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Andrzej Karweta
military officer
- June 11, 1958 · Jaworzno
- April 10, 2010 · Smolensk
- 51 years
- plane crash
About Andrzej Karweta
*Andrzej Karweta, 51, Vice Admiral, commander-in-chief of the Navy.
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Full Biography
|Andrzej Karweta (11 June 1958 – 10 April 2010) was rear admiral (NATO code OF-7) of the Polish Navy and its commander-in-chief from November 2007 until his death in April 2010 in the Smolensk air disaster. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of admiral (NATO code OF-9).
Biography
Andrzej Karweta was born in Jeleń village (part of Jaworzno since 1977). In 1977 he started studies at the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia and graduated in 1982, with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade (podporucznik marynarki). In following years he attended further studies, including Defence Politics at the Polish National Defence University in Warsaw (2006) and studies at Royal College of Defence Studies in London.
He started service in the 13th Minesweeper Division in Hel in 1982. In 1986 he took his first command, of ORP Czapla (Projekt 206F class minesweeper), in 1989 of another minesweeper ORP Mewa and a group of minesweepers. In 1992-1996 he was chief of staff and second in command of the 13th Minesweeper Division, later he became its commander. During BALTOPS 2000 maneuvers he commanded an international anti-mine warfare group.
In 2002 he became deputy commander of the Underwater Warfare Division in Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT), and was a Polish representative in SACLANT headquarters. In 2005 he returned to Poland and served as the second in command of the 8th Coast Defence Flotilla in Świnoujście. On 3 May 2007 he was promoted to rear admiral and became a deputy chief of Polish Navy Staff in Gdynia. On 11 November 2007 he was promoted to commodore (NATO code OF-6) and became a deputy chief of Polish Navy Staff in Gdynia. On 11 November 2007 he was promoted to rear admiral (NATO code OF-7) and appointed the Polish Navy's commander-in-chief.
He was listed on the flight manifest of the Tupolev Tu-154 of the 36th Special Aviation Regiment carrying the President of Poland Lech Kaczyński which crashed near Smolensk-North airport near Smolensk, Russia, on 10 April 2010, killing all aboard.
Honours and awards
- Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2010, posthumously)
- Silver Cross of Merit (2005; Bronze Cross, 2001)
- Gold Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland
- Gold Medal for his contribution to national defence
- Medal Pro Memoria
- Haller Ring - the highest award of the Maritime and River League
- Grand Officer of the Order of Merit (2008, Portugal)
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrzej_Karweta
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- September 29, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from Andrzej Karweta's archived record and the sources above.
1.Before serving as the commander-in-chief of the Polish Navy, what role did Andrzej Karweta hold in 2005?
- A.Representative in SACLANT
- B.Chief of Polish Navy Staff
- C.Second in command of the 8th Coast Defence Flotillacorrect
- D.Commander of the 13th Minesweeper Division
In 2005, Andrzej Karweta returned to Poland and served as the second in command of the 8th Coast Defence Flotilla in Świnoujście.
Source: Biography section
2.What is the name of the highest award of the Maritime and River League that Andrzej Karweta received?
- A.Commander's Cross
- B.Haller Ringcorrect
- C.Gold Medal of the Armed Forces
- D.Medal Pro Memoria
The Haller Ring is the highest award of the Maritime and River League, which was awarded to Andrzej Karweta.
Source: Honours and awards section
3.When was Andrzej Karweta appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Polish Navy?
- A.10 April 2010
- B.11 November 2007correct
- C.3 May 2007
- D.November 2006
On 11 November 2007, Andrzej Karweta was promoted to rear admiral and appointed the Polish Navy's commander-in-chief.
Source: Biography section
4.At which institution did Andrzej Karweta study besides the Polish National Defence University and the Polish Naval Academy?
- A.The Maritime and River League
- B.The Royal College of Defence Studiescorrect
- C.The Smolensk Military Institute
- D.The 13th Minesweeper Division Training Center
Andrzej Karweta also completed studies at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London.
Source: Biography section
5.In what year did Andrzej Karweta receive the Silver Cross of Merit?
- A.2010
- B.2005correct
- C.2008
- D.2001
Andrzej Karweta received the Silver Cross of Merit in 2005, while the Bronze Cross was received in 2001.
Source: Honours and awards section
6.Andrzej Karweta served as a deputy commander of which division in SACLANT starting in 2002?
- A.Underwater Warfare Divisioncorrect
- B.13th Minesweeper Division
- C.Special Aviation Regiment
- D.Coast Defence Flotilla
In 2002, Andrzej Karweta became deputy commander of the Underwater Warfare Division in Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT).
Source: Biography section
7.What class of minesweeper was the ORP Mewa that Andrzej Karweta commanded in 1989?
- A.Projekt 36
- B.Projekt 2002
- C.Projekt 1982
- D.Projekt 206Fcorrect
Andrzej Karweta commanded the ORP Czapla, a Projekt 206F class minesweeper, and later the ORP Mewa.
Source: Biography section
8.How long did Andrzej Karweta serve as the commander-in-chief of the Polish Navy?
- A.From 2002 until 2005
- B.From 2008 until 2010
- C.From 2005 until 2007
- D.From November 2007 until April 2010correct
Andrzej Karweta served as commander-in-chief of the Polish Navy from November 2007 until his death in April 2010.
Source: Introduction
9.In which village was Andrzej Karweta born?
- A.Hel
- B.Gdynia
- C.Jeleńcorrect
- D.Jaworzno
Andrzej Karweta was born in Jeleń village.
Source: Biography section
10.When did Andrzej Karweta graduate from the Polish Naval Academy?
- A.1977
- B.1982correct
- C.1989
- D.1986
Andrzej Karweta started studies at the Polish Naval Academy in 1977 and graduated in 1982.
Source: Biography section
11.What was the final rank Andrzej Karweta held after being posthumously promoted?
- A.Rear Admiral
- B.Commodore
- C.Admiralcorrect
- D.Lieutenant Junior Grade
Andrzej Karweta was posthumously promoted to the rank of admiral (NATO code OF-9).
Source: Introduction
12.In what year did the Smolensk air disaster occur, leading to the death of Andrzej Karweta?
- A.2010correct
- B.2007
- C.2008
- D.2009
Andrzej Karweta died on 10 April 2010 in the Smolensk air disaster.
Source: Introduction
13.What was the name of the first vessel commanded by Andrzej Karweta in 1986?
- A.ORP Czaplacorrect
- B.ORP Hel
- C.ORP Mewa
- D.ORP Gdynia
In 1986, Andrzej Karweta took his first command of ORP Czapla.
Source: Biography section
14.Which international military exercise did Andrzej Karweta participate in during 2000?
- A.NATO Atlantic drills
- B.Smolensk naval exercises
- C.BALTOPS 2000correct
- D.SACLANT Maneuvers
During BALTOPS 2000 maneuvers, Andrzej Karweta commanded an international anti-mine warfare group.
Source: Biography section
15.Where did Andrzej Karweta complete his studies in Defence Politics in 2006?
- A.Polish National Defence Universitycorrect
- B.SACLANT headquarters
- C.Royal College of Defence Studies
- D.Polish Naval Academy
Andrzej Karweta attended studies in Defence Politics at the Polish National Defence University in Warsaw in 2006.
Source: Biography section
16.Which award did Andrzej Karweta receive from Portugal in 2008?
- A.Commander's Cross
- B.Grand Officer of the Order of Meritcorrect
- C.Silver Cross of Merit
- D.Haller Ring
Andrzej Karweta was awarded Grand Officer of the Order of Merit by Portugal in 2008.
Source: Honours and awards section
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