Since 2017, Sweden has been part of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) – a British framework for a rapid response force that aims to be able to operate in a crisis. Ten countries are currently participating in the cooperation and the force can operate independently or alongside NATO.
A little over a week ago, British Rangers were training with the hunting soldiers of the Norland Cavalry Regiment.
– The unique thing about this exercise is that for the first time we have combined Swedish and British soldiers in the same group. In this way, we gained a very effective exchange of knowledge in a short time, says Colonel Teddy Larson, regimental commander in the Norland Dragoon Regiment and continues:
– I admire the professionalism of the soldiers of both countries and how they immediately created cohesion in the group and a good cooperative atmosphere.
Small units with long carrying capacity
Just like the Norrlandsjägara, the British Ranger Regiments are what are commonly called knapsack units. Soldiers operate in small groups and carry with them everything they need to perform their duties in enemy-held areas. They have the ability to stay behind enemy lines for a long time, conduct reconnaissance there and strike at the opponent’s most important resources – eg logistics, administration and communications functions.
During the week, the units practiced both jamming and reconnaissance, but also moments in medical care and advanced movements in the subarctic terrain. For British soldiers, the environment was new acquaintances.
– We in the third battalion did very good training with the fishermen battalion. It’s been a great opportunity for us to learn how to operate in this environment from the experts and we look forward to returning for winter training,” said Captain Patrick Howard, Ranger Regiment Commander Patrick Howard.
Looking forward to more cooperation
On Wednesday, the head of the army’s planning department, Stefan Sjoberg, and British defense attache Martin Moore visited the exercises.
– This is one of several bilateral and JEF exercises planned this year, and working with an equally advanced force that is the Swedish Army offers excellent opportunities to learn from each other and to enhance our interoperability. Moore says it’s a real pleasure to work with like-minded people and we look forward to more opportunities to collaborate.
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