“We are committed and strong”

By: Mats Carlsson and Kjell Enquist, Press- and information, NBG Exercise series – 18 November 2010 kl: 11.11
Last updated: 8 July 2013 kl: 14.25
Archived news

Joint Action is over, and so is the entire exercise series of the Nordic Battle Group. It has been intense but successful. “I am incredibly proud of the commitment that is shown by my soldiers and my officers. This kind of determination and willpower ensures me that we are able to do what the European Union expects from us”, says the Force Commander, Brigadier General Stefan Andersson.

The Nordic Battle Group has during the past six weeks been trained to solve problems and handle all kinds of conflicts. Photo: Ronnie Hammar/Försvarsmakten
”We have the equipment, we have the personnel and we are trained to do our job”, says the Force Commander Stefan Andersson.
”We have the equipment, we have the personnel and we are trained to do our job”, says the Force Commander Stefan Andersson. Photo: Ronnie Hammar/Försvarsmakten
Force Commander Stefan Andersson got to experience the entire medical chain from the wounded point of view. ”The concept is very good and so is our resources when it comes to medical care.”
Force Commander Stefan Andersson got to experience the entire medical chain from the wounded point of view. ”The concept is very good and so is our resources when it comes to medical care.” Photo: Alexander Gustavsson/Försvarsmakten
”We have the equipment, we have the personnel and we are trained to do our job”, says the Force Commander Stefan Andersson. Photo: Ronnie Hammar/Försvarsmakten
Force Commander Stefan Andersson got to experience the entire medical chain from the wounded point of view. ”The concept is very good and so is our resources when it comes to medical care.” Photo: Alexander Gustavsson/Försvarsmakten

This final exercise can be compared to a real life deployment where you are faced with different kinds of challenges ranging from humanitarian tasks to armed combat. The patience and the knowledge of the units have been tested in a very good way. It is also the first time that the entire Nordic Battle Group has been able to train together as one force. They have been tested on all levels, from the Operational Headquarter (OHQ) through the Force Headquarter (FHQ to battalion, squadron, platoon, group and the individual soldier.

Impressed

There has been a lot of appreciation from the people living in the areas in which the exercises have taken place. Many of them feel that is has been very interesting to see this kind of activities up close and to get a better idea of what the modern defence is all about. Carina Lindholm, a resident of Tidaholm, is very impressed by those who choose to participate in international efforts. “I admire them and feel that they are doing a great job trying to help people all over the world”. 

In the first few days of the exercise the weather provided additional challenges when the snow fell and covered the ground and the road became very slippery and icy. This caused some trouble and delays when the units were to move north into the exercise areas, but nothing that could not be handled.

Lifelike

The exercise has been organized as a real life mission. There has been no set time schedule since the tasks had to be planned according to the existing circumstances. There has been a great amount of military vehicles on the roads surrounding the cities where most of the activities have taken place, but also a lot of movement in the air. JAS 39 Gripen and several helicopters has been a part of the exercise as well, including two Croatian helicopters that has provided advanced medical transportation, Medevac.

We have got what it takes!

The Nordic Battle Group has a lot of capabilities, all of them important to reach success.
“We have the equipment, we have the personnel, and now we also have the experience. We can provide what the European Union needs. We have a toolbox filled with the kind of flexibility and competence that is required to do our job well”, Stefan Andersson concludes.