The modern barracks complex of the 16th Reconnaissance Battalion was officially opened in Koniezki close Ełek. This means returning troops to the city after more than 2 decades, strengthening the safety of the east border. 16 Battalion is the youngest unit of the 16th Mechanized Division. It will service about 700 soldiers, using, among others, the Lebanon reconnaissance vehicles.
– This is simply a historical minute for Elk and the full Elk land. The return of the army is not only a substance of defence, but besides an impulse to make and build a local identity," said president Ełku Tomasz Andrukiewicz. On Friday, 13 December, a barracks complex of the 16th Reconnaissance Battalion was officially put into service in Podłocki Koniecki (Warmińsko-Mazurskie Province).
During the ceremony, Gen. Wojciech Ziółkowski noted that the 16th Battalion is the youngest unit in his command 16 Pomeranian Mechanical Division. – The battalion has been developing very dynamicly for 2 years, both in terms of expanding individual states as well as in terms of accepting fresh equipment. The fresh complex will let for further improvement of this military unit – emphasised Gen. Ziółkowski.
Col. Robert Chupka, commander of the 16th Battalion, added that this unit was “eyes and ears of the 16th Mechanized Division”. “We are meant to get and transmit all exploratory information for the purposes of carrying out division tasks,” said the officer. At the end of the 16th Reconnaissance Battalion, about 700 soldiers will serve. Currently, there are 3 companies with light exploratory vehicles of Iguan. The battalion is besides equipped with the Rosomaki version of the medical evacuation car.
The 16th Reconnaissance Battalion was formed by the decision of the Minister of National Defence of October 2023, which marked the return of the army to Elk after more than 20 years. Between 1967 and 2000, there was the Engineering Army Specialist Training Centre in the city, which trained more than 50,000 soldiers. Besides, he's stationed in Elk. 44th Battalion of the Light Infantry of the Territorial Defence Army.
