11th rotation of Polish Military Contingent in Ghazni
2012-04-19

On Thursday, April 18 transferring command to the 11th rotation of Polish Military Contingent took place in base Ghazni. Secretary of State in Ministry of National Defence Czesław Mroczek, representatives of Polish Parliament, ISAF Regional Command East and Afghan authorities were present at change of command ceremony.

Commander of the 10th rotation of Polish Military Contingent BrigGen Piotr Błazeusz made a symbolic act of transferring command – he handed Polish flag to the commander of the 11th rotation of PMC BrigGen Bogdan Tworkowski. Next, the protocols of change of command were signed and reports were given to the Deputy Operational Commander of Polish Armed Forces MajGen Jerzy Michałowski and to ISAF Regional Commander East Major General Daniel B. Allyn (USA).

In his last speech as a commander of Polish Military Contingent BrigGen Piotr Błazuesz thanked soldiers for admirable accomplishment of tasks in Afghanistan. He listed starting the process of transferring security responsibility in Ghazni to Afghan lead, regrouping of Polish soldiers in the province and building new base Wagez among the biggest achievements. He also mentioned those who made the biggest sacrifice during the mission. He emphasised that there have been tragic events during the rotation commanded by him. However, he added – “each of these tragedies was making us stronger. We became stronger and wiser although there is no excuse for any of these deaths. Today I can promise that we will not forget those victims.”

General Błazeusz also thanked representatives of Afghan authorities and American allies for common service. Addressing his subordinates and their families BrigGen Błazeusz said: “In a moment you will go home. Please, thank the greatest heroes – your husbands and wives, who were suffering the burden of being apart”.

The new commander of Polish Task Force “White Eagle” BrigGen Bogdan Tworkowski emphasised that soldiers from the 6th Airborne Brigade, being a majority within the 11th rotation of PMC are not serving in Afghanistan for the first time. Learning from the experience of previous rotations they cannot get into a rut. “Every day the enemy is watching us, drawing conclusions and changing tactics in order to be even more efficient.” The General also outlined the tasks for the summer rotation: revaluation of tasks accomplished in the new zone and continuing the transition process.

For Members of Parliament the visit in Ghazni was an occasion to get to know the service of soldiers, work of civilian specialists and the equipment of the contingent. The delegation comprised: Secretary of State in Ministry of National Defence Czesław Mroczek, Stanisław Wziątek, Konstanty Miodowicz, Artur Dębski, Marek Opioła and Dariusz Seliga.

Secretary of State in Ministry of National Defence Czesław Mroczek expressed recognition for achievements of soldiers of the 10th rotation of Polish Military Contingent and thanked the American and Afghan allies. He wished the representatives of Ghazni province authority success of efforts made by Afghan society and by all coalition soldiers. He also wished them the year 2014 to be a year of great turning point in the history of Afghanistan and a beginning of a new real security and a base for development of the future. On behalf of himself and Minister of Defence Tomasz Siemoniak he wished soldiers of the 11th rotation soldier’s luck.

See photo gallery

Written by: Dominika Karasek, Second Lt. Katarzyna Szal – PIO, 10th rotation of Polish Military Contingent
Photos: Archive of PMC Afghanistan

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