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.
That, my friend, was the best Polish joke I've ever heard. Besides learning English here, are you a conservative?
Vaideetchya pazhalostya. Welcome to FR.
"Besides learning English here, are you a conservative?"
In Poland "conservative" means a little different, than in USA. Let's say that I would vote for Bush If I could.
But honestly we have so stupid politics in Poland that it might be good for us (and for you) to import Kerry from USA.
Wow, it certainly would be good for us, but if it would be good for you too, Poland is going on my prayer list.
you are damn right. There was once a shooting competition among RAF squadrons, guess who won? 303, second place 302, and
then with a large gap of points some british squadrons...that link may interest you http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1042262/posts
>>What is the context of the term "contract of the century?"..<<
Haven't a clue. . .and I'm in the business.
I suppose it MIGHT have to do with the fact we sold "front line" fighters to a former Soviet Block nation.
But it also might mean that the contracting details were convoluted (albeit entirely legal).
I'll check.
Provided it survives to the merge. . .it might then be a threat.
Poland conduct tests of the F-16 fighter jet. Each of the Jets tested failed, as not a single one provided any written response to the test questions administered.
>>"Poland got an extremely good deal"
Yes Poland got also a loan from US government, but US government did it to help Lockheed Martin.<<
Ahhh. . .no.
FMS is conducted to support the national security of the United States.
The below is from a brief I provide on the subject:
Why The US Conducts FMS
Sales Permit Physical Access to Country
Access Important for Strategic Reasons (Gulf War I)
Access Results in Increased Influence on Political Matters
US Arms Sales Strictly Controlled by Legal and Financial Constraints
Break the Rules, Lose the Loan, Lose Technical & Logistics Support, Deliveries Suspended
Access and Influence Gives Real Power to Shape Events in a Region/Country
Access and Influence Enhances Security
“The President Must Determine The Eligibility of the Prospective Purchaser on the Basis that Sales Will Strengthen US Security and Promote World Peace” (DoD 5105.38-M)
FMS Enhances US Security By:
Keeping Technical “Know-How” Current (R&D)
Keeping Factory Doors Open to Ensure US Defense Capability in Time of Crisis
Infrastructure = Security
However, US Defense Industry Suffering from World-Wide Defense Cuts
US Defense Spending is so Low, Pentagon is Now Unable to Fully Support Defense Infrastructure
Downsized and Reduced US Overseas Presence Demands Coalition Partners
US No Longer Able to Afford Large Forward Bases
FMS Takes the Place of “Actual” Presence
US Presence is Maintained Through Arms/Support
Coalition Shares Cost of R&D and Production
Lower Cost-per-Unit, Means Sufficient Numbers to Satisfy Defense Needs
Coalition Means Almost Seamless Integration, Less Loss of Life, Increased Opportunities for Success
How Does the Process Work:
Country Requests “Price & Availability”
Country Must Be on Congressionally Approved List before P&A is Provided
Specific Military Department Contacts Defense Industry to Get Rough P&A Estimate
Military Department Does “Sanity Check” to Make Sure Price is Reasonable
If P&A Appears Reasonable, P&A is Passed to Country
How Does the Process Work
Country Considers P&A and Submits Formal “Letter of Request” if they want the Stuff
The LOR is Evaluated and Validated
Evaluated for Authority to ask for the Stuff
Validated for Permission to Have the Stuff
If LOR Approved, The Process is Started
How Does the Process Work
“Letter of Offer and Acceptance” is Prepared
LOA is a “Total Package” Contract:
Establishes Terms and Conditions
Specific items to be Sold, Delivery Schedule, Liabilities, Cost, Training, Logistics, Follow-On Support, The Works!
LOA Must be Approved By White House, DoD, Commerce Dept, State Dept, and “others” (if Required)
President Notifies Congress When:
More than $50 Million in Military Stuff
More than $200 Million in Construction
More than $14 Million in Major Items
At any Price, If “Significant Military Equipment” is Involved (like F-16’s)
When Congress Notified, President Explains:
How the Sale Affects the Balance of Power
Impacts the Arms-Race
Impact on US Technological Edge
How it Supports US National Interests
Congress Thinks About the Sale
20-Day “Unofficial” Notification
30-Day “Official” Notification
50-Days to Approve/Disapprove Sale
Lack of Objection = Approval
Country has 120-Days to Sign Contract
Country Accepts and US Military is Honest Broker and Conducts Program Management Reviews, Monitors Delivery and Upgrades
Legal Authority
Foreign Assistance Act
Section 516; Nato
Section 517; Counter-Drug
Section 518; Bio-Diversity
Section 519; “No Cost” FMS
Section 520; Modernization
Arms Export Control Act
DOD 5105.38-M, Security Assistance
Myths and Misconceptions
US Sells Arms For the Bucks
US Sells Arms Because a Manufacturer Wants to
US Sells Arms Because We Can
Hollywood Has a Clue about FMS
Reality Check
FMS Promotes Peace and Security
FMS Protects US National Security
FMS Has Oversight and Accountability
FMS is Big Bucks—But Not the Driving Factor
Thanks..I wasn't sure if it was in a negative context....
There were a whole bunch of Polish Squadrons and not just fighter squadrons. I think 300 was a bomber squadron. Later in the war they actually formed an all Polish RAF air wing. 301,305,308,309,317 were all Polish Squadrons.
HA!HA!HA!...LOL!..I'll second that feeling, but Hillary/Bubba Klintoon would be @ the top of the Ticket.
"Hmm...On second thought, I'd Still Do it!" :))
no doubt about it...
>>OK, but my point was that US government gave us loan and other good conditions because it was in your country interest.<<
That was my point too, but you did say the US government did it to "help Lockheed Martin," and that was not true.
Cheers.
"Contract of the century" might refer to the fact that this deal (as someone correctly observed, was partly if not completely financed by the U.S. government), is worth billions, and the follow-on contracts for maintenance and upgrades are worth 100s of millions over a span of decades.
It was a good deal for all parties, and "greased" Poland's accession to NATO.
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