63 missions to the Mediterranean, 204 hours spent in the air – this is the balance of the X PKW Irini changes. The soldiers just handed over their duties to their Navy Air Brigade colleagues. The task of the airmen who are stationed in Sicily is to monitor shipping routes to prevent the embargo on arms shipments to Libya and oil exports from being breached.
– You are part of an operation that implements the fundamental principles of global law and supports peace in the Mediterranean. Our mission has a global dimension and fits into a wider safety strategy – he emphasized yesterday at Sigonella Base Gen. Dyw. Maciej Klisz, Operational Commander of Armed Forces. The general flew to Sicily to participate in the transfer of duties between X and XI of the change of the Polish Military Quota of Irina. The ceremony was besides attended by Ryszard Schnepf, head of the Polish embassy in Rome, Polish defence attaché Colonel Zbigniew Kołaczek, representatives of the Italian armed forces and Polonia. After the ceremony was completed, soldiers serving in the continuance left for the country.
– It was a successful six months – provided kmdr Lt. Pil. Janusz Grzybowski, commander of the Xth PKW Irini shift. During this time, his Navy Air Force subordinates conducted 63 combat missions. The Bryza aircraft they utilized spent a full of 204 hours in the air. “There was no failure, which allowed us to carry out the plan 100%,” the officer noted.
The crews flew in accordance with a agenda developed by the mission command. They took off from Sigonella base in Sicily and headed southeast. – Each of the departures lasted 3 or 4 hours – informs kmdr por. pil. Grzybowski. During this time, airmen monitored indicated shipping routes. They were primarily curious in ships suspected of supplying arms to Libya, on which the UN imposed an embargo, and the units liable for the illegal export of oil from Libya. Libya has been ruled by a hard hand by Muammar Gaddafi for many years, and after the overthrow of the dictatorship She fell into a civilian war. In 2020, armed action ceased, but the country is inactive divided between the fighting factions and a fragile balance can be breached at any time.
– During the flights, you can inactive find units carrying masked military equipment or unusual tankers on board – admits kmdr Lt. Pil. Grzybowski. In case of any suspicion, airmen are obliged to implement strict procedures. They effort to make contact with the captains of the ships, ask them about the way of the cruise and the cargo, but mostly they collect photograph documentation. The materials shall be sent to the command of operations in Rome and it shall notify the ships in the vicinity which carry out checks in utmost cases. The side task of crews is to look for boats with illegal immigrants who are trying to get to Europe. – During our shift there was not much going on. In autumn and winter, the traffic of tiny boats is importantly decreasing due to comparatively hard weather conditions – explains kmdr por. Pil. Grzybowski. Moreover, as he emphasizes, migrants effort to scope Lampedusa, while Polish crews have late operated in areas located somewhat more north.
– Participating in the mission has brought us many valuable experiences – says Commander X of the shift. – First of all, we had the chance to work with the armed forces of allied states and operate on waters that we do not deal with all day. I think we did good. At briefings, I heard that although we do not have the most modern equipment, we can supply the highest quality reconnaissance material.
But that is not all. “With the mission “Irini” we show that Poland remains a valuable ally, who is willing to take work for various aspects of European security,” concludes Mr. Grzybowski. Since yesterday these tasks have already been carried out by soldiers of XI shifts, commanded by Commander Maciej Grabowski.
The ‘Irini’ mission is carried out under the auspices of the European Union. It is attended by 23 countries which have delegated ships, aircraft and unmanned aircraft to joint action. The operation began in 2020. Poles are in it from the beginning. For 2 years earlier, they participated in Operation Sophia, besides stationed in Sigonelli and carrying out akin tasks. Further changes to the Polish contingent are presented by the Naval Aviation Brigade, each time reinforced with specialists from units of another types of armed forces. Recently, among another things, the BLMW was supported by soldiers of the 10th Opole Logistics Brigade.
PKW Irini consists of about 80 soldiers and civilian workers, who have at their disposal a Bryza patrol and survey aircraft.
