Polish 7th Special Operations Squadron Reforms Into Special Operations Air Unit
The Polish 7th Special Operations Squadron was a relatively small unit, which utilized two models of post-Soviet transport and attack helicopters – Mi-17-1W and Mi-17TU. A total of 8 aircraft were capable of conducting limited support of the Special Operation Forces (SOF) component from either Formoza, GROM, or JWK units. However, the 7th SOS has now been recently reformed into a Special Operations Air Unit (SOAU) which is going to expand both in numbers and types of aircraft operated.
The inspiration for such change in the 7th SOS comes directly from the US Air Force 160th Special Operations Air Regiment which utilizes various rotary aircraft and helicopters suitable for conducting various special and covert operations. Recently the 7th SOS was certified at the Special Operations Air Task Group, which gave the unit capacity to command six aviation elements at a given time.
The SOAU is preparing for its numerical expansion. It wants to deploy more air application groups and increase the number and types of rotary aircraft in the Polish service. Although it may remain in the sphere of speculations, under those circumstances, Polish Army may consider procurement of MH-47 Chinook helicopters along smaller platforms, such as S-70i or even UH-60M Black Hawk. An SOAU Flying Officer is quoted as saying:
“The demand for aviation personnel will be definitely raising, because according to the premises SOAU will obtain new platforms. Which one? I can only tell that they have to assure to possibility of realization of all tasks set for the unit.”
The transformation of the 7th SOS into SOAU is a huge step within the Polish Special Operation Forces command. The relatively large SOF component at the disposal of the Polish Armed Forces lacks in aviation capabilities and assets. The formation of SOAU will address the issues in the coming for years.
Cover picture courtesy of Alan Wilson under CC BY-SA 2.0 License