of an F-16 basic course in Poland. However,
future Polish F-16 pilots continue to train
in the US, first on the T-38 and then the
F-16. Service entry of the M-346 provides
the first step towards schooling future
F-16 pilots in country, but this will probably
take a few more years to commence.
In over ten years of F-16 operations, pilots have
taken part in major NATO exercises including
the Tiger Meet – the 6. elt first participated in
2011, was recognised as best flying squadron in
2014, and this year the meeting was organised
at Poznań. Polish ‘Vipers’ have also flown on
Exercise Frisian Flag and Red Flag – Alaska
12-2 as well as the recurring AvDet exercises
with US F-16s – most recently from the 115th
Fighter Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard.
Polish F-16s debuted in the Baltic Air Policing
(BAP) mission when they led a rotation
between May and September last year,
having periodically participated in the Baltic
Region Training Event (BRTE) and Ramstein
Alloy exercises in the past. The next BAP
mission is planned for January and is likely to
be followed by another deployment in January
2020 (this time probably at Ämari in Estonia).
The 48 F-16C/Ds (36 single-seaters and 12
twin-seaters) continue to be developed. Initial
armament included AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM and
AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles (AAMs)
and AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-154 Joint
Standoff Weapon (JSOW) air-to-ground missiles,
plus Mk82 and Mk84 bombs with Paveway
and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)
guidance kits. Additional equipment included
Sniper XP targeting pods and the DB-110.
Over time, equipment has expanded to include
the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System
(JHMCS) and AN/AVS-9 night-vision goggles
(NVGs). Successive software modifications (the
current standard is Tape M 6.5) have expanded
the armament spectrum to include the AGM-158
Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).
These were bought in two tranches of 40 AGM-
158A and 70 AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Extended
Range) weapons, under a contract signed inDecember 2016. Quantities of munitions have
significantly increased, including bomb sets,
AIM-120C-7s (the US approved the latest batch
of 160 missiles last December) and the AIM-
9X Block 2. An anti-radar missile purchase is
expected, and the Polish MoD recently requested
US Congress to approve a Foreign Military
Sale of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation
Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER).
Although Polish F-16s have taken part in
Steadfast Noon nuclear readiness exercises,
they are not able to carry B61 nuclear bombs.
While there’s been discussion about a
potential upgrade of Polish ‘Vipers’ to F-16V
standard, no decisions have yet been taken.3rd Transport Air Wing
The most varied wing in terms of equipment
and tasks, the 3. SLTr is headquartered
at Powidz — the biggest Polish air base.
Previously home to the Su-20 and Su-22, the- BLTr has been significantly expanded, with
huge new aircraft parking areas; currently it
Above: The C295M was the SP’s fi rst Western type and was selected in favour of the rival C-27J that was
still to receive full certifi cation. Left: The modestly upgraded Su-22s wear a new grey camoufl age scheme- with the exception of the two specially painted twin-seaters – serials 707 and 305. Su-22M4K serials
3817 and 3304 from the 21. BLT demonstrate one of the more unusual weapons in the inventory: SPPU-22
articulated gun pods.
http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #369 DECEMBER 2018 // 51
Above: The F-16 is known locally as the Jastrząb
- meaning hawk. Single-seater serial 4056 wears
a tiger stripe scheme associated with 6. elt and
carries a mixed load of JDAMs and Paveway
LGBs, plus AMRAAMs and AIM-9X Sidewinders
for self-defence. Left: Burners lit, former Luftwaffe
MiG-29GT serial 4105 conducts a dusk mission
from Malbork. The ‘Fulcrum’ is one of 22 purchased
from Germany for a symbolic €1.