Guardsmen familiarize Polish airmen with F-16

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. John E. Lasky
  • Air Force Print News
POZNAN, Poland --  Once adversaries, American F-16 Fighting Falcons and Soviet-era MiG-29s sit side by side on the flightline here during exercise Sentry White Falcon 2005.

Warm emotions can be felt as the Polish and American pilots share each other’s planes; sometimes the fighter pilots cannot fight away the smiles.

Airmen from the Illinois Air National Guard’s 183rd Fighter Wing are here with six F-16s to train with MiG-29 and Su-22 jets during the U.S. European Command exercise through June 17. American pilots and groundcrews will also familiarize their Polish counterparts with the Fighting Falcon.

Senior Master Sgt. Jim Rouland and Staff Sgt. Loni Gotschall, both avionics technicians, provided hands-on familiarization to motivated students. When classroom instruction ended, they worked overtime as the Polish students asked questions about F-16 parts.

“It’s impressive how many speak English,” Sergeant Gotschall said.

In 2006, the Polish air force will start receiving their own F-16s to begin replacing their Soviet-made MiG fighters as the country modernizes its military to NATO standards. Poland joined NATO in 1999, along with Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Poland purchased 48 F-16s from the U.S. government for $3.5 billion. As part of the multifaceted transaction, the U.S. government agreed to assist Poland with logistical and training requirements.

The one-on-one interaction with American F-16 experts will help them get not only the right foot forward but maybe even off and running.

“There are many who might be scared of change or new technology, but this is why we start so early to familiarize ourselves with the F-16,” said Polish air force Col. Richard Grzelinski, head of the F-16 implementation group. “(The) American help is unmeasurable.”