Smoleńsk 2010-05-10
Tu-154 nb 101 crash with President Lech Kaczyński on board on 10.04.2010.
Part 2
There are irreplaceable people.
A month has passed and we are still suffering and we have more and more questions than answers.
This section is devoted to the victims of this tragedy.
Political consequences of the tragedy.
When in the first part (Part 1) we wrote about the huge consequences for the Republic of Poland, much larger than September 11, 2001, for the USA, we meant the lack of people who were the engines of many undertakings. There are irreplaceable people. People who with their developed talents strengthened the spirit in the Polish nation.
After news of the Tu-154 M plane crash, Prime Minister Donald Tusk summoned all ministers to Warsaw for an extraordinary government meeting (April 10, 2010, 2:00 PM). All ministers outside the capital were urgently summoned to Warsaw. Also Sejm Marshal Bronisław Komorowski returned from the Tri-City to the capital.
Now we will focus on the most important offices that have lost their bosses;
In accordance with art. 131 of the Polish Constitution, upon the death of the President of the Republic of Poland, his duties are taken over by the Marshal of the Sejm. He should also, within two weeks from the date of the President’s death, announce the date of the elections, which should be held no later than within 60 days of setting their date.
The procedure is as follows – the Marshal of the Sejm must apply to the Constitutional Tribunal for an obstacle to holding the office of the president (which in this situation does not even require special justification). Then, the Tribunal formally entrusts the marshal with the performance of the function of President. The president appointed in this way retains all the rights of the elected head of state, except for one thing: he must not decide to shorten the term of office of the Sejm. There is no right of change in the office, e.g. causing new ministers in the president’s office. He does not have to appoint new officials if it is not necessary. And there is no social mandate, which means that he should not make moves that could harm the nation. Such presidency is to relieve social tensions so that the country does not fall into anarchy.
It also follows from the Polish Constitution that the President may not hold any other office or perform any public function, except for those related to the office he holds – this means that he cannot also be the Speaker of the Sejm. This means that Marshal Bronisław Komorowski should pass the current function – also of the MP. The Sejm must elect a new Speaker of the Sejm.
And what was the facts? Speaker of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Bronisław Komorowski, within a few hours of the tragic death of President Lech Kaczyński, assumed the duties of the President and quickly signed five laws. However, for three weeks he did not take any action to give up his other offices. In a word, he gathered three offices in one hand.
On April 10, 2010, for the third time in Polish history, the Speaker of the Sejm took over the function of the President of Poland after the sudden death of the head of state. This happened for the first time in December 1922, when the first Polish President Gabriel Narutowicz, elected a few days earlier, was shot in Warsaw’s Zachęta, by Eligiusz Niewiadomski, who was associated with the National Democracy. The duties of the President were then taken over by Sejm Marshal Maciej Rataj from PSL "Piast".
For the second time Maciej Rataj assumed the duties of the head of state when, after the May revolution of Józef Piłsudski, in May 1926, President Stanisław Wojciechowski resigned.
As for the preparations for the presidential election, the preparations were in accordance with the Polish Constitution.
Rules for electing a President if the office is vacated; On the day of the President’s death, his duties are taken over by the Marshal of the Sejm. Within 14 days of the President’s death, the Marshal of the Sejm shall order elections – by April 24 at the latest. Within 60 days of ordering the elections, by June 20 at the latest. It must be a day off from work. The Supreme Court confirms the validity of the election of the President of the Republic of Poland. The President of the Republic takes office after having sworn an oath before the National Assembly (Sejm and Senate). The term of office of the President of the Republic of Poland begins on the day he takes office and lasts five years.
The Smolensk disaster did not cause the death of any of the ministers. In the event of the death of a Member, by-elections shall not be organized. The Marshal of the Sejm, after confirming the expiry of the mandate of a deceased deputy, notifies another candidate from his list. The number of votes obtained in elections is decisive. In the event of the death of a senator, the termination of his mandate is confirmed by the Speaker of the Senate. By-elections must be held.
Institute of National Remembrance. Pursuant to the Act in force, the College of the Institute of National Remembrance from outside its group must nominate the candidate and present it to the Sejm. The problem is that a new Act on the Institute of National Remembrance was prepared. Political parties of PO and PSL wanted to liquidate the IPN. The Institute of National Remembrance was not dissolved, because the liberals and the left managed to appoint their man as head.
President of the National Bank of Poland. The Act on the National Bank of Poland provides that in the event of the president’s death his term will expire. He is replaced by the first deputy president of the NBP (in this case Piotr Wiesiołek). The President of the NBP is appointed and dismissed by the Sejm at the request of the president.
Commanders of the most important types of the Polish armed forces died. The duties of deceased military commanders were taken over by their first deputies, in accordance with military regulations.
The problem was the issue of military secrecy. Despite the assurances of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the problem was and should have been sought from NATO. We do not know how much information about our security has leaked to Moscow. Information contained in cell phones, laptops, etc.
Poland and NATO. Already on April 12, 2010, at 4:00 pm, an extraordinary NATO meeting was convened. We do not know what the course of the meeting was, but the Government of the Republic of Poland of Prime Minister Donald Tusk did not take this opportunity and did not ask NATO to help explain this mysterious catastrophe.
Let’s not forget the purpose of this tragic journey. During which representatives of our nation flew to pay tribute to 22,000 brutally murdered by our soviet countrymen; soldiers, officers, uniformed services, doctors, lawyers, priests and others. The tragedy that took place on 10.04.2010 led to the world asking – "What’s the matter with Poles with Katyn? What happened there? ”Lots of television stations from around the world ordered Andrzej Wajda’s film ‘Katyn’.
They return from inhuman land to the Republic of Poland.
Return of President Lech Kaczyński.
In the morning of 11.04.2010, it seemed that the CASA C-295 M transport aircraft would bring to Poland the first 8 identified bodies. It didn’t happen. Jaroslaw Kaczynski after many difficulties, only in the evening of April 10, 2010, arrived in Smolensk. It was known that several (several) bodies were already recognized. But the Muscovites insisted that all victims be taken to Moscow. It must have been extremely dramatic moments for Jarosław Kaczyński. Not only did he lose his brother, sister-in-law and friends, he also had to forcibly pull his brother’s body from the hands of Muscovites.
Around 1:00 p.m. on April 11, 2010, at the airport in Smolensk, the body of our President was carried on board the CASA C-295 M nb 20 aircraft. The aircraft took off and at about 3:00 p.m. landed at Okęcie Airport. After the welcome at the Okęcie Military Airport, at At 4:00 pm a ceremonial procession started through the streets of Warsaw. Thousands of Poles stood along its route. It was a moving welcome. The body was brought to the Palace. From April 12, 2010, the casket with the body of the President was exposed to public view until April 16, 2010, the nation paid tribute by standing over 18 (eighteen) hours in line.
On April 17, 2010, the Presidential pair was transported by CASA C-295 M aircraft from Warsaw to Krakow. The funeral home was celebrated in St. Mary’s Basilica at the Main Square. Then the procession passed along Grodzka Street to Wawel. The presidential couple rested in the Wawel Cathedral.
When did they return to Poland?
On 12.04.2010, the body of Maria Kaczyńska returned to Poland by CASA.
On April 14, 2010, 30 bodies were brought by Boeing C-17 aircraft. The families of the victims, representatives of the highest state authorities, the clergy and the army command participated in the funeral ceremony at the Okęcie military airport in Warsaw. Coffins with the bodies of the tragically deceased flew from Moscow to Warsaw in a Boeing C-17 transport plane, of which we are co-users, from 12 countries to other countries.
On April 14, 2010, CASA the body of President Ryszard Kaczorowski.
15.04.2010, (Thursday) 16; 28. Boeing C-17 brought 34 bodies.
16.04.2010, (Friday) two CASA planes in the evening. The first came the coffin with the body of General Franciszek Gągor, chief of staff of the Polish Army. The second 7 other people.
April 23, 2010, (Friday) 17; 30. Boeing C-17 brought the last 21 bodies. They were transported to the cemetery in Warsaw’s Wólka Węglowa or, according to the will of the family (5 coffins), immediately taken to their homeland. Only in this group was the entire crew of the aircraft.
After the burial of the last person, the mosques handed over 21 urns with the remains of the victims. It’s a nightmare. The Minister of Health Ewa Kopacz said that the mosques sowed the soil to a depth of one meter. But, many Poles who went on a pilgrimage to the place of the tragedy found parts of the plane, clocks from the control system, passports, banknotes, fragments of clothes and … human remains. The residents of Smolensk offered to sell various items from the plane. It’s a nightmare.
Aircraft crew.
Captain pilot Arkadiusz Protasiuk – Captain of the crew.
Born on November 13, 1974. in Siedlce. In 1993 graduated from the Lyceum of Aviation in Dęblin. A graduate of the Air Force Academy in Dęblin (1997). Promoted on June 28, 1997. for the rank of second lieutenant and was directed to the 36 SPLTr., for the position of Senior Pilot. In 1999 graduated from the Faculty of Journalism and Political Science at the University of Warsaw. From 01.01.2002. until March 2, 2003 as Crew Commander. In 2003 graduated from the Faculty of Cybernetics of the Military University of Technology. From March 3, 2003 until June 30, 2004 as a navigator. From July 1, 2004 he was a section officer. He was a master class pilot with a total of 3,528 (3,531) hours, including Tu-154 M 2,937 (2,907) hours. As the first pilot the Tu-154 M spent over 445 hours in the air.
Training level at Tu 154 M – NIMC crew commander. Despite his young age, he was an excellent pilot. He was fluent in English and Russian. Over the past two years he has made almost 30 flights to former CCCP countries. Flights to eastern countries of the former CCCP: 2008. – 13 flights: to Moscow: 4 flights; to Russia: 5 flights; to Ukraine: 8 flights. 2009. – 11 flights: to Moscow: 1 flight; to Russia: 6 flights; to Ukraine: 5 flights. 2010. – 3 flights: to Russia: 3 flights. Total from 2008 to 2010: 27 flights.
He was authorized; Eligibility for day and night flights according to IFR procedures with IMC conditions as crew commander on Tu-154 M aircraft. Eligibility for day and night flights according to IFR procedures with IMC conditions as crew commander on Yak-40 aircraft. He was awarded the bronze medal "For Merits for National Defense". He left his wife Magdalena and two children; Mikołaj 8 years old, daughter Maria 4 years old. He returned to the country on April 23, 2010. last transport (like captain of the ship).
Major pilot Robert Marek Grzywna – co-pilot.
Born on February 8, 1974. in Jelenia Góra. In 1993 graduated from the Lyceum of Aviation in Dęblin. He was a graduate of the Air Force Officers College, which he graduated in 1997. and on June 28, 1997 he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. He was assigned to serve in 36 SPLTr as a Senior Pilot. From 01.01.2002. until June 30, 2004 as Crew Commander. In 2003 He also completed MA studies in Air Traffic Management at the National Defense University. From 07.07.2007 until 30.06.2008 he was an officer in the training section. From 1.07.2008 to 30.09.2009. he was the flight key commander. He was a first class pilot. Total flight time 1,939 hours, including Tu-154 M 506 hours.
Training level on JAK-40 – NIMC crew commander and on Tu 154 M – II NIMC pilot. He performed flights in the composition of the crew to all regions of the world, including 13 flights to the region of Eastern countries. Flights to eastern countries of the former CCCP: 2008 – 5 flights: to Moscow: 2 flights; to Ukraine: 3 flights. 2009. – 5 flights: to Russia: 4 flights; to Ukraine: 1 flight. 2010. – 3 flights: to Moscow: 1 flight; to Russia: 3 flights. Total from 2008 to 2010: 13 flights.
He was authorized; Eligibility for day and night flights in IMC as a co-pilot on Tu-154 M; Eligibility to fly as day and night crew commander at IMC on the Yak-40 aircraft. In 2003 decorated with the bronze medal "For Merit to National Defense". He left his wife Agnieszka and one child, daughter Martyna 7 years old. He returned to the country on April 23, 2010. last transport.
Lieutenant pilot Artur Karol Ziętek – navigator in the crew.
Artur Ziętek born on 12.10.1978. in Radom. In 1997 graduated from the Lyceum of Aviation in Dęblin, and then continued his studies at the Air Force Academy in Dęblin. On June 23, 2001 he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. He took his first job in 10 ELT 2. BLT 3 KOP – flight key pilot. Then from November 9, 2001. until June 30, 2007 he served in the 2nd Aviation Training Center as pilot and senior pilot. From 1.07.2007 he tied his way out of 36 SPLTr, where he took the position of a senior pilot of the flight key, the flight squadron. He was a second-class pilot. Training level for JAK-40 – II NIMC pilot, and Tu -154 M – navigator. Total flight time 1 069 hours. Raid on Tu – 154 M as a navigator 59 (60) hours.
He left his wife Magdalena and two daughters; Patrycja 5 years, Marta 2 years. He returned to the country on April 23, 2010. last transport.
Chorąży Andrzej Michalak – on-board mechanic.
Andrzej Michalak born on 3 May 1973. in Rawa Mazowiecka. In 1993 graduated from technical high school, continued his studies at the Aviation Technical Staff Ensign school, which he graduated in 1996. He began his service in the 45th Aeronautical Experiment Squadron as Aircraft Maintenance Key Technician. From August 31, 1998. he served in the 36th Special Transport Aviation Regiment "Defenders of Warsaw" in Warsaw as an airframe and engine key technician. In 2000 He completed his undergraduate studies at the College of Trade and International Finance. On December 15, 2008 obtained permission to operate flights on the Tu-154 M. aircraft. he was a senior in-flight service technician with 330 hours of flight time. He was awarded the Bronze Medal for Merit for National Defense (2006).
He had a family – wife Małgorzata and son Julian – 6 months. He returned to the country on April 23, 2010. last transport.
Barbara Maria Maciejczyk – a flight attendant.
Barbara Maria Maciejczyk was born on August 26, 1981. in Biała Podlaska. In 2002 graduated from the High School and then studied at the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Slavonic Philology; University of Communication and Social Media Jerzy Giedroyc in Warsaw; Study of Human Resources Management (AGR). During her daily work she proved to be an extremely friendly, creative, brilliant and communicative person. She was an organized, concrete and composed person. Employed in the 36th SPLT since 02.01.2007. Total duration: 1 396.62 hours. She returned to the country on April 15, 2010. C-17.
Justyna Moniuszko – a flight attendant.
Justyna Moniuszko born on 6.07.1985. in Bialystok. In 2004 graduated from the High School K. K. Baczyński in Bialystok, and then began her studies at the Warsaw University of Technology at the faculty of Mechanics, Power Engineering and Aviation in the field of aviation, specializing in power units. She also completed numerous courses: first aid course, junior lifeguard course, camp educator course, parachute course, gliding course. She was fluent in English and Spanish on a communicative level. During her daily work she proved to be a friendly, creative and organized person. Professional experience: 01.05.2008. – 30.11.2008 LOT Polish Airlines – flight attendant. In the 36th SPLT employed from 01.12.2008. General time: 424.65 hours.
She returned to the country on April 14, 2010. first C-17 transport.
Natalia Maria Januszko – stewardess.
Natalia Maria Januszko born on 27.07.1987. in Warsaw. In 2006 she graduated from XXXIV High School, and then began her studies at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), majoring in Zootechnics. She was in the third year. She was fluent in English in writing and speaking, and knew Spanish and Russian well. In the period from 14.05.2007 to 27.12.2008 she worked as a flight attendant at LOT Polish Airlines. Employed in the 36th SPLT from February 16, 2009. General flight time: 247.03 hours. During her everyday work she proved to be friendly, creative and obliging. The youngest person on board the plane.
She returned to the country on April 23, 2010. last transport.
Honor their memory! Let God accept them into His kingdom!
Prepared by Karol Placha Hetman
End of Part 2.