Major General Ireneusz Starzynski

He is a graduate of the Aviation High School in Dęblin and the Dęblin “School of Eaglets,” from which he graduated in 1992. After promotion, he was assigned to the 40th Fighter-Bomber Regiment in Świdwin as a flight pilot, and in 1993, he assumed the duties of a senior pilot. After completing the Military Officer Development Course for commanders and service chiefs of fighter-bomber aviation subunits in 1996, he assumed the duties of a flight commander. He was then promoted to the position of Deputy Squadron Commander of the 40th Fighter-Bomber Regiment.

From 2000 to 2002, he attended the National Defense University at the Faculty of Aviation and Air Defense, pursuing higher education in command and staff management in the field of military command. After graduating, he assumed the position of Chief of Staff of the 8th Tactical Air Squadron (8th Elevation) in Mirosławiec. In 2004-2005, he enhanced his qualifications at the National Defense University (AON) through postgraduate studies, and after completing them, he assumed the position of Deputy Commander, and in 2006 became Commander of the 8th Air Base in Mirosławiec. In 2007-2008, he completed postgraduate studies in operational and strategic studies at the AON’s Department of Strategic and Defense, after which he was appointed Commander of the 21st Air Base. Following his exemplary service as Commander of the 21st Tactical Air Base (from 2008 to 2015) in Świdwin, he was assigned to study abroad. In 2015-2016, he attended the U.S. Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, USA, as part of a postgraduate defense policy program. By decision of the Minister of National Defense of November 7, 2016, he was appointed Commander of the 1st Tactical Air Wing from January 11, 2017. President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda presented the Commander of the 1st Tactical Air Wing with the first general’s rank at the Presidential Palace on November 10, 2018.

On February 4, 2019, by decision of the Minister of National Defense, he assumed the duties of Deputy Commander of the Air Operations Center – Air Component Command, and on January 27, 2020, he was appointed Commander of the Air Operations Center – Air Component Command. On August 14, 2020, he was promoted to the rank of major general. In May 2024, he completed the course for generals, flag officers, and ambassadors.

Maj. Gen. Ireneusz Starzyński is a master-class instructor pilot with over 2,300 hours of flight time. He trained several generations of Su-22 pilots and actively participated in numerous domestic and international exercises.

He was awarded: the Bronze Medal of Merit for National Defence, the Bronze Cross of Merit, the Bronze Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Homeland, the Silver Medal of Merit for National Defence, the Silver Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Homeland, the Silver Medal for Long Service, the Gold Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Homeland, the Gold Medal of Merit for National Defence, the Aviation Cross of Merit, the “Icarus” statuette and the title of “Meritorious Military Pilot”.

The Military Unit he led was distinguished and awarded for its many years of achievements, including: “Blue Wings” in 2022 and “Buzdygan” in 2024. On

October 20, 2025, in accordance with the Decision of the Minister of National Defence, Major General Ireneusz Starzyński was appointed to the position of First Deputy Operational Commander of the Branches of the Armed Forces.