Polish Soldiers all over the World.

[marlowe]

so Polish army uses German granades?

No, but the picture you are refering to, was taken during "Noble Light II"- an international exercise, which took place in Germany.

[He219]

It's making me smiling haha... Tell me please how many people serve in GROM? Aproximatelly? I think not many...
And my question is - What the hell, they can't buy this small amount of REAL Crye uniforms?? What was the problem? They have best equipment in Poland, so for small sort of uniforms, there should be some money also. Why copying???

Totally agree with you.

A Polish army soldier laughs at his buddies as they approach his position during a patrol in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, Oct. 9, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

A Polish army soldier walks along the bank of a stream to secure the area during a patrol in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, Oct. 9, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

A Polish army soldier pulls security in a courtyard during a patrol in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, Oct. 9, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

Polish army soldiers distribute generators, laundry detergent, blankets and pillows to Iraqi civilians in Diwaniyah, Iraq, Oct. 8, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

An Iraqi civilian turns in a voucher to receive necessities from Polish forces in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, Oct. 8, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

Polish army TF Falcon soldiers conduct a mission in Diwaniyah, Iraq, Oct. 8, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

Polish army TF Falcon soldiers provide security during a mission in Diwaniyah, Iraq, Oct. 8, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

Polish army TF Falcon soldiers provide security during a mission in Diwaniyah, Iraq, Oct. 8, 2007.

Polish army TF Falcon soldiers knock on the door of a residence during a mission in Diwaniyah, Iraq, Oct. 8, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

A Polish army TF Falcon soldier moves up the stairs while clearing a building in the Al Nahda district of Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, Oct. 6, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

A Polish army soldier gets acquainted with Iraqi civilians near Hamza, Iraq, Sept. 5, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

A Civil-Military Co-Operation official hands out food packages to children near the Ash Shamiyah Stream in Iraq Sept. 5, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriel Reza)

[Mishka Zubov]

Wow, nice pictures! Any story that goes with those pictures, describing TF Falcon in more details? I know that it also goes under the "special operations group" name (or something like this). I guess, the "falcon" name probably comes from W-3 Sokół (falcon) helicopters, a core of the group.

[Johnny bazooka]

very interesting pictures.

[zvezdah]

Wow, nice pictures! Any story that goes with those pictures, describing TF Falcon in more details? I know that it also goes under the "special operations group" name (or something like this). I guess, the "falcon" name probably comes from W-3 Sokół (falcon) helicopters, a core of the group.

Task Force Falcon is the airborne task force, task force Lynx is made up of troops from the Polish mountain div. Actually in one of the pics, on left sleeve the soldier is wearing triangular TF Lynx patch, attached is a pic of TF Falcon(the coyote patch) TF Lynx (lynx head)

Chris

[Mishka Zubov]

Thanks, zvezdah. Good eye and knowledge of details.

The TF Lynx patch is self explanatory: IX stands for 9th rotation of Polish Military Contingent (PMC). The "TF Lynx" also goes under the name "Grupa Bojowa", Battle Group.

But the TF Falcon badge still puzzles me, because:
1. What is a relation of a falcon name to a coyote logo? To confuse an enemy and innocent uninformed people like myself?
2. It says: GRUPA SZTURMOWA. PKW IRAK ZMIANA 81/2, which means Assault Group. PMC Iraq Rotation 81/2.
I do not get the meaning of those numbers.
Eight and half? - This does not make any sense.
Years 81/2? - neither this interpretation.

Actually, the full name of "TF Falcon" is "Samodzielna Grupa Powietrzno-Szturmowa", which means "Independent Air Assault Group". Those guys recently received four W-3 "Sokół" helicopters, capable of night operations.
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazet...8482&Itemid=69

[He219]

Wow, nice pictures! Any story that goes with those pictures, describing TF Falcon in more details? I know that it also goes under the "special operations group" name (or something like this). I guess, the "falcon" name probably comes from W-3 Sokół (falcon) helicopters, a core of the group.

Yep, from the daily pix October 10th, 2007:

On the 8th of October combat helicopters W-3 from the Quick Reaction Forces, destroyed a mortar fire position, which was used by terrorists for mortar attacks against Camp Echo in Ad Diwaniyah. During the operation nobody was hurt. Late Monday evening, Multinational Division Central South (MND CS) Tactical Operating Center (TOC) was informed about some criminals activity. They were prepared to mortar attack against Camp Echo. Mortar fire position was located about 2 km north – east from Polish military base. Assailants fired one mortar grenade but there was no explosion inside the base. The Quick Reaction Force which consisted of W-3 Falcon combat helicopters, were sent to the point of origin. in the place of attack. Falcons identified the target and opened fire within 8 minutes. Criminal escaped from the fire but mortar was destroyed. Thanks to intensive training we are ready for quick and effective response. We logged about 70 hours during the last 6 weeks; for example - in Poland we log 70 hours in six months – one of the pilots from the Task Force Falcon said. Falcons are equipped with night – vision devices and they can carry out the tasks both day and night. Furthermore, Falcons can be used for additional tasks, such as convoys and patrols air cover and air reconnaissance.

Search of a suspicious building in the east part of Ad Diwaniyah was the next Falcon’s task. As a result of the search, early morning of the 9th of October soldiers from TF Falcon confiscated 3 rifles, ammunition and explosives. It was another action conducted against criminal organizations in Ad Diwaniyah. It was one of our typical tasks. My subordinates are work loaded; from the beginning of the IX rotation they carried out more than 100 patrols and 76 escorts, but they never complain – commander of the TF Falcon, colonel Stanisław Kaczyński said.

Also:

Polish Soldiers watch a street near a warehouse in Al Ghammas, Iraq, on Oct. 2, 2007.

Local Iraqis prepare a feast for their guests at a warehouse in Al Ghammas, Iraq, on Oct. 2, 2007.

Hungry?

A Polish soldier tries some of the local cuisine at a warehouse in Al Ghammas, Iraq, on Oct. 2, 2007.

HEres

Polish Air Assault personnel practice disembarking from a hovering W3W helicopter at Camp Echo on Oct. 1.

HEres

HEres

U.S. Special Forces personnel disembark from a Polish W-3W helicopter during training at Camp Echo on Oct. 1.

HEres

U.S. Special Forces personnel take up security positions outside a Polish W-3W helicopter during training at Camp Echo on Oct. 1.

HEres

U.S. Special Forces personnel move out after conducting training at Camp Echo on Oct. 1.

[Beatkunedo]

Why copying???

Because:
- Cyre won't ship abroad.
- Waiting time just for the material for 600 sets would be up to 6 months.
- Originall Multicam pattern doesn't work well enough for specific needs of GROM - The modified polish version has one colour less and features a stronger contrast between the colours.
- GROM defined a specific modified layout of the uniform and needed someone to produce it exactly to its needs.
- If they would have waited for Crye to fullfill all their contractual duties in the US, then design a uniform to their specification, finally to produce an amount of 600 sets, GROM's engagement in Afganisthan would be just comming to its end.

Life unfortunately ain't that easy that you cant get precisely what you want, when you want it and the way you want it, it doesn't work that way.

[daily666]

Because:
- Cyre won't ship abroad.
- Waiting time just for the material for 600 sets would be up to 6 months.
- Originall Multicam pattern doesn't work well enough for specific needs of GROM - The modified polish version has one colour less and features a stronger contrast between the colours.
- GROM defined a specific modified layout of the uniform and needed someone to produce it exactly to its needs.
- If they would have waited for Crye to fullfill all their contractual duties in the US, then design a uniform to their specification, finally to produce an amount of 600 sets, GROM engagement in Afganisthan would be just comming to its end.

Life unfortunately ain't that easy that you cant get precisely what you want, when you want it and the way you want it, it doesn't work that way.

Thanks! That explains a lot.

[Mishka Zubov]

Yep, from the daily pix October 10th, 2007:

Also:

Thanks, He219. I've been posting many messages about those two groups: TF Lynx and TF Falcon to another thread 'News, humors, ...etc' recently. Most of them are translations of Polish text by the spokesman for MND CS. There are occassional pictures as well, but not in such abundance as you have posted here. I was hoping to get some stories about those groups from different, source, different angle. I'll link to your pictures later. Thank you again.

[Switek]

Thanks! That explains a lot.

Disagree. It doesn't explain the fact that MC was copied... May be it's not violence of copyrights in terms of law but morally ambiguous. I guess that GROM was able to develop its own universal camo pattern or just buy a license to use MC and make modifications. This how those things should be managed I guess.

[Beatkunedo]

I didnt loose a word about moral aspects and I'm not judging whether is was right or wrong.
I just provided some possible explanations for the question: Why copy?
Copying, not only of camouflage patterns, is very common in the military world - just look at russian camouflages, some western vests etc.
And besides - buy a license from Crye for multicam and modify it - hehe, you're funny - not in this world...
Since even Crye doesn't feel its a patent right infringement - otherwise it would have been lawsuit after lawsuit already against PPH Kama, the producer of the uniform, reflexions about moral issues are to me totally unproductive and lead to nowhere.
So, let's just stick to the "Strictly Photos and Videos" subject of the thread, shall we?

[zvezdah]

HI Mishka,

I've written to my friend for clarification on the TF Falcon patch, will post here when I have it.
Chris

Thanks, zvezdah. Good eye and knowledge of details.

The TF Lynx patch is self explanatory: IX stands for 9th rotation of Polish Military Contingent (PMC). The "TF Lynx" also goes under the name "Grupa Bojowa", Battle Group.

But the TF Falcon badge still puzzles me, because:
1. What is a relation of a falcon name to a coyote logo? To confuse an enemy and innocent uninformed people like myself?
2. It says: GRUPA SZTURMOWA. PKW IRAK ZMIANA 81/2, which means Assault Group. PMC Iraq Rotation 81/2.
I do not get the meaning of those numbers.
Eight and half? - This does not make any sense.
Years 81/2? - neither this interpretation.

Actually, the full name of "TF Falcon" is "Samodzielna Grupa Powietrzno-Szturmowa", which means "Independent Air Assault Group". Those guys recently received four W-3 "Sokół" helicopters, capable of night operations.
source: http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazet...8482&Itemid=69

[Catch22]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...7&d=1193014429

Hehehehe... ok I got some answers for you: The coyote patch of the TF Falcon was actually designed by my friend who was the CO of this TF (made of 25th Air Cav Brigade lads). His nick is "Coyote" btw - funny to see this stuff around here. "Falcon" is because of the Col. Sokołowski (nick: Falcon=Sokół, he is commander of 25th Air Cav Bgd.), 8 1/2 is because this task force was a urgent reinforcement sent into the theatre in mid of the 8th rotation.

As for the Multicam - as much as I am against copying, the things look preety much as the Beat here described. Firstly CBŚ (equivalent of FBI) purchased some original MC fabric from Crye (via US), and made KAMA sew them some fatigues out of it, but then GROM guys looked it out and wanted to give it a try - from what I know the waiting terms turned them off, plus the original Crye stuff wasn't up to their liking. Anyways it ended with MC pattern being reworked and the uniforms (both in Suez & plain yellowish sand color) were made. Initial batch was on some 600 sets (300 in each colouring) now the second batch (with some minor changes) was made in some 800 sets.

Here you go a comparision pic of the colouring.

[zvezdah]

Catch

Thanks for the exc. information, just what I needed to know!

Chris

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...7&d=1193014429

Hehehehe... ok I got some answers for you: The coyote patch of the TF Falcon was actually designed by my friend who was the CO of this TF (made of 25th Air Cav Brigade lads). His nick is "Coyote" btw - funny to see this stuff around here. "Falcon" is because of the Col. Sokołowski (nick: Falcon=Sokół, he is commander of 25th Air Cav Bgd.), 8 1/2 is because this task force was a urgent reinforcement sent into the theatre in mid of the 8th rotation.