During a ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw, Nawrocki presented Nowak with his appointment decree and praised the veteran fighter pilot's leadership, decisiveness and extensive military experience.
Photo: Przemysław Keler/KPRP
He described Nowak as "a pilot through and through" who embodies the traditions of Poland's air force.
"A Polish pilot means courage, determination and the ability to make important decisions in a fraction of a second," Nawrocki said.
The president also highlighted Nowak's international experience and "commitment to strengthening Poland's military cooperation with the United States" and NATO, saying these qualities would contribute to the country's security.
Lt. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak, the newly appointed operational commander of Poland's armed forces. Photo: PAP/Albert Zawada
Before appointing Nowak, Nawrocki formally relieved Klisz of his duties as operational commander.
Klisz is expected to take up a senior NATO position as chief of staff at the Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum in the Netherlands.
Congratulating Klisz on the promotion, Nawrocki said he hoped the general would bring his experience to the alliance and represent Poland effectively within NATO structures.
Lt. Gen. Maciej Klisz. Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara
The operational commander is one of the three most senior military positions in Poland, alongside the chief of the General Staff and the General Commander of the Armed Forces.
The role oversees operational military activities, including airspace security, protection of Poland’s eastern border, operations in the Baltic Sea and the command of Polish military contingents deployed abroad.
Nowak, one of Poland's most experienced military aviators, has logged more than 3,500 flight hours, including over 2,500 on F-16 fighter jets.
He has held a series of command positions in the air force and most recently served as deputy general commander of the armed forces, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
He played a role in introducing F-16 fighters into the Polish Air Force and has also been involved in the integration of South Korean FA-50 light combat aircraft and US-made F-35 fighter jets into Poland’s armed forces.
Last month, Nowak participated in a ceremonial escort mission for Poland's first F-35 aircraft as they arrived at Łask Air Base near the central city of Łódź.
Klisz, a former commander of Poland’s Territorial Defence Forces and a veteran of special operations units, oversaw several key military missions during his tenure as operational commander. These included responses to Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace, heightened air patrols linked to Russia’s war in neighbouring Ukraine, protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and military support operations along Poland’s border with Belarus.
The Operational Command also oversees Polish military deployments abroad, including missions in Latvia, Romania, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon.
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Source: IAR, PAP