Published 3 May 2024 at 07.48
Domestic. For the first time, Sweden now conducts host country support as an ally in NATO.
Share the article
TwittraShare
The armed forces conduct Immediate Response 24, part of NATO's Steadfast Defender 24 exercise series .
The purpose is to test the plans to move units from North America to northern Europe to strengthen the defense of the Northern Cape.
During Immediate Response, an American unit moves from Norway to Finland, via Sweden and Norrbotten.
Sweden's task is to provide host country support to the unit, something that the Swedish Armed Forces do together with civilian authorities within the total defence.
– This is the first time that Sweden implements host country support as an ally in NATO . By supporting our allies from the USA in Sweden, we are strengthening the operational capabilities of the entire alliance. It is not an exercise for us, now we are testing our sharp plans – which have so far worked very well, says Colonel Lars Karlsson, head of the Northern Military Region, on the defense's website.
Lieutenant Colonel Robin Eskelson is the head of it the American maintenance unit which is based in Boden under Immediate Response.
– The Swedish Armed Forces have been incredibly accommodating with us. The fact that we are the first unit that gets to come here and cooperate with Sweden after joining NATO really feels fantastic. There are many lessons we can learn from each other and I am very happy that Sweden has now become our ally.