While Poland is receiving F-35A Husarz aircraft, a much less visible but equally important process is also underway: the training of personnel capable of operating and maintaining these fifth-generation machines. For months now, Polish pilots and technicians, who will form the foundation of the F-35 personnel in the Polish Air Force, have been undergoing training in the United States.

The training is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the agreement between Poland and the United States regarding the purchase of 32 F-35A aircraft. Therefore, a group of Polish pilots was sent to the US to familiarize themselves with the aircraft. “We were hugely impressed by the F-35’s capabilities, and we knew right away that this was a completely different generation of combat aircraft,” recalls “Sniper,” who had previously flown the F-16 for 12 years. Upon the pilots’ return, a detailed analysis and recommendations regarding the purchase of the new aircraft were prepared.

Different Way of Thinking

The training of Polish pilots has been divided between two American air bases. The first phase takes place at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. It is the so-called Ground School, i.e., the theoretical and simulator part, where pilots learn about the aircraft’s systems, familiarize themselves with procedures, tactics and prepare to execute the most complex combat missions. The second phase is conducted at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, where Polish training F-35s are located. That is where the pilots begin to perform real flights. Future instructors go through this entire process twice.
“We spent the first three months at Eglin Air Force Base learning theory and flying on simulators. Later, we moved to another base, where we started practical training in the air,” confirms “Sniper.” He admits that at first, the Americans did not know what to expect from the Polish pilots. “After several flights they saw that we come with a solid background and experience gained from flying the F-16s. However, the training process itself was a huge challenge for us, as the F-35 requires an entirely different way of thinking,” adds the pilot. He remembers his first solo flight in the new aircraft, without an instructor sitting in the back, as an unforgettable experience. “A lot of emotions, full focus, and immense satisfaction, all at the same time,” says “Sniper.”

The pilots emphasize that the switch from F-16 to F-35 is a complete shift in operational philosophy. Unlike with the F-16, this machine requires pilots to be self-sufficient and capable of making autonomous decisions from the outset. Training is focused not so much on following a single correct procedure, as on the ability to choose from many effective ways of executing the mission. The F-35 offers pilots greater freedom of action than other aircraft, but at the same time requires them to quickly process a massive amount of data coming in from multiple sensors and onboard systems.

“After over a dozen years on the F-16, we had to completely change our way of thinking. The F-16 is an aircraft designed to rotate rapidly against a target in aerial combat, whereas the F-35 fights differently – it can perform very tight maneuvers, quickly aim its weapons at a target, and take advantage of its sensor capabilities. This demands learning to exploit new capabilities and switch to habits that would have been downright wrong on previously used aircraft,” explains “Sniper.”

Advanced Flight School

SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) missions are one of the most difficult elements of training. They involve penetrating heavily defended airspace, detecting radars, and neutralizing anti-aircraft systems while ensuring the aircraft’s survivability. Close-range dogfights with enemy aircraft also pose a major challenge.

“The F-35 was primarily designed to operate at long distances and remain undetected, so as to prevent such situations altogether,” says one of the Polish pilots in training (we are not revealing any names due to the nature of their service). However, he adds that pilots must nevertheless be prepared for close-range combat. “That’s why we practice utilizing all the aircraft’s capabilities and maneuvering techniques. It is a very demanding part of training. It requires regular practice, so that we can remain calm and react appropriately in a real-life situation,” adds the pilot.

Setting Traps

The training is an intensive operational cycle. The day begins with preparations for the mission and briefings with American instructors. The pilots then go through pre-flight procedures, carry out the mission, and, having returned, discuss every aspect of the flight in detail.

They spend most of their time analyzing procedures, tactics, and data from previous flights. For “Sniper,” the most difficult stage of the entire process was the instructor course. “It was no longer just about the ability to carry out missions, but about reaching a level where you can explain everything and teach it to others,” recalls the first Polish F-35 pilot-instructor. The training required full concentration, as the American instructors picked up on every communication error. “If an instructor formulated a command incorrectly, the student would carry it out exactly as it was given – even if it led to a mistake. Setting such traps was a very demanding, but at the same time an extremely valuable lesson,” says “Sniper.”

Full Focus

Pilots particularly appreciate the F-35’s excellent performance at high altitudes, its impressive flight dynamics, and the absence of external pylons, which would increase aerodynamic drag. A system of cameras and sensors provides them with a near-complete picture of the situation around the aircraft. Data is displayed, among other places, on the helmet, which has become one of the most distinctive features of Husarz.

Despite having advanced technology at their disposal, the pilots emphasize that flying requires complete concentration. Information constantly comes in from various systems and must be analyzed instantly. “The F-35 greatly reduces the pilots’ workload when it comes to flying itself, but at the same time presents them with entirely new challenges. Today, a fifth-generation pilot is largely someone who manages sensors, information, and mission priorities. The aircraft processes enormous amounts of data, but it is the pilot who must take the final decision and make sense of all the information appearing on the displays and in the helmet,” explains “Sniper.”

The training of Polish technical personnel is proceeding in parallel with pilot training. SIL (Engineering and Aviation Service) soldiers are responsible, among other things, for preparing weapons, inspecting aircraft systems, maintaining the ejection seat, and integrating onboard equipment. Their task will also include preparing the aircraft’s configuration for a specific mission – from weapons to protection systems and the pilot’s emergency equipment.

More Challenges Ahead

According to “Sniper,” the biggest challenge today is building the entire Polish F-35 program – from candidate selection, through training, to preparing future instructors. “Not everyone is given the opportunity to join the F-35 program,” points out “Sniper.” Apart from appropriate qualifications, the candidate’s reputation, attitude, ability to function as part of a team, and current stage of life are also important factors. “There are no perfect candidates – I wasn’t one myself – but the aim is to select the people who are most promising,” notes Poland’s first F-35 flight instructor, emphasizing that both experienced F-16 pilots and young graduates of the Polish Air Force University (LAW) in Dęblin have a chance to join this elite group. “The former group allows us to build up the team of instructors faster, since they already have extensive operational experience. However, we must think about the program’s continuity and train a new generation that will take over responsibility for the entire system in several years. That is precisely why we also need young pilots,” says “Sniper.”

“There is also a woman training in the program, and I hope she won’t be the only one,” says “Sniper,” adding that professional attitude, character and readiness to meet the same standards are the things that matter most. “Women in combat aviation are nothing unusual around the world, so it’s good that they’re becoming part of it in Poland as well,” emphasizes the officer.

The next phase of building the training system will begin once the first F-35s arrive in Poland. It will be based on simulators and infrastructure at the bases in Łask and Świdwin, where facilities for fifth-generation aircraft are being developed. “We will most likely launch the next training cycle for pilots and technicians in the third quarter of 2026,” says MajGen (Pil) Ireneusz Nowak, Operational Commander of the Armed Forces, previously Deputy Commander of the General Command of the Armed Forces. American instructors will continue to play an important role in Poland, remaining within the training system to ensure the continuity of its standards. “A training center for aviation engineering, equipped with various types of simulators and virtual training aids, will also be established in Łask,” adds the general, noting that in the future, the Polish center might also train F-35 technicians from other countries.

Training in the US and the simultaneous development of infrastructure in Poland are much more than just the process of introducing new aircraft. Above all, they represent the first step in establishing a comprehensive operational system based on information superiority and network-centric operations. According to “Sniper,” Poland must be an active part of the international F-35 user community and continuously cooperate with other countries, such as the United States, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and, in the future, Germany and Czechia as well. The exchange of experiences and joint training will be crucial for maintaining a high level of operational capability.