also houses rotations of US squadrons. Most
of the aircraft here are relatively modern,
purchased in the last 15 years – the 8. BLTr
in Kraków was the first to receive Western
equipment. Apart from Powidz and Kraków,
the wing includes the 1. BLTr in Warsaw.
The wing’s main task is transport, at both
tactical and strategic levels (the latter includes
support of army contingents in Iraq, Afghanistan
and Kuwait, and in the past, Chad). Specific
duties comprise landing troops, dropping
paratroopers and supplies, evacuation of the
injured (8. BLTr includes a medical evacuation
team able to convert the interior of a C295M
into an intensive care station), VIP transport,
transport of special troops, or humanitarian
relief (for example, the victims of a recent
earthquake in Nepal). Another important role
is evacuating Polish citizens from areas of
conflict, for example when C295Ms flew Polish
citizens out of eastern Ukraine. Since the 1980s
the aircraft have also often been involved in
organ transport under a co-operation with
the renowned transplant clinic in Zabrze.
The tasks of the 1. BLTr are somewhat
different as it exclusively transports VIPs.
The unit was created from the remnants
of the former 36. Specjalny Pułk Lotnictwa
Transportowego (36th Special Transport
Aviation Regiment), disbanded after the crash
of the presidential Tu-154M in Russia in 2010.
The wing’s structure also includes four
search and rescue (SAR) groups on duty
within the national Aeronautical Search
and Rescue (ASAR) system. Bases include
Kraków, Świdwin and Mińsk Mazowiecki
together with detachments at Darłowo,
Gdynia and Leźnica Wielka; a training and
support unit is stationed in Powidz.Another highly specialised unit is the 7. eds
within the 33. BLTr, trained to co-operate
with and support special forces.
The wing takes part in numerous international
exercises and courses, such as the Tactical
Leadership Programme (TLP), Red Flag –
Alaska (one C-130E and crews took part in
RF-A 12-2), and European Advanced Airlift
Tactics Training Course (EAATTC). Several
members of the wing are trained as tactics
instructors. Co-operation with the US includes
AvDets. American C-130 detachments now
remain at Powidz for two to three weeks, with
three to four aircraft from various units taking
part in exercises with their Polish counterparts.C295M
Today, the C295M is a vital
component of the Polish Armed
Forces. Seventeen of the twin-engined
transports were delivered to the 8. BLTr in
three separate tranches (eight, four and five
aircraft – one was lost in a 2009 crash).
The aircraft in the second tranche, purchased
as an option, were better equipped and include a
toilet behind the flight deck. The third tranche was
initially more basic than the earlier deliveries. In
time, all three tranches have been standardised.
After eight years of service, the first aircraft
was serviced at the Airbus Defence and
Space facility in Seville, while the remainderRight: C-130E serial 1504 from the- BLTr. This Hercules formerly
served with the USAF as 70-1263.
An M28 Bryza assigned to
the 8. BLTr in Kraków. This
is an M28B/PT variant.http://www.airforcesmonthly.comPolish military aviation centenary
52 // DECEMBER 2018 #369