Polish Special Forces

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Special Troops Command
Wojska Specjalne
Military eagle
Military eagle
Founded1990
Country Poland
AllegiancePolish Armed Forces
Typespecial forces
Size5,000 (April 2021)[1]
Garrison/HQKraków
EngagementsOperation Uphold Democracy
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Syrian civil war (Personnel recovery, Emergency evacuation)
Commanders
Chief of the General Staffgen. broni Rajmund Andrzejczak
General Commandergen. broni Jarosław Mika
Special Operations Component Commandergen. bryg. Sławomir Drumowicz
Insignia
Flag[2]PL special forces flag IIIRP.svg

Special Troops Command (Pol.: Wojska Specjalne) is the fourth military branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland and was officially formed in early 1990 after the fall of communism in 1989, in which the Polish Special Forces were first deployed into the conflict in Lebanon. The conflict in Lebanon was the first official battlefield experience in post-communist times. Polish Special Forces most notably train with American Navy SEALS and NATO Alliance members. It is composed of special forces units and command.

Composition[]

Special Troops Command () based in Kraków:[3]

  • Jednostka Wojskowa GROM, or GROM, based in Warszawa and Gdańsk – Poland's premier special operations force. The unit was named after the Silent Unseen of World War II and trains regularly with the best special operation units from around the world.[3]
  • Jednostka Wojskowa Komandosów, or JWK, based in Lubliniec – With a varied skill set, comparable to that of the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets), JWK is responsible for asymmetrical warfare, embedding with, training, and leading host nation forces, as well as counterinsurgency operations.
  • Jednostka Wojskowa Formoza, or JW FORMOZA, is based in Gdynia - Created as a maritime sabotage unit in the 1970s and it is the smallest of the STCs special forces units. The unit works closely with GROM and JWK and is often referred to as Poland's equivalent of the Navy SEALs.
  • Jednostka Wojskowa Agat, or AGAT, based in Gliwice – A relatively new unit, being stood up in 2011, its name is shortened for “anti-gestapo” in honor of a WWII Polish Home Army Combat Diversion unit. A specialized light infantry unit, its role is comparable to that of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
  • , or NIL, is based in Kraków – Formed in 2008 as the Special Operations Support unit, the unit is responsible for intelligence analysis, electronic warfare, technical surveillance, and unmanned aircraft operations. The unit is named after general Emil August Fieldorf “Nil”, a WWII Polish hero.
  • based in Powidz – Created in 2011, dedicated to support SOF if needed while still being part of the Air Force.

Structure[]

Multi-role exploitation Reconnaissance Team (MRT) during NATO exercise Trident Juncture 15

GROM - Operational-Maneuver Response Group "Cichociemni" (Silent Unseen)

  • Command and Support Staff – in Warsaw
  • A Squadron (ZB A) – Land Element located in Warsaw
  • B Squadron (ZB B) – Maritime Element located in Gdańsk
  • C Squadron (ZB C) – Specialty unknown located in Warsaw
  • Logistic and Security Unit - located in Warsaw

JW Komandosów - Army Commandos

  • Command and Security - insignia of the Batalion Zośka from the Polish Home Army
  • A Squadron (ZB A)- insignia of the Batalion Miotła from the Polish Home Army and insignia of PSBS
  • B Squadron (ZB B)- Combined Operations insignia of the No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando unit and its No. 6 Troop (Polish)
  • C Squadron (ZB C)- insignia of the Batalion Parasol from the Polish Home Army
  • D Squadron (ZB D)- set up in 2016
  • Information Support Group
  • Special Forces Training Center

JW Formoza - name comes from the colloquial name of the units base, the post-German torpedo house in Gdynia, called "Formoza".[4]

  • Special Operations Squadron - at least six special operations sections and a base unit
JW AGAT shoulder patch

JW AGAT - formed on the basis of the Special Branch of the Military Police in Gliwice[5]

  • HQ Staff and Command Group
  • "A" Company
  • "B" Company
  • "C" Company
  • Combat Support Team
  • Logistics Security Team
  • Medical Security Group

JW NIL - Support Unit of Command and Security of Special Forces[6]

  • HQ Staff
  • Command Team
  • Logistics Security Team
  • Information Support Team
  • Medical Security Group

7 Special Operations Aviation Squadron - based in Powidz

  • HQ staff
  • Aerospace Group - equipped with 8 Mi-17, including 4 Mi-17-1W and 4 Sikorsky S-70i[7][8] all helicopters are to be equipped with M134Gs[9]
  • Maintenance Group

Gallery[]

  • GROM operator conducting a port security exercise

  • Polish GROM and US Navy SEALs conducting joint field exercises

  • GROM unit conducting ship seizure training

  • GROM operator conducting a pistol training exercise

Equipment[]

Weaponry[]

Name Type Photo Notes
Standard firearms of the Polish Armed Forces
AKM Assault rifle AKM automatkarbin - 7,62x39mm.jpg Outdated technology, virtually phased out and replaced
Kbs wz. 1996 Beryl Assault rifle Rifle wz.1996 Beryl.jpg Most commonly used weapon
Pallad grenade launcher Grenade launcher Grenade launcher wz.83 Pallad D.jpg Polish made grenade launcher, used from its introduction to the army
SWD Sniper rifle SVDM sniper rifle at Military-technical forum ARMY-2016 01.jpg
Sako TRG Sniper Rifle Sako TRG folding stock + Zeiss 3-12x56 SSG P.JPG
PKM General purpose machine gun PKmachinegun.jpg
UKM-2000 General purpose machine gun UKM2000P REMOV.jpg
Standard firearms of the Polish Special Forces
Heckler & Koch USP Semi-auto pistol First-year H&K USP 9mm (32415150000) modified.jpg Standard pistol in JW Grom
Glock 17 Semi-auto pistol Glock 17 2nd Gen.jpg Standard pistol in JW Komandosów and JW Agat
SIG P226 Semi-auto pistol SIG P226 img 1624.jpg Standard pistol in JW Formoza (Navy Unit)
FN Five-seven Semi-auto pistol FN5701.jpg Standard pistol for close protection in JW Grom
CZ Scorpion Evo 3 Submachine gun CZ EVO 3 S1 right.jpg New addition SMG for direct force operations in JW Grom
Heckler & Koch MP5 Submachine gun Heckler & Koch MP5-1.jpg Standard SMG for direct force operations in JW Grom
FN P90 Submachine gun FNPS9002.jpg Standard SMG for close protection in JW Grom
Colt M4A1 Assault rifle PEO M4 Carbine RAS M68 CCO.jpg Mostly supplanted the Beryl in JW GROM. Less prevalent in other units.
Heckler & Koch HK416 Assault rifle HK416.jpg Assault rife used by the Polish SOF, JW Grom, JW Komandosów and JW Agat. Various barrel options used (10, 14.5 and 16.5 inch). Most commonly used assault rifle of the Special Forces
Heckler & Koch AG-C/GLM Grenade launcher HK AGCEGLM.jpg Standard under-barrel grenade launcher used with the HK416
Heckler & Koch G36 Assault rifle Gewehr G36.jpg Used in JW Formoza
Heckler & Koch AG36 Grenade launcher Standard grenade launcher used with the G36
FN Minimi Light machine gun FN MINIMI Standard Right.jpg Most common light machine gun in the Polish SOF
Carl Gustav Recoilless rifle Carl Gustav recoilless rifle.jpg
Other firearms
Beretta 92 Semi-auto pistol M9-pistolet.jpg
M4 Carbine Assault rifle CQBR-alone.jpg Clones made by KAC and Bushmaster
F2000 Assault rifle FN F2000S.JPG
M14 rifle Battle rifle M14 Stand-off Munitions Disruptor (SMUD) (7414626342).jpg Upgraded to EBR standard
M203 Grenade launcher PEO M203A2 Grenade Launcher.jpg
Grenade launcher
Remington 870 Shotgun Remington 870 Wmaster.jpg
Heckler & Koch PSG-1 Sniper rifle PSG-1--transparent.png
Remington 700 Sniper rifle Remington Model 700.JPG
Mauser SP66 Sniper rifle Mauser sp66.JPG
Mauser 86 Sniper rifle
Barrett M82 Anti-material rifle M82A1 barrett.jpeg

Vehicles[]

Name Type Variant In service Notes
HMMWV Four-wheel drive multi-purpose vehicle M1165A1 5 The Polish Armed Forces currently operate 222 different variants of HMMWVes (217 are operated by the Polish Land Forces).
Oshkosh M-ATV MRAP M1240A1 45 Donated by the United States[10]
Toyota Four-wheel drive vehicle Land Cruiser
Hilux[11]		 Used by GROM and 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów (1st Special Commando's Regiment)
Land Rover Defender Four-wheel drive vehicle 90
110		 4[12]
6		 Used by JW GROM and JW Formoza
Mercedes-Benz Four-wheel drive vehicle
Truck		 G-class
Atego 1323AK		 6
10[13]		 The Polish Armed forces currently operate a total of 140 G-class vehicles.[14] The Land forces operate 121 GD 290s and MB290GD WDs.[13] The military police uses 13 GD 290s.[13]
Tarpan Honker 4x4 Honker Skorpion 3 special version Used by 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów Polish made off-road vehicles, best variants are powered with Polish Andoria engines
Star Truck Star 1444 (MAN TGM 18.280 BB) 1[13] Polish made trucks, now modernised to adjust to new weaponry and specifications
Volvo Truck Volvo FM 8x4
Volvo FM 6x6
Volvo FM 4x4		 10[13]
11[13]
2[13]

Aircraft[]

Polish_SOF_S-70i_Black_Hawk
Polish SOF S-70i Black Hawk
Name Type Variant In service Notes
S-70i Black Hawk Medium-lift transport/utility helicopter S-70i 4/8 4 on order, 2 scheduled for delivery in 2023, remaining in 2024.[15] In 2019 7 S-70i Black Hawks were ordered and received. 4 to Special Forces and 3 to the Police.[16]

Rank insignia[]

Main article: Polish Armed Forces rank insignia
Officers
NATO Code OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
POL Wojska Specjalne.svg
Special Forces 		Army-POL-OF-09.svg Army-POL-OF-08.svg Army-POL-OF-07.svg Army-POL-OF-06.svg Army-POL-OF-05.svg Army-POL-OF-04.svg Army-POL-OF-03.svg Army-POL-OF-02.svg Army-POL-OF-01a.svg Army-POL-OF-01b.svg
Polish name Generał1 Generał
broni 		Generał
dywizji 		Generał
brygady 		Pułkownik Podpułkownik Major Kapitan Porucznik Podporucznik
Abbreviation gen. gen. broni gen. dyw. gen. bryg. płk ppłk mjr kpt. por. ppor.

1 Until 2004 Generał armii

Enlisted
NATO Code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
POL Wojska Specjalne.svg
Special Forces 		Army-POL-OR-09a.svg Army-POL-OR-09b.svg Army-POL-OR-08.svg Army-POL-OR-07.svg Army-POL-OR-06.svg Army-POL-OR-05.svg Army-POL-OR-04a.svg Army-POL-OR-04b.svg Army-POL-OR-03.svg Army-POL-OR-02.svg Army-POL-OR-01.svg
Polish name Starszy
chorąży
sztabowy 		Starszy
chorąży 		Chorąży Młodszy
chorąży 		Starszy
sierżant 		Sierżant Plutonowy Starszy
kapral 		Kapral Starszy
szeregowy 		Szeregowy
Abbreviation st. chor. szt. st. chor. chor. mł. chor. st. sierż. sierż. plut. st. kpr. kpr. st. szer. szer.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ http://www.dz.urz.mon.gov.pl/zasoby/dziennik/pozycje/zalaczniki/2020/02/zalaczniki-sig.pdf
  2. ^ "Ustawa z dnia 19 lutego 1993 r. o znakach Sił Zbrojnych Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej" [Act of February 19, 1993 on the symbols of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland] (PDF). isap.sejm.gov.pl (in Polish). Internet System of Legal Acts. pp. 24–28. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Polish Special Forces 2018 GROM / JWK / FORMOZA / AGAT / NIL". funker530.com. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  4. ^ "JW FORMOZA - USSE". usse.pl. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Jednostka Wojskowa "Agat"". www.jednostki-wojskowe.pl. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Jednostka Wojskowa "Nil"". www.jednostki-wojskowe.pl. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  7. ^ Siminski, Jacek (2019-12-23). "Polish Special Ops Component Receives S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
  8. ^ "Mil Mi-17-1V Hip, lokalizacja: Powidz - (EPPW), autor: Marek Purat". Galeria Aviateam.pl. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  9. ^ "Miniguny w końcu kupione". www.altair.com.pl. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Polskie Wojska Specjalne otrzymały od Amerykanów 45 pojazdów opancerzonych M-ATV". technologie.onet.pl. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  11. ^ Nowa Technika Wojskowa magazine, issue 03/09
  12. ^ "Nadjeżdża Huzar". 4 January 2005.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "Zakupy pojazdów dla Wojska Polskiego". Gdzie zaczyna się wojsko... 3 January 2011.
  14. ^ Nowa Technika Wojskowa magazine, issue 03/09 96
  15. ^ "Poland Purchases Four New S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters". 17 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Poland Purchases Four New S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters". 17 December 2021.

External links[]

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