JW Formoza (JWF – Jednostka Wojskowa Formoza – ‘Military Unit Formoza’) is a Polish Special Forces unit which focuses on both naval and maritime sabotage operations. Working alongside other NATO naval special forces in varying theatres, as well as the frogmen subunit of JW Grom, the unit is highly trained and lethal. With origins under the Soviet ‘Marynarka Wojenna’ (War Navy), JW Formoza has undergone several changes, including its name and also size and purpose.

1 History of JW Formoza

1.1 JW Formoza Foundations

In 1974, recognising the need for a maritime special operation sabotage unit, Commander Zygmunt Zawadzki, together with the Reconnaissance Unit of the Polish Navy’s High Command, initiated the formation of the Zespół Badawczy ds. Płetwonurków Morskich (ZBPM – Research Group on Marine Divers).

The main goals of the ZBPM were to develop the creation of and formation of a special squadron of combat divers who would undertake both combat and sabotage operations. As a result of this, the Head of the Polish Armed Forces created Jednostka Wojskowa (Military Unit) 4026, the ancestral unit of the modern-day JW Formoza. 

JW 4026’s official name was the Department of Divers, and it was subsequently attached to the 3rd Naval Flotilla within the Polish Navy. Its first commander, who also secretly became the commander of the Special Operations Department, was CPT(N) Józef Rembisz.

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1.2 JW Formoza from 1987 to 2004

In September 1987, several years after its initial creation, JW 4026 took on its secret designation, the Special Operations Department, as its formal name.

However, three years later, on 12 November 1990, the unit was disbanded and several different Grupy Specjalne Płetwonurków (GSPs – Special Diver Groups) were created. 

All the GSPs, including all their assets and operators, in 1992 were reassigned to the Naval Hydrographic Group, which was renamed to Okrętów Rozpoznawczych (Naval Reconnaissance Group). Ten years later, in 2002, the GSPs themselves also had another name change and were subsequently called Sekcje Działań Specjalnych (Special Operations Sections). However, this did not last long, and these units were reverted to being called GSPs in 2004.

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1.3 JW Formoza from 2007 to 2011

On 9 March 2007, under the instruction of the Chief Commander of the Polish Navy, Andrzej Karweta, the Morska Jednostka Działań Specjalnych (MJDS – Naval Special Operations Unit) was created. It regained its unit number, JW 4026, and it became an independent unit of the Polish Navy, with all GSP operators being subsequently moved to the new unit.

However, this change was short-lived, and on 12 September 2007, the Polish Ministry of Defence reassigned JW 4026 to the newly created Dowództwo Sił Specjalnych (Special Forces Command).  This reassignment was official and took effect on 1 January 2008, but JW 4026 still continued to cooperate with the Polish Navy.

On 1 October 2011, the unit’s name was changed to JW Formoza in accordance with a decision by the Polish MOD.

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1.4 JW Formoza Combat Missions

JW Formoza has undertaken a variety of missions, including offensive, defensive, and also training, since its establishment and the independence of Poland in 1989. More information will be provided in the – [JW Formoza Operations] – section below.

1.5 Leaders of JW Formoza

JW Formoza has had several different leaders since its establishment. These include: 

Commanders of the Special Divers Groups (GSPs):

• 1975 – 1982 Commander Józef Rembisz
• 1982 – 1989 Commander Zbigniew Kluzowski
• 1989 – 1998 Cmdr. Lt. Andrzej Szymański
• 1999 – 2002 2nd Lt. Cmdr Jan Pawłowski
• 2002 – 2004 Cmdr 2nd Lt. Tomasz Żuk
• 2004 – 2006 Captain Marek Krzysztof Niedźwiecki

Commanders of the MJDS: 

• 2007 – 2009 Lt. Cmdr Jan Pawłowski
• 2009 – 2011 Lt. Cmdr Dariusz Wichniarek

JW Formoza Commanders

• 2009 – 2011 Lt. Cmdr Dariusz Wichniarek
• 2014 – 2022 Cdr Radosław Tokarski
• 2022 – Present Day – Cdr Jan Kwiatkowski

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2 Motto, Insignia and the Origin of the Name of JW Formoza

JW Formoza uses a variety of identifying insignia on its uniforms, and it also utilises several badges, some of which were used by previous designations of the unit, to distinguish itself. These, as well as the motto of the unit, are listed below.

2.1 Motto of JW Formoza

The motto of JW Formoza, which relates to the purpose of the unit as a formation of combat divers/saboteurs, is:

“Zaufaj morzu, ono cię ocali” – “Trust the sea, it will save you”

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2.2 Insignia and Badges Used by JW Formoza

As mentioned previously, JW Formoza uses several badges and different uniform patches. These are:

2.2.1 Badges Used By JW Formoza

Significance of the Seahorse

Although there is no literature publicly available regarding the commemorative badge’s change to facing outwards, one could suggest that it is now facing outwards due to an emphasis on offensive sabotage operations against enemy nations. However, this is unlikely as the original GSP unit, which also adorned a badge with a seahorse pair on it, was also to be used in offensive sabotage operations, and their badge’s seahorses faced inwards. 

In the more likely case, the seahorse is used to represent the god of the sea, Poseidon. In ancient Greek mythology, the seahorse was closely associated with Poseidon, earthquakes and horses, which also symbolised the Greek god’s dominion over the land and sea. Not just decorative, they were depicted as both powerful and noble creatures, often shown in Greek art pulling Poseidon’s chariot across the ocean.

Their horse-like heads and fish tails visually reinforce their hybrid nature, reflecting the dual usage of the Formoza unit as they are utilised in both land and naval warfare.

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2.2.2 Insignia Used By JW Formoza

Several different Insignia designs are used by JW Formoza for use on their uniforms. They are designed in accordance with the type of camouflage which the operator may be wearing at the time. These are:

2.3 Origin of the name JW Formoza

The name of JW Formoza comes from the base of the unit, which is a former German torpedo station built during WW2 in Gdynia-Oksywie. A long-time nickname of the unit, it was given since the “Formoza” torpedo base resembled Taiwan, which was formerly called Formosa, as the island was off the mainland.

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3 Selection and Training Process of JW Formoza

Due to the unit’s secretive nature, there is not much available information on JW Formoza’s selection events and its ongoing training, post-selection. However, what is available is listed below.

3.1 Selection stage 1 – Pre-Selection 

Pre-selection into JW Formoza involves 10 different Physical fitness exercises, which are as follows:

3.1.1 Tests 1-4

Tests 1-4 are different varieties of swimming tests, and these include:

*Performed in an indoor pool where the candidate launches from blocks

**Both legs and hands are tied, and candidates are submerged underwater and stay submerged for 1 min. When the candidate comes up, he will be splashed with water for 1 min by the instructors. The candidate then must swim another 15 meters to pass this test.

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3.1.2 Tests 5-10

Tests 5-10 are not swimming and are strength/endurance-based and are as follows:

*Performed on a track

** from dead hang position

*** Elbow to Knee

**** 10×10 metres

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3.1.3 Post Test 1-10

Following on from the previous 10 tests, candidates are judged on their hand-to-hand combat skills. There are also 3 other pass or fail events: a 10-meter jump into water blindfolded, a SPELEO ladder climb, and a rappel into water.

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3.2 Selection Stage 2

The second stage of selection into JW Formoza involves testing geared towards the high psychophysical loads in the field. This involves a series of mountain tests held in the Bieszczady Mountains, which are conducted over 6 days. It involves:

• A long-distance march, which includes both endurance testing and orientation testing
• Team suitability testing measures candidates’ ability to work as part of a team.

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3.3 Further Training of JW Formoza Operatives

Following on from the successful passing of the aforementioned pre-selection events, JW Formoza candidates also go on to undertake several other training regimes as part of their overall training. This includes:

• Scuba classes
• Hand-to-hand combat training
• Parachuting
• Diving
• Combat diving
• Foreign language courses

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4 Weapons and Equipment of JW Formoza

JW Formoza uses a variety of equipment that is available to other Polish Special Forces units. However, the unit does not use current Polish military-issued firearms, such as the Beryl Assault rifle or the WIST Pistol, because these weapons do not meet the unit’s expectations. However, the unit is believed to use the following weapons or at least have access to them:

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4.1 Other Equipment in Use with JW Formoza

JW Formoza has also been known to use other equipment and vehicles, including:

• Stidd DPD underwater diver transporters – [source]
• Assault Boats (RHIB) – [source]
• OXY NG closed breathing apparatus (Diving equipment) – [source]
• Wireless underwater communication equipment – [source]

5 Operational Purpose

JW Formoza specialises in several different types of high-risk operations. This is reflected in its history as a sabotage and reconnaissance unit under the Soviet Polish Army. These tasks include:

• Diversionary and Sabotage activities – The elimination and sabotage of opposing forces units and infrastructure
• Maritime Special Operations – Boarding and taking over ships, as well as neutralising threats in the water
• Special Reconnaissance – The infiltration of enemy territory and the gathering of high-value intelligence and data
• Combatting Maritime Terrorism – Both the rescuing of hostages and the elimination of threats to and on ships and drilling platforms
• Critical Infrastructure Protection – The securing of ports, military infrastructure and additionally, other key facilities

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6 Known JW Formoza Operations

Due to the unit’s secretive nature, there is little information which is publicly available regarding their operations. However, there are some operations and missions which JW Formoza is known to have either undertaken or been a part of. This includes:

6.1 Polish Military Contingent in the Persian Gulf (2000) 

This involved the unit enforcing the embargo on Iraq following its aggression against Kuwait. Here, they were subordinate to the US, and they underwent training in the UK. [source, source]

6.2 Polish Military Contingent in the Persian Gulf (2002-2003) 

On 10 July 2002, the Polish logistics support ship, the ORP Kontradmirał Xawery Czernicki, which included 6 embedded JW Formoza operators, began operations in the Indian Ocean. Here, they supported boarding operations on suspicious vessels and also patrolled the waters of the Persian Gulf. [source source]

6.3 Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan

JW Formoza took part in the NATO Response Force in Afghanistan. Here, they supported the training of local people and also took part in kinetic operations alongside supporting other NATO units. [source]

During the 9th Rotation of the Polish ISAF contingent, JW Formoza operators were a part of Task Force 50 alongside their Army Commando counterparts, the JW Komanosów. [source]

6.4 NATO Response Force 20 

JW Formoza was one of the constituent SOF units which made up NATO Response Force (NRF) 20. NRF 20, before it was replaced with the NATO Force Model, was aimed at deploying SOF components wherever, whenever NATO needed them. [source]

6.5 Standing NATO Ship Group 2 (SNMG 2)

SNMG 2 was a Polish mission under NATO, which was aimed at countering the smuggling of people via sea routes in the Mediterranean. [source]

6.6 Polish Military Contingent in the Mediterranean (Sophia)

JW Formoza took part in the rotation of the Polish contingent in the EU’s Sophia mission in the Mediterranean. Here, they were tasked with limiting illegal immigration and also human trafficking in the southern part of the Mediterranean. [source]

7 Conclusion

JW Formoza (Jednostka Wojskowa Formoza) is the Polish Special Forces unit that has specialised in both naval and alos maritime sabotage operations. They have worked alongside other NATO naval special forces in varying theatres and have also been referred to as the ‘Polish Frogmen.’ Although they are small in number, Formoza is highly trained and exceptionally lethal. They make up one of the key components of NATO’s Maritime special forces and are certain to undergo further changes and evolutions if their history is anything to go by.