Off to Afghanistan

A group of 100 Polish troops has left for Afghanistan from Wroclaw, the capital of south-western Lower Silesia.

They are led by general Marek Tomaszycki, commander of the Polish contingent which is to be stationed in the southern part of Afghanistan to secure the strategic Kabul to Khandahar route.

This area is no picnic or walk in the park.

Poles will be cooperating with the legendary American 82nd airborne division. The entire Polish contingent is to number 1200 by mid May. Its mission has been initially set for one year. The Poles are to be equipped with Polish and US military hardware. Additionally, they will have APCs which are a joint Polish-Finnish construction currently undergoing tests in Israel. In a few months they will also receive Polish helicopters.

The farewell ceremony at Wroclaw airport has been attended by President Lech Kaczynski, Defence Minister Aleksander Szczyglo and top military brass.