Major readiness check in the north of Sweden

"We are checking the units' capability for fast-reaction deployment from various parts of the country to the north of Sweden. Once they are there, they need to solve different combat tasks", says Bengt Fransson, exercise commander.

At the shooting range Lomben, north of Kalix, there is currently a live exercise with firing of tanks, artillery pieces and ranger units.

"Testing the army's capability to solve tasks with live ammunition is a vital part of a readiness check. When we do that, we can see that the entire system actually works", Bengt Fransson continues.

Readiness checks is the tool of the Commander of the Joint Forces Command to ensure that the units meet the requirement for readiness and availability.

"So far, the readiness check has proved that we have the capability for rapidly gathering the troops and for joint exercises of various units and to solve a live task. We are ready to defend Sweden where and when it's necessary", says Bengt Fransson.

Participating units in the readiness check come from I 19, P 4, K 4, A 8, T 2, Guards Regiment, Joint Signal Regiment, Swedec, Armed Forces Logistics, Armed Forces Communications and Information Systems Command. Armed Forces Technical School and Armed Forces for Centre for Defence Medicine. The military regions West, Central and North support the exercise with operational transports.