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Polish Air Force (Siły Powietrzne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Siły Powietrzne RP). Until 1 July 2004 it was officially known as: Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej (literally: Air and Air Defence Forces, the name existing from 1990). It consists of approximately forty thousand officers and enlisted personnel, distributed amongst 22 separate air force bases throughout Poland.

The history of the Polish Air Force

1918–1922

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The history of the Polish airforce began at the end of the World War I. In 1918, some aircraft escadres were created within the Polish units in allied countries. In Russia, one escadre was created within the Polish corps of General Józef Dowbór-Muśnicki, then disbanded along with the Corps in May 1918. In France, 5 bomber escadres were created within the Army of General Józef Haller. They returned to Poland, equipment intact in 1919.

Military aviation in Poland started just when Poland regained its independence, in November 1918. It consisted initially of German and Austrian aircraft, captured from the former occupants or left by them in a damaged state. They were first used in the conflict against Ukraine around Lwów in 1918, other actions being the bombing of an airfield in Frankfurt (Oder) on 9 January 1919 by airmen of the Great Polish Army. After 1919 Poland was then involved in the war with Soviet Russia and started to buy aircraft abroad. As a result, in 1920 the Polish Air Force consisted of a variety of the British, French, German, Austrian and Italian aircraft of the World War I era, in quantities ranging from a few to some dozen pieces. The main fighters used were (in order of quantity): SPAD XIII, Fokker D.VII, Oeffag D.III, Ansaldo Balilla, SPAD VII, Albatros D.III, Sopwith Dolphin, Fokker E.V (D.VIII). The most numerous became two-seater Bristol F2B Fighter (105 units), used a scout plane. Main bombers and reconnaissance planes were: Breguet 14, SVA-9, Salmson 2, DH-9, different variants of Albatros C, DFW C, LVG C.

1923–1932

After the Polish-Soviet war, the World War I vintage aircraft were gradually withdrawn, and the airforce was equipped mostly with the French aircraft.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

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

1933–1938

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

As far as bombers are concerned, the Potez 25 and Breguet 19 were replaced by an all-metal monoplane, the PZL.23 Karaś (250 built, after 1936), but even by 1939, the Karas was outdated. In 1938 the Polish factory PZL designed a modern twin-engine medium bomber PZL.37 Łoś (Elk), arguably the best bomber in the world when it entered service that year. The Los had a bomb payload of 2580 kg and a top speed of 439 km/h. Unfortunately too few entered service before the war (approximately 30 Los A bombers (single-fin tail) and 70 Los B (twin-fin) bombers were delivered before the war started). As an observation and close reconnaissance plane, Polish escadres used slow and easily damaged Lublin R-XIII, then RWD-14 Czapla. Polish naval aviation used Lublin R-XIII on floats. Just before the war, some Italian torpedo planes CANT Z.506 were ordered, but only one was delivered, without armament. The main trainer plane was the Polish-built high-wing RWD-8 (primary) and biplane PWS-26 (trainer). In 1939, Poland ordered 160 of MS-406 and 10 Hawker Hurricane fighters abroad, but they were not delivered before the outbreak of war.

1939

At the beginning of the Invasion of Poland, by 1 September 1939, all the Polish combat aircraft had been deployed to the field airfields; contrary to a common belief based on German propaganda, they avoided destruction in bombed air bases. The German bombers managed to destroy on airfields mostly trainer planes. The fighter planes were grouped in 15 escadres. 5 of them constituted the Pursuit Brigade, deployed in Warsaw area. Despite being obsolete, Polish PZL-11 fighters shot down over 170 German planes as well. The bombers, grouped in 9 escadres of the Bomber Brigade attacked armoured columns, suffering heavy losses. 7 reconnaissance and 12 observation escadres, deployed to particular Armies, were intensively used for reconnaissance. Most of the Polish airforce was destroyed in the campaign, the rest of the aircraft were captured or withdrawn to Romania. Subsequently, the Romanians employed the remaining aircraft for their own use. A great number of pilots and air crews managed to escape to France where they intended to continue the fight.

1940 (France)

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

1940–1947 (United Kingdom)

See also: Polish Air Force in Great Britain

Following France's surrender in 1940, Polish units were formed in the United Kingdom, as a part of the Royal Air Force, and known as the Polish Air Force (PAF). The first squadrons were: 300 and 301 bomber squadrons and 302 and 303 fighter squadrons. The fighter squadrons, flying the Hawker Hurricane, first saw action in the third phase of the Battle of Britain in August 1940, with a very good results. Polish flying skills were well-developed from the Invasion of Poland and the pilots were regarded as fearless and sometimes bordered on reckless. Nevertheless success rates were very high in comparison to UK and Empire pilots. 303 squadron became the most efficient RAF fighter unit at that time. Many Polish pilots also flew in other RAF squadrons. In the following years, further Polish squadrons were created: 304 (bomber, then Coastal Command), 305 (bomber), 306 (fighter), 307 (night fighter), 308 (fighter), 309 (reconnaissance, then fighter), 315 (fighter), 316 (fighter), 317 (fighter), 318 (fighter-reconnaissance) and 663 (air observation/artillery spotting). The fighter squadrons initially flew Hurricanes, then Supermarine Spitfires, and eventually on P-51 Mustangs. Night fighters used by 307 were the Boulton-Paul Defiant, Bristol Beaufighter and finally the de Havilland Mosquito. The bomber squadrons were initially equipped with Fairey Battles and Vickers Wellingtons, then Avro Lancasters (300 Sqdn.), Handley Page Halifaxs and Consolidated B-24 Liberators (301 sqn) and de Havilland Mosquitos and B-25 Mitchells (305 Sqdn.). 663 flew Auster AOP IIIs and Vs. After the war, with the changed international situation, their equipment was returned to the British but only some of the pilots and crews returned to Poland.

1943–1989

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

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

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

The only jet bomber used was the Ilyushin Il-28, from 1952. Poland used only a small number of MiG-19 from 1959, because the basic supersonic fighter from 1963 became MiG-21. This aircraft was used in numerous variants from MiG-21F-13, through MiG-21PF and MF to MiG-21bis. Later, the Polish Air Force received 37 MiG-23 (1979) and 12 MiG-29 (1989). The main attack plane after 1949 was Il-10 (since 1951 also training version UIl-10). Starting 1964 Poland also used a substantial number of attack planes Su-7B (since 1965), replaced with 27 Sukhoi Su-20 (since 1974) and 110 Sukhoi Su-22 (1984) as the main attack planes.

The only jet trainer was the domestically built TS-11 Iskra, which replaced proper engine Junak-2 (in service 1952), TS-9 Junak-3 (in service since 1954) and PZL TS-8 Bies (since 1958). The other polish jet trainer, the PZL I-22 Iryda, was used for some time but because of continuing problems all machines were returned to PZL for modification and it is currently not in service. As multirole planes Yak-12 (since 1951), An-2 (since 1955) and Wilga-35 P were used. Transport aircraft were: Il-14 (since 1955), Il-18 (since 1961), An-12B (since 1966), An-26 (since 1972), Yak-40 (since 1973) and Tupolev Tu-154.

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

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

Since 1990

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

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

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

Structure

• Dowództwo Sił Powietrznych in Warsaw (Headquarter of Air Force)
  • Centrum Operacji Powietrznych in Warsaw-Pyry (Center of Air Operations)
    • 21. Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania in Warsaw-Pyry
    • 22. Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania w Bydgoszcz-Wojnowo
    • 31. Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania w Poznań-Babki
    • 32. Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania w Cracow-Balice
    • 1. Centrum Koordynacji Operacji Powietrznych in Gdynia
    • 2. Centrum Koordynacji Operacji Powietrznych in Cracow
    • 4. Centrum Koordynacji Operacji Powietrznych in Szczecin
  • 2. Korpus Obrony Powietrznej in Bydgoszcz (2nd Air Defence Corps)
    • 1. Brygada Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Świdwin (1st Tactical Air Force Brigade)
      • 1. Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Mińsk Mazowiecki (1st Tactical Sqd.)
      • 8. Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Mirosławiec (8th Tactical Sqd.)
      • 40. Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Świdwin (40. Tactical Sqn.)
      • 41. Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Malbork (41st Tactical Sqd.)
      • 12. Baza Lotnicza in Mirosławiec (12th Air Base)
      • 21 Baza Lotnicza in Świdwin (21st Air Base)
      • 22 Baza Lotnicza in Malbork (22nd Air Base)
      • 23 Baza Lotnicza in Mińsk Mazowiecki (23rd Air Base)
    • 2. Brygada Radiotechniczna in Bydgoszcz (2nd Radiotechnical Brigade)
      • 8. Batalion Radiotechniczny in Lipowiec (8th Radiotechnical Battalion)
        • 140. kompania radiotechniczna in Dębina (140th Radiotechnical Company)
        • 141. kompania radiotechniczna in Druchowo (141st Radiotechnical Company)
        • 144. kompania radiotechniczna in Biała Podlaska (144th Radiotechnical Company)
        • 180. kompania radiotechniczna in Lipowiec (180th Radiotechnical Company)
        • 182. kompania radiotechniczna in Kruklanki (182nd Radiotechnical Company)
        • 183. kompania radiotechniczna in Plewki (183th Radiotechnical Company)
        • 184. kompania radiotechniczna in Suwałki (184th Radiotechnical Company)
        • 211. kompania radiotechniczna in Chruściel (211st Radiotechnical Company)
        • 224. kompania radiotechniczna in Malbork (224th Radiotechnical Company)
      • 10. Batalion Radiotechniczny in Choszczno (10th Radiotechnical Battalion)
        • 270. RLP w Witkowo
      • 23. Batalion Radiotechniczny in Słupsk (23rd Radiotechnical Battalion)
        • 222. kompania radiotechniczna in Grudziądz (222nd Radiotechnical Company)
        • 232. kompania radiotechniczna in Rowy (232nd Radiotechnical Company)
        • 210. OWiK in Władysławowo
      • 28. Batalion Radiotechniczny in Gryfice (28th Radiotechnical Battalion)
        • 272. kompania radiotechniczna w Stara Łubianka (272nd Radiotechnical Company)
        • 283. kompania radiotechniczna w Darżewo (283rd Radiotechnical Company)
      • 34. Batalion Radiotechniczny w Chojnice (34th Radiotechnical Battalion)
        • 220. OWiK
    • 2. Węzeł Łączności in Bydgoszcz
    • 3. Brygada Rakietowa Obrony Powietrznej in Warsaw (3rd Rocketry Brigade of Air Defence)
      • 5. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (5th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 7. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Książenica (7th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 21. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Puck (21st Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 25. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Wejherowo (25th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 60. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Olszownica (60th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 61. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (61st Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 63. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (63rd Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 65. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gdynia (65th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 83. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Bytom (83rd Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
    • 78. Pułk Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Mrzeżyno (78th Rocketry Regiment of Air Defence)
    • 2. Batalion Radioelektroniczny in Lidzbark Warmiński (2nd Radiotechnical Battalion)
      • 41 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Mrzeżyno (41st Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 71 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Mrzeżyno (71st Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
    • 2. Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowego in Bydgoszcz (2nd Transport Aviation Sqd)
    • 18. Ruchome Warsztaty Techniczne]] w Gdynia (18th Mobile Workshop)
  • 3. Korpus Obrony Powietrznej in Wrocław (3rd Air Defence Corps)
    • 1. Śląska Brygada Rakietowa Obrony Powietrznej in Bytom (1st Silesian Rocetry Brigade of Air Defence)
      • 14. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gliwice (14th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 17. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Libiąż (17th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 31. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Poznań (31st Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 72. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Oświęcim (72nd Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 73. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Oświęcim (73rd Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 74. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gliwice (74th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 75. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gliwice (75th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 76. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Poznań (76th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 77. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Murowana Goślina (77th Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 81. Dywizjon Dowodzenia Obrony Powietrznej in Bytom (81st Sqadron of Command of Air Defence)
    • 2. Brygada Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Poznań (2nd Tactical Air Force Brigade)
      • 3. Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Poznań (3rd Tactical Sqd.)
      • 6. Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Powidz (6th Tactical Sqd.)
      • 7 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Powidz (7th Tactical Sqd.)
      • 10. Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Łask (10th Tactical Sqd.)
      • 31. Baza Lotnicza in Poznań-Krzesiny (31st Air Base)
      • 32. Baza Lotnicza in Łask (32nd Air Base)
      • 33. Baza Lotnicza in Powidz (33rd Air Base)
    • 3. Brygada Radiotechniczna in Wrocław (3rd Radiotechnical Brigade)
    • 61. Skwierzyńska Brygada Rakietowa Obrony Powietrzne in Skwierzyna (61st Skwierzynian Rocetry Brigade of Air Defence)
      • 21. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Skwierzyna (21st Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 22. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Skwierzyna (22nd Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 23. Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Skwierzyna (23rd Rocketry Sqadron of Air Defence)
      • 24. Dywizjon Artylerii Przeciwlotniczej in Skwierzyna (24th Sqadron of Air Defence Artilery)
      • 22. Polowa Techniczna Baza Przeciwlotnicza in Skwierzyna (22nd Field Technical Air Defence Base)
    • 8. Baza Lotnicza in Cracow (8th Air Base)
    • 3. Batalion Radioelektroniczny in Sandomierz (3rd Radiotechnical Battalion)
    • 31. Batalion Radiotechniczny in Wrocław (31st Radiotechnical Battalion)
    • 3. Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowo-Łącznikowego we Wrocławiu (3rd Transportation-Liassion Sqd)
  • Wyższa Szkoła Oficerska Sił Powietrznych in Dęblin (Air Force Officers Academy)
    • 1. Ośrodek Szkolenia Lotniczego in Dęblin)
    • 2. Ośrodek Szkolenia Lotniczego in Radom
    • Ośrodek Szkolenia Specjalistów Sił Powietrznych
  • Centrum Szkolenia Sił Powietrznych w Koszalin (Center of Training of Air Force)
  • Grupa Organizacyjna Wdrożenia Samolotu F-16 w Warsaw
  • 6. Pułk Dowodzenia w Śrem (6th Regiment of Command)
  • 36. Specjalny Pułk Lotnictwa Transportowego in Warsaw (36th Special Regiment of Transport Aviation)
  • 13. Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowego in Cracow (13th Transport Aviation Sqd.)
  • 1. Ośrodek Radioelektroniczny w Grójec
  • 21. Centralny Poligon Lotniczy w Nadarzycach (21st Central Aviation Poligon)
  • Centralny Poligon Sił Powietrznych w Ustka (Central Poligon of Air Force)

See also

• Stanisław Targosz, current commander-in-chief of the Polish Air Force
• Team Iskry
• Orlik Team

External links

• Official website of Polish Air Force
• Polish Air Force history
• 301 Polish Bomber Squadron - history (in Polish language)
• F-16 Fighting Falcon for Poland info page

References

• Polish Air Force
• Military equipment of Poland