Swedish Air Force Rangers train with Denmark in Greenland
The Swedish Air Force Rangers are participating in the Danish exercise series Arctic Endurance 26 in Greenland. The unit redeployed last week using transport aircraft from Sweden to strengthen security in the area and to practice the defense of NATO’s northern flank.
The mission begins with a march toward the exercise area.
Photo: Hannes Holmström/FörsvarsmaktenThe exercise series is part of Arctic Sentry, in which the Swedish Air Force contributes both a platoon of Air Force Rangers from Blekinge Wing and fighter aircraft assigned to NATO’s air policing mission in Iceland. The Swedish contributions are deployed during February and March, and the Air Force Rangers are training in Greenland for a couple of weeks.
“We have had a strong and close cooperation with the Danish Armed Forces for a long time. In Greenland, we are developing the unit’s capabilities in a demanding environment, focusing on combat, movement in difficult terrain, medical care, and joint training with allies,” says Emil, company commander of the Air Force Rangers from Blekinge Wing.
Accustomed to subarctic environments
The Air Force Rangers specialize in Counter Special Forces operations and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). The personnel are accustomed to working in winter environments and subarctic terrain in Sweden, and the platoon includes specially trained personnel to operate in the harsh arctic environment found in Greenland.
“It is a very unforgiving terrain. The climate is desert-like and cold, with relatively little snow, making it difficult to dig into the snow for shelter and recovery. The platoon has planned exercises with Denmark, navigated, and climbed summits and ice.”
Under NATO command
Since late last year, the Swedish Armed Forces belongs to a new operational area under the command of NATO’s operational headquarters in Norfolk, USA. The area stretches from North America to the Finnish and Norwegian borders with Russia, including the Arctic.
“The activation and redeployment using Transport Aircraft 84 Hercules demonstrate that the Swedish Air Force can quickly move personnel and equipment in a safe and secure manner. We are prepared to rapidly deploy during operations and exercises in NATO’s operational area,” says company commander Emil.
Reinforced with specialized expertise
The exercise also provides an opportunity to test the unit’s materiel, equipment, and communication systems and assess how they are affected by the Arctic climate. The Air Force Rangers have been reinforced with specialized expertise from the Swedish Nays Coastal Rangers, the fighter squadrons, and communications experts, and the experiences gained contribute to the continued development within the Swedish Armed Forces.