1st Special Commando Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów, 1 PSK (en. 1st Special Commando Regiment, 1st Special Forces Regiment) is one of the three special operations forces
currently operating within the Polish
military
's structure, Special Forces
of Poland
.
Thanks to the unit's high recruiting standards, and a special training programme the Regiment implemented several years ago, the unit's soldiers display a higher level of skill and professionalism, when compared to other Polish
forces. The Regiment's troops are trained to undertake a wide range of special missions during war
, crisis
, peace
, with its troops being capable of conducting air assault, helicopter
, and parachute
operations (including HALO and HAHO operations
); strategic and tactical reconnaissance operations; raids and ambushes; frogman
and underwater attack missions; providing support to other specialist units during hostage rescue operations; and other missions as deemed necessary.
, near Częstochowa
, is currently (2010) operating under the command of pułkownik (Col.) Ryszard Pietras. The Regiment carries on the traditions of several World War II
special mission units. These units, organised with the assistance of the U.S.
and Britain
, consisted of the 2nd Commando Battalion, the Special Motorised Battalion, the "Parasol
" (Umbrella) and "Zośka
" Sabotage Battalion.
Prior to 1994, the Regiment was composed of a single battalion 1 Samodzielny Batalion Szturmowy (en. 1 Independent Assault Battalion), but it is currently organised into three special detachment
s and a frogmen
company
. Each detachment is composed of three companies, which are divided into three platoons. Each platoon contains 3 six-man teams, giving the unit a total strength of approximately 90 operational teams, plus support staff.
1 PSK is a fully professional force composed entirely of highly trained and selected soldier
s, including women. The 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów, along with the GROM
unit and the Morska Jednostka Działań Specjalnych
(Naval Special Operations Unit) "Formoza" frogmen unit, is part of Wojska Specjalne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej
. All three Republic of Poland SF units have special operations command - Dowództwo Wojsk Specjalnych.
, fighting with specialised equipment, parachuting, land navigation, weapons handling, basic survival, and several other military-related skills. Troops who successfully complete the second phase then move onto the 1 Pułk, where they are assigned to one of the unit's six-man operational teams. Once there, additional training continues (mountain and cold weather training, sniper
, Casevac
, amphibious operations, etc.).
during the Kosovo conflict. A 13-man detachment was deployed to Afghanistan
as part of Polish
support for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Most recently the unit had deployed a 56-man company to Iraq
, as part of the Multinational Division Central-South
. Now, detachments of 1 PSK fight in Kandahar Province
and other Afghan provinces, maybe in Pakistan
(War in Afghanistan
).
(9 mm Luger) and WIST-94
(9 mm Luger) pistols, Heckler & Koch HK416 and kbs wz.96 & wz. 2008 Beryl Commando
5.56x45mm assault rifles, Pallad grenade launcher
, MP5, MP5SD
, Uzi
, PM-84P Glauberyt
(some of which have been equipped with sound suppressors) 9 mm sub-machineguns, PKM/PKMS
, 7.62 mm NATO Polish GPMG, UKM-2000
. Unit snipers are equipped with the Finnish 7.62 mm SAKO TRG-21, TRG-22, and kbw SWD sniper rifle
s. Many of the weapons have been modified with the addition of foregrips, laser aiming devices, aiming lights/illumination devices, and various optics such as Tasco telescopic scopes and/or night vision devices.
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
currently operating within the Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
military
Polish Armed Forces
Siły Zbrojne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej are the national defense forces of Poland...
's structure, Special Forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
.
Thanks to the unit's high recruiting standards, and a special training programme the Regiment implemented several years ago, the unit's soldiers display a higher level of skill and professionalism, when compared to other Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
forces. The Regiment's troops are trained to undertake a wide range of special missions during war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
, crisis
Crisis
A crisis is any event that is, or expected to lead to, an unstable and dangerous situation affecting an individual, group, community or whole society...
, peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
, with its troops being capable of conducting air assault, helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
, and parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
operations (including HALO and HAHO operations
HALO/HAHO
Military free-fall form of insertion.PurposeDelivering personnel, equipment, or supplies.HALOHigh-Altitude/Low-OpeningHAHOHigh-Altitude/High-OpeningOrigins...
); strategic and tactical reconnaissance operations; raids and ambushes; frogman
Frogman
A frogman is someone who is trained to scuba diving or swim underwater in a military capacity which can include combat. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver or combatant diver or combat swimmer....
and underwater attack missions; providing support to other specialist units during hostage rescue operations; and other missions as deemed necessary.
Current status
The unit, based in LubliniecLubliniec
Lubliniec is a town in southern Poland with 29,359 inhabitants . It is the capital of Lubliniec County, part of Silesian Voivodeship ; previously it was in Częstochowa Voivodeship .-Geography:...
, near Częstochowa
Czestochowa
Częstochowa is a city in south Poland on the Warta River with 240,027 inhabitants . It has been situated in the Silesian Voivodeship since 1999, and was previously the capital of Częstochowa Voivodeship...
, is currently (2010) operating under the command of pułkownik (Col.) Ryszard Pietras. The Regiment carries on the traditions of several World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
special mission units. These units, organised with the assistance of the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, consisted of the 2nd Commando Battalion, the Special Motorised Battalion, the "Parasol
Batalion Parasol
Battalion Parasol was a Scouting battalion of the Armia Krajowa, the primary Polish resistance movement in World War II. It consisted mainly of members of the Szare Szeregi, distinguishing itself in many underground operations, and in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 .-...
" (Umbrella) and "Zośka
Batalion Zoska
- Order of battle of the battalion :-Bibliography:*"Pamiętniki żołnierzy baonu Zośka", Nasza Księgarnia, Warsaw 1986 ISBN 83-10-08703-9....
" Sabotage Battalion.
Prior to 1994, the Regiment was composed of a single battalion 1 Samodzielny Batalion Szturmowy (en. 1 Independent Assault Battalion), but it is currently organised into three special detachment
Detachment
Detachment, also expressed as non-attachment, is a state in which a person overcomes his or her attachment to desire for things, people or concepts of the world and thus attains a heightened perspective.-Importance of the term:...
s and a frogmen
Frogman
A frogman is someone who is trained to scuba diving or swim underwater in a military capacity which can include combat. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver or combatant diver or combat swimmer....
company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
. Each detachment is composed of three companies, which are divided into three platoons. Each platoon contains 3 six-man teams, giving the unit a total strength of approximately 90 operational teams, plus support staff.
1 PSK is a fully professional force composed entirely of highly trained and selected soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
s, including women. The 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów, along with the GROM
GROM
GROM is one of five special forces units of the Polish Armed Forces. It was officially activated on July 8, 1990...
unit and the Morska Jednostka Działań Specjalnych
FORMOZA
Formoza, MJDS en. "Naval Special Operations Unit", is a new name of the Polish Navy Special Operations Sections , now Special forces of Poland , which used to operate also under the name of Special Naval Frogmen Group...
(Naval Special Operations Unit) "Formoza" frogmen unit, is part of Wojska Specjalne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej
Special forces of Poland
Wojska Specjalne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, WS RP is the 4th branch of Armed Forces of Republic of Poland formed in early 2007...
. All three Republic of Poland SF units have special operations command - Dowództwo Wojsk Specjalnych.
Recruitment
Candidates wanting to serve in the Regiment must first successfully undertake a basic military training course. They then move on to a three-month “Junior Specialist” training course. During this phase recruits receive training in close combat, hand to hand combatHand to hand combat
Hand-to-hand combat is a lethal or nonlethal physical confrontation between two or more persons at very short range that does not involve the use of firearms or other distance weapons...
, fighting with specialised equipment, parachuting, land navigation, weapons handling, basic survival, and several other military-related skills. Troops who successfully complete the second phase then move onto the 1 Pułk, where they are assigned to one of the unit's six-man operational teams. Once there, additional training continues (mountain and cold weather training, sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
, Casevac
CASEVAC
Casualty evacuation, also known as CASEVAC or by the callsign Dustoff, is a military term for the emergency patient evacuation of casualties from a combat zone. Casevac can be done by both ground and air...
, amphibious operations, etc.).
Recent operations
The regiment has been quite active over the last few years, with troops being deployed to support NATO operations in the Republic of MacedoniaRepublic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
during the Kosovo conflict. A 13-man detachment was deployed to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
as part of Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
support for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Most recently the unit had deployed a 56-man company to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, as part of the Multinational Division Central-South
Multinational Division Central-South
Multinational Division Central-South , created in September 2003, and supported by NATO, was a part of the Multinational Force Iraq. Headquartered in Camp Echo, it was under Polish command until October 2008, when the last of Poland's troops were withdrawn. Polish contingent was its largest...
. Now, detachments of 1 PSK fight in Kandahar Province
Kandahar Province
Kandahar or Qandahar is one of the largest of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is located in southern Afghanistan, between Helmand, Oruzgan and Zabul provinces. Its capital is the city of Kandahar, which is located on the Arghandab River. The province has a population of nearly...
and other Afghan provinces, maybe in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
(War in Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
).
Equipment
The 1 PSK armouries are currently in a state of flux as the unit tries to upgrade the equipment used by its operators. Weapons in use by the unit include the Sig Sauer P226 (9mm Luger) Heckler & Koch USP SDHeckler & Koch USP
The USP is a semi-automatic pistol developed in Germany by Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar as a replacement for the P7 series of handguns.-History:...
(9 mm Luger) and WIST-94
WIST-94
-Development:WIST-94 was designed at WITU under the code name Piryt. Two prototypes were made in 1992, which differ in the barrel locking system: Model A01 used a rotary-locking system and Model B01 using conventional, Browning type tilting barrel locking...
(9 mm Luger) pistols, Heckler & Koch HK416 and kbs wz.96 & wz. 2008 Beryl Commando
Kbk wz. 96 Beryl
thumb|300px|wz.2004 Beryl with railed forend, vertical forward grip and receiver [[Picatinny rail]] The kbs wz. 1996 Beryl is a Polish 5.56mm assault rifle, designed and produced by the Łucznik Arms Factory in the city of Radom...
5.56x45mm assault rifles, Pallad grenade launcher
Pallad grenade launcher
The Pallad is a 40 mm Polish under-slung grenade launcher, developed for use with the AKM assault-rifle and intended to replace the kbkg wz. 1960 grenade-launcher rifle. The name of the weapon reflects the Polish-language word for palladium.The development of the weapon drew on concepts...
, MP5, MP5SD
Heckler & Koch MP5
The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
, Uzi
Uzi submachine gun
The Uzi is a family of Israeli open bolt, blowback-operated submachine guns. Smaller variants are considered to be machine pistols. The Uzi was one of the first weapons to use a telescoping bolt design which allows for the magazine to be housed in the pistol grip for a shorter weapon.The first Uzi...
, PM-84P Glauberyt
PM-84 Glauberyt
The PM-84 Glauberyt is a Polish submachine gun. It is a personal weapon intended for combat and self-defense at ranges up to 150 m with single shot or fully automatic fire mode. It features compact design, minimum overall dimensions, small weight, very good accuracy, and fire stability...
(some of which have been equipped with sound suppressors) 9 mm sub-machineguns, PKM/PKMS
PK machine gun
The PK is a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia. The PK machine gun was introduced in the 1960s and replaced the SGM and RPD machine guns in Soviet service...
, 7.62 mm NATO Polish GPMG, UKM-2000
UKM-2000
The Zakłady Mechaniczne "Tarnów" UKM-2000 is a 7.62x51 mm NATO general-purpose machine gun designed in Tarnów, Poland.-Development:On March 12, 1999 Poland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. A problem arose with modifying the weapons of the Polish Army to use the standard NATO...
. Unit snipers are equipped with the Finnish 7.62 mm SAKO TRG-21, TRG-22, and kbw SWD sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
s. Many of the weapons have been modified with the addition of foregrips, laser aiming devices, aiming lights/illumination devices, and various optics such as Tasco telescopic scopes and/or night vision devices.
Unit's commanders
- ppłk dypl. Zbigniew Kwintal 1993 - 19.7.1999
- ppłk dypl. Bogdan Kołtuński 19.7.1999 - 24.2.2003
- ppłk dypl. Wojciech Jania 24.2.2003 - 15.9.2005
- płk Piotr Patalong 15.9.2005 - 7.11.2006
- płk Dariusz Dachowicz 7.11.2006 - 16.2.2010
- płk Ryszard Pietras since 16.2.2010
Former soldiers
- Roman PolkoRoman PolkoMajor General dr Roman Polko is a Polish Army officer, acting chief of Biuro Bezpieczeństwa Narodowego , former commander of "GROM", doctor of military science studies, speciality: management....
- Krzysztof Przepiórka
- Maciej Pawlikiewicz, Battalion ParasolBatalion ParasolBattalion Parasol was a Scouting battalion of the Armia Krajowa, the primary Polish resistance movement in World War II. It consisted mainly of members of the Szare Szeregi, distinguishing itself in many underground operations, and in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 .-...
(Umbrella)
Sources
- http://www.wojskaspecjalne.mil.pl
- http://www.specialoperations.com
- http://www.specwarnet.net
- http://www.militaryphotos.net