Polish Air Force

The Siły Powietrzne (English: Polish Air Force – literally: Air Forces) is a military branch of the Polish Armed Forces. Until July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej (literally: Air-and-Air Defence Forces). In 2013 it consisted of roughly 16,627 military personnel and about 355 aircraft, distributed among 10 bases throughout Poland. The Polish Air Force is currently one of the most advanced in Central Europe, equipped since 2008 with the Lockheed Martin F-16C jet fighter.

The Polish Air Force can trace its origins to the months following the end of World War I in 1918. Following the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in 1939, much of the Polish Air Force was destroyed, although many of its pilots were able to continue fighting throughout World War II in air squadrons in Britain and the Soviet Union. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Poland has steadily reduced its reliance upon Russian-built aircraft and by 2012 will have three squadrons of American-built F-16 fighter aircraft fully operational.

1918–1930
Military aviation in Poland started shortly after the country regained its independence after World War I, in November 1918. Initially, its air force consisted of mostly German and Austrian aircraft, such as the Fokker D.VII, Oeffag D.III and Albatros J.I, captured from the former Central Axis Powers. These planes were first used by the Polish Air Force in the Polish-Ukrainian War in late 1918, during combat operations centered around the city of Lwów (now Lviv).

When the Polish-Soviet War broke out in February 1920, the Polish Air Force used a variety of western-made Allied aircraft, including some from countries such as Britain, France and Italy. The most common aircraft in service at this time were the British made Bristol F2B and Italian Ansaldo Balilla fighters. The ''21. Eskadra Niszczycielska'' (21st Destroyer Squadron) included a Gotha G.IV on April 30, 1920.

After the Polish-Soviet War ended, most of the old World War I aircraft were gradually withdrawn and the air force was equipped with new French aircraft. From 1924 to 1930 the primary fighter of the Polish Air Force was the SPAD 61 and its main bombers were the French produced Potez 15 and the Potez 25, which was eventually manufactured in Poland under license from Aéroplanes Henry Potez.

The first Polish-designed and mass-produced aircraft to serve in the country's air force was a high wing fighter, the PWS-10, first manufactured in 1930 by the Podlasie Aircraft Factory.

1933–1938
In 1933, Zygmunt Pulawski's first high wing, all-metal aircraft, the PZL P.7a, was designed and produced, with 150 entering service. The design was followed by 30 improved PZL P.11a aircraft and a final design, the PZL P.11c, was delivered in 1935 and was a respectable fighter for its time; 175 entered service and it remained the only Polish fighter until 1939, by which time foreign aircraft design had overtaken it. Its final version, the PZL P.24, was built for export only and was bought by four countries. A new fighter prototype, the PZL.50 Jastrząb (Hawk), similar to the Seversky P-35 in layout, was curtailed by the Nazi invasion and two twin-engine heavy fighters, the PZL.38 Wilk and the 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, with 250 built from 1936 onwards, but by 1939 the Karas was outdated. In 1938 the Polish factory PZL designed a modern twin-engine medium bomber, the PZL.37 Łoś (Elk), arguably the best bomber in the world when it entered service that year. The Łoś had a bomb payload of 2580 kg and a top speed of 439 km/h. Unfortunately, only about 30 Łoś A bombers (single tailfin) and 70 Łoś B (twin tailfin) bombers had been delivered before the Nazi invasion.

As an observation and close reconnaissance plane, Polish escadres used the slow and easily damaged Lublin R-XIII, and later the RWD-14 Czapla. Polish naval aviation used the Lublin R-XIII on floats. Just before the war, some Italian torpedo planes, the CANT Z.506, were ordered, but only one was delivered, and it was without armament. The principal aircraft used to train pilots were the Polish-built high-wing RWD-8 and the PWS-26 biplane. In 1939, Poland ordered 160 MS-406s and 10 Hawker Hurricane fighters from abroad, but they were not delivered before the outbreak of war.

1939

 * See also: Polish September Campaign

On 1 September 1939, at the beginning of the Invasion of Poland, all the Polish combat aircraft had been dispersed to secondary airfields, contrary to a commonly-held belief, based on German propaganda, that they had all been destroyed by bombing at their air bases. The aircraft destroyed by German bombers on the airfields were mostly trainer planes. The fighter planes were grouped into 15 escadres (five of them constituted the Pursuit Brigade, deployed in the Warsaw area). Despite being obsolete, Polish PZL-11 fighters shot down over 170 German planes. The bombers, grouped in nine escadres of the Bomber Brigade, attacked armoured columns but suffered heavy losses. Seven reconnaissance and 12 observation escadres, deployed to particular armies, were used primarily for reconnaissance. Most of the Polish Air Force was destroyed in the campaign; the surviving aircraft were captured or withdrawn to Romania, where, subsequently, the Romanians employed these aircraft for their own use. A great number of pilots and aircrew managed to escape to France and then to Britain, where they played a significant part in the defence of the United Kingdom against Nazi invasion, during the Battle of Britain.

1940 (France)
After the fall of Poland, the Polish Air Force started to regroup in France. The only complete unit created before the German attack on France was the GC I/145 fighter squadron, flying Caudron C.714 light fighters. It was the only unit operating the C.714 at the time. The Polish pilots were also deployed to various French squadrons, flying on all types of French fighters, but mostly on the MS-406. After the surrender of France, many of these pilots managed to escape to Britain to continue the fight against the Luftwaffe.

1940–1947 (United Kingdom)

 * See also: Polish Air Force in Great Britain

Following the fall of France 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). Four Polish squadrons were formed: 300 Squadron and 301 Squadron flew bombers, 302 Squadron and 303 Squadron flew Hawker Hurricane fighters. The two Polish fighter squadrons first saw action in the third phase of the Battle of Britain in August 1940, with much success; the pilots were battle-hardened and Polish flying skills had been well learned from the Invasion of Poland. The pilots were regarded as fearless, sometimes bordering on reckless. Nevertheless, success rates were very high in comparison to UK and Empire pilots. 303 Squadron became the most efficient RAF fighter squadron at that time. Many Polish pilots also flew individually in other RAF squadrons.

As World War II progressed, further Polish squadrons were created in the United Kingdom: No. 304 Polish Bomber Squadron (bomber, then Coastal Command), 305 Squadron (bomber), 306 Squadron (fighter), 307 Squadron (night fighter), 308 Squadron (fighter), 309 Squadron (reconnaissance, then fighter), 315 Squadron (fighter), 316 Squadron (fighter), 317 Squadron (fighter), 318 Squadron (fighter-reconnaissance), 663 Squadron (air observation/artillery spotting) and the Polish Fighting Team also known as the "Skalski Circus", attached to 145 Squadron RAF. The fighter squadrons initially flew Hurricanes, then switched to Spitfires, and eventually to P-51 Mustangs. 307 Squadron, like other night fighter squadrons (such as 410 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force), flew Boulton-Paul Defiants, Bristol Beaufighters and finally de Havilland Mosquitoes. The bomber squadrons were initially equipped with Fairey Battles and Vickers Wellingtons. 300 Squadron was later assigned Avro Lancasters, 301 Squadron Handley Page Halifaxes and Consolidated Liberators and 305 Squadron, de Havilland Mosquitoes and North American Mitchells. 663 Squadron (air observation/artillery spotting) flew Auster AOP IIIs and Vs. After the war, all equipment was returned to the British, but only some of the pilots and crews actually returned to Poland, many settling in the United Kingdom.

1943–1945 (Russia)

 * See also: Air Force of the Polish Army

Along with the Polish People's Army (Ludowe Wojsko Polskie) in the USSR, the Ludowe Lotnictwo Polskie – Polish People's Air Force – was created, in defence of the Soviet Union against Nazi invasion. In late 1943, the 1st Fighter Regiment "Warszawa", (equipped with Yak-1 and Yak-9 aircraft), the 2nd Night Bomber Regiment "Kraków" (flying Polikarpov Po-2 aircraft – produced in Poland as the CSS-13 from 1949 onwards), and the 3rd Assault Regiment (flying Ilyushin Il-2 aircraft) were formed. During 1944–5, further regiments were created, coming together to form the 1st Mixed Air Corps, consisting of a bomber division, an assault division, a 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.

1949–1989
In 1949, the Li-2sb transport aircraft was adapted into a bomber and in 1950, Poland received Petlyakov Pe-2 and Tupolev Tu-2 bombers from the Soviet Union along with USB-1 and USB-2 training bombers. In 1950 also, the Yak-17 fighter came into service, as did the Ilyushin Il-12 transport and the Yak-18 trainer. From 1951 onwards, the Polish Air Force was equipped with Yak-23 jet fighters and MiG-15 jets, along with a training version, the MiG-15 UTI, and later, in 1961, the MiG-17.

As well as Soviet-produced aircraft, from 1952 onwards Soviet MiG-15 and later MiG-17 fighters were produced under licence in Poland as the Lim-1, Lim-2 and later the Lim-5. A domestic ground attack variant of the Lim-5M was developed as the Lim-6bis in 1964. The only jet bomber used by the Polish Air Force during this period was the Ilyushin Il-28, from 1952 onwards. Poland used only a small number of MiG-19s from 1959, in favour of the MiG-21 from 1963 onwards, which became its main supersonic fighter. 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-23s (1979) and 12 MiG-29s (1989).

The main fighter-bomber and ground attack aircraft after 1949 was the Il-10 (a training version, the UIl-10, entering service in 1951). From 1965 onwards, Poland also used a substantial number of Su-7Bs for bombing and ground attack, replaced with 27 Sukhoi Su-20s in 1974 and 110 Sukhoi Su-22s in 1984.



Propeller-driven training aircraft, the Junak-2 (in service since 1952), the TS-9 Junak-3 (in service since 1954) and the PZL TS-8 Bies (since 1958) were later replaced by a jet trainer, the domestically built TS-11 Iskra. Another 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 did not resume service. The Yak-12 was used as a multirole aircraft from 1951, the An-2 from 1955 and subsequently the Wilga-35 P.

Transport aircraft used by the Polish Air Force during this period included: the Il-14 (first in service in 1955), the Il-18 (first in service in 1961), the An-12B (first in service in 1966), the An-26 (first in service in 1972), the Yak-40 (first in service in 1973) and the Tupolev Tu-154. A number of helicopters were used by the Polish Army: the SM-1 (a Mil Mi-1 manufactured under licence), which was a multirole helicopter, in operation since 1956; the Mil Mi-4, multirole, since 1958; the PLZ SM-2, multirole, since 1960; the Mil Mi-2 and Mil Mi-8 (later also Mil Mi-17), multirole, since 1968 and the Mil Mi-24, a combat helicopter, since 1976. Also the Mil Mi-14, an amphibious helicopter, and the Mil Mi-6, both used as transports.

In 1954, the Polish Air Force was merged with the Air Defence Force, creating the Air and Country Air Defence Forces (Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Przeciwlotniczej Obszaru Kraju – WLiOPL OK), a military organisation composed of both flying and anti-aircraft units. In 1962, the WLiOPL OK were separated back again into their two original component bodies: the Air Force (Wojska Lotnicze) and the Country Air Defence Force (Wojska Obrony Powietrznej Kraju).

Since 1990


After political upheaval and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and a consequent reduction in the state of military anxiety in the whole of Europe, the Polish Air Force was reduced. On July 1, 1990, the Polish Air Force and the Air Defence Force were merged again (Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej – WLiOP or WLOP). The attack capability of this force consisted primarily of MiG-21s, MiG-23s, MiG-29s, Su-20s and Su-22s. The remaining Lim-6bis were withdrawn in the early 1990s, followed soon afterwards by the withdrawal of the remaining Su-20 aircraft. The small number of remaining MiG-23s were withdrawn by 1999. Throughout the 1990s, Poland had not purchased any new combat aircraft and only managed to acquire further MiG-29s from the Czech Republic in 1995 and from Germany in 2004. MiG-21s were finally withdrawn from service in 2003. In 2004, the only remaining combat aircraft flown by the WLiOP were the MiG-29 and the Su-22. As of 2010, the fleet of Su-22s is in need of modernization to retain any value as a combat aircraft and its future is unclear.



In 2002, the F-16C/D Block 52+ from the American company Lockheed Martin was chosen as a new multirole fighter for the WLiOP, the first deliveries taking place in November 2006 and continued until 2008 under Peace Sky program. As of 2011 the Polish Air Force have three squadrons of F-16s: two stationed at the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań and the 10th Tactical Squadron at the 32nd Air Base near Łask, which will be fully operational by 2012. The acquisition of the US F-16 was not without fierce competition from European aerospace companies; the sale was hotly pursued by the French company Dassault, with their Mirage 2000 and by the Swedish company Saab, with the JAS 39 Gripen. The Polish Block 52+ F-16s are equipped with the latest Pratt and Whitney F-100-229 afterburning turbofan engines, and the avionics suite will include the APG-68(V)9 terrain mapping radar system and the ALQ-211(V)4 electronic warfare suite. All Polish F-16s will be fully equipped to carry the latest in US precision ordnance, ranging from the JDAM/JSOW to the latest in export-certificate-authorized air-to-air weaponry (including the AIM-120C-5 and AIM-9X).

As the aftermath of the presidential Tu-154 crash in 2010 and later polish investigation the 36th Special Aviation Regiment, responsible for transporting the President and the Polish Government, was disbanded, all officials flights will be carried by two LOT Polish Airlines Embraer E-175. New unit will operate new W-3 VIP helicopters.

Structure

 * Dowództwo Sił Powietrznych in Warsaw (Headquarter of Air Force)
 * 1 Skrzydło Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Świdwin (1st Wing of Tactical Air Force)
 * 1 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Mińsk Mazowiecki (1st Tactical Sqd.)
 * 7 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Świdwin (7th Tactical Sqd.)
 * 40 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Świdwin (40th Tactical Sqd.)
 * 41 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Malbork (41st Tactical Sqd.)
 * 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)
 * 14 Batalion Usuwania Zniszczeń Lotniskowych in Elbląg (14th Battalion of Removing Airfield Destructions)
 * 2 Skrzydło Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Poznań (2nd Wing of Tactical Air Force)
 * 10 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Łask (10th Tactical Sqd.)
 * 31 Baza Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Poznań-Krzesiny (31st Tactical Air Base)
 * 3 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Poznań-Krzesiny (3rd Tactical Sqd.)
 * 6 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego in Poznań-Krzesiny (6th Tactical Sqd.)
 * 32 Baza Lotnicza in Łask (32nd Air Base)
 * 16 Batalion Usuwania Zniszczeń Lotniskowych in Jarocin (16th Battalion of Removing Airfield Destructions)
 * 3 Skrzydło Lotnictwa Transportowego in Powidz (3rd Wing of Transport Aviation)
 * 2 Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowo-Łącznikowego in Bydgoszcz (2nd Transport and Liaison Aviation Sqn.)
 * 3 Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowo-Łącznikowego in Wrocław (3rd Transport and Liaison Aviation Sqn.)
 * 13 Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowego in Kraków (13th Transport Aviation Sqn.)
 * 14 Eskadra Lotnictwa Transportowego in Powidz (14th Transport Aviation Sqn.)
 * 1 Grupa Poszukiwawczo-Ratownicza in Świdwin (1st CSAR Group)
 * 2 Grupa Poszukiwawczo-Ratownicza in Mińsk Mazowiecki (2nd CSAR Group)
 * 3 Grupa Poszukiwawczo-Ratownicza in Kraków (3rd CSAR Group)
 * 2 Baza Lotnicza in Bydgoszcz (2nd Air Base)
 * 3 Baza Lotnicza in Wrocław (3rd Air Base)
 * 8 Baza Lotnicza in Kraków (8th Air Base)
 * 33 Baza Lotnicza in Powidz (33rd Air Base)
 * 4 Skrzydło Lotnictwa Szkolnego in Dęblin (4th Wing of Training Aviation)
 * 6 Baza Lotnicza in Dęblin (6th Air Base)
 * 1 Ośrodek Szkolenia Lotniczego in Dęblin (1st Center of Aviation Training)
 * 2 Ośrodek Szkolenia Lotniczego in Radom (2nd Center of Aviation Training)
 * 1 Komenda Lotniska Radom (1st Airfield Command Radom)
 * Centrum Szkolenia Inżynieryjno-Lotniczego in Dęblin (Center of Aviation Engineer Training)
 * 36 Specjalny Pułk Lotnictwa Transportowego in Warsaw (36th Special Regiment of Transport Aviation)
 * Centrum Wsparcia Teleinformatycznego Sił Powietrznych in Warsaw (Air Force Information Technology and Communications Support Center)
 * 1 Rejon Wsparcia Teleinformatycznego in Poznań (1st Teleinformatic Support Area)
 * 2 Rejon Wsparcia Teleinformatycznego in Bydgoszcz (2nd Teleinformatic Support Area)
 * 3 Rejon Wsparcia Teleinformatycznego in Kraków (3rd Teleinformatic Support Area)
 * Rejonowy Węzeł Łączności in Dęblin (Regional Knot of Link)
 * 6 Batalion Dowodzenia in Śrem (6th Command Battalion)
 * Centrum Operacji Powietrznych in Warsaw-Pyry (Center of Air Operations)
 * 21 Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania in Warszaw-Pyry (21st Center of Command and Directing)
 * 22 Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania in Bydgoszcz-Wojnowo (22nd Center of Command and Directing)
 * 31 Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania in Babki (31st Center of Command and Directing)
 * 32 Ośrodek Dowodzenia i Naprowadzania in Kraków-Balice (32nd Center of Command and Directing)
 * 1 Centrum Koordynacji Operacji Powietrznych in Gdynia (1st Center of Air Missions Coordination)
 * 2 Centrum Koordynacji Operacji Powietrznych in Kraków (2nd Center of Air Missions Coordination)
 * 4 Centrum Koordynacji Operacji Powietrznych in Szczecin (4h Center of Air Missions Coordination)
 * 1 Baza Lotnicza in Warsaw (1st Air Base)
 * 21 Centralny Poligon Lotniczy in Nadarzyce (21st Central Aviation Poligon)
 * Centrum Szkolenia Sił Powietrznych in Koszalin (Center of Air Force Training)
 * Wojskowy Ośrodek Szkoleniowo-Kondycyjny in Zakopane (Military Center of Education and Physical Training)
 * 3 Warszawska Brygada Rakietowa Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (3rd Warsaw Rocketry Brigade of Air Defence)
 * 5 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (5th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 7 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Książenica (7th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 21 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Puck (21st Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 25 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Wejherowo (25th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 60 Wieliszewski Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Olszewnica (60th Wieliszewo Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 61 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (61st Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 62 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Bożęcin (62nd Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 63 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Sochaczew (63rd Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 65 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gdynia (65th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 83 Dywizjon Dowodzenia Obrony Powietrznej in Warsaw (83rd Air Defence Command Sqn.)
 * 78 Pułk Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Mrzeżyno (78th Rocketry Regiment of Air Defence)
 * 1 Śląska Brygada Rakietowa Obrony Powietrznej in Bytom (1st Silesian Rocketry Brigade of Air Defence)
 * 14 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gliwice (14th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 17 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Libiąż (17th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 31 Kórnicki Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Poznań (31st Kórnik Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 72 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Oświęcim (72nd Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 73 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Oświęcim (73rd Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 74 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gliwice (74th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 75 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Gliwice (75th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 76 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Poznań (76th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 77 Dywizjon Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Murowana Goślina (77th Rocketry Squadron of Air Defence)
 * 81 Dywizjon Dowodzenia Obrony Powietrznej in Bytom (81st Air Defence Command Sqn.)
 * 61 Skwierzyński Pułk Rakietowy Obrony Powietrznej in Skwierzyna (61st Skwierzyna Rocetry Regiment of Air Defence)
 * 1 Ośrodek Radioelektroniczny in Grójec (1st Center of Radioeletronics)
 * 2 Batalion Radioelektroniczny in Lidzbark Warmiński (2nd Radioelectronic Btn.)
 * 3 Batalion Radioelektroniczny in Sandomierz (3rd Radioelectronic Btn.)
 * 3 Brygada Radiotechniczna in Wrocław (3rd Radiotechnical Brigade)
 * 3 Sandomierski Batalion Radiotechniczny in Sandomierz (3rd Sandomierz Radiotechnical Btn.)
 * 8 Szczycieński Batalion Radiotechniczny in Lipowiec (8th Szczytno Radiotechnical Btn.)
 * 31 Batalion Radiotechniczny in Babki (31st Radiotechnical Btn.)
 * 34 Batalion Radiotechniczny in Chojnice (34th Radiotechnical Btn.)
 * Wyższa Szkoła Oficerska Sił Powietrznych in Dęblin (Air Force Academy)
 * Szkoła Podoficerska Sił Powietrznych w Koszalinie (School of Air Force NCOs in Koszalin)
 * Szkoła Podoficerska Sił Powietrznych w Dęblinie (School of Air Force NCOs in Dęblin)
 * Ogólnokształcące Liceum Lotnicze w Dęblinie (Aviation High-School in Dęblin)
 * Szefostwo Służby Ruchu Lotniczego Sił Zbrojnych Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej in Warsaw (Command of Air Traffic Service of Polish Armed Forecs)
 * Ośrodek Szkolenia Wysokościowo-Ratowniczego i Spadochronowego Sił Powietrznych in Poznań-Krzesiny (Center of High Altitude Rescue and Parachute Training of Air Force)
 * Centralny Poligon Sił Powietrznych in Ustka (Central Air Force Poligon)
 * Orkiestra Reprezentacyjna Sił Powietrznych in Poznań (Representative Band of Air Force)
 * Orkiestra Garnizonowa Bytom (Garrison Band in Bytom)
 * Orkiestra Garnizonowa Radom (Garrison Band in Radom)
 * Orkiestra Garnizonowa Koszalin (Garrison Band in Koszalin)
 * Orkiestra Garnizonowa Dęblin (Garrison Band in Dęblin)

Qualification Badges
The current aviator badge of the Polish Air Force has been in use since 1920s. The badge is called gapa and represents silver eagle in flight with gold laurel wreath in the bill. Navigator/Observer badge (below) represents the same eagle, but in gold with added lightning bolts. It is unlike any other in the other air forces in the world. The gapa was worn in the usual place on the upper left breast above the pocket, but with a chain. It proudly adorned the uniform of Polish Air Force officers in the RAF during World War II along with their RAF wings. In combat badges (for at least 7 flights in combat conditions) the laurel wreath is green.

Polish Air Force Tu-154 crash, 2010
On 10 April 2010 a Polish Air Force Tupolev Tu-154M aircraft crashed near Smolensk, Russia, pilot error killing all 96 passengers and crew, including the President of Poland Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria Kaczyńska, the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army Franciszek Gągor, Polish Air Force commanding general Andrzej Błasik, the President of the Polish Central Bank, Sławomir Skrzypek, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, government officers, vice-speakers and members of parliament, senior military officers and senior members of clergy. They were en route from Warsaw to attend an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, whose site is commemorated approximately 19 km west of Smolensk.