It was at the summit of the NATO countries in June in Madrid in June that Sweden was invited to become a NATO member. So far, 27 of the defense alliance’s 30 countries have approved Sweden’s and Finland’s accession. But in the shadow of the NATO process, military activities between Sweden and the alliance’s most powerful country, the United States, are already increasing.
This is shown by a compilation made by DN of the ships, aircraft and other units from the USA that have visited or carried out exercises in Sweden so far this year.
During the past 37 weeks of the year, visits by, or exercises with, US military units have been carried out over 20 times. So pretty much every two weeks, DN’s summary shows (see facts). This is an increase compared to previous years.
Sometimes the public notices the American presence. Like when the large ship USS Kearsarge with airplanes and helicopters on deck anchored in Stockholm’s current at the beginning of June.
Photo: Magnus Hallgren
Other activities take place discreetly without any press releases from the Armed Forces. Like when a Swedish Visby corvette and an American robot destroyer met at sea out on the Baltic Sea on September 8 and practiced together for a day.
Air, ship and Marine units from the United States dominate the exercises this year. But the US Army will also train here. That’s what the four-star American general Darryl Williams says in an interview with DN.
General Williams is newly appointed head of the US Army in Europe and Africa and of the NATO ground forces. His first trip abroad from the headquarters in Wiesbaden in Germany is to the future NATO countries in the north: Sweden and Finland. That is a signal in itself, he points out:
– We want to make it clear that we defend Europe’s territory, from the very top of the north to the very bottom of the south. Sweden is a large part of this and we look forward to the future collaboration, says Darryll Williams.
What does it mean for Sweden to become a NATO member?
– It provides opportunities for even more cooperation. Our soldiers from all our defense branches can operate in a more complete, operational, manner. What impresses me is the professionalism and self-confidence of the Swedish soldiers.
Photo: Ali Lorestani
Darryll Williams predicts that Sweden and the USA will carry out even more exercises in the future.
The United States’ Fifth Army Corps is the ground unit that is now planning several exercises in Sweden. About 20 planning officers from both countries met in Halmstad in June.
The Riksdag decided in 2020 that the Swedish Armed Forces should expand cooperation with the United States. It has been greatly accelerated by Russia’s war in Ukraine. After all, the outbreak of war has led to Sweden (and Finland) becoming NATO countries, at the same time as this year the USA has increased the number of military personnel in Europe from 40,000 military personnel to 100,000.
The number of high-level visits from the USA is also increasing, DN’s compilation shows. General William’s host during the visit is the Swedish army chief, Major General Karl Engelbrektson:
– We exchange a lot of information. We explain how the army develops, what is unique about Sweden and the geography – and how it is connected to Finland. It is very important that the army plays a clear role in NATO and that we understand the role Williams has. The visit is a good way into the US, NATO and the army, says Karl Engelbrektson.
The interview with both of them army generals takes place at the Karlberg Military Academy on a sunny and quiet evening. The Star-Spangled Banner is raised and Williams is met by a band of musicians in neat blue 19th-century uniforms with shining helmets.
It is a stark contrast to the environment during the Swedish-American exercise, which is simultaneously being carried out at the far end of the strip of sea in the Stockholm archipelago.
Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT
A storm is blowing here with three meter high waves and rain. On the island of Stora Skogskär, no horn music is heard, but a drum fire of detonations from grenade launchers and machine guns. It is soldiers in worn green field uniforms from Stockholm’s amphibious regiment who fire at the island of Utö to show the US Marine Corps how Sweden defends its archipelago.
– Compared to being in, for example, Afghanistan, this is an absolutely phenomenal experience for the soldiers and sailors. The terrain here is completely different: the Baltic Sea, the archipelago, the forest. We learn from each other. Coming here allows us to sharpen our skills, says US Staff Sergeant Joseph Owen. He has ten years of service in the Marine Corps behind him, including in Afghanistan’s cities and desert landscape.
The 130 Americans here belong to the US Second Marine Expeditionary Force. For the past six months, they have been practicing in Norway and on beaches around the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea – and Sweden seems to be the favourite:
– We share values and experiences and work well together with the Swedes. The language here is no problem – everyone speaks English, no one speaks Swedish, says Lieutenant Colonel Charles Miller.
Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT
The Archipelago Endeavor exercise is being carried out here for the fourth consecutive year and has become increasingly advanced. The connections complement each other. The US contributes radar systems and Stinger, portable anti-aircraft robots that Sweden lacks. The Marine Corps is interested in the Swedes’ fast movements and landings with battleship 90.
– This is a difficult environment, partly the weather, but also operating between different islands in the archipelago. We’re learning about how they advance, take control and maintain it, says the top American on the ground, Brigadier General Andrew Priddy.
If Sweden were to be threatened, would you come and then what is the use of having practiced here?
– It is extremely important to establish the relationships in peace – before you really need them. That is exactly what we are doing with the Swedes right now. We are both very professional forces and work extremely well together, replies General Priddy.
The head of Stockholm’s amphibious regiment, Colonel Adam Camel, states:
– In a slightly larger perspective, we have had a fairly large American presence this year. It is grateful, now under our NATO application. It is absolutely no coincidence. We are sending a message – primarily to Russia – that we are partners who practice together and build up our capabilities. We show that we are united in defending the Baltic Sea region.
