A map that gives you the advantage. The Festival of Military Geography

Then, the Holy Mass was celebrated in the intention of soldiers and workers of ARGUS and units subordinate to the Garrison Church of St. This year's celebrations were filled with a common prayer: we paid tribute to the dead and the murdered, and at the same time entrusted those who service and work present for the safety of the state.

Komorowo – a vacation of service and cooperation

The festival of Military Geography has gathered a wide scope of guests, commanders and partners, for whom a reliable image of space is simply a real support of planning, command and safety of operations. General Dyw attended the ceremony. Jacek Ostrowski – Inspector of Military Types of the General Command of the RSZ, representatives of the institutions of the Ministry of Defence and Military Units, representatives of military universities, local authorities, officers of uniforms from the Ostrowski district, and delegation of the Main Office of Geodesy and Cartography.

The strong presence of representatives of various backgrounds – military, academic and civilian – was a clear signal that military geography and geospatial designation are present an area of common responsibility. It is at the interface of reliable information, efficient cooperation and common trust that the advantage which translates into speed, safety and effectiveness in operational activities is being built.

"There is no unit that does not usage the data" - speech by the Head of ARGUS

In his speech, the Head of the Geospatial designation and Satellite Services Agency, Colonel Leszek Paszkowski stressed the continuity of the geographical service mission and its increasing importance in modern realities: “We are gathered here present to celebrate, erstwhile again, the Feast of Military Geography and at the same time the 107th anniversary of the establishment of military geographic service.”

He pointed out that for over a 100 years subsequent generations of military geographers provided the Polish Army with detailed information on the geographical environment – essential for planning and conducting operations. Today, this work has not changed as to the substance, but the scale and pace at which the data must support the decisions have changed: “It is possible, without any exaggeration, to say that there is no military unit, command or institution in the Polish Army which would not usage the data and information produced by our units (...) in the form of analogue maps, digital (...) imaging data, especially satellite data, and geospatial data databases.”(...) There is besides practically no modern technologically advanced weaponry that would not require a dedicated set of geospatial data to function properly."

The Head of the Agency indicated that the service has undergone a consistent transformation in fresh years, integrating itself with satellite image designation and evolving towards modern geospatial designation structures: “Our service has undergone various transformations over fresh years, including integration with satellite image designation and transforming into geospatial designation structures.”

A peculiarly strong description of the last year as a breakthrough period – capacity expansion, structures and implementation of the space domain sounded: “The last year, however, was a breakthrough. In November, the first reflection satellite was launched into orbit, and in a fewer weeks another satellite will be lifted. For the first time in past (...) we will have our own national satellite systems.” "Our operators will shortly take control of them and will be liable not only for operating these systems, but besides for protecting and defending them in space." There were besides words of appreciation and thanks – both for the soldiers and employees of ARGUS and the subordinates, as well as for partners cooperating with the Agency.

GUGIK and ARGUS: cooperation that strengthens the state

In the speech of the Head of ARGUS, the function of cooperating with civilian administration, peculiarly with the Main Office of Geodesy and Cartography, has besides been clearly expressed as a applicable example of the synchronisation of the state's safety activities: “We have late heard that the army does not defend itself, that the full state defends itself... hence it is so crucial to cooperate and synchronise actions between the military and civilian services and society. I think the cooperation we have with the GUGiK could be a model for others."

In this context, individual thanks were received: "I would like to thank both Mrs.Alice Kulka and the current Chief Geodet of the Country – Mr.Andrew Żilis. And of course the irreplaceable Mrs Ani Bober.”

An crucial addition to this part of the celebration was the speech of the erstwhile Chief Geodetta of the Country – Ms Alicja Łał, who stressed the importance of long-term, consistently built cooperation with ARGUs specialists. She pointed out that in the area of geospatial data, not only is technology important, but besides the stableness of standards, the efficiency of coordination and trust between teams, due to the fact that in practice they translate into efficiency and real support for the needs of the state.

During the ceremony, Ms Alicja Kulka and Ms Anna Bober, Deputy Head of the National Geodeta, were honored with the Medal of Merit for National Defence for their contribution to the improvement of cooperation and support for initiatives applicable to national security.

Medals, distinctions and appointments – appreciation of the service "on the first line of data"

The ceremony provided a good chance to present departmental medals, honours for soldiers and employees and to pass on the appointments. This is peculiarly crucial in an environment where quality, timeliness and work are crucial – due to the fact that even tiny inaccuracies in military geography can translate into increased risk, and reliable work straight supports the safety and effectiveness of actions.

Military music setting

The elevated nature of the ceremony was given by works performed by the Military Orchestra of Siedlec under the baton of Captain Paul Kreft, and then a performance of soloists in the accompaniment of military musicians. It was an elegant, yet expressive accent, consistent with the importance of the festival of the environment, which combines tradition with modernity.

The map is simply a weapon, the area is simply a test

Marshal Józef Piłsudski correctly described the importance of cartography in modern conduct of activities: “The map is simply a far more effective weapon in the hands of an officer than you fire it and even a revolver.” Today, this thought takes on additional depth: the map is not only a sheet, it is simply a system, a database, a terrain model, satellite imaging, an analytical product. However, its task remains unchanged: to give the soldier and commander certainty in an uncertain environment. Military Geography is not about drawing lines on paper. It's a occupation that secures the movement of troops, organizes logistics and supports maneuvering, identifying threats before they translate into losses and delays.

107 years of continuity and direction for the future

The past of military geographic service is simply a past of consequences: from foundations built since 1919, to successive stages of modernization, to today's geospatial designation and improvement of satellite capabilities. We change tools, grow competences and increase the pace, but the core remains the same: to supply the military with a reliable image of the space on which the decision can be based.

The celebration of Military Geography in Komorów reminded that the advantage does not begin with a bang of engines or with a first contact. It starts early. – in the silence of work, in the precision of data, in the analysis that orders chaos, and in the work for any proposal that will become someone's order and someone's way. This is the regular effort of military geographers: invisible at first glance, yet decisive. Thanks to him, the maneuver makes sense, logistics has rhythm, and the soldier is more assured that the area will not surprise him more than the opponent.

Therefore, the Jubilee is an expression of appreciation for those who have been building an advantage at an early phase of the process – through reliable, methodical work, performed with commitment. Military Geography is not just a map. It's decision-safe. That's the certainty of direction. It's the resilience of a country that starts with knowing space. For this consistency, professionalism and responsibility, we thank you peculiarly much today. With respect, pride and awareness that specified service creates the foundations of the effective operation of the Polish Army.

Text: Colonel Anna Żuchowska