirts and helmets - ready to take their positions.

"In our free time - which is quite short - we use body building gym and we run to maintain and increase our fitness" - say Pfc. Rafał Król. "We think a lot about our families" - adds Pfc. J****z Biadun of Bielsko-Biała. His son was just born.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7858/658lm8.jpg
Polish Battle Group (PBG) has - among other weapons - mortars caliber 98 mm. "This is the main means to protect our soldiers in the bases" - says Cpt. Tomasz Janczak, an officer from the fire support unit of PBG. "Mortars serve for force demonstration and to support soldiers in the zone of responsibility of PBG. We provide security not only to our own soldiers, but also to coalition forces. During the preparation period at home we have recognized the importance of acceptance of NATO artillery procedures. This way, our soldiers have an opportunity to call for coalition artillery fire support and - on the other hand - our artillery units are able to support the coalition forces within our zone of responsibility."

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/343/662vs3.jpg
A 24-hours readiness is maintained at the fire posts, as well as - at the Fire Coordination Center (FCC). The fire trainings like this one are meant to maintain the constant battle readiness. Each exercise starts with the artillery "Call For Fire". Targets are usually chosen by the observers from non-artillery units; their reports are then sent to FCC, which prepares the fire data. This way, the non-artillery soldiers exercise their skills in target selection, preparation of fire data, decision of timings for starting the fire and reporting corresponding corrections.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/7038/661zu7.jpg
"Our allies appreciate highly our professionalism" - adds Cpt. T. Janczak - "and - because of it - we have a free rein in using our artillery."

source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6099&Itemid=29
Translated by MZ

What do you make of the last sentence? "Shoot as much as you wish and don't bother telling us about it? We are not scared of your fire any more, but don't wake us up too often, please?" :-)
Remember, there are many American units, aside PBG, in Sharana - including a good medical facility, engineers, CIMIC, PRT, etc.

Mishka Zubov

07-14-2007, 07:55 PM

Interesting in joining Beowulf?

For all you armchair soldiers:
http://www.beowulfusa.com/beowulf-poland.php
:-)

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All operators have been vetted to standards with military background verification, criminal background checks, medical screenings, and physical fitness tests.

Director of Polish Operations
Our Director of Polish Operations served 4 years in military college and 5 years in the Special Forces before he served for the elite GROM (Hostage Rescue Forces). While a member of GROM, he climbed through all of the officer positions to become Squadron Commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. As Squadron Commander, he conducted numerous full-scale training exercises and real-time missions cooperating with units similar to his, such as Delta Force, SAS, and SBS. Under his command his squadron conducted the successful apprehension of war criminal Slavko Dokmanovic in former Yugoslavia (Eastern Slovenia). He was awarded the Distinguished National Cross for Bravery in 1998. After his retirement from the army, he conducted PSD missions in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Iraq, protecting numerous Ambassadors and State Department officials. He has both attended and instructed in numerous schools including, US Special Forces, British Special Air Service (SAS), US Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), Polish Special Forces Selection, US Tactical Support Team, Hostage Negotiation and Release, Advanced Protective Security Training, DSS Personal Security Detail Training and special training with 1st SFOD - "DELTA."

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Switek

07-16-2007, 08:21 AM

http://img.interia.pl/facet/nimg/Speczandarmi_1630420.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/facet/nimg/Speczandarmi_1630418.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/facet/nimg/Speczandarmi_1630414.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/facet/nimg/Speczandarmi_1630410.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/facet/nimg/Speczandarmi_1630408.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/facet/nimg/Speczandarmi_1630404.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/facet/nimg/Speczandarmi_1630399.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/facet/nimg/Speczandarmi_1630397.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/facet/nimg/Speczandarmi_1630395.jpg

http://img.interia.pl/facet/nimg/Speczandarmi_1630393.jpg

Mishka Zubov

07-16-2007, 08:38 AM

I can understand that the contents of the first set of suitcases are the makeup gadgets and the rendezvous reminder and help cards. :-)
But what about the other equipment on the second picture?

Switek

07-16-2007, 08:45 AM

Multimedia hardware ;)

Mishka Zubov

07-16-2007, 08:53 AM

Well yes, of course. :-)
But seriously, aside from the obvious laptop, I have no idea what the other gadgets are for. I presume that this is no secret..

Switek

07-16-2007, 09:00 AM

X-Ray scanner, gunpowder researcher, drug tester, alkometer - I'm guessing, of course...

Mishka Zubov

07-16-2007, 09:21 AM

Thanks Switek.
Oh, by the way, do you remember our little discussion about proper spelling of the unit of Bielsko Biała, few pages back, where I was pushing for the official, stardard English naming of that and related units? Well, Remov gave some answer that seemed reasonably official to me at that time.

But no, the Ministry of National Defence has this pearl in one of their articles:
18th Air-Mobile Assault Battalion of Bielsko-Biała
source: http://www.wp.mil.pl/artykul_wiecej.php?idartykul=3252

Take a look at the date: 2007-06-14 !!!!!

And guess what - the only pages, exactly two, that are found via Google search "18th Air-Mobile Assault Battalion" are those two from the Ministry. So much for standarization, good going guys!

Mishka Zubov

07-16-2007, 08:29 PM

"The fire exercise" posting of mine has now bigger and two more pictures.
-MZ

Switek

07-17-2007, 05:43 AM

http://www.army.mil.pl/cwic/260607_amber/1.jpg

http://www.army.mil.pl/cwic/260607_amber/2.jpg

http://www.army.mil.pl/cwic/260607_amber/3.jpg

http://www.army.mil.pl/cwic/260607_amber/4.jpg

http://www.army.mil.pl/cwic/260607_amber/5.jpg

http://www.army.mil.pl/cwic/260607_amber/6.jpg

Mishka Zubov

07-17-2007, 07:19 AM

There is a little unassuming newsletter called "Fury Focus", an authorized publication for members of Department of Defense. Fury Focus is published monthly by Task Force Fury Public Affairs Office.
Since Polish Battle Group in Afghanistan is part of Task Force Fury this publication could be of some interest to some of you.

As far as I understand at least four issues have been printed, but I have only found two references to its electronic version on internet:
Fury Focus, June 2007, Volume 1, Issue 4
Fury Focus, July 2007, Volume 1, Issue 5 [this is what I guess]

The June issue is accessible from Fort Brag in PDF format. I have extracted from there this little excerpt below:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7227/medykur7.jpg

Polish Major Mark Piekarski, a Polish military field surgeon, works to stop bleeding of an electronic medical mannequin during a Combat Lifesaver Class May 5, at Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan. To prepare them for conducting joint operations with U.S. forces, the medics are being given a CLS class to familiarize them with American medical procedures, as well as to give them their last refresher course before they go out on missions.
"This course is very good, because of how realistic it is," said Piekarski.
Once the medics move down to their FOBs and firebases, they will work jointly with U.S. medics in aid stations.
source: June Fury Focus, http://www.bragg.army.mil/82DV/FuryFocus/JuneFuryFocus.pdf

Do you remember the post about the medevacs "Ryś", http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2627789&postcount=827 ? Yes, this is the same Mjr. Piekarski, as mentioned in that article.

The July issue of "Fury Focus" contains an article, page 14, "PBG assumes authority in western Paktika". This is old news, but I extracted two little gems from there:

Gem 1:

Lt.Col.David J.Woods presents Polish Army Lt.Col.Adam Strek with a saber during a Transfer of Authority ceremony June 14 at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan. Woods and his paratroopers from 4th Squadron, 73 Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division hand command of the eastern portion of the Paktika Province to Strek and his soldiers from the Polish Battle Group.
[This capture contains en error: It says "eastern part of Paktika", should be western part ..]

But where is a picture? I want to see the saber!
Problem is that I cannot directly access the only known source of this issue, http://www.cfc-a.centcom.mil/TF%20Fury/JulyFuryFocus.pdf. It looks like I am either prevented from accessing any level of this URL, or there are some communication problems. But I was able to get at least the HTML version of this file via Google cache. I can read the text but I do not see any pictures in this version. So na saber! Anyone heaving more luck here?

Gem 2: (4-73rd Cav. are Woods' paratroopers replaced by PBG)

The change will also allow the 4-73rd Cav. to resume the traditional role of a cavalry unit, moving throughout the battle space and providing commanders an additional combat power, said Army Maj. Jason L. Smallfield, the executive officer of the 4-73rd Cav.

“We are the eyes and ears of the commander,” he said, referring to Col.Schweitzer. “We are going to roam the battlefield and go after the bad guys. We are a force unencumbered by [a set area of operations] and can go anywhere on the battlefield."

Previously, 4-73rd Cav. had been limited in their operations since they were in command of a set region, a task generally given to an infantry battalion. “This improves the capabilities of a cavalry squadron, and uses each formation in a way that maximizes their advantages,” Smallfield added.

Hurrah, the cavalry spirit ("fantazja kawaleryjska") is still alive! :-)

jocker_89

07-17-2007, 10:15 AM

16th July: In early morning Plane with 123 soldiers from VIII change has landed on Wrocław airport.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33265-2/10.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33268-2/11.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33271-2/12.jpg
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http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33238-2/1.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33241-2/2.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33244-2/3.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33247-2/4.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33250-2/5.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33253-2/6.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33256-2/7.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33259-2/8.jpghttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33262-2/9.jpg

www.wojsko-polskie.pl (http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl)

jocker_89

07-17-2007, 11:23 AM

From the beginning of the July americans have transfered to polish combat group armoured cistern on fuel M978 (heavy expanded mobility tactical truck)
It would be nothing unusual but in fact this is the biggest armoured cistern in USA army.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/160707_afg/2.jpg

Driver of this vehicle is older staff sergeant Arkadiusz Bogaczewicz.
In Sharan he fulfills duties of older driver.
He is 34 years old and from 1995 he works in army.
He took a part in several missions: Kosovo, Bosnia and Iraq.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/160707_afg/1.jpg

Vehicle has been produced in 1983 year so he has proven his usefulness - Said Bogaczewicz
It carries away 2500 gallons it is about 9500 liters.
It has eight wheel drive.
Engine has 500HP and he allows to reach about 57 mph.
It drives very easly because it has power steering and automatic gearbox.
Big advantage of this cistern is large air-conditioned cabin and strong armoring.

Translation - Jocker_89 (It was my amateur translation and I apologize for sepelling errors)

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

Mishka Zubov

07-17-2007, 11:48 AM

Even though it so old this beast still looks impressive. Good luck to its driver!

Mishka Zubov

07-17-2007, 04:36 PM

Area of responsibility of Polish Batle Group

For your convenience, here are a map, its legend, scale and some discussion of Polish area of responsibility in Ghazni and Paktika, Afghanistan.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9289/legendjg3.jpg

The map legend

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3521/scaleah5.jpg

The map scale. Use the graphical part only because both the map and the scale have been magnified several times. The notion of "1 cm" has only a relative meaning here.

Now, let me walk with you a bit around this map. At its upper portion there are three provincial capitals, signified by big Y-s: Ghazni, Gardez and Sharan. Gardez is a capital of Paktia and it "belongs" to Americans. But we should watch Gardez as well because we have there our OMLT - operational mentoring and liaison team, who advices one of the best battalions of ANA there.

One company of Poles is in a camp around Ghazni, west of Gardez. Just below Ghazni there is a district Andar - that's where those soldiers were playing with kites last month, rememeber? :-) The district borders are the yellow colored, dotted lines - see the legend.

There are two major roads forking at Ghazni: the main South-West road from Kabul to Kandahar, which Polish soldiers suppose to protect and the secondary road to Sharan, a capital of Paktika - where most of our soldiers reside. That's about 50 km distance, more or less. The rest of the roads are just tracks (red lines) and that's where the driving "fun" begins.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/773/pbgmapwd5.jpg

A magnified cut-out of an AIMS map covering more or less the area where Polish Battle Group currently operates.

Now go down South-West by the track from Sharan to Khair Kot. That's about 50 km. The track is more or less parallel to the road to Kandahar and it is described a bit in an article "Combat Patrol to Khair Kut Castle" which somebody might translate and post here soon, I hope. But notice a confusing spelling of geographical names in the article - more about it later. That's a little outpost of Poles, Americans, ANA soldiers and AP police. The combat patrol, described in that article, took full two days to go from Sharan to Khair Kot and back, staying overnight at the latter.

Continuing South-West by the same track one passes a district center Jani Khel, and then reaches the Khoshamand - about 30 km altogether. I do not know if there is any outpost, but the place is important because the track forks there: the South-West arm continues to Dila and Nawa, while its South arm goes 60-70 km down to Waza Khwa. This is where another company of Polish soldiers reside. But there is also an airport and a big fuel depo where most aircrafts refuel. I am not sure where the Poles in Sharana and Ghazni get their fuel from. I hope not from Waza Khwa - that would be a long and a difficult drive.

The map presented here might look untinteresting topographically - everything seems flat. But in fact, there some hills en route to Waza Khwa - as you can find in more detailed maps, see below.
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/9409/wazakhwayr7.jpg

Approach to Wazakhwa from the North. Notice the hilly terrain

The spelling mess
Dari and Pashtu are two predominant languages of the region. Spelling of geographical names reflects this. But you have to remember that those names are transliterated to English, and native English speakers are the worst possible spellers in the world. They do not know this, but this is true: take the simplest Latino (Latin, Spanish, Italian, etc.) phrase and see how they'll butcher it - both in spelling and in ****unciation.:-) So here we are: working with international language "masters" and adding quirks of our own.

Equivalent spellings [Polish in brackets]:

Sharan, Sharana, FOB Sharana - [Sharan, Szarana]
Khair Kot, Khyar Kot, Kheyek Kut (I guess, the last one is corrupted by Konarski) - [Cher Kat, Cher Kot?]
Waza Khwa, Wazi Khwa - [Łaza Chła, Łazy Chła]
Khoshamand, Khushamand - [Choszamand, Chuszamand]
Yosufkhel, Yusuf Khel - [Josufchel, Jusuf Chel]
:-)

Source of the maps
This might not be the best source of non-military maps, but I could not find anything better: AIMS, Afghanistan Information Management System, http://www.aims.org.af/. They have all sorts of maps there. For example, the cut-out presented here is a fragment of Afghanistan Physical Map (South East), http://www.aims.org.af/maps/national/physical/south_east.pdf. Topographic maps are under menu Maps -> Standard Maps -> Afghanistan Topographic Maps (with or without background). I prefer the former, becuse they show a 3D reliefs of the terrain. The area of Ghazni, Paktia and Paktika is covered by maps: PI42-10, PI42-11 and PI42-14.

jocker_89

07-17-2007, 05:07 PM

Polish soldier died in Iraq

according to this news:
http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/wiadomosc.html?kat=1342&wid=9031340&rfbawp=1184705091.285

39 years old soldier Major Jarosław Posadzy stayed in the area of Diwanija base. Sudenly he fainted and died despite immediate resuscitation.
Autopsy will explain reasons of death.

http://i.wp.pl/a/f/jpeg/18062/jaroslaw_posadzy_450.jpeg

Onetime captain Jarosław Posadzy receives gold medal 16.02.2004

Mishka Zubov

07-17-2007, 05:38 PM

RIP. Whatever the cause.

More than half of the comments attached to the source of that sad message (I do not mean you guys here!) are the most idiotic statements I have ever read in my life. Politicizing a death of a soldier?

daily666

07-17-2007, 05:47 PM

Rest In Peace Captain Jaroslaw Posadzy :(

Switek

07-18-2007, 02:00 AM

http://www.nfow.pl/images/smiles/rip.gif Captain!

jocker_89

07-18-2007, 06:41 AM

Igła lower on legs! Remember, that your partner gives you protection and he is shorter then you - Shout instructor.
Soldiers without any objections executed his commands.

Whole practice led lieutenant colonel Paweł Kotowicz. These training activites have to show soldiers how they should behave in danger situation especially as they were not trained for take part in patrols everyday in Polnad. But missionary reality has verified these foundations. - Said Kotowicz.

Although these training leasted only one and half hour in sun. Vest and extra equipment didn't facilitate this task but all participants didn't hide their satisfaction.

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/7545/66358a9b1ym4.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/62/664.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/62/665.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/62/666.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/62/668.jpg
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http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/62/672.jpg
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http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/62/679.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/62/680.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/62/681.jpg

www.isaf.wp.mil.pl (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl)

Mishka Zubov

07-18-2007, 08:42 AM

You missed one important point Jocker_89: Those soldiers are paper-pushers from the staff of Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan. That's why they have not been trained back in Poland in the matters of survival and they still make mistakes.

And some advice: Put quotation marks around "Igła" (a proper name or a moniker) and "missionary" (jocular: a soldier participating in a mission).

jocker_89

07-18-2007, 11:23 AM

Ok mishka :)

jocker_89

07-18-2007, 12:38 PM

Swelter is poured from sky. Temperature comes to 40 degrees. Even smallest wind is not feel. Group of soldiers move on street.

Patrol decidedly moving between buildings. Each soldier is observing own sector.

Suddenly series of shots fall from buildings. One of soldiers holding his thigh...soldiers immediately answer fire.

Someone screaming "MEDIC!". Others are going to place where shoots have fallen. First team after few seconds is near the doors. Second team cover them. In that same moment injured soldier is transported to safe place. Assistance has been called by the radio. less then minute from the shooting tied up aggressor is moving out from the building.

This is one of the many trained situations on military trainig ground in Wędrzyn by the soldiers from High officers school of land forces in Poznań.

From 12 to 19 July 85 soldiers bravely trained in built up center.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33280-2/01.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33282-2/02.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33284-2/03.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33286-2/04.JPG

Patrol walkinghttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33288-2/05.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33290-2/06.JPG

Wounded on battlefield http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33292-2/07.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33294-2/08.JPG

Patrol on vehicles http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33296-2/09.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33298-2/10.JPG

Short break between activitieshttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33300-2/11.JPG

Check point http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33302-2/12.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33304-2/13.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33306-2/14.JPG

Moving between buildingshttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33308-2/15.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33310-2/16.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33312-2/17.JPG

Heat has 40 degrees. Water is a basishttp://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33314-2/18.JPG

Command. Warant officers URBAŃSKI, SKORYNA, PALAK

www.wojsko-polskie.pl (http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl)

PS: I apologize again for my english :)

REMOV

07-19-2007, 06:27 AM

Oh, by the way, do you remember our little discussion about proper spelling of the unit of Bielsko Biała, few pages back, where I was pushing for the official, stardard English naming of that and related units? Well, Remov gave some answer that seemed reasonably official to me at that time. But no, the Ministry of National Defence has this pearl in one of their articles: 18th Air-Mobile Assault Battalion of Bielsko-Biała
source: http://www.wp.mil.pl/artykul_wiecej.php?idartykul=3252

Take a look at the date: 2007-06-14! !!!!!

And guess what - the only pages, exactly two, that are found via Google search "18th Air-Mobile Assault Battalion" are those two from the Ministry. So much for standarization, good going guys!Ekhm... I found on this website unit named "10th Air Cavalry Brigade of Swietoszow", and such thing like "WIST, Beryl and Miniberyl pistols" (sic!), so in my opinion you should not trust any information about the proper Polish unit names you've found on the website. Lets say, some personal assistance got a list in Polish and uses her own imagination to create English unit names in this note, thats all p-)

Unwritten

07-19-2007, 07:14 AM

trip to school
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/32563-2/Windakiewicz_Droga_do_szko_y.jpg

Scene of a harsh and painful reality... :-(

jocker_89

07-19-2007, 08:48 AM

We can say about them, that they are always before, or after patrol. All are from 18th air assault battalion.

Work in this platoon doesn't belong to the most easy. There is only 16 bodyguards and they have 4 hummers which never get cool

Commander of this platoon is warrant officer Radosław Klimek.
He is responsible for secure of transported persons, patrols and convoys.

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/4807/6873cc261lg9.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2495/6883d7da3de4.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7986/6893ea606dl0.jpg
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4185/690402469ji2.jpg
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/7842/69140d6b1sn9.jpg

www.isaf.wp.mil.pl

jocker_89

07-19-2007, 01:21 PM

Soldiers from 18th air assault battalion and 17th mechanized brigade show how to shoot.

Mission in Afghanistan is for soldiers test of characters. They must measure with serious tasks, with hard climate...with oneself.

But when we are looking on polish soldiers from combat group A in Ghazni, Can be seen that they go out from this encounters victorious.
Typical soldiers' morning, Bathroom, breakfast and some run. Commander of group major Michał Hołub is on two-day departure with convoy. In staff, at coffee, among monitors, phones and maps, his substitute captain Mariusz Krawiec shortly says what today will be to work. - Shooting, return of convoy, unloading of transport, patrol in day and in night, In the morning and in the evening briefing, guards. there is a lot of work to do - add with smile.

And really there is a lot of work to do. From the morning on target range soldiers from 18th air assault battalion and 17th mechanized brigade training and shoot in different positions - Lying, standing, kneeling - all shots leave tracks on target.

In second part of the base leasts unloading from trucks.

Evening is approaching Hummers and Rosomaks(wolverines) are leaving on a patrol. Next day: I know, that all have returned from patrol because they told us how it was.*

Major Wojciech KALISZCZAK

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/692.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/693.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/695.jpg
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/8703/69468b3c5lm1.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/696.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/697.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/698.jpg

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/699.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/700.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/701.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/702.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/703.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/704.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/705.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/706.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/707.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/708.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/709.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/65/710.jpg
**

* This was my amateur translation and I again apologize for my english.
** Most of these photos is in 871x580 resolution.

www.isaf.wp.mil.pl

jocker_89

07-19-2007, 05:08 PM

http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=116500

Also post about MEN'S DAY IN GHAZNI but in professional version.
translated by mishka :)

Mishka Zubov

07-19-2007, 05:18 PM

Ekhm... I found on this website unit named "10th Air Cavalry Brigade of Swietoszow", and such thing like "WIST, Beryl and Miniberyl pistols" (sic!), so in my opinion you should not trust any information about the proper Polish unit names you've found on the website. Lets say, some personal assistance got a list in Polish and uses her own imagination to create English unit names in this note, thats all p-)

I agree with you, of course. I did not trust their interpretation for a second. I was being sarcastic saying "Good going guys!". For clarity, I should have said: "Good going MOD guys!". But I thought that it was clear from the context, especially after pointing out that Google has just two entries with that MON website invention.

Switek

07-19-2007, 05:26 PM

Mishka Zubov

07-19-2007, 05:40 PM

Jocker_89 and Mishka Zubov, great job, as usual. http://www.nfow.pl/images/smiles/oki.gif

The official site of PKW-A (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/index.html) is propaganda tube of our MoD what means it isn't independent. Just for clarification.

btw. I'm full of of personal respect to every Polish Soldiers serving abroad.
Oh, I know. Didn't you notice my little introduction with the word "propaganda" in it? :-)
But I found this article worth publishing, especially after reading so many American doubts about usefulness of their allies. So here you are: they do their job eagerly, they don't sit in the bases all day, but if they don't get killed - the better for them. And this also relates to today's discussion about Euros not willing to fight.
BTW, the same source presents a picture of TV reporters in Afghanistan. That implies, that there will be much more material available from now on. Hopefully - better quality. And no, they are not independent either. :-)

Switek

07-19-2007, 05:56 PM

Oh, I know. Didn't you notice my little introduction with the word "propaganda" in it? :-)
But I found this article worth publishing, especially after reading so many American doubts about usefulness of their allies. So here you are: they do their job eagerly, they don't sit in the bases all day, but if they don't get killed - the better for them. And this also relates to today's discussion about Euros not willing to fight.
BTW, the same source presents a picture of TV reporters in Afghanistan. That implies, that there will be much more material available from now on. Hopefully - better quality. And no, they are not independent either. :-)

OK, mate. :) I noticed, but I felt I should add my personal comment. Poles serving in Afghanistan want to avoid combat situation by close relelations with locals. Couse tis is the best way to acheive a goal of the mission: stability and peace. Fight is an ultimate solution couse we aren't Americans. :|. Winning hearts and minds is a key, not demonstration of power.

My two cents... p-)

Mishka Zubov

07-19-2007, 06:51 PM

OK, mate. :) I noticed, but I felt I should add my personal comment. Poles serving in Afghanistan want to avoid combat situation by close relelations with locals. Couse tis is the best way to acheive a goal of the mission: stability and peace. Fight is an ultimate solution couse we aren't Americans. :|. Winning hearts and minds is a key, not demonstration of power.

My two cents... p-)
I hartfully agree. That's why I post "boring" articles like this: (about roads in Paktika and kids going to Poland to enjoy Baltic sea) http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=116405

marlowe

07-20-2007, 11:50 AM

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/66/712.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/66/713.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/66/714.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/66/715.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl

jocker_89

07-20-2007, 12:23 PM

2007-07-20 Diwanija. Thursday morning on airport in echo base soldiers from multinational division central south have good-bye deceased three days ago major Jarosław Posadzy

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/1217/zdjecie93711334339fe1od0.jpg
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/175/zdjecie9371133534d1caqz9.jpg
http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/8852/zdjecie9371133638e2aehq3.jpg
http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/3494/zdjecie937113373b2ee1pk2.jpg

R.I.P

PS: I didn't know how to translate "Pożegnanie" sorry for that.

Mishka Zubov

07-20-2007, 03:17 PM

PS: I didn't know how to translate "Pożegnanie" sorry for that.
The soldiers said their last farewell to Major Jarosław Posadzy, who died three days ago.

jocker_89

07-20-2007, 03:36 PM

The soldiers said their last farewell to Major Jarosław Posadzy, who died three days ago.

Thank you for the explanation :)

jocker_89

07-20-2007, 03:57 PM

Edit
Delete Please

Switek

07-20-2007, 05:21 PM

jocker_89

07-20-2007, 05:42 PM

Mishka Zubov

07-20-2007, 05:59 PM

I think that our mp.net's newsletter called "Today's pix" suffers couse of lack of great Polish soldiers' pix... The tread "Polish Soldiers..." unfortunatelly is omitted by large part of mp.net's community. I think that your great job here, Jocker_89 and Mishka Zubov is worth to be published in mainstream threads of our forum... ;)

Duplications are absolutely allowed in that case... :)

Hmm, this is how they suck innocent volunteers to unpaid assistant positions. :-)
-- Mishka Zubov, Senior Assistant to the Director of Photogrammetric Intelligence Team, 1234 Air Base (Starszy pomocnik kierownika sekcji do spraw rozpoznania fotogrametrycznego)

P.S.
This used to be my "real" function in the army one time, with the attached functional rank of the Major. The name was funny and this is why I still remember it. Actually, I was then just a 2nd Lieutenant of the Schweik Army, but all professional officers were quite jealous of my position and hated my long hair and a beard. :-)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c7/Svejk_01.png

Switek

07-20-2007, 06:05 PM

Call yourself as you wish... but I'm not going to do your job couse you both are professionals here, so I don't see any limitations to do the same in larger scale.

Mishka Zubov

07-20-2007, 06:16 PM

Yes General! :-)
But seriously, I have noticed it too. Actually I have been collecting some material for the next article, but I'll be busy for the next two days.

jocker_89

07-20-2007, 06:30 PM

We are waiting with impatiently for your next article :)

Rumcajs

07-20-2007, 08:00 PM

Hmm, this is how they suck innocent volunteers to unpaid assistant positions. :-)
-- Mishka Zubov, Senior Assistant to the Director of Photogrammetric Intelligence Team, 1234 Air Base (Starszy pomocnik kierownika sekcji do spraw rozpoznania fotogrametrycznego)

P.S.
This used to be my "real" function in the army one time, with the attached functional rank of the Major. The name was funny and this is why I still remember it. Actually, I was then just a 2nd Lieutenant of the Schweik Army, but all professional officers were quite jealous of my position and hated my long hair and a beard. :-)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c7/Svejk_01.png

better to you and a lot of us to use the real name of the soldier, not the wrong german transcription - Jaroslav Hašek has wrote the book about Švejk, or Svejk (as the same as Czech cars Škoda is Skoda not something as Schkoda or Schouwda...) specially for us, the Slavs

Rumcajs

07-20-2007, 08:03 PM

Mishka Zubov

07-20-2007, 10:00 PM

better to you and a lot of us to use the real name of the soldier, not the wrong german transcription - Jaroslav Hašek has wrote the book about Švejk, or Svejk (as the same as Czech cars Škoda is Skoda not something as Schkoda or Schouwda...) specially for us, the Slavs

Of course my friend! I picked this name up from wikipedia, assuming that this was its correct English transliteration. Švejk it is then, sir, or Szwejk in Polish. :-)

P.S. Do you know that he is still very popular among young generation of Poles? There are even some fan clubs of his and - of course - of Jaroslav Hašek.

Rumcajs

07-20-2007, 10:47 PM

Of course my friend! I picked this name up from wikipedia, assuming that this was its correct English transliteration. Švejk it is then, sir, or Szwejk in Polish. :-)

P.S. Do you know that he is still very popular among young generation of Poles? There are even some fan clubs of his and - of course - of Jaroslav Hašek.

Yes I know, even some my Polish friens say me that Bohumil Hrabal is Polish writer, because only the Poles can understand him:-)))
I have even heard that the Poles talk about some weird or odd or curious things as "it´s as a in Czech film" :-))) Is it truth? If yes, you have remembered Czech cinemas of the 1960s much more better than a lot of the Czechs:-)))

Rumcajs

07-20-2007, 10:54 PM

but for me, the "Czech" writer is this man, because I love his books, the Great Polish Pilot Pirx - Stanislav Lem,
http://users.static.freeblog.hu/t/u/z/tuzfeszek/files/stanislav_lem.jpg

I love his book first of all abreast Karel Čapek

Mishka Zubov

07-20-2007, 11:15 PM

Yes I know, even some my Polish friens say me that Bohumil Hrabal is Polish writer, because only the Poles can understand him:-)))
I have even heard that the Poles talk about some weird or odd or curious things as "it´s as a in Czech film" :-))) Is it truth? If yes, you have remembered Czech cinemas of the 1960s much more better than a lot of the Czechs:-)))

Yes, that's true - but such opinion has been created in 60th by masses of uneducated people, who would not understand a subtle kind of humor, such as this. But rest assured that a lot of people really love Czech movies. Miloš Forman is probably still remembered (The Firemen's Ball, One Flew over the Cuckoo Nest, etc.) and more than likely screened in some movie clubs somewhere, sometimes.

A local public TV station where I live (not Poland) have been showing a little pearl "Kolya" at least three times in past several years - and I watched it each time, always with delight. Sorry, I do not remember the director's name because I do not pay attention to such details, as names of actors and directors.

And yes, I agree, Stanislaw Lem's books also display similar kind of humor.

*Edit*
And on my book shelf I just noticed Hrabal and Joseph Skvorecky. "The bas saxophone" for one. "The Bride of Texas" - a very good novel about Czech soldiers taking part in the American Civil War.

Jaro075

07-21-2007, 05:45 AM

jocker_89

07-21-2007, 05:50 AM

It's Non Commisioned Officer School my friend.

I thank you for correction p-)

Mishka Zubov

07-22-2007, 01:24 PM

An interview with Maj. Tomasz Stachera, a commander of Battle Team Bravo of Polish Battle Group, about participation of the team in the Operation Maiwand, its tune up and its battle readiness test - is in a separate thread, named "We like to go out of the base", http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=116687 .

Contains some background introduction, a map, several pictures and some statistics provided by ANA.

Mishka Zubov

07-23-2007, 04:05 AM

Athough this is not exactly related to "Polish soldiers all over the world" but I'd like to advertise here my article about mad experiments and phony therapeutic devices:
"Mad pseudo-scientists from Omsk", Political Discussions and Rants,
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2647454#post2647454

This caused me a lot of my time, so it would be a shame if you did not read it. :-)

There are several weak connections to this thread:
1. The article is based on a dilligent detective work of one Polish blogger
2. The mad scientist has been denounced due to Polish documentation on his website, which contains some information that was, more than likely, not intended for publication.
3. The phony devices are sold in Poland as well
4. The inventor of the devices claims somewhere else that they have potential military application

So here you go: "Polish, military and abroad" - close enough to be advertised here. :-)

jocker_89

07-23-2007, 08:32 AM

From 12th July 2007 soldiers from 17th mechanized brigade and 6th air assault brigade which belongs to polish combat group of second change PKW ISAF trained in american training center JMRC Hohenfels in Germany.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/220707_hohen/6.jpg

It is second stage after recently finished training in Wędrzyn.
On that moment training is concentrated to make a good team, sub-unit which will presents basic element of each patrol. Platoon perfects in realizations of patrols, rallys and in operations which are related with isolation and searching of field.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/220707_hohen/3.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/220707_hohen/4.jpg

In next week they will practice tactical trainig and combat shooting.
whole cycle of tactical training has been preceded by two-day theoretical training prepared by americans.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/220707_hohen/1.jpg

Cycle concerned on procedures of calling artillery fire, air support and how to recognize IEDs which are biggest danger fro coalitions troops in Afghanistan

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/220707_hohen/2.jpg

Big stress put on perfecting of communication procedure.
Such preparation is necessity for practical operating with helicopters, where making communication proceeds not only in english but also according to american principles.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/220707_hohen/5.jpg

Besides soldiers learn cooperation with american patrols through common practice.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/220707_hohen/7.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/220707_hohen/8.jpg

Knowledge of american procedures or practical integration of sub-units is so important because polish combat group will be directly subordinated under american command.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/220707_hohen/9.jpg

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33753-2/Hoh_20_1__07_2007_53-01.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33747-2/Hoh_19_1__07_2007_45.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33735-2/Hoh_18_1__07_2007_03.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33739-2/Hoh_19_1__07_2007_07.jpg

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

Sorry for my english http://www.paranormalne.pl/style_emoticons/Domyslne/bigyellowgrin.gif

jocker_89

07-23-2007, 08:49 AM

Tensed, proud and very excited. They presented magnificently. 340 students from Training center of land forces in Poznań took military oath.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/210707_cswlpoz/2.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/210707_cswlpoz/1.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/210707_cswlpoz/4.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/210707_cswlpoz/3.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/210707_cswlpoz/5.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/210707_cswlpoz/6.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/210707_cswlpoz/9.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/210707_cswlpoz/12.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/210707_cswlpoz/13.jpg

www.army.mil.pl

Mishka Zubov

07-23-2007, 05:28 PM

To all Lamla's lovers and card collectors: This might be your last chance to update your photographic collection of general Pawel Lamla in Iraq. Assuming that he is not taking back his court photographers - we will be enjoying tonnes of pictures of General Buk from now on.
http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/Irak/lipiec/dowodca9zmiany/dca9zm.jpg

On July 21, 2007 General Major Tadeusz Buk arrived to Camp Echo of Multinational Division - Center South, who will soon become a commander of the division - within a framework of 9th rotation of Polish Military Contingent in Republic of Iraq.

He was greeted by General Major Pawel Lamla, a commander of 8th rotation of PMC. The 8th rotation has been passing its duties on the 9th rotation for the last two weeks. The basic stock of the 9th rotation are soldiers from the 1st Warsaw Mechanized Division who will replace the 11th Lubuska Armoured Cavalry Division. The official ceremony of changeover will take place on July the 25th at Camp Echo.

jocker_89

07-23-2007, 06:58 PM

Like every year traditional in July KFOR soldiers reached the biggest peak in Kosovo, Ljuboten (2498m above sea level). Soldiers from international brigade EAST MNTF(E) had opportunity to challenge with mountain.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33782-2/IMG_6714.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33784-2/IMG_6717.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33786-2/IMG_6730.JPG

Poles have organized and secured that event for all participants. Americans, italians, lithuanians, ukrainians and poles have taken part in this undertaking.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33788-2/IMG_6734.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33790-2/IMG_6782.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33792-2/IMG_6785.JPG

All in all during two days 21 and 22 July 200(50 polish) people have reached the peak

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33794-2/IMG_6795.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33796-2/P7210110.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33798-2/P7210131.JPG

Participants, which have reached the peak in shorter time then 3 hours and 30 minutes have recived certificate of conquest of mountain.

www.wojsko-polskie.pl (http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl)

Mishka Zubov

07-23-2007, 07:28 PM

Nice, the mouintains look like (sort of) Bieszczady Mts. but much higher - I can appreciate the challenge facing the soldiers since I used to hike with 20-25kg pack in Bieszczady. Nice slopes, but they are hell on your breath.

And when you reach a peak, restore your breath to normal, sit down, reach to your pocket and then discover that you have just run out of .. hmm smokes the comforting thought is that the nearest store is only 400 metres away ... hmm, down.

marlowe

07-24-2007, 04:08 AM

Polish soldiers in UNDOF

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/6230/zdjecie94111384fv5.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111384fv5.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/3212/zdjecie94111367jv0.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111367jv0.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8431/zdjecie94111368ba4.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111368ba4.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5741/zdjecie94111369rn9.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111369rn9.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/3354/zdjecie94111370eq3.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111370eq3.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7260/zdjecie94111371qn5.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111371qn5.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/9250/zdjecie94111372so9.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111372so9.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/9201/zdjecie94111373id1.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111373id1.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/6121/zdjecie94111375mb8.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111375mb8.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/6012/zdjecie94111376ep4.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111376ep4.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7088/zdjecie94111377as8.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111377as8.jpg)
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8370/zdjecie94111378et9.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111378et9.jpg)
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7519/zdjecie94111379ve7.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111379ve7.jpg)
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6677/zdjecie94111380fp4.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111380fp4.jpg)
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8829/zdjecie94111381vd6.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111381vd6.jpg)
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/9757/zdjecie94111383qn3.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zdjecie94111383qn3.jpg)

source: http://www.mon.gov.pl

Mishka Zubov

07-24-2007, 11:01 AM

An expanded version (with text) of the above post is in a separate thread:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=116803
It also contains some background and more detailed map, borrowed from wikipedia.

Mishka Zubov

07-24-2007, 12:32 PM

A nice one, compare these two excerpts: :-)

Romanian units transfer authority
QALAT, Afghanistan – The Romanian 812th Infantry Battalion, part of ISAF, transferred authority to the Romanian 33rd Mountain Battalion here July 16.

The 33rd will step in to continue providing stability and reconstruction to local communities and facilitating governance throughout the region.
(...)

source: http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/pressreleases/2007/07-july/pr070720-548.html

Romanians transfer authority Our Correspondent
QALAT: The Romanian 812th Infantry Battalion, part of ISAF, transferred authority to the Polish 33rd Mountain Battalion here July 16.

The Polish contingent will step in to continue providing stability and reconstruction to local communities and facilitating governance throughout the region.
(...)

source: The Frontier Post, National daily from Peshawar and Quetta, http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=an&nid=616&ad=22-07-2007

The locals must be really confused by all those foreigners around..
:-)

Mishka Zubov

07-24-2007, 06:02 PM

Anyone googling the net should notice a lot of re-prints of two stories about Poles in Afghanistan. A response of the American public seems to be overhelmingly positive. Now, the same stories have been printed in "Freedom Watch", a bulletin of Combined Joint Task Force - 82, http://www.bagram.afnews.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070716-001.pdf.

Since Poles operate under the Combined Joint Task Force - 82, our own "comrades-in-arms" from 82nd Airborne Division will have a chance to learn a bit about "their" Poles. Nice document, bookmark it to posterity.

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/616/freedomwatchpf4.jpg

July 16 issue of Freedom Watch, Combined Joint Task Force - 82

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/905/freedomwatchcontentseh9.jpg

Contents: Notice two stories about Poles "Polish Battle Group overcomes language barrier" and "The real kite runners flying the Afghan skies"

jocker_89

07-24-2007, 07:08 PM

really nice :)

jocker_89

07-25-2007, 08:04 AM

Another happy return from Iraq :)

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33895-2/9.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33893-2/8.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33891-2/7.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33889-2/6.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33887-2/5.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33885-2/4.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33883-2/3.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33879-2/16.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33881-2/2.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33877-2/15.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33875-2/14.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33873-2/13.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33871-2/12.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33869-2/11.JPG
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/33867-2/10.JPG

www.wojsko-polskie.pl

jocker_89

07-25-2007, 08:21 AM

Photos of 6th Air Assault Brigade:

http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=88.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=2.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=DSC03876.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=DSC03957.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=DSC03990.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=DSC_0083.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=P+3.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=desant+gro%9Fny+15%21.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=desant+gro%9Fny13.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=img02333122956A.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=poligon+Nowa+D%EAba+1+06.06r+123+%2892%29.jpg&var2=350_85
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=image&var1=szk054.jpg&var2=350_85

Many more photos you can find here:
1) http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/szkolenie/main.php?cmd=album&var2=1
2) http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/egipt/main.php?cmd=album
3) http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/bosnia/main.php?cmd=album
4) http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/nato/main.php?cmd=album
5) http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/irak/main.php?cmd=album

Weapons:
http://www.6bdsz.mil.pl/galeria/bron/main.php?cmd=album

jocker_89

07-25-2007, 01:58 PM

ONE OF US

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/3541/72077eeb2sy6.jpg

In small community, that is PKW command in Afghanistan, every person has own place and tasks, which must perform. Here far from country, each, even that less important, becomes essential.

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/87/72179699alb7.jpg
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/1756/7227b15e3mq5.jpg
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3720/7237cc6fewx1.jpg

Knows about that younger warrant officer Rafał Mniedło, which occupies a position of non-commissioned officer of specialist. My work consists mainly on creating documents, tables, etc....... It is not possible to hide that this is monotonous occupation, but I know that what I do is very needful. At every receipt stands a man, some concrete affair. Said Mniedło

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/68/724.jpg
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/68/725.jpg

IT WAS NOT EASY DECISION to go to the Afghanistan because of his little Natalia his daughter. I knew, that as a soldier earlier or later I must go on mission. already then when I was bechelor I wanted to try life on mission, but in those days it failed. When now it turned out that I can go I've decided to do it. I explained my wife, Monika, that in spite of all it is a good moment. though on the one hand it will be hard moment for my wife to stay alone with Natalia because she is small yet but from other hand my daughter will not feel my absence. And then we will be together. I think, that my arguments have convinced my wife. Thinks Rafał.

www.isaf.wp.mil.pl (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl)

jocker_89

07-25-2007, 02:32 PM

General of division Paweł Lamla has been decorated with american military medal„Legion of Merit”

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/9672/zdjecie9431140591d6b7nj2.jpg
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6954/zdjecie9431140294e9d3ah8.jpg
http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/2527/zdjecie9431140395e4bddo3.jpg
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2302/zdjecie943114049c2a74wd7.jpg

www.mon.gov.pl

Mishka Zubov

07-25-2007, 05:07 PM

Separate post: Polish Engineers in Afghanistan,
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2655964#post2655964

Contains references to three posts from this thread and a lot of new material: both photos and text.

jocker_89

07-26-2007, 05:16 AM

http://www.youtube.com/v/ooOybsmoodU

Mishka Zubov

07-26-2007, 02:14 PM

The thread "Paktika roads to repair, children to Baltic seashore" has been updated with the latest information about kids going to Poland. They are only few days away from their great adventure.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2658069#post2658069

jocker_89

07-27-2007, 03:41 AM

My new movie about women in polish police and army.

http://www.youtube.com/v/Ny3WhsbUwbI (http://www.youtube.com/v/Ny3WhsbUwbI)

Mishka Zubov

07-27-2007, 01:18 PM

*edited*
Irrelevant

jocker_89

07-28-2007, 06:34 AM

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/2233/95970177wj1.jpg

NATO-led armored vehicles patrol on the outskirts of Ghazni city, southern Afghanistan, Friday, July 27, 2007. The Taliban on Friday has once again extended the deadline for executing South Korean hostages, governor of Ghazni province in central Afghanistan said. (Zabi Tamanna/Xinhua/WpN)stolen from this thread:
http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117014

jocker_89

07-28-2007, 06:37 AM

Polish Ministry of National Defence 1st security regiment

http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117082

Musashi

07-28-2007, 06:58 AM

http://www.youtube.com/v/ooOybsmoodU
It would be a good video without these propaganda slogans :roll:

Ksiunc

07-28-2007, 07:41 AM

What propaganda? Where?:grin: You mean the oath and some informative text? I see no propaganda there. :grin:

jocker_89

07-28-2007, 07:54 AM

Major General Tadeusz BUK has taken the command of Multinational Division Central South in Iraq (MND CS) from the previous commander, Major General Pawel LAMLA. The change of command ceremony took place on Wednesday, the 25th of July, in military Camp Echo in Ad Diwaniyah. Iraqi authorities, commanders and soldiers from 10 countries were present.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3033

Deputy Governor of Quadisiyah, the Head of Quadisiyah province Council and the ambassador of Republic of Poland in Iraq Edward Pietrzyk participated in the ceremony too. Among invited visitors was representative of General Staff Major General Krzysztof Juniec, the Commander of Multinational Forces in Iraq general David H. Petraeus, the Commander of Multinational Corps in Iraq Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno, the Commander of 8th Iraqi Army Division Major General Othman Ali Ferhood and the chief of Iraqi police.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3030

“Representatives from 13 countries stand here proudly in front of me along side their Iraqi brothers (…). We are all, indeed, brothers in arms and I am proud to have such dedicated friends and allies” – General Odierno said.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3036
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3032
http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3034

According to the military ceremonial, previous commander handed over the flag for the new commander. Major General Lamla thanked General Ferhood and soldiers from the 8th Division for their participation in security improvement process in Quadisiyah province. Moreover he emphasized the merit of the VIII rotation and their activity for Iraqi society. Major General Buk thanked General Lamla and his soldiers for effective and professional duty during the mission. “During our duty in Iraq we are responsible for safety and future in Quadisiyah province. Close cooperation with local authorities and local people can be very effective – General Buk said.
The IX rotation will continue advising and training of the 8th Division within the confines of the area of responsibility, i.e. Quadisiyah province.

http://foto.mw.mil.pl/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_md=3035

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

Mishka Zubov

07-28-2007, 01:46 PM

*edited*
irrelevant

Wolfpack

07-28-2007, 01:50 PM

I´ve heard about Polish airborne soldiers and a special ability to airdrop practicly from a meter and land safe.

Really Can someone explain me and share some pics maybe on some of theyre low level parachuting skills

Mishka Zubov

07-28-2007, 02:35 PM

This is known as HALO technique. As far as I know only GROM special unit uses it (in Polish Armed Forces).

I have to run now, but give me three hours and I will post something for you here.

Musashi

07-28-2007, 05:04 PM

What propaganda? Where?:grin: You mean the oath and some informative text? I see no propaganda there. :grin:
Of course not the oath. The oath was nice. I mean shiite like this:
"Our power is in our courage".
"God Honor and Homeland"
"We build [a] strong army - the Polish Army." - that slogan is simply pathetic. What makes our army strong? Neverending cuts and reductions of equipment? Lack of jet training planes?

Mishka Zubov

07-28-2007, 05:40 PM

* edited *
Irrelevant

Mishka Zubov

07-29-2007, 09:59 PM

*edited*
Irrelevant

wholagun

07-29-2007, 10:53 PM

this thread should be renamed to "Everything that is the Polish forces". Not that I'm complaining or anything, this single thread makes it much easier to follow details and info on the Polish armed forces. Thought I'd just mention that........

Mishka Zubov

07-29-2007, 11:07 PM

Yes, it looks like this thread has become a threat about anything Polish. I am partially to blame, but - as you may have noticed - I put anything of potential importance in separate threads, and only link in here. But other little items, such as my previous post about the direction of the eagle's head, do not deserve separate threads. Having no other place to put it - aside from the "humor" section, which I try avoiding for variety of reasons - I choose this thread as a best location.

The name of the thread is still OK, IMHO.

Mishka Zubov

07-30-2007, 02:05 AM

*edited*
Irrelevant

tony6

07-30-2007, 02:47 AM

I agree with Wholagun - this is STRICTLY photos & wideo thread not the "everyday news about Polish Armed Forces" and should be full of photos related to the subject (which is "Polish soldiers all over the world").
No offence Mishka but now it's starting to be something it wasn't supposed to be.

Mishka Zubov

07-30-2007, 03:19 AM

This is all I could do. I cannot edit entries from the previous pages.

wholagun

07-30-2007, 08:23 AM

I think we need some good Polish organization here. We need to create conglomerate threads and group general topics accordingly, for example this is photos and videos of Poles around the world, good let's keep it that. Now we need to create New Polish equipment thread, and New and Facts about Polish military thread, Polish navy, Polish airforce, Polish weapons, Polish special forces etc etc etc. It'd be good too to keep things standard such as [Polish] News and Facts, [Polish] weapons, [Polish] navy etc etc, rather then -Grom Poland's elite, or, armour and tanks of Poland etc etc. That way we easily have reference points for the future in our discussions and make it easy for other formers to search the relevant data they need. Look at the successful thread about Polish armor, there have been lots of foreign forumers seek information and easily be directed to that single thread where they have tons of great photos and stats. This way we create, if you will, a Polish army encyclopedia built around a number of threads.

misha zubov you're not to blame, you're a valued resource here. The flood of info you have provided us, has however, created an impetus to organize information/photos/videos about Polish army navy and airforce around.

What do you guys think?

Mishka Zubov

07-30-2007, 09:31 AM

I think we need some good Polish organization here.

What do you guys think?

I support the idea, but let's really do something about it, rather than let it die unresolved - as it has happened with the Switek's initiative some time ago: "Question to mp.netters about Polish military threads", http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=114938.

In that thread I asked: "Would there be a place for short news as well? After all those threads are formally strictly visual", but that question has been ignored - maybe because I was new to this forum.

Since you, wholahun, came up with the idea of organization of Polish threads I nominate you as a keeper of this initiative - from now on until its successful conclusion: creation of the skeleton threads. Accordingly, I submit to you the following points.

1. Write a few-liner proposal with explicit names of suggested threads and give us some short time to react. Keep it up-to-date till the finish.
2. I like your suggestion about the sub-thread names with [Polish] prefix. Easier to search and find things.
3. I suggest three sub-threads to be included: short news (general section), illustrated reports or stories of some sort - as I have been doing till now (general section), and possibly a political sub-thread for things that do not qualify as general - according to this forum rules.
4. Photos from the "reports" sub-thread should be allowed to overlap with photos in "strictly photos and videos" section. This is for practical reasons since it is not always possible to refer to existing photos because of formatting issues - mainly size of the pictures - or simply because two posters are submitting their posts in more or less same time.

marlowe

07-30-2007, 09:50 AM

http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/770_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/770.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/771_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/771.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/772_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/772.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/773_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/773.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/774_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/774.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/775_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/775.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/776_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/776.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/777_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/777.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/778_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/778.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/779_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/779.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/780_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/780.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/781_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/781.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/782_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/782.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/783_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/783.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/784_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/784.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/785_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/785.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/786_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/786.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/787_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/787.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/788_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/788.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/789_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/789.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/790_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/790.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/791_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/791.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/792_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/792.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/793_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/793.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/794_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/794.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/796_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/796.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/797_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/797.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/798_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/798.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/799_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/799.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/800_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/800.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/801_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/7801.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/802_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/802.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/803_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/803.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/804_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/71/804.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/829_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/829.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/830_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/830.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/831_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/831.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/832_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/832.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/833_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/833.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/834_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/74/834.jpg)

all photos from: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl

marlowe

07-30-2007, 09:56 AM

CIMIC in Afghanistan:
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/805_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/805.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/806_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/806jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/807_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/807.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/808_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/808.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/809_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/809.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/810_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/810.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/811_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/811.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/812_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/812.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/813_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/813.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/814_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/814.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/815_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/815.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/816_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/816.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/817_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/817.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/818_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/818.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/819_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/819.jpg)
http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/820_TN.jpg (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/fotogaleria/72/820.jpg)

all photos from: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl

Mishka Zubov

07-30-2007, 10:02 AM

.. Posted plenty of pictures with no captures, or no description or even not a simple title

With all due respect: This is the example of the other end of the spectrum - too little or no textual information at all. We have discussed this issue few pages back - referring to suggestions of our moderators. Frankly, you are now forcing me to go back to the sources and ignore your post entirely.

jocker_89

07-30-2007, 10:17 AM

tony6

07-30-2007, 11:00 AM

My proposal: let's just stick to the subject and everything is ok.

jocker_89

07-30-2007, 12:55 PM

In 28.07.2007 polish combat group of second change PKW ISAF has ended training in american training center in Hohenfels.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/290707_hoh/4.jpg

Soldiers have practiced how to lead operations such as: Cordon & Search, Cordon & Attack, rally and convoys in day as well as night.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/290707_hoh/5.jpg

Training proceeded in conditions maximum approximate for combat, what enabled excellent training base and experienced american instructors.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/290707_hoh/2.jpg

In that same time staff of polish combat group trained operations according to american procedures (Military Decision Making Proces).

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/290707_hoh/1.jpg

Training of staff has ended by exercise checking their harmoniously and abilities. All exercise have been realized perfectly.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/290707_hoh/3.jpg

American instructors repeatedly pointed professionalism and good training of polish soldiers.

http://www.army.mil.pl/7_07/290707_hoh/0.jpg

Stay in Hohenfels for sure contributed to increase their military abilities and prepared them to operate with international environment.

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

Mishka Zubov

07-30-2007, 01:44 PM

An HMMWV driver
2007-07-30 12:33:44

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1397/829ov5.jpg
Every driver going to Afghanistan has been trained in driving in mountainous terrain. They were training down-hills and up-hills, stops and starts. Not only they were learning how to drive heavy Hummers but they were also learning about their construction.

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/9671/834bp9.jpg
Soldiers from the 18th Assault Battalion have slight advantage over soldiers from other Polish units. They have been using Hummvees for long time. They know advantages and disadvantages of those vehicles. A Hummer keeps no secrets from SG Rafał Menżyk.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/3154/830bs3.jpg
The vehicle of SG Menżyk often leads the column. His duty is to find a route for all of them to follow. But most routes are not easy, since most patrols do not keep to the trails - due to safety factors. The Humvees must move up huge hills and down the steep slopes. Vast tracts of sand are the obstacles - often non-passable for heavy vehicles.

Rafal's vehicle moves dynamically. "We often have an impression that he knows all the roads" - say comrades from his patrol. He himself stresses that he drives instinctively. He sometimes notices a gap or a pit - which must be avoided - only at the last moment. "My friend at the turret often helps me with it. Thanks to him I bypass the dangerous spots" - says Menżyk.

SG Menżyk has been a driver since he joined the army - initially as a conscript, then a contractor, and for the last three years as a professional soldier. Vehicles and mechanics have been always interesting to him even before he joined the army. He can talk about cars for hours.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9137/832ht7.jpg
He likes Hummers very much. "The engine with six and half liters capacity, 120 HP, frame made of aluminum elements - jointed by rivets" - Rafał enumerates all advantages of the Hummer. "Many times, when driving through some obstacles, I can hear as if the vehicle is cracking, or breaking in half. But I know that this is not a case. Its construction is excellent" - he adds. The rivets allow for flexibility of joints. The frame would probably break if it were welded at joints.

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/4388/833vf6.jpg
Rafał's platoon drives out every day. He has travelled dozen or so thousands of kilometers for the last few months. "He often helps friends with less experience in driving or servicing" - says Warrant Officer Radosław Klimek, the platoon commander. "He advices them what to do in a given situation, which gear to use when driving up a slope. Much depends on the driver during patrol. This is he who must safely take us out of danger - the vehicle, the crew and the entire column" - added Klimek.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/2389/831sm3.jpg
Rafał think of home-going and of its second "passion" - trekking in mountains in a company of his girlfriend.

Warrant Officer Wojciech Majeran
Media/Information section of PBG

source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_113.html
Translated by MZ

wholagun

07-30-2007, 02:08 PM

My proposal: let's just stick to the subject and everything is ok.

but we can rebuild it, we have the technology - make it better. :)

misha I'll PM you later on when I get some free time and think about possible suggestions and ideas for categorizing the stuff

Mishka Zubov

07-30-2007, 07:55 PM

Afghanistan's off-roads
2007-07-30 10:23:32

Every day Polish patrols go out of the bases in Afghanistan. The soldiers traverse hundreds of kilometers. During an average patrol they have several dozens of meetings with local authorities and population. They often reach places where no patrol was there before.

Before leaving - many hours are spent on preparations. A route must be carefully selected and possible threats in a given terrain must be identified. Patrols of Polish Battle Group (PBG) last from several to a dozen or so days. They carry all sorts of tasks.

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5913/801dg7.jpg

Stopping on a road
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/5540/802ot1.jpg

Fill her up!
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1330/804xo1.jpg

Washing hands after fueling
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7986/798jc8.jpg

Pulling security

One of the most important task is stressing the presence of Polish soldiers in the province. Frequent patrolling improves safety and discourages potential criminals. A patrol is also a source of information about locals and their needs.

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8228/794bv8.jpg

An encounter with an Afghan motorcyclist
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/5571/773qn7.jpg

A discussion with locals
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/131/771pi0.jpg

Talking to villagers

CIMIC soldiers are part of every patrol. This way they are able to learn first hand about situation in towns and villages in PBG's zone of responsibility. This is they that sometimes inform the local authorities about problems of local population in their own terrain.

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/1183/783pc2.jpg

In a town
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1193/787pa8.jpg

A cautious semi-friendly talk on a village street
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/70/800hh2.jpg

Handouts to kids

Certain dangers exist when driving several days in unknown terrain. These are not only the IDEs on the trails - these can be avoided by driving of-roads or on such trails that are difficult to pass by a man or a mule.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2249/793cg4.jpg

Tracks in a dusty field
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3020/772he6.jpg

Crossing a wasteland
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9249/781kh0.jpg

A column of Hummers crossing a wasteland
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/826/791rn2.jpg

Figuring how to handle a road obstacle

The trails lead up and down - across dry river beds, or across rivers with strong currents, along very narrows mountain paths or across vast expanses of wilderness.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3949/789zk8.jpg

Down and up in hilly terrain
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/1143/779tz8.jpg

On a trail uphill
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/6175/782qk4.jpg

Going downhill on a rocky trail
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8439/777oz7.jpg

On a trail
http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/553/778xs7.jpg

A convoy on a trail
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/7871/774uq9.jpg

A column of Hummers on a hard packed road
http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/155/775ci9.jpg

Exiting a compound
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7824/799au7.jpg

Crossing a creek

They bivouac on hills or high elevations for easier observation and defense. Sometimes the guard duties permit only for one meal a day and few hours of sleep.

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/7786/770nl5.jpg

A night watch
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/7576/776to7.jpg

Preparing for a camp
http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/534/780jo9.jpg

A relaxing gunner
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/3372/784vv6.jpg

A stop on a hill: one soldier resting, another watching
http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/4776/785ah3.jpg

A stop at a high elevation
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/8453/786cx6.jpg

Ready for a night bivouac
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/2690/788uz4.jpg

A gunner observing a terrain through Beryl's optics
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7140/790pg5.jpg

A semi-circle of hummers on an elevation
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/6195/792lj3.jpg

Preparing for a camp
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6013/796nk0.jpg

Resting in shade of a Hummer
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/6504/797eh4.jpg

In a sleeping bag

WO Wojciech Majeran
Media/Information section of PBG

Translated by MZ
source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_110.html

Mishka Zubov

07-31-2007, 12:55 PM

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8228/794bv8.jpg

A just came across a tidbit saying that in some districts (Zurmat district, Paktia province - half way between Gardez and Sharan) it is illegal to own a motorcycle. Afghan police confiscate not only weapons but also motorcycles since they are considered the main transportation means for Taliban insurgents.

Switek

07-31-2007, 02:49 PM

Polish students from civil universities during their voluntary 6 weeks military training. Biedrusko (near Poznań) training grounds. Summer 2007. Photos by Lukasz Cynalewski, Agencja Gazeta (AG)becouse of their camouflage it's hard to see that they use stuff from 1980's... :roll:

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/2/4345/z4345662X.jpg

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/1/4345/z4345661X.jpg

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/0/4345/z4345660X.jpg

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/9/4345/z4345659X.jpg

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/8/4345/z4345658X.jpg

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/7/4345/z4345657X.jpg

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/6/4345/z4345656X.jpg

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/5/4345/z4345655X.jpg

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/4/4345/z4345654X.jpg

Previously posted in Today's Pix - Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117280)

Mishka Zubov

07-31-2007, 02:59 PM

Hmm, the uniforms look somewhat familiar :-)

Mishka Zubov

07-31-2007, 03:07 PM

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/6637/sharantospinaij0.png

This map shows the terrain of operation of the Polish patrol described in the post http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2668649&postcount=941.

According to a new article related to that patrol, http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6540&Itemid=29, the patrol visited the following places: Yaka Kiel, Bari Kiel, Omna and Spina.

A village of Omna can be easily identified in this map - as a yellow circle at its South-East corner. It lies on the Eastern side of a mountain range, which spreads more or less in Northerly direction - which you can guess by noticing a direction of streams joining a major river flowing North. Here, the patrol - commanded by Lt-Col. Stręk - met a second Polish patrol from Battle Team Bravo, commanded by Maj. Stachera.

From there both patrols reached a little village of Spina, further East, lying at the river bank - their final destination. From there they returned to Sharan, several tens of kilometers away, mostly downhill. I can only guess that they were initially following a trail along the said river.

A village of Yaka Kiel, mentioned before, is harder to identify on this map. This name seems to be a polonized version of Yahyakhel. If you follow a trail from Sharan to Mest in South-Westerly direction and then turn East at Mest you should notice a three-way fork of trails - this is Yahyakhel. I could not locate Bari Kiel, but it must be somewhere between Yahyakhel and Omna.

Soldiers from Lt-Col. Stręk patrol spent their first night several kilometers away from Yahyakhel.

Threats

Yahyakhel is a little place, a district capital. Coalition forces are not welcome there. Few weeks ago there was an accident when several chidren died as a result of a hot pursuit of Taliban insurgents.

Patrol stops near a police station. People watch the column with indifference. Soldiers smile to the elders, wave to the children. Lt-Col. Stręk talks to a deputy chief of the police. The station is in a deplorable shape. Piles of garbage, the building is falling apart, burlaps instead of windows. The walls - built of sand, water and grass - have seen the better times. But soon the police will move to another building.

The deputy chief has no good news. "It is generally safe here, but armed groups are coming here nightly. We are even scared to dispatch our patrols. We need more people, weapons, ammunition and vehicles" - he enumerates.

During the meeting the little Afghans take courage - the approach the vehicles and wath with interest the soldiers and their uniforms with the white-read flag.

They pay a short visit to a police station in "Bari Kiel". During the meeting the patrol observes the work of local guards of justice. The kids, in turn, watch the soldiers. In no time, there is a dozen of them and others are still coming. The visit is short. The needs are similar as in Yahyakhel. Everything is missing. Only the police officers seem to handle their duties somewhat better.

Omna - Intensified activity of Taliban has been recently observed there

Spina - Taliban activity is great. No one have seen so many soldiers in this village as yet. Men get out of their homes. Even women, who suppose stay inside, peek out from the doorways. A dozen of vehicles pass through the village. Soldiers talk to the people.

jocker_89

07-31-2007, 07:23 PM

Waza Khwa is one of polish-american base in Paktika province. It is placed near to border with Pakistan. Except typically combat activities, soldiers also execute planned undertakings civil-military (Civil Military Operations).

Polish soldiers take advantage to propagate personal hygiene because not many people in Afghanistan don't apply to this.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/3424/80539f1cdyy1.jpg
http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6581/8073aa677al4.jpg

Polish soldiers have arrived to gabaray and secured approach to the center of village
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/7032/8063a6826fv5.jpg
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/8236/81047afceix0.jpg

Polish soldiers have organized aid station http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4584/80850a4f5aj7.jpg
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2304/811524ebdje4.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/792/80953875ckv7.jpg
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1718/81254e074hw7.jpg
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/8861/81355357aov9.jpg
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9269/815570344fb6.jpg
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7424/816572b5eqn5.jpg

Polish soldiers give most needful necessities such as shampoo, soap, brush and toothpaste to Afghan people http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2976/81761cc60ad0.jpg
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5168/818621be7wv5.jpg
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5536/819622fbetr9.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/9498/82062424cgc2.jpg

When polish troops drive near the well, it is a underground irigation.Next to one of them polish sappers cleared terrain out of the elements remained after detonation of blind shells
www.isaf.wp.mil.pl (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl)

I don't know why but I have today very big problems to translate this text(maybe I am tired xD) sorry for that

He219

07-31-2007, 11:06 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/more/51759.jpg

Army Capt. Adam Bock, pilot and platoon leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, shakes hands with an Afghan student before their flight, which was the first leg of a field trip to Poland July 25, 2007.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/more/51760.jpg

A class of young Afghan boys boards a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a fieldtrip escorted by the Polish army July 25 in southern Afghanistan.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/dailypix/militarypix/fresh/more/more/even%20more/more/will%20it%20ever%20end/more/more/more/51762.jpg

A class of Afghan boys with Polish army escorts boards a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and looks out the tail end of the aircraft at their country from nearly 10,000 feet during a field trip July 25.

Ksiunc

08-01-2007, 04:51 AM

Do you get the feeling that Polish soldiers are unexpectedly well treated by locals not only in A-stan but on most peacekeeping missions?

Switek

08-01-2007, 04:59 AM

Do you get the feeling that Polish soldiers are unexpectedly well treated by locals not only in A-stan but on most peacekeeping missions?

Poles are extremely aware about feelings of others about presence of alien forces on their ground.

~~~~

08-01-2007, 05:00 AM

Do you get the feeling that Polish soldiers are unexpectedly well treated by locals not only in A-stan but on most peacekeeping missions?

no, I don't. you feel exactly what our MOD wants you to think by publishing tons of coverages like the one above..

shadowsrider

08-01-2007, 05:34 AM

"We build [a] strong army - the Polish Army." - that slogan is simply pathetic. What makes our army strong? Neverending cuts and reductions of equipment? Lack of jet training planes?

To be strict Polish pilots nowadays train much more than anywhen in postwar history. Currently there is no shorter yearly amount of hours than 120. For F-16s it is something around 180.

Ksiunc

08-01-2007, 05:47 AM

no, I don't. you feel exactly what our MOD wants you to think by publishing tons of coverages like the one above..

So it's like that. I knew that all theese stories are in great part a propaganda but I was hopeing that there's some good things going on there. Oh well world is a cruel place after all so I should axpect that. :|

perdurabo

08-01-2007, 06:02 AM

To be strict Polish pilots nowadays train much more than anywhen in postwar history. Currently there is no shorter yearly amount of hours than 120. For F-16s it is something around 180.
nope, only MiG29s fly 120 Su22 pilots fly around 80-100 ...

~~~~

08-01-2007, 05:35 PM

note the transparent clip on the rear

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8176/850qa1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Ravage

08-01-2007, 06:00 PM

Mishka Zubov

08-01-2007, 06:53 PM

note the transparent clip on the rear

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8176/850qa1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This guy in American uniform: According to the source article, related to this picture, the Polish team did not visit any bases on their three-day patrol, so they did not visit Mest or any such small Polish-American outposts. I am guessing that he may be a liaison officer, attached to the patrol's Tactical Team of Air Zone Control - calling American air support in case of danger.

Mishka Zubov

08-01-2007, 06:58 PM

So it's like that. I knew that all theese stories are in great part a propaganda but I was hopeing that there's some good things going on there. Oh well world is a cruel place after all so I should axpect that. :|

A cautiously optimistic approach should be your guide.

Do you remember early (May) optimistic reports from our OMLT in Gardez about ANA battalion they train? I came across a blog of an American medic, recently posted to FOB Zormat, half-way between Gardez and Sharan. He is there with an American platoon, ANA battalion and Polish OMLT[1], which - I guess - is the same unit, previously stationing in Gardez.

I posted some excerpts from his blog in the thread "Observing Geneva Convention in Afghanistan", http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117293. Interesting read, but it really does not put "our" ANA battalion in a clear light. Did they knowingly brought two Taliban fighters (one with a head wound) to our compound for medical attention? Or did they get duped into thinking that they were innocent bystanders?

Quite likely, those insurgents called in the attack on our FOB on their cell phone - half hour later, after receiving medical attention and releasing them to ANA quarters. They have been later arrested by a Polish major and two Americans. After initial investigation, the ANA unit supposed to convoy them to Gardez next day. The blog mentions some rumors about ANA swearing that those Taliban fighters would not get to Gardez alive.

So which way is it? How much trust can you put into the locals? Where do their true loyalties lie, and how strong they are? A cynical view is: the loyalties are where money is. But still - I'd like to be optimistic and those propaganda pieces of our MON do not bother me, because they show to American public that Poles are actually doing something in Afghanistan.

[1] OMLT = Operation Mentoring Liaison Team is an ISAF talk. An American equivalent is ETT = Embedded Traing Team.

zvezdah

08-01-2007, 08:54 PM

A good friend of mine is a Major in the Polish Army, just landed in Iraq for his second tour. Camp Echo.
Chris

Rumcajs

08-01-2007, 09:48 PM

very nice photos, very nice...thanx to all.
btw I dont´t want to commend nothing on posts here often because I fear a attack of the agressive stupids as Adax (not asset but prompt attack...p-) ) anyway the well-know arrogant agressive and very informed and conductive to this forum man - corran - is dead or what?p-)

http://www.imagehost.ro/pict/0204485946b1380b1d76a.jpg

Musashi

08-02-2007, 01:39 AM

anyway the well-know arrogant agressive and very informed and conductive to this forum man - corran - is dead or what?p-)

Corran got irritated an decided to commit a virtual suicide on this forum. I mean he delibelatery posted something, he knew he would be banned for.

I have a contact with him via a Polish messenger similar to ICQ.

tony6

08-02-2007, 01:43 AM

Coran has been banned for 6 months for being arrogant and stupid.
That was one of the best ban ever.

Adax

08-02-2007, 04:17 AM

btw I dont´t want to commend nothing on posts here often because I fear a attack of the agressive stupids as Adax (not asset but prompt attack...p-) )

http://www.farfromneutral.com/exodus/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/o_rly.jpg
BTW: What happend to your zkurvenepiece(or sth like that) nick p-)?

Sorry for offtopic...

Ksiunc

08-02-2007, 05:47 AM

A cautiously optimistic approach should be your guide.

Do you remember early (May) optimistic reports from our OMLT in Gardez about ANA battalion they train? I came across a blog of an American medic, recently posted to FOB Zormat, half-way between Gardez and Sharan. He is there with an American platoon, ANA battalion and Polish OMLT[1], which - I guess - is the same unit, previously stationing in Gardez.

I posted some excerpts from his blog in the thread "Observing Geneva Convention in Afghanistan", http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117293. Interesting read, but it really does not put "our" ANA battalion in a clear light. Did they knowingly brought two Taliban fighters (one with a head wound) to our compound for medical attention? Or did they get duped into thinking that they were innocent bystanders?

Quite likely, those insurgents called in the attack on our FOB on their cell phone - half hour later, after receiving medical attention and releasing them to ANA quarters. They have been later arrested by a Polish major and two Americans. After initial investigation, the ANA unit supposed to convoy them to Gardez next day. The blog mentions some rumors about ANA swearing that those Taliban fighters would not get to Gardez alive.

So which way is it? How much trust can you put into the locals? Where do their true loyalties lie, and how strong they are? A cynical view is: the loyalties are where money is. But still - I'd like to be optimistic and those propaganda pieces of our MON do not bother me, because they show to American public that Poles are actually doing something in Afghanistan.

[1] OMLT = Operation Mentoring Liaison Team is an ISAF talk. An American equivalent is ETT = Embedded Traing Team.

Cautiously optimistic you say? Believe me. I'm trying, but when there's lack of objetive sources of information it's kind of difficult not to overdo with optimism:). Most informations from places like A-stan are from MOD or a press agencies (mostly their material is approved by MOD), so we get partial informations about what's going on there so some other source would be nice.

I do not think that the major factor of strange ANA soldiers behaviour is due some bribes etc. The taliban are their countrymen afterall. They have families and the most important thing (in my humble opinion) is that the peacekeeping forces will some day return home and these people will be left with all the problems (including taliban partisans) alone.

Mishka Zubov

08-02-2007, 07:54 AM

Checking the region of responsibility
2007-07-31 13:57:54

The aim of this patrol is checking the situation in our zone of responsibility. We want to confirm reports coming from our forces, as well as from the local sources. We also want to demonstrate our power and - by doing this - to help the local administration. By crossing three districts of Paktika province we will be able to assess needs of local population. We will demonstrate a presence of Polish soldiers to send a signal to locals that the coalition forces guarantee their safety - said Lt-Col Adam Stręk, a commander of Polish Battle Group.

A preparation to this patrol has taken the soldiers more time than usual. A three day stay in the zone, without visiting any base, requires much more supplies. Deep trunks of Hummers take it all: water, tins, beds, sleeping bags, tents, ammunition and additional fuel. The soldiers are putting on flak jackets with suspenders - holding a dozen or so magazines. Some of them are attaching knifes and flashlights, some - night-vision devices.

Entire equipment weighs a dozen or so kilograms. "It is not important how much it weighs" - say soldiers - "It is important to have it when you need it. One might not have time for searching in the packsack or the trunk" - they add. Few minutes to go. The drivers are checking their vehicles one more time. Everything is OK.

The patrol gets out of base. After few minutes of driving on a road, which has been built a dozen or so days ago, the column of vehicles is getting off the road. Since now - no roads will be deciding about the driving direction - but a map and GPs, mounted in the vehicles. "The reason for this way of movement is safety" - says WO Radosław Kilmek, a commander of the protection platoon. "Being in open space we have better opportunity for observation and avoidance of dangers. The second reason are mines. They are being planted along frequented trails. No one plants them off roads or in the mountains" - adds Klimek.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4206/843sm7.jpg

Crossing a wasteland

A string of vehicles is moving slowly, no faster than 30 kilometers per hour. A scout is moving up front. He will be looking for the best route for the remaining vehicles. For now the travel is easy. American vehicles are easily handling hummocks of no great height. The first stop is after one hour of driving. The patrol takes defensive positions.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/6489/838sk0.jpg

Watching a terrain via binoculars during one of the stops while patrolling a countryside, Paktika

A Broadcast Listening Team is getting to work now. "We are scanning the UKF band in search for radio or cell phone talk" - say Sgt Jacek Wódkiewicz, a radio-operator. "This way we are able to detect whether or not anyone is interested in our presence in this region. Also - if there are any plans of attacks on the base or another target" - adds Wódkiewicz.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/9670/841vm6.jpg

Setting up a broadband listening post during one of the stops while patrolling a countryside, Paktika

So far - all is quiet. "Let's go higher into the mountains." - decides Lt-Col Stręk. "We will have bigger range there" - he adds.

A landscape changes after few hours of driving. Chasms are appearing more often in sandy terrain. The vehicles are slowing down. A climb begins. The low, wide Hummers handle well the unevenness of the terrain. A roar of engine inside the vehicle. A coolant temperature indicator has crossed 200 degrees long time ago. After several tens of minutes the road comes to the end. The Broadcast Listening Team searches the radio-waves again.

The countryside seems safe, but the commander decides to send patrol on foot into the mountains. This is where a threat may come from. Climbing atop a mountain is not a problem for soldiers from the 18th Assault Battalion. WO Arek Trojak leads the way. He has been mountain climbing for years. He even took part in an expedition to Himalayas.

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/8796/847cl4.jpg

A foot patrol at the mountain top - pulling security for Humvees at the plane below

But climbing up hill is not that easy. The air pressure is much lower here and the flak jacket interferes with breathing. After few tens of meters the first perspiration drops appear on brows of the soldiers. The sun is not much help either. The temperature is way above 30 degrees Celsius. Arek checks the altimeter - almost 2600 meters a.s.l. The group looks at the Hummers below. "They look funny, like toys" - say the soldiers. Time to stop relaxing after the climb. "Take positions at North and South sides. Pay attention to everything" - sound the commands of WO Trojak.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/9993/849hp1.jpg

A view of Humvees from a nearby peak, Paktika

Fifteen minutes later a voice in the radio calls the mountain patrol back. The radio scan has been completed. No suspicious voices have been registered.

The patrol reaches Yaka Kiel - a little place, which serves as a capital of a district with the same name. The coalition forces are not welcome here. Few weeks ago several children have been accidentally killed during pursuit of Taliban insurgents. The patrol stops near the police station. People watch the soldiers with indifference. The soldiers smile to the elders, wave to the children.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5223/851cb8.jpg

Locals watch the soldiers with indifference, Yaka Kiel, Paktika

Lt-Col Stręk goes to meet a chief of the local police. He finds a deputy only. The meeting takes place outside the building. The station is in a sorry shape - piles of garbage, the building is falling apart, sandbags in the windows. The walls - built with sand, water and straw - have seen better times. The police officers will move to a new building soon, where they will share the space with local authorities.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/772/850le7.jpg

A talk with deputy chief of local police, in front of police station, Yaka Kiel, Paktika

The deputy chief has no good news. "Generally, it is safe here" - he says - "but the armed groups are coming here nightly. We are afraid sending out the patrols" - he adds. "We need more people, weapons, ammunition and vehicles" - he enumerates.

During the meeting on the street the little Afghans have taken courage. They approach the vehicles and watch the uniforms and the soldiers with the white-red flag on their sleeves.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1114/840ev4.jpg

A Polish soldier in company of Afghan youngsters

Few minutes later the vehicles leave the place. It's time to find a safe place for camping. Traveling in Afghanistan is not easy - despite a GPS and a map. Every dozen or so kilometers one has to stop and check the position. Occasional tremendous caverns in the ground make the crossing difficult. "Anything else is winnable" - says Sgt. Rafał Menżyk, a scout driver.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6458/844yq8.jpg

Checking position with a GPS and a map when crossing countryside of Paktika

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/3586/845qz0.jpg

Huge caverns like this make driving difficult in countryside of Paktika

A dry river bed appears to be the safest and the quickest route. The vehicles are moving quite fast. Dusk falls early in the mountains. After few kilometers one of them gets stuck in a squishy sand - fortunately not that badly. After few trials they are able to safely get it out. "You were driving too slow" - shouts Menżyk to the driver of the vehicle in trouble. He had been getting his experience in Bosnia and Iraq. "Step on the gas and shift the gear more frequently" - he adds.

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/5921/846pl0.jpg

One of Hummers get stuck in squishy sand on dry river bed

Leaving the sand behind the column hits the rocks again. The tires flex in any which way. Only the designer knows why they don't get cut and cracked.

All Hummers are already on the top of a hill. WO Klimek arranges the vehicles. "That one up there, this one down here" - he directs. A vehicle of Tactical Team of Air Zone Control pull near the Radio Listening Team. "We are able to illuminate every target and send its coordinates in case of attack" - says group commander, Maj Daniel Rogiński. WO Mariusz Grabarczyk has set up a laser target indicator with a thermo-vision camera. "It will aid us with observation of the terrain at night" - adds Grabarczyk.

All soldiers but the observers in the turrets are free to rest now. They take their gear off. The beds and tins appear from the trunks. "Nice view" - says Pfc Adam Gredka, looking at the peak nearby. "According to a map it is almost at a height of 3000 meters" - he adds.
The soldiers eat their supper in silence. They are all tired. The suns hides behind the mountain. The small, makeshift camp becomes quiet. Most people fall quickly asleep, only the guards look at the surrounding hills ethrough the night-vision devices.

Insistent mountain sun wakes the patrol up in the morning. A quick splash from a bottle of water, a pot of coffee prepared on a small campfire. Their breakfast is similar to their last night's supper.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2221/852fm4.jpg

A morning ablutions

Last minute preparations. The road downhill is harder. They are going towards Bari Kiel place. Rocks sharp as razors, cavernous holes to top it out. Most of them have been bored out by the mountain streams, which flow down with tremendous power. Humvees once again show their class.

A short visit to the police station in Bari Kiel. During the meeting the soldiers watch the work of the local guardians of the law - while they are, in turn, being watched by the local children. In few moments there are dozen or so of them and the others are still running in.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/3276/854uc1.jpg

Curious kids watching the soldiers in Bari Kiel, Paktika

The visit is short. Their needs are similar to those in Yaka Kiel. They lack everything. Only the police officers seem to be handling their duties somewhat better.

The last stage of the patrol is Omna. This little place lies on other side of the mountains. A narrow mountainous road, not much wider than a Hummer, leads to the village. Growing activity of groups, connected to Taliban, have been recently noted in its neighborhood.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/1595/842yn7.jpg

On the mountain trail while on patrol in Paktika

Traveling by the narrow trail is not that safe. The vehicles negotiate the turns in two-three partial turns. Suddenly the column stops. The radios report - there is some object on the road. This might be a mine. "Back away!" - shouts WO Klimek. "We need to shoot it out" - he adds. Pfc Szymon Klimczak climbs up the rocks. Several Beryl series uncovers the reality - this is just a sack with old clothes.

In Omna the Lt-Col Stręk's patrol meets with the Battle Team Bravo, commanded by Maj. Stachyra. Both patrols are going now to Spina, where Taliban activity is great. The Spina's people have not seen so many soldiers at the same time. The men get out of their houses. Even the women, who suppose to stay inside, watch with curiosity through the doorways. A dozen or so vehicles pass through the village. The soldiers talk to villagers.

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6353/856ho9.jpg

A curious woman watches Polish soldiers from a doorway. Spina, Paktika.
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9882/848ps6.jpg

A girl cautiosly watching Polish soldiers
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/3103/853mn5.jpg

Checking one of the cars passing by Spina, Paktika

Time to go to get home before dark - decides the commander. The travel downhill is uneventful. At the bottom of the hill the vehicles stop to refuel their vehicles. Their tanks are completely dry. Soldiers get out of vehicles to stretch their legs. They still have several tens of kilometers to go.
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/6417/839hq6.jpg

Going downhill the rocky road
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/615/855lf4.jpg

Negotiating the stream
http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/8428/857hw0.jpg

Refueling the Humvees and streaching the legs on the way back from Spina to Sharana, Paktika

The patrol reaches the base. The soldiers go to the mess, then under the shower and finally to rest. A very deserved rest.
Wojciech Majeran
source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_115.html
translated by MZ

wholagun

08-02-2007, 08:22 AM

Coran has been banned for 6 months for being arrogant and stupid.
That was one of the best ban ever.

what do you have against corran?

Mishka Zubov

08-02-2007, 10:02 AM

I'm Alive!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
My assistance was request at a distant fire base and for a few reasons I turned down the chance to travel there today. Reason one was no one could tell me if there would be a convoy or flight back anytime soon and my partner Andy is leaving in a day. I cannot go on an indefinite trip and leave this larger base unmanned for an extended time. Factoring in on this was why I"m needed there. I need to do some upgrades for them. The current gear is operational; it would just be better with new software loaded. The need is just not that desperate. One reason that I did not weigh too heavily despite Andy's warning was that I would be traveling with the Polish Battle Group. Their vehicles are very lightly armored and in an emergency or firefight the language barrier could prove fatal. I moved that reason to the top of the list just now after seeing the wreckage of Polish vehicle. We went to see if any of our gear could be salvaged from the wrecked HUMMV and I was looking right at the thing and asked Andy, "Where the hell is it?" 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. I have seen horrid wrecks here but on the U.S. up armored vehicles the whole front or back may be blown off and the troops inside the passenger compartment survive with amazingly light injuries. Sure the poor buggers are hosed and may be costing the V.A. a fortune later for traumatic brain injuries but they live
I cannot spend my pay if I'm dead. *I cannot get anyone else out alive by doing my job well if I'm dead either. No unreasonable risks for minor reasons and no travel without heavy armor for me!

source: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=9763370&blogID=286936939&Mytoken=63DBBE53-25F2-4EE7-B702E1CFD53E0D6C69631517

jocker_89

08-02-2007, 12:32 PM

http://www.army.mil.pl/8_07/010807_hoh/0.jpg

14-28 July: Instructors from non-commissioned school of land forces in Toruń took part in preparation of polish combat group in Hohenfels (Germany). Together with american instructors were part of group which observed training of polish soldiers according to american procedures.

http://www.army.mil.pl/8_07/010807_hoh/1.jpg
http://www.army.mil.pl/8_07/010807_hoh/2.jpg
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http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/34555-1/07.jpg
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http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/34543-1/01.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/34547-1/03.jpg

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

Mishka Zubov

08-03-2007, 01:05 AM

A shooting exercise
2007-08-02 15:01:22

Almost 100 Polish and American soldiers have participated in a shooting exercise - lasting many hours - near the Bagram base.

Such first ever, big mutual exercise offered an opportunity for mutual familiarization with basic weapons of Polish and American armed forces. Polish soldiers from the Command of Polish Military Contingent (PMC) organized a shooting competition. Trophies: marksman badges in gold, silver and bronze colors.

MAJ Krzysztof Zieliński, a supervisor of the event said: "One can discuss the equipment and its advantages for hours. But the targets show who is better" - he added with a smile, pointing to a white-red flag on his sleeve.

Due to unexpected visit of Afghan kids there was an opportunity to hand them soft toys.

COL Jan Rydz, a deputy commander of PMC, said: "Certainly, this was not the last practice of this type. This is nice to know that - even though we are in a country that is in a war for safety and peace - the shooting like this does not harm anyone and its goal is the enhancement of friendship.

Text: MAJ Wojciech Kaliszczak
Photos: WO Krzysztof Karp
translated by MZ

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/8422/882gy9.jpg
http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/5995/880ry5.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/7964/879pw8.jpg
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/989/881ig2.jpg
http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/2199/878ow5.jpg
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/9596/883jx1.jpg

Smok

08-03-2007, 09:40 AM

Corran got irritated an decided to commit a virtual suicide on this forum. I mean he delibelatery posted something, he knew he would be banned for.

I have a contact with him via a Polish messenger similar to ICQ.

What have he posted? p-)

Switek

08-03-2007, 10:05 AM

What have he posted? p-)

He argued with Argyll about PMCs and offended him. As for my it was suicide behaviour...

~~~~

08-03-2007, 11:08 AM

is it just me or most of the troops from PKW Afganistan were given way too small helmets?

PS: or maybe they have bigger heads than the other ones... (not even mentioning about their balls)

jocker_89

08-03-2007, 11:57 AM

From DOWN till DUSK

Among several bases, where polish soldiers are stationed, is Gazhni
In this province, where for safety and peace is still long way, nearby at most important for afghans road: Kabul - Kandahar, lasts normal soldiers life.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7894/87374f894ro8.jpg

Patrols, convoys, shooting trainings, guard and work at equipment - white-red flag is inseparable part of local landscape.

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/1011/8627afec1ds4.jpg
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4779/8617f2783nd4.jpg

Full of dust, massive mountains and unforgotten sky Afghanistan is challenge for them.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1180/8607f6e6fbz5.jpg
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/6203/8597f7b02yt9.jpg
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/9813/8638365e0vl0.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9897/864838f52ex9.jpg
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/526/865840230iu9.jpg
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/3842/869876c65qd9.jpg
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5991/8708adfe1ov8.jpg

Soldiers of Major Michał Hołuba from combat team A, they are like family. All together created one, strong group. They know that in this way is easier.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9683/867872d29rg0.jpg
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/4062/866875cb5ak7.jpg
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/645/8728c8d72rk7.jpg
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/1775/8718c1a07yl1.jpg
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7025/874907e8axm6.jpg
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/9887/87590c111bx6.jpg
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/1125/87691b285vw3.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/7449/87791f858qn4.jpg

That what they are doing, gives them reason for pride. Every day they can rely on themselves. They present, good understanding team.
www.isaf.wp.mil.pl (http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl)

jocker_89

08-03-2007, 12:46 PM

1-3 August: In non-commissioned officer school of land forces in Poznań took place a final examinations which have ended training of soldiers.

http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/34653-2/25.jpg
http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/34655-1/26.jpg
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http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/wortal/gallery/d/34601-2/04.jpg

www.wojsko-polskie.pl (http://www.wojsko-polskie.pl)

tony6

08-03-2007, 01:26 PM

what do you have against corran?
Like I said - the man was banned for being arrogant and stupid. Period.

Mishka Zubov

08-04-2007, 09:34 AM

From DOWN till DUSK

Patrol ambushed in Afghanistan
04.08.2007
A Polish and American patrol came under heavy machine gun fire in an ambush near Ghazni, in Afghanistan. The convoy of Polish Rosomak APCs and US Army Hummers had been returning to their base last night when they were shelled by unidentified attackers. Most of the shots hit one of the Rosomaks, but had not managed to penetrate its shield even with no additional armored plates. The Polish soldiers repelled the assailants. None of the Polish nor American troops had sustained any injuries.

source: http://www.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/gb/dokument.aspx?iid=56495

Mishka Zubov

08-04-2007, 10:34 AM

And this is how Polish Ministry of National Defense reports the same incident:

Afghanistan: Shelling of a Polish-American convoy
Written by MON
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 [sic!]

On Friday night, August the 3rd, in Ghazni province, a Polish-American convoy came under fire. None of the soldiers had sustained any injuries. All soldiers had safely returned to their base.

The incident happened 15 km from town of Ghazni, around midnight (2130 hours, Polish time). A convoy of American vehicles Humvee and Polish Rosomak APCs had been shelled by small arm and machine gun fire. In response Polish soldiers opened the fire. The attackers immediately escaped.

The Rosomak's armor had been exposed the direct shelling at the side of the vehicle. None of the soldiers inside its compartment had sustained any injuries. The convoy, together with the damaged Rosomak, had returned to their base on its own.

The Rosomak has commendably passed the battle test, even though the vehicle had not been yet equipped with additional armor. A process of installation of additional armor to all Rosomak vehicles, which will protect our soldiers even more, has been under way in Polish bases in Afghanistan.

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

Since most shots hit just one of the Rosomaks it seems to me that the insurgents have been just testing its armor.

So the Rosomak has been damaged, but it managed to return to the base on its own - no help was needed.

The armor installation process takes longer than predicted - the mid July was it? I wonder why: the armor delivery or the installation itself?

Jµµso

08-04-2007, 10:52 AM

I tought that Rosomaks were already more armored. Why did they send them already if they weren't ready?

Mishka Zubov

08-04-2007, 11:20 AM

This is a long story: The Rosomaks were already on their way to Afghanistan (sea and land transport) when doubts have been raised about protection ability of their armor. In a big rush, some tests had been performed to check the allegations, a manufacturer chosen to produce the extra armor, then another test was performed to prove that the armor indeed works, and then the manufacturing started with full blast. The armor was to be delivered by air to Afghanistan and then installed in situ.

In meantime the Rosomaks have reached Sharan, Paktika and the Polish Military Contingent was getting late with its official transfer of authority...

There is something in national character of Poles: They are good in improvisation, but not so good in cool planning and execution of such plans. Now you know why there are so many good Polish jazz players around. :-)

Musashi

08-04-2007, 11:44 AM

Well done, Mr. Wolverine (Rosomak) woot
Thanks Allah and Finnish armour nobody was hurt :)

~~~~

08-04-2007, 06:02 PM

Like I said - the man was banned for being arrogant and stupid. Period.

:-) say hello to Corran:

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/9186/dsc04111zp2.jpg

Smok

08-05-2007, 08:29 AM

Damaged? probably the tire was shot or some lamp was broken. As I heard in radio armor was not penetrated.
No soldiers were injured and vehicle was able to return fire and leave battlefield. So IMHO Rosomak passed this fire test.

Mishka Zubov

08-05-2007, 12:38 PM

Some pictures from a visit of gen. Góral, a commander of Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) to MNC NE and ISA command in Kabul.

http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/001.JPG

Cologne: Waiting for the "Airbus"
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/005.JPG

Uzbek hospitality. Termez provides air base for ISAF
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/006.JPG

Hotel in Termez
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/010.JPG

1x Góral, 2x Przybyła
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/013.JPG

Northern stars
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/015.JPG

Of course, Swedes speak Polish
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/019.JPG

In case of illness - German Role 3 hospital
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/022.JPG

Morning press review
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/0221.JPG

Nice guys
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/023.JPG

COM ISAF and COM MNC NE
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/0231.JPG

All our nations
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/024.JPG

British Navy in the Afghan desert
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/025.JPG

Hmm, we work hard
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/026.JPG

Whatever our Commander said, they understood
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/028.JPG

Almost Taliban
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/029.JPG

Busy line
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/036.JPG

TV Hill
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/038.JPG

Blackhawk
http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/044.JPG

Member of the Team
source: http://www.mncne.pl

~~~~

08-05-2007, 01:10 PM

who's are those idiotic captions?

Mishka Zubov

08-05-2007, 01:15 PM

who's are those idiotic captions?

Original, from MNC NE gallery.

What's wrong with them?

Switek

08-05-2007, 01:27 PM

who's are those idiotic captions?

Original, from MNC NE gallery.

What's wrong with them?

They're unprofessional... p-)

Mishka Zubov

08-05-2007, 01:33 PM

Maybe, but I am sure they have been rubber-stamped by The Commander.

I actually enjoyed some of them.

Switek

08-05-2007, 01:45 PM

Maybe, but I am sure they have been rubber-stamped by The Commander.

So it doesn't exclude substance of ~~~~'s question... p-)

evil-twin

08-05-2007, 02:03 PM

http://www.mncne.pl/afghanistan/images/038.JPGThis pic with an US Blackhawk, was it taken in Termez or already in Kabul or elsewhere in Afghnaistan?

Mishka Zubov

08-05-2007, 02:17 PM

Judging from the picture position in the pile of slides, this is Kabul - before visiting Bagram, Sharana, etc.

There are many more pictures - and some of them from inside the helicopter, views of mountains and deserts, and so on ... But that would not be the "Polish soldiers all over the world", so I did not bother showing them to you.

Mishka Zubov

08-05-2007, 02:20 PM

So it doesn't exclude substance of ~~~~'s question... p-)

Now, this is getting serious and since I do not understand your objections I want to get to the bottom of the problem.

As I see it - some of the captures are humorous and if Góral has accepted them (I am assuming that he had) so should you. Actually some of those captures forced me to look again at corresponding pictures to really see what they suppose to show.

Some of them cannot be possibly better commented as this "Hmm, We work hard". What would you like to say? "Capt xxx, a commander of the logistic section, of MNC NE, co-commanding the ISAF operations in Afghanistan, is monkeying in front of camera?" Actually, I do not particularly care who he is. What counts is an "artistic" impression of the day. One happy Pole in Kabul - good for him, satisfactory for me.

There is also a possible technical explanation for such short captures. The photographer might have forgotten taking notes with names of important and less important people - whose pictures he was taking - and then somebody had to do something about it.

Switek

08-05-2007, 02:56 PM

Mishka, I was kidding, mate

Mishka Zubov

08-05-2007, 06:08 PM

Without Vodka: Adventures in Wartime Russia
A true life adventure story that reads like a novel.
by Aleksander Topolski
source: http://www.withoutvodka.com/index.htm

Without Vodka is amazingly cheerful and upbeat despite the meticulously detailed death and destruction that accompanied Topolski's descent into the hell of the Soviet prison system....

The book is not irreverent. It is not Hogan’s Heroes. And it does not trivialize the pain suffered by both the prisoners and civilians of wartime Russia. But it does seem to be written with a total absence of bitterness and anger and by a man who has made peace with the world.
Paul Gessell, The Ottawa Citizen

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Nov. 11, 2004 – At the Remembrance Day ceremonies in a small cemetery in Chelsea, Quebec, Canada, author Aleksander Topolski, veteran of the Polish Second Corps, British Eighth Army, honours those who, like him, served their country in wartime. Topolski is now completing the second volume of his memoirs. The working title is Without A Roof = WAR : A Polish soldier’s adventures in Iraq and Italy during World War II

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Topolski's parents on June 14, 1914, about the time of their marriage.
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Topolski's mother, Henryka, with his older sisters Henia, 19 (left), and Maria, 16 (right), in Horodenka, 1936.
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Aleksander Topolski, 14, in school uniform, standing on his street in Horodenka (then in Poland, now in the Ukraine).
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Pre-war view up cobble-stoned Ormianska Street in front of the Topolskis’ home in Horodenka towards the Armenian Church
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Horodenka high school cadet corps on Polish Independence Day, November 11, 1938 (Topolski is in the front row, furthest right). Of these 26 young men, only five are known to have survived World War II.
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Topolski (center) with school friends during weekend maneuvers in Horodenka, early spring, 1939.
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Topolski (crouching, left) in spring, 1939, with fellow cadets Wieslaw Sobiech, Kazimierz Blyszczuk, Roman Ewy, Zdzislaw Starzynski, J****z Konopka (standing behind), and Eugeniusz Kirszbaum (crouching right).
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Topolski, 16, at Gdynia on the Baltic Sea during a boy scout trip in July, 1939.
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Topolski at the Polish naval base at Oksywie in Gdynia. Beyond the Delfin, the Polish destroyer Blyskawica (Lightning) can be seen in the far distance.
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Photo taken December 11 , 1939, on the morning Topolski left home and was captured by Soviet border guards.
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Poles, who suffered severe hardships in the Soviet Union, line up to register for the newly formed Polish Army.
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Typical scene of ex-prisoners and deportees getting their bread rations after finding and signing up for the Polish Army newly formed in the Soviet Union under General Anders..
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Polish Army volunteers line up for soup in Totskoye, USSR (1941).
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Polish military cemetery (First Signals Regiment) in Katta Alekseyevskaya, Uzbekistan, where Topolski served. Soldiers died of malnutrition and disease. In some other camps, a few soldiers were shot.
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Cadet Officer Topolski, 19, in his new army uniform with New Zealand hat, two days after his arrival in Iran in August or September, 1942, near the Caspian Sea port of Pahlevi (now Enzeli).
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Map of Aleksander Topolski's journey (1939-1942) through Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Siberia, and Central Asia.
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Polish soldiers, in their British uniforms, resting during manoeuvers
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Polish prisoners caged in Stolypinka rail car en route to Ukraine
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Uncle Misha's izba in Northern Russia. Aleks shared its sleeping loft with six people.
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September, 1939. Luftwaffe bombs Aleks's hometown, Horodenka
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July, 1941. Kiev labour/prison camp after being hit by German bombs
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The train robbers' girlfriends on a train somewhere south of Tashkent
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Polish cavalry officer at Kirov station tells about newly formed Polish Army in USSR
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Public Prosecutor Godlewski arrested for stealing coal
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Horodenka's Ormianska Street where Topolski family lived (house on right).
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Ploughing with oxen on a kolkhoz in Uzbekistan
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By sleigh to Kirov (Vyatka) with Uncle Misha
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Bukovinians line up in a dungeon cell watched by Soviet guard (on left)
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Polish prisoners passing time in Chernigov in former army barracks
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Envelope of letter to Topolski's mother from Soviet authorities denying clemency
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Soviet guard "Dumpling" ogled by Spiegel
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Dr. Epstein sings Wagner in Czortkow Prison
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Commissioner at Farab tries to lure Polish wanderers to board barges
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Note to his family that Topolski tossed from prison truck in snowy Tarnopol
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Self-portrait drawn in 1942. Note Soviet army tents.
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Gen. Anders's army in Uzbekistan had British uniforms but Russian tents
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Recruits seeking 2nd Polish Corps in USSR
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December 11, 1939. Topolski and other Poles head for the Romanian border.
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Galya distracts train guard while others carry off case of "soldiers grub"
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NKVD Corrective Labour Colony No. 7 in Kiev, Ukraine Topolski slept in prison for juveniles (4) and worked in drafting office (15)
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Recent self-portrait drawn by Aleksander Topolski
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The Beautiful Zhenya befriends Aleks