The engagement of Brig. Gen. Krzysztof Stańczyk and Dyw. Gen. Marek Wawrzyniak in activities during last year's flood was appreciated by the Minister of National Defence. “The efficient operation of soldiers would not be possible without wise and effective commanders,” stressed Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, justifying the discrimination of both officers.
Brig. Gen. Krzysztof Stańczyk, Commander of the Territorial Defence Forces, and Maj. Gen. Marek Wawrzyniak, Head of the Military Engineering Board and Deputy Inspector of DGRSZ Military Types, were active in Operation Feniks, during which soldiers under their command reinforced floodbanks, evacuated the population, provided humanitarian aid to the isolated towns, and after the water subsided, participated in the reconstruction of roads, bridges and buildings. “The efficient operation of soldiers would not be possible without wise and effective commanders”, stressed Deputy Prime Minister, National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, justifying the discrimination of both officers, and added: “The Polish Army passed the test of acting during the crisis, an examination of the sense of work for the wellness and life of our fellow countrymen, an examination of empathy and respect for another man.
Head of Operation Feniks
Brig. Gen. Dr. Krzysztof Stańczyk This is an officer with extended command and staff experience. During his career, he served in the 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade, the 6th Artillery Brigade, and the Central intellectual Action Group. He worked in the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate and the Centre for Doctrines and Armed Forces Training. He has been associated with territorial defence troops for 8 years, initially as head of the Army Types Branch, later commander of the 8th Kujawsko-Pomorskie OT Brigade. In 2023 he became the 1st Deputy Commander of the WOT, and since May 2024 has served as the commander of these troops.
Five times he served abroad – in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was commander and advisor in NATO and UN missions. Engagement, competence, and self-sacrifice during the service in Afghanistan were noted by the coalitions who, in designation of merit, distinguished the officer with The Army accomplishment Medal and The Army Commendation Medal. Experience and cognition gained during these missions proved highly valuable in command Operation Feniks, at which the gen. Stańczyk stood in September 2024.
At the highest of this operation, 26,000 soldiers were involved, including over 13,000 from the operational troops and over 8,000 from the territorial defence troops. The Territorials played a key function in helping residents affected by the flood of regions. – People keep remembering the support of WOTThey ask for help. Only recently, an older couple came to me, who were not there during the flood, and now, seeing the demolition in their home, wonders if the territorials could aid them," says Paweł Szymkowicz, Mayor of Deaf.
Local government officials emphasize the efficiency of operation command by Brig-Gen Krzysztof Stańczyk. He was coming to Dimple. We had a chance to meet a fewer times. I was impressed with how he managed the full operation – the mayor admits. akin opinions flow from another flooded areas. - Gen. The Stańczyk is an open, specific, initiative-fulfilling commander. At each gathering it was visible that it was inactive working, looking for solutions – says Dariusz Chromiec, Mayor of the Silesian Party. In his town, the aid of soldiers besides did not pass without an echo.. “Some people most likely didn’t really know that there was specified a formation, and now that the military has reduced their presence here, they regret that there are not so many territorials,” he adds. Although soldiers of territorial defence troops have completed most of the rescue and order operations in the Silesian Party, soldiers of engineering troops under General Marek Wawrzyniak are inactive working here. They played a key function in rebuilding flooded areas. Under Operation Feniks The military built 12 bridges, 2 container schools and rebuilt 35 km of damaged roads.
Engineering troops in action
Gen. Dyw. Marek Wawrzyniak He's been active with engineering troops for years. In 2009, he served as Deputy Commander of the Polish Military Quota of UNIFIL, Lebanon. From 2013 to 2016, he commanded the 2nd Engineering Regiment in Inowrocław, and then served in the General Command of Types of Armed Forces. In 2024 he took up the position of Head of the Board of Military Engineering and Deputy Inspector of DGRSZ military types.
– Today, the full engineering army is practically standing on Gen. Wawrzyniak – emphasizes Gen. Wiesław Kukuła, Head of the General Staff of the Polish Academy of Sciences. It was under his direction that fresh structures were developed, modern equipment was implemented, and global cooperation in military engineering was built. General Marek Wawrzyniak's efforts were crucial both during Operation Feniks and during the construction of the fortification strategy under the Tarcza East programme.
Gen. Lorenzo coordinated the operations of engineering troops, which built temporary bridges, restored road passage and strengthened flood ramps. He previously supervised engineering support on the east border of Poland, directing the construction of dams and fortifications. He was besides the initiator of an global program for training Ukrainian bomb squads, joined by armed forces including the USA, Germany and the UK.
He enjoys large authority among soldiers and superiors. “I see in it first of all leadership in the purest form in the very specialized field of operation of the armed forces,” says General Kukuła. It is distinguished by the effective management of staff and the ability to cooperate at various levels – both with the highest command and with soldiers on the first line of action. Gen. Cukuła besides highly assesses his interpersonal skills. “He is very good with people, whether talking to a civilian or a four-star general or with a private”, emphasises the Chief of the General Staff of the HR.
Commanded by General Marek Wawrzyniak 2nd Engineering Regiment was the first in Poland to establish military reconstruction units, designed to respond to non-military crises. Their experience and training played a key function in Operation Feniks. The main command center of the Task Force Engineering Army became 1st Bombers Regiment in the Bank, where action in areas affected by natural disasters was coordinated.
The engineering troops worked throughout the region affected by the flood, rebuilding the infrastructure and restoring the average functioning of the village. Localists emphasize their effectiveness and the pace of work. Six weeks after the breakout, the bridge became mobile again. The soldiers built 2 independent crossings for each of the directions of movement. This aid and commitment led to an initiative for the fresh bridge to bear the name of the Polish Army – says Paweł Szymkowicz, Mayor of Deaf. – Will it come to this, we will see, due to the fact that we have its historical name – the bridge of Andrzej. However, this initiative shows how much citizens appreciate the efforts of soldiers," he adds.
Local governments have no uncertainty that Gen. Dw. Wawrzyniak made a immense contribution to the efficient course of operations. He was there, he was a large manager of his soldiers. At the same time, he is an highly modest and open man. If it were not for general distinctions, it would be hard to guess that you are talking to an officer of this rank – emphasizes Mayor Dłuchołaz.
Similar opinions flow from another towns. We've been in constant contact. The general always came out with proposals, had concrete solutions, and at the same time listened to local government. You can see that he is an officer with large material knowledge, and at the same time honest and open – says Dariusz Chromic, Mayor of the Silesian Party.
Both generals have yet to complete their mission. Operation Feniks was extended until the end of Apriland military support in flood-stricken areas is inactive necessary.
