Important news for our Air Force and the full Armed Forces of Poland – the first female became an F-16 pilot! – present Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz reported on social media. The national defence minister congratulated the officer and revealed that shortly a second female would join the Polish F-16 pilots.
The head of the Ministry of Defence reported that the officer serves at the 32nd Tactical Aviation Base in Grace (the name is not revealed due to the specificity of the service). "Training has taken place in the US and can already pilot our fighters. Congratulations! Another pilot is training at 31 Base in Krzesiny. We are arrogant of you!” – Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish signed.
– Another glass ceiling broke. This is very good information and a message for all the ladies who want to become pilots and think about getting active with combat aviation that there are no restrictions. And the same will apply to F-35," says General Dyw. Pil. Ireneusz Nowak, Air Force Inspector at the General Command. Since 2010, as a pilot-instructor on F-16 aircraft, he trained dozens of young pilots, which are a pillar of Poland's defence capabilities in the air domain.
– I know the Captain's story. I know that she has tried for a long time, she has shown extraordinary motivation, perseverance, patience, and this has yet paid off – says Gen. Nowak. At the same time, the Air Force Inspector stresses that any pilot who joins a very costly training on F-16 must meet the same standards as regards the quality of performance in the air. “I’m glad we’re breaking the barriers, moving forward. It can be said that in the Polish Army each of you, if you meet the appropriate standards, already has an open way to any specialization – the general is in receipt.
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is simply a multi-tasking 4th generation fighter manufactured by American Lockheed Martin plants. In 2003, contracts for the acquisition of F-16 fighters for the Polish Army were signed at the Orląt School in Dęblin. The contract provides for training in the US of 49 Polish pilots. The first 3 completed training in June 2006. 3 months later in Fort Worth, Texas, there was a ceremony of symbolic transmission of the first Polish F-16. Poland has purchased 48 F-16 aircraft, including 36 F-16C Block52+ single-seat F-16D Block52+ and 12 F-16D Block52+ two-seat F-16D aircraft, which are stationed at 31 Tactical Aviation Base (Krzesina Airport) and 32 Tactical Aviation Base (Łask).
The most crucial equipment of the Polish F-16 includes: multi-purpose AN/APG-68(V)9 radar, AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER XR reflection tank designed to detect, identify, observe ground and air targets and guide laser-controlled weapons to ground, integrated AIDEWS radio-electronic combat system. The Polish Hawks are armed, among others, with air-to-air rockets mid-range AIM-120C-5 (AMRAAM), short-range rockets AIM-9X Super Sidewinder, air-to-ground rockets AGM-65G2 Maverick, cannon M61A1 20 mm.
