Claudio Toselli contributed these photos from the Polish deployment to Amendola, Italy, for a squadron exchange.

From the 19th to the 30th of June 2006, five Sukhoi Su-22 fighterbombers of the Sily Powietrzne (Polish Air Force) deployed to the Italian Air Force base of Amendola (Foggia). The aircraft from the 7th ELT (Eskadry Lotnictwa Taktyczego - Tactical Fighter Squadron) arrived from Powidz for a Squadron Exchange with the Italian Air Force 32° Stormo, which flies the AMX. The Polish mission is made up of 11 pilots and 50 personnel.

This was an historical event for both the Italian Air Base and for the 32° Stormo because this was the first time for the Polish squadron to come to Italy.

The 33^ Powidz Air Base is in the east of nice region Wielkopolska and have two tactical fighter squadrons, the 6th and 7th ELT/TFS. Their mission is close air support both for the ground as over the sea, as well as protection of strategic areas of Poland, reconnaissance and training. The 7th ELT have received the NATO Combat Ready status and is part of the NATO Rapid Intervention Force. Each squadron has 14 to 16 Sukhoy Su-22M-4K single-seat and two Su-22UM-3K two-seat 'Fitters'. After upgrade, these aircraft will probably remain in Polish Air Force service until after 2010.

All photos copyright Claudio Toselli (contact by e-mail).