Polish Fighter Pilot, Wife of Prominent Politician, Retires After 15 Years of Service
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Urszula Brzezińska-Hołownia concluded her career as a fighter pilot on Tuesday, January 20, marking the end of an era for one of only three women in her unit to fly fighter planes.
Brzezińska-Hołownia’s departure from the 23rd Tactical Air Base is not abrupt, according to a statement released by Lt. Col. Marcin Boruta, the unit’s press officer. “This is not an overnight departure. A settlement with the unit is currently underway and will last until the end of January,” he stated. The pilot exercised her right to end her service and transition to civilian life.
Family Considerations Drive Retirement
The decision to retire stems primarily from family reasons. Brzezińska-Hołownia was slated to begin training for the operation of modern F-50 fighter jets, soon to be deployed at the base in Minsk. However, Lt. Col. Boruta explained that the demands of this role, coupled with raising two young children and her husband’s prominent position in government, proved unsustainable. He further noted her recent duties at the Malbork airbase, where she regularly balanced service commitments with family life.
Military Service and Benefits
According to regulations in place when she began her military career, Brzezińska-Hołownia is eligible for retirement after 15 years of service. She will be placed in the reserve, remaining on defense readiness and participating in exercises.
Her pension will be calculated based on her rank and years of service. A soldier with her seniority and rank is entitled to a minimum pension of PLN 5.6-5.8 thousand gross per month, though this amount may be higher for pilots due to the inherent risks of their profession. The pension benefit begins at 40% of her base salary and increases to 75% for each subsequent year of service.
As a Major, Brzezińska-Hołownia’s basic gross salary is approximately PLN 10,900, excluding any additional allowances or bonuses.
A Valued Member of the Unit
Lt. Col. Boruta emphasized the significant loss Brzezińska-Hołownia’s departure represents to the unit. “She was very well liked, especially by the technical staff. This is a great loss for the individual,” he added.
