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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070031-4


B. Surface-to-Air Missiles

The surface-to-air missile training program is based on Soviet policies and doctrine with some tailoring to fit Polish needs. Soviet manuals and training equipment are used in the Polish training schools. In addition, selected officers probably receive advanced technical training in the Soviet Union.

In Poland, there are two SAM schools, one at Drygaly and one at Torun. The school at Drygaly provides basic and specialized training for both officers and enlisted personnel; the Torun school offers advanced training for officers only.

The SA-2 Systems and Electronic School, at Drygaly, provides basic courses covering all phases of missile handling, electronics, and maintenance. Students are admitted only on successful completion of an aptitude test embracing the fields of engineering, politics, and science. The length of the basic course is 6 months. Also, there are three advanced courses, each 1 year in length, designed for career military personnel. One is for long-term enlistees, the second for career noncommissioned officers, and the third for officers. The officers' course consists of a basic familiarization phase, followed by intensive training in officer specialties, such as launch officer. On completion of the basic or advanced courses, students are assigned to operational units.

The Jozef Bem Rocket Troops and Artillery Higher Officers School, in Torun, provides training in command and direction of fire for rocket troops and ground artillery sub-units, plus the conduct of artillery reconnaissance. Graduates of this school receive the Rocket Troop and Ground Artillery Engineer's diploma. The length of the source is 3 years.

Basic and specialist training for the majority of conscripts is conducted in the operational units.

SAM training exercises and alerts are conducted to increase the readiness posture of the SAM battalion and serve as an indicator of the operational areas that need improvement.

Training exercises are conducted on the battalion (firing site) and regimental or national levels, and they are often conducted to coordination with other air defense elements. Mobility training is an important part of unit training. Polish SAM units regularly participate in Warsaw Pact exercises, and they are believed to participate in combined exercises with SAM units of the Soviet Northern Group of Forces. Live-fire training is probably conducted at Ashuluk in the USSR, with the unit spending from 3 to 4 weeks at the firing range.


4. Logistics

A. Aircraft

The logistic system which supports the Polish Air Force is patterned after that of the Soviet Air Forces. The Chief Quartermaster of the Army is the Polish equivalent of the Soviet Chief of the Rear. The Chief Quartermaster has the responsibility of coordinating the logistic functions of all the armed forces, supervising the technical agencies responsible for executing them, and procuring and distributing common-use supplies. Logistical elements of the Air Force Command and the Home Air Defense Command distribute aviation supplies and equipment, administer intermediate supply depots, and are responsible for providing the support required for flight training and maintaining a high state of combat readiness.

Logistic functions are performed for the air regiments by air base support battalions stationed at operational airfields. These units provide housekeeping services and supply support for the regiments. Common-use supplies peculiar to the air units are obtained from Air Force depots. The principal sources of aviation technical supplies are the depots at Warsaw and Swidnica. Numerous off-base POL and ammunition depots subordinate to the Air Force are located throughout the country.

As in the Soviet system, aircraft maintenance and repair functions are under the Chief Engineer of the Aviation Engineering Service. A counterpart of the Chief Engineer is found at all operating levels down through the air regiment. Aircraft maintenance is divided into two main categories - field maintenance and depot-level maintenance. Field maintenance consists of basic aircraft maintenance and servicing (preflight and 25-hour periodic inspections) performed by squadron personnel, and lengthy 50-hour and 100-hour periodic inspections performed by regimental maintenance personnel. Depot-level maintenance, consisting of complete overhauls and major repairs, is accomplished at aircraft repair bases.

The major Polish repair facility for jet aircraft is located at Bydgoszcz airfield, with other facilities at Warsaw/Boernerowo and, possibly, at Deblin/Irena and Polska Nowa Wies airfields. Helicopters are repaired and possibly overhauled at the Lodz/Lublinek airfield and Lublin airframe plant at Swidnik. Transport aircraft are reportedly overhauled at the Polskie Linie Lotnicze (LOT) repair facility at Warsaw/Okecie airfield. Available information does not reveal the capabilities of these facilities. Major overhauls, particularly for the newest and more


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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070031-4