The ceremony was held on the brigade’s internal parade ground and was led by the deputy commander of the anti-aircraft squadron, Major Przemysław Jankowski. In his opening address, the commander of the 10BKPanc, Colonel Maciej Jabłoński, spoke to the soldiers. He outlined the profiles of the outgoing and incoming squadron commanders, then thanked Lieutenant Colonel Robert Nikonowicz for his efficient command of the subunit for two and a half years, and wished Major Piotr Jaraczewski success and courage in taking on new challenges in his new post.
Next, at the ceremony leader’s command, soldiers carrying the squadron pennant came forward in front of the squadron formation. In accordance with military ceremonial procedure, the outgoing commander handed the squadron pennant to his successor, after which the two commanders and the brigade commander signed the handover protocol.
After the official part of the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Nikonowicz spoke. In his address, he warmly thanked all the soldiers whose daily service and professional competence contributed to the subunit’s very good functioning. The outgoing anti-aircraft squadron commander expressed his gratitude to the officers, non-commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers. In his speech, he mentioned the battery commanders, specialists operating the artillery and anti-aircraft equipment, logisticians, drivers and many others. He also remembered the athletes from the squadron, who had repeatedly brought distinction to the brigade. Concluding, he said: – I want to assure you that I am handing the squadron over to good hands. It was an honor to serve alongside you and to be your commander. Thank you.
Major Jaraczewski then spoke, saying: – The 10th Brigade is a distinctive unit, spoken of only in superlatives. This opinion is the result of the hard work of the soldiers—soldiers whom I already know, as we had the opportunity to work together during the 8th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, and soldiers who are standing here before me today. Taking command of the anti-aircraft squadron is an honor for me and, at the same time, a great challenge. Colonel, soldiers of the squadron: I am convinced that with your potential, the squadron can achieve a great deal, which is what I wish for both you and myself.
The ceremony concluded with a parade by the subunit.
At the end of the ceremony, a delegation of squadron soldiers presented the outgoing squadron commander, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Nikonowicz, with an officer’s sabre. In May 2015, he assumed the duties of head of air defence of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade.
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On 18 May 2015, during the morning assembly and in the presence of all personnel of the 10BKPanc, brigade commander Colonel Maciej Jabłoński presented Major Piotr Jaraczewski with his promotion to the next officer rank—lieutenant colonel—and then personally changed the rank insignia on the soldier’s uniform.
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Lieutenant Colonel Robert Nikonowicz is a graduate of the Higher Officer School of the Air Defence Forces in Koszalin. He began his professional military service in 1995 in the 128th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (now the 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Czerwieńsk) as commander of a PRWB OSA crew. In 1999, he assumed the duties of an officer in the regiment staff’s reconnaissance section, and subsequently became a personnel officer in the personnel and educational section. From 2004 to 2006, he was chief of staff of an anti-aircraft squadron, and then deputy commander of that squadron. From 2013, he served as commander of the anti-aircraft squadron in the 10BKPanc. From 2015, he was appointed head of air defence of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade.
Lieutenant Colonel Piotr Jaraczewski is a graduate of the Higher Officer School of the Air Defence Forces in Koszalin. He began his professional military service in 1995 in the 128th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (now the 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Czerwieńsk) as commander of a launcher crew. A year later, he served as platoon commander and crew commander in the same regiment. From 1999 to 2005, he was a battery commander, then assumed the duties of an officer in the reconnaissance section. In 2006, he became chief of staff of an anti-aircraft squadron, and in 2011, head of the reconnaissance section of a regiment staff. In 2015, he assumed the duties of commander of the anti-aircraft squadron in the 10BKPanc.
Katarzyna Przepióra