In equal order, by centimeters

Clockmaster precision

The first step was to reserve airspace over Warsaw. More details were added by respective institutions – including General Command of Armed Forces Types and applicable civilian airport cells in Okęcie and Modlin. Then the mission commander began. In the areas he had at his disposal, he had to set not only the way of the flight, but besides the alternate aerodromes on which the machines could land in the event of an accident, as well as the alleged holding companies, i.e. waiting points. Reason? Planes and helicopters designated for defilade were launched from respective bases. They had to scope Warsaw from Poznań, Malbork, Łask, gather in designated places and then join 1 of the fourteen formations and set off over the capital in a strictly specified time.

Preparations for the Polish Army Day parade. photograph 31 BLT

The machines joined the parade at respective seconds intervals. "All of this required very strict calculations and coordination. All the more so, as aircraft moved at different altitudes and speeds, he points out "Jimmy". For example, the flight velocity for F-16 was 330 century (slightly over 600 km/h), while for helicopters – about 80 century (less than 150 km/h). The problem was further complicated by the fact that various types of machines were included in the formation. “I myself piloted an F-16, which in the company of another fighter of this kind was an escort for the French tanker A330,” explains “Jimmy”.

A parade for the celebration of the Polish Army. On August 15, about 50 different types of aircraft flew over Warsaw. photograph by Sgt. Rafał Samluk / Dorsz COM CAM

But it's not over. It besides required large precision to operate within the formation itself, as aircraft and helicopters flew from each another almost at hand. – Six of our F-16s formed the group “Grot”, resembling the blade of the arrow. The wings of individual machines divided a distance of 10 feet, or about 3 m – explains Col. Łukasz Gradziński, commander of Air Action Group 31 Blot, who served as slot in the formation. In another words, he piloted an "efa" flying in the middle, somewhat below the tail of the leading machine. “My occupation was to correct the position of individual aircraft,” explains the officer. Maintaining the right position is not easy, especially during a summertime flight over the city. The dense building accumulates heat. Above it there are hot air bubbles that origin turbulence – explains Colonel Gradziński. All of this makes it better not to approach akin tasks if not necessary.

A parade for the celebration of the Polish Army. On August 15, about 50 different types of aircraft flew over Warsaw. Photo: Wojciech Król/MON

Promotion, or a busy holiday

By the time the pilots left for the parade, they had 3 attempts. 8 days before the parade, its participants flew over Minsk Mazowiecki. Then they appeared twice more over Warsaw. – At the time not all formations were in full formation. First of all, we wanted to test the mission plan itself: the order in which the planes join the group, the intervals between them," explains Colonel Gradziński. By August 15, everything was fastened to the last button. At noon, columns of vehicles set out for Wisłostrada. shortly more formations of aircraft and helicopters began to appear above them. “We were waiting for this minute in suspense, luckily everything went smoothly,” he recalls “Jimmy”.

Preparations for the Polish Army Day parade. photograph 31 BLT

The air parade – like the march of troops on land and the parade of ships on the Baltic – was expected to show the capabilities of the Polish Army. – However, for us it besides had a training dimension – admits the commander of Air Force Group 31 Bases. – Planning specified a flight is not precisely different from planning COMAO Combat Mission. It is besides attended by aircraft of various types, which must arrive in a strictly designated area at a specified time and cooperate with each another and execute the task assigned to them," he adds.

Polish F-16 pilots took part in akin projects many times – especially during global exercises. However, the crews of many another machines have more modest experiences in this regard. Now they had a chance to practice. And the profit was double. “We besides utilized training before the parade to train 2 of our pilots, who can now fly as the leader of groups composed of six aircraft”, added Colonel Gradziński.