Air Force plays an important role in the security system of each country and alliances. The importance of the Air Force determines the high potential of modern air force and air defense, multiplicated by rapid development of technology, particularly the increase of combat capabilities through the use of precision-guided weapons. These features make the Air Force the most predisposed mean of struggle to resolve the contemporary crisis in the international environment. Therefore, this article identifies mission scenarios that can be fulfilled by Polish Air Force (PLAF), declared force level and proposed structure of the air component task forces foreseen to be used outside the country. End of the Cold War contributed to the disappearance of the risks specific to the past bipolar polarization of powers in the world. The armed conflict in the Balkans in the 90s of the last century reminded everyone that from the seemingly safe situation in Europe till the outbreak of the conflict, particularly the regional one, is not that far away. Despite the fact that destructive factors resulting with the threat of stability in the relationship of international powers ceased to exist thare are still possible scenarios in which the security of states may be at risk due to the whole spectrum of other factors, mainly related to globalization, which on the one hand stimulates the development of countries and entire regions of the world, but on the other hand involves the risk associated with the spread of severe diseases or of over-exploitation of natural resources, including raw resources for energy production. Current risks are mainly related to terrorism, proliferation of mass destruction weapons, regional conflicts, decays states and organized crime. Following new threats the concepts of defense of individual states and alliances have changed as well. The necessity to act before a crisis occurs or in its earliest stage has been distinguished. Therefore, there is a need for defensive tasks beyond county's borders. However, this requires the use of highly manoeuvring forces with large combat abilities, which are the Air Force. Air Force in the near future will belong to one of the most effective tools in dealing with crises, regardless of nature of the conflict (war, other than war or struggle with the effects of natural disasters). Hence the need for the development of modern air force capable to conduct operations in every region of the globe. Its structure will be created on the basis of specialized, highly mobile units, with considerable combat potential. The above-mentioned factors led me to define the aim of this article as to: create new task structures of the air component to be able to fulfil its missions outside of the country.
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Jan 1, 2017
Edyta Janeba-Bartoszewicz + 2
Open Access
