Andrzej Karweta
Andrzej Karweta | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 11, 1958 Jeleń, Poland |
| Died | April 10, 2010 (aged 51) |
| Occupation | Polish Navy admiral |
| Years active | 1982–2010 |
| Known for | Commander-in-chief of the Polish Navy (2007–2010) |
Andrzej Karweta (11 June 1958 – 10 April 2010) served as a rear admiral (NATO code OF-7) in the Polish Navy and held the position of its commander-in-chief from November 2007 until his untimely death in the Smolensk air disaster in April 2010. Following his passing, he was elevated posthumously to the rank of admiral (NATO code OF-9).
Biography
Born in the village of Jeleń, which became part of Jaworzno in 1977, Andrzej Karweta commenced his education at the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia that same year. He completed his studies in 1982, earning the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade (podporucznik marynarki). Over subsequent years, he pursued advanced education including Defence Politics at the Polish National Defence University in Warsaw in 2006 and attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in London.
Karweta began his naval career in 1982 with the 13th Minesweeper Division stationed at Hel. His first command came in 1986 with the ORP Czapla (Projekt 206F class minesweeper), followed by leadership of another minesweeper, ORP Mewa, and a minesweeper group in 1989. From 1992 to 1996, he served as chief of staff and deputy commander of the 13th Minesweeper Division before assuming full command. He notably led an international anti-mine warfare unit during the BALTOPS 2000 exercises.
In 2002, Karweta was appointed deputy commander of the Underwater Warfare Division at Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT), representing Poland at SACLANT headquarters. Returning to Poland in 2005, he became second-in-command of the 8th Coast Defence Flotilla based in Świnoujście. On 3 May 2007, he was promoted to rear admiral and took up the role of deputy chief of Polish Navy Staff in Gdynia. Later that year, on 11 November, he was elevated to commodore (NATO code OF-6) and shortly thereafter advanced to rear admiral (NATO code OF-7), simultaneously being appointed as commander-in-chief of the Polish Navy.
Admiral Karweta was among the passengers on the Tupolev Tu-154 operated by the 36th Special Aviation Regiment that carried President of Poland Lech Kaczyński. The aircraft tragically crashed near Smolensk-North airport close to Smolensk, Russia, on 10 April 2010, resulting in the loss of all onboard.
Honours and awards
- Posthumously awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta in 2010
- Received the Silver Cross of Merit in 2005, having previously been honored with the Bronze Cross in 2001
- Awarded the Gold Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland
- Conferred the Gold Medal recognizing significant contributions to national defence
- Holder of the Medal Pro Memoria
- Recipient of the Haller Ring, the premier distinction granted by the Maritime and River League
- Bestowed the rank of Grand Officer within the Order of Merit by Portugal in 2008
See also
References
External links
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- 1958 births
- 2010 deaths
- People from Jaworzno
- Polish Navy admirals
- Commanders of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Recipients of the Bronze Cross of Merit (Poland)
- Recipients of the Silver Cross of Merit (Poland)
- Grand Officers of the Order of Merit (Portugal)
- Victims of the Smolensk air disaster
- Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies