Posted on 05/19/2004 1:28:26 PM PDT by Grzegorz 246
First Polish F-16 Tests The first test flights of the multi-role F-16 aircraft in Poland took place May 13 at the military airfield of the First Tactical Squadron in Miñsk Mazowiecki near Warsaw.
The F-16 was purchased by the Polish air force as part of the contract of the century, as it is called. One of the show's guests was Gen. Robert H. Foglesong, commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and of the NATO Allied Air Forces Northern Europe.
Poland will receive the first eight F-16s by November 2006. By 2008, the Polish air force will have 48 such machines. Lt. Col. Stefan Rutkowski, commander of the First Tactical Squadron in Miñsk Mazowiecki, took part in an F-16 flight and in his opinion, Polish pilots should not have any significant difficulties in learning to fly the planes. "The F-16 is controlled similarly to the [current, Soviet-made basic combat aircraft of the Polish air force] MiG-29, except that the F-16 has more electronics," Rutkowski said about those first test flights. According to Rutkowski, the Polish air force needs a plane like the F-16 in order to be able to perform diverse tasks, including support missions for army and navy operations.
For the time being, Polish pilots still fly MiG-29 planes. According to Col. Ryszard Grzeliñski, head of the organization group to introduce the F-16, the switch to those machines will be a large technological and qualitative leap for Poland's armed forces. "The F-16 features better armament, radar and defense systems which enable the pilot to detect danger faster and perform the best maneuver," Grzeliñski said. "Pilots from over 100 countries fly F-16s. The aircraft has been proven in combat conditions." Grzeliñski emphasized the fact that the F-16 will enable broader cooperation with countries which use the planes.
Foglesong, who piloted an F-16 and then took part in a MiG-29 flight, praised the quality of Polish pilots' training. "The Polish air force is very professional (...)," he said after the flights. "My presence in Poland testifies to the air force's importance to NATO."
Maj. Roœcis³aw Stepaniuk is to date the only Pole who is having F-16 training in the United States. Twelve other Polish pilots will fly to the U.S. next January and February and join Stepaniuk in training. Five of these pilots and Stepaniuk will become instructors to train Polish pilots in the future.
What is the context of the term "contract of the century?"..
...I can hear the "Polish Jokes", now. :/
This title is just crying out for a joke or cartoon!
I think, that it is going about the cost - 3.8 billion USD.
hehehe...How many poles... :))
I am not sure how the MiG can be an even swap for the F-16. Don't these two aircraft have noticeably different missions?
I don't know about that. I think Polish jokes have been replaced by French jokes in the last few years. Personally, I like the change.
BTW..welcome to FR, a litle late, and ignore all the Polich koes this thread will receive..it's all in god fun. Can you tell us a little about yourself, if you want to, like how'd you find FR?
BTW..welcome to FR, a little late, and ignore all the Polish jokes this thread will receive..it's all in good fun. Can you tell us a little about yourself, if you want to, like how'd you find FR?
I was expecting a picture with training wheels or something!
One thing you can say about the Poles...they've never lacked courage. Then there are the french...
A well armed and trained Poland is something that would probably make the french and germans very nervous.
ROFL. Damn right.
Not if you know anything about history. The Polish squadrons of the Royal Air Force had some of the best pilots and kill ratios of WWII.
I live in Poland. I'm 21 years old and I'm trying to finish University :). I think, that FR is very good forum. For me it is good way to improve my English.
Welcome..we don't always speak English here...LOL..how'd you come across FR?
Glad to see a Polish patriot any time.
Yes, Polish squadron was the best during Battle of Britain.
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