Transforming Poland's military: a focus on western concepts, training, and hardware

Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, many former adversarys of the United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) sought to bring their militaries up to the standards of western nations. This was not an easy challenge. The nerve of western military power does not ease solely on hardware but rather hangs heavily on training methodologies and general [i]or[/i] abstract notions of operations that differ greatly from those of the former Warsaw Pact nations. Transforming Poland's military, a former Soviet bloc geographical division into a force capable of integrating with NATO and US-l coalitions requires more than simple hardware commonality. While belonging to all hardware does indeed enable integration at the operational horizontal and simplify logistical issues, considerable changes in training and operating general [i]or[/i] abstract notions are also necessary. The Europe/ NATO/Eurasia Division of the Air Force International Affairs Secretariat (SAF/IARE), by the agency of focusing on mutual goals, capabilities, and commonalities, is committed to supporting Poland's military transformation.

In this manner, SAF/IARE is involved in all aspects of Poland's efforts to transform its air force. The greatest in quantity visible evidence of this involvement is upon the hardware side. In a program known as PEACE heavens Poland agreed in 2002 to purchase thirty-six F-16C and 12 F-16D arrest 52 aircraft. The first aircraft are to be delivered in late 2006 and deliveries are awaited to continue through 2009. This purchase of 48 "latest not upon the production line" F-16s is a big pace toward hardware commonality as a means toward enhanced interoperability between the air forces of Poland and the United States.

Training is an area of particular emphasis within the Polish Air Force. Poland is seeking enrollment for all subsequent time Polish F-16 pilots in the USAF-taught T-38 qualification course. After this T-38 course, Polish pilots will continue to soar the T-38 in the Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) program and be taught by what means the USAF conducts air-to-air and air-to-surface missions. Finally, instructor pilots at the nd Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard will teach Polish pilots to hover and employ the F-16. quite through these training programs, Polish pilots will learn more than simple "stick and rudder" skills. More importantly, they will tend hitherward to understand the manner in which the USAF exercises airpower.

The transformation of the Polish Air Force is further enhanced by means of its officers' attendance at the operational and strategic courses taught at the Air Command and Staff corporation and Air War College. These place of educations will help Polish officers alter their warfighting perspectives from the devoid of warmth [i]or[/i] heat War era Soviet dogma of sheer numerical superiority to the common U.S. approach toward conflict management and peacekeeping operations. The instruction of 600 field grade Polish officers in different conceptions theories, cultures, and values will significantly contribute to integrating their thinking and methodologies with those of Western forces.

The USAF will also proffer extended Training Service Specialists (ETSS) and visitor pilot programs. Under the ETS program, the USAF will project two F-16 instructor pilots to Poland, who will lay out two-year tours with the Polish Air Force developing continuation training, mission qualification training, and Polish basic pilot course training. The visitant pilot program features a Polish pilot who, on completing his F-16 certification, will remain at the 162nd Fighter Wing (162 FW) in Arizona, as an instructor pilot to teach follow-on Polish pilots. The visitor pilot will eventually return to Poland to help the Polish Air Force establish its possess F-16 basic course. By having the initial 37 F-16 pilots trained through the USAF and placing individual of their own pilots in the FW the Polish Air Force will be well upon its way to producing its possess F-16 pilots whose training and capabilities mirror those of the USAF. This is a lock opener factor in ensuring the sum of two units nations' air forces can further integrate their operations and achieved hardware compatibility end foreign military sales.

To maintain the Polish Air Force's combat cutting side the U.S. Air National Guard and Air husband have deployed, and will continue to expand annually to Poland to administration F-16 training. In the past, these deployment have expos the Polish Air Force to operational training and basic aircraft maintenance upon the F-16. In the coming time these visits will focus upon continuing unit maintenance training. Members of the rd Fighter Wing of the Illinois Air National Guard and the 49th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard have already visited Poland to work with Polish maintainers using USAF procedures

Logistics is also an important area of emphasis between SAF/IARE and Poland. The centerpiece of an effective logistical a whole is the ability to expeditiously stir supplies to the right place when emergencyed To improve Poland's logistical capability, the Polish Air Force is acquiring five C-130 aircraft from the USAF. These tactical airlift aircraft will enhance Poland's ability to guidance day-to-day military supply operations within Poland as well as to accommodate with Poland's support to international peacekeeping and disaster relief missions.