Misja PKW Orlik 2. 2008r.

Kraków 2008-08-01

Emblem PKW Orlik 2. 2008 year
Emblem PKW Orlik 2. 2008 year

Polish Military Contingent Orlik 2 in Lithuania.

MiG-29 in formation. 2015 year. Photo by Karol Placha Hetman
MiG-29 in formation. 2015 year. Photo by Karol Placha Hetman

On March 12, 2008, at the 22nd Air Base in Malbork, there was a farewell to the Polish Military Contingent "Orlik 2", which was going to Lithuania to perform Air Policing combat duty under the allied NATINADS integrated air defense system, ensuring protection of Lithuanian airspace , Latvia and Estonia as part of NATO.

The Air Policing mission is to supervise the airspace of the three Baltic countries, which at the moment are not able to have their own fighter (combat) aviation. It has been performed since March 29, 2004, and Belgium was the first country on duty. The mission is performed in rotation by other NATO countries for about 3-4 months. Polish soldiers went there as the 16th rotation, replacing Norwegian soldiers. It was the second rotation issued by Poland.

Polish Military Contingent under the command of Lt. pil. Mariusz BIAJGO is a base, like everyone else, in Lithuania. Essential forces and resources at Siauliai Siauliai Air Base and guidance navigators at CRC (Command and Guidance Center) in Karmelava. The contingent included 4 MiG-29 planes from the 41st ELT (tactical aviation squadrons) from Malbork, pilots, technical and engineering personnel from the 41st ELT. and 22nd Air Base and soldiers from other Air Force units. Over 100 soldiers in total.

The soldiers of PKW Orlik 2 performed their tasks in a continuous system, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The command of PKW Orlik 2 was transferred to the Operational Command. Poland took over duty on March 15, 2008, from the Royal Norwegian Air Force (Luftforsvaret). The alternate airports were international airports: Riga, Vilnius, Kaunas, Tallinn and Tampere in Finland. On March 15, 2008, in the morning, the personnel of the Polish Contingent replaced their colleagues from Norway at the combat duty positions. The Polish flag went up on the mash and hung next to the flags of NATO and Lithuania. After being sworn in, Polish and Norwegian airmen exchanged friendly handshakes and wishes for a happy return to the country and a peaceful service. Then the Norwegian F-16s took to the air, embarking on a course to Norway. Polish MiG-29s remained in combat readiness in hangars. The duty of Polish pilots has begun.

The departure of the Norwegians was extremely attractive. Due to the wet runway, the start with the afterburner turned into an unforgettable spectacle.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force component was on duty in Lithuania from December 14, 2007. The mission, taken over from Portugal, was carried out for the second time. The mission was equipped with 4 F-16 MLU planes. The contingent consisted of about 60 soldiers and was commanded by Lt. Bard Reidar Solheim.

On June 9, 2008, the Minister of National Defense, Bogdan Klich, visited the Air Force pilots on the Air Policing mission in the Baltic States. This showed that the tasks imposed and performed by the Polish Air Force were treated seriously.

The purpose of the visit to Siauliai was to learn about the specifics of the foreign aviation mission carried out by the Air Force on the basis of the 41st Tactical Aviation Squadron from Malbork. What distinguishes PMC "Orlik 2" from the remaining contingents of the Polish Army performing tasks abroad is, among others. the fact that it is the only Polish military mission using combat aircraft. Minister of National Defense Bogdan Klich accompanied by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania, Renatas Norkus, the Polish Ambassador to Lithuania, His Excellency Janusz Skolimowski, Air Force Commander, Gen. Andrzej Błasik, Director of the Department of Military Foreign Affairs of Brig. Romuald Ratajczak learned about the results of the mission and the Polish-Lithuanian cooperation at the Siauliai air base. The status of the mandate tasks of the contingent was presented by the Commander of the Polish Military Contingent "Orlik 2", Lt. Col. pil. Mariusz Biajgo, and from the point of view of the Lithuanian Air Force, the Commander of the Siauliai Air Base, Lt. Col. Audronis Navickas, informed about the cooperation within the NATO Air Policing mission. The commanders reacted positively to the mission of the Polish Contingent, emphasizing good cooperation. A delegation from the Ministry of National Defense observed the activities of the combat duty personnel during the alert. The pair of MiG-29 planes on duty took off for a training mission over the Baltic States. Minister Klich expressed his appreciation for the pilots and satisfaction with the tasks they have completed so far.

On June 30, 2008, in Siauliai, the symbolic key to the Baltic airspace was handed over to the commander of the German aviation component. The Polish Military Contingent Orlik 2 has completed the Air Policing mission. On 01.07.2008, PKW Orlik 2 returned to Poland to Malbork.

With the participation of the Director General of the Ministry of National Defense Jacek Olbrycht, the commander of the Air Force, Gen. pil. Andrzej Błasik, Chief of Staff - Deputy Operational Commander of the Armed Forces Brig. Piotr Pcionek, local government authorities and the families of soldiers at the airport of the 22nd Air Base in Malbork, a ceremonial welcome of PKW Orlik 2 took place. After landing, the commander of the contingent Lt. Col. pil. Mariusz Biajgo submitted to the Director General of the Ministry of National Defense a report on the completion of the mission to protect the Baltic sky. Minister Jacek Olbrycht together with the Lieutenant General, pil. Andrzej Błasik awarded outstanding contingent soldiers. The commander of the Air Force addressed special words of appreciation to Capt. pil. Leszek Błach, who during the MiG-29 failure professionally reacted to the situation and landed safely at the contingent base airport. After the awards, the commander of the Air Force and the Deputy Operational Commander of the Armed Forces signed the documents on the return of the air component to the subordination of the Air Force Commander. At the hands of Lt. Col. pil. Mariusz Biajgo, Minister Jacek Olbrycht received the contingent flag, which from March 15 was flown on the mast in front of the pilot's house in the combat duty zone. Finally, the moment of welcoming the families who patiently waited for their loved ones came. The celebrations ended with a parade of PKW Orlik 2 subunits, 22nd Air Base and 41st Tactical Aviation Squadron.

The contingent included PL MiG-29 nb 70, 4103, 4104, 4113, 4120 planes. Although the contingent consisted of 4 machines, one machine was replaced during the mission.

MiG-29 nb 54. 2017 year. Photo by Karol Placha Hetman
MiG-29 nb 54. 2017 year. Photo by Karol Placha Hetman

MiG-29 nb 4103. 2007 year. Photo by Karol Placha Hetman
MiG-29 nb 4103. 2007 year. Photo by Karol Placha Hetman

Written by Karol Placha Hetman