Polish Navy Commander died in presidential plane crash

12.04.2010 Vice Admiral Andrzej Karweta, Polish Navy Commander died in air disaster caused death of the President of Poland and numerous representatives of Polish political elite.

Andrzej Karweta was born on June 11, 1958 in Jelen, nearby Jaworzno in the east of Poland's Upper Silesia. Since 1977 till 1982 he studied in Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia. Being a Second Lieutenant (in Polish Navy - podporucznik marynarki), he started his service in 13th minesweeping division. In 1986 he was appointed a commander of seagoing minesweeper Czapla (Project 206F); in 1989 he headed minesweeper Mewa, then – group of minesweeping ships. In 1992 he was appointed executive officer/deputy commander of 13th division; in 1996 he became a division commander. In 2000 he headed joint minesweeping unit at BALTOPS-2000 exercise; since 2002 he served in SACLANT representing Polish Navy as deputy commander of ASW division. In 2005 he held a post of deputy commander of 8 Coast Defense Flotilla in Swinoustie. At the same time he graduated from National Defense University in Warsaw (2006) and proceeded studying in London. On May 3, 2007 he was appointed Navy Deputy Commander and promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral.

Among those who died in the aircraft crash were: Lech Kaczynski, the President of Poland; Aleksander Szczyglo head of the National Security Bureau; Stanislaw Komorowski, deputy minister of national defense; General Bronisław Kwiatkowski, Commander of Armed Forces Operational Command; General Andrzej Blasik, Air Force Commander; Maj Gen Tadeusz Buk, Land Forces Commander; Maj Gen Wlodzimierz Potasinski, Special Forces Commander; Brigadier General Kazimierz Gilarski, Commander of the Warsaw Garrison.

The flight of Tu-154 was carried out by the aircrew from 36th Special Aviation Regiment. The aircraft crashed in the morning of Apr 10; 96 persons died.

We recall that two years ago (Jan 23, 2008) the aircraft disaster also carried away lives of Gen Andrzej Andrzejewski, Lt Col Zdzislaw Cieslik, Col Jerzy Pilat, Lt Col Dariusz Pawlak, Col Dariusz Maciag. All of them were Polish Air Force top-ranking officers and were commanders of air bases in various regions of Poland.

Polish military transport aircraft CASA C-295M crashed while landing approach on military airfield nearby Miroslawiec. 20 people died in the aircraft disaster then – four crewmembers and 16 servicemen.