From 3 to 6 February, the Jastrząb 14 exercise of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade’s (10BKPanc) air defense squadron took place at the brigade’s training-ground facilities. The main objectives of the exercise were to assess the squadron’s combat capabilities under conditions as close as possible to those of a real battlefield and to develop the proper skills and habits necessary in combat. The air defense soldiers demonstrated how they plan, organize and conduct air defense protection for elements of the brigade’s combat formation during tactical operations, as well as for the brigade operating as a division reserve.
Throughout the exercise, the air defense squadron, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Roberta Nikonowicza, demonstrated good and very good performance in carrying out tactical and live-fire tasks. It efficiently marched to the designated area, then smoothly transitioned from march formation to combat formation, reconnoitered and identified the enemy’s airborne objects, and provided air defense protection for elements of the brigade’s formation.
A number of training objectives were completed, for which the squadron had prepared during a three-year exercise cycle. These included, among others: conducting air defense of elements of the brigade’s combat formation during defense and of subunits moving into a counterattack; directing combat while repelling attacks by air-attack assets; operating in an area where IEDs were present; operating in an area where an event involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD) had occurred; as well as implementing MEDEVAC and CESEVAC procedures and many others.
The brigade’s air defense chief, Lieutenant Colonel Adam Luzyńczyk, positively assessed the good preparation and performance of tasks during the exercise. He was directly involved in preparing and developing the exercise for the squadron. “I believe that the Świętoszów air defense soldiers have once again confirmed their skills in firing at airborne targets,” he summed up.
The exercise also directly involved the 5th Tank Company of the 2nd Tank Battalion and a simulation subunit of the reconnaissance company. In addition, the command and logistics battalions provided support for the exercise leadership and the participating subunits.
(information: Katarzyna Przepióra, assistant to the press officer of 10BKPanc in Świętoszów/ii)