The Alioth Foundation is broadening its scope of activity – alongside our established focus on the air domain, we are expanding our engagement in the areas of maritime and land security. In this context, we are pleased to announce that Rear Admiral (Ret.) Krzysztof Zdonek has joined the Foundation’s team of experts. This is not the last reinforcement planned in the near future.

Rear Admiral Zdonek dedicated 40 years to active military service in the Polish Navy, including 15 years aboard naval vessels. He served as the commanding officer of the landing ship ORP Gniezno. After his time at sea, he held numerous command and staff positions across all levels of the chain of command – from Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the 12th Minesweeper Squadron, through Commander of the 2nd Landing Ship Transport Squadron, Head of Training at the Flotilla, Head of the Exercises Division at the General Command of the Armed Forces, to Head of the Armaments Directorate at the Navy Inspectorate.

In 2016, he assumed command of the 8th Coastal Defense Flotilla, and in 2018 he was appointed Deputy Inspector of the Navy. He was promoted to flag rank in 2018.

Admiral Zdonek is a graduate of the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia and the United States Naval Command College in Newport, Rhode Island. In addition, he completed numerous postgraduate programs and specialized courses in naval command and operations, ship training, and the conduct of maritime peacekeeping missions.

He was directly involved in preparing Polish naval forces for participation in Polish Military Contingents (PKW Czernicki, PKW North Sea) and in operations as part of NATO’s Standing Naval Forces (SNMCM G). He is also the originator of the Cities–Ships educational program, which has been promoting maritime and defense awareness among schoolchildren from towns that are patrons of Polish Navy vessels for over 20 years.

Rear Admiral Zdonek’s decorations include the Gold Cross of Merit, the Naval Cross of Merit, the Gold Medal for Long Service, the Gold Medal for Contributions to National Defense, and the Gold Medal “Armed Forces in the Service of the Homeland.”

His extensive experience and expertise will be an invaluable asset in supporting our mission to raise public awareness in the field of security and defense and to shape a modern strategic debate.