Army Ranger Battalion (Sweden)
| Army Ranger Battalion Arméns Jägarbataljon (AJB) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 2000– present |
| Country |  Sweden |
| Branch |  Swedish Army |
| Type | Ranger/light infantry |
| Role | Direct action Reconnaissance Mountain warfare Sabotage Unconventional Warfare |
| Part of | Norrbotten Regiment (I 19) |
| Garrison/HQ | Arvidsjaur, Norrbotten County |
| Engagements | Bosnian War KFOR War in Afghanistan (2001–present) EUTM Mali |
The Army Ranger Battalion (Swedish: Arméns jägarbataljon, AJB), also known by its old name Norrland's Dragoons or K 4 is a detachment of Norrbotten Regiment (I 19) and has its base in Arvidsjaur, in the Norrbotten County of Sweden.[1]
History
The Army Ranger Battalion is an elite light infantry unit trained to carry out reconnaissance missions and direct action behind enemy lines. The battalion is the army's primary resource for combat operations behind enemy lines. They employ ambushes and control indirect fire or close air support to affect an opponent deep behind their lines, as well as survey and document enemy activity to create a basis for higher commands decision making. The battalion is often used to target soft targets such as logistics and other support functions vital for an opponents ability to sustain its operations. Given the light nature of the unit it lacks heavier vehicles and sustained logistics for support, and largely rely on its personnel to move themselves and their equipment as well as supplies over long distances by foot. Given the geographical location of the unit, they're also highly qualified and trained to operate in arctic and/or subartic environments.
Anyone qualified for military service can apply for selection at the Army Ranger Battalion. After the general 3 month long basic training (GMU), several tests, both physical and psychological are conducted over a period of days. If the candidate is successful, he/she will begin the roughly 12 month long basic ranger course. Upon completion of the course with satisfying results the candidate will be awarded with the green beret and Ranger tab before being posted to one of the battalion's two Ranger squadrons or the command & support squadron.
Since 2007 the battalion also has a mountain leader platoon which specialises in operations in and around mountainous and alpine terrain. This platoon has been of much use in Afghanistan since a lot of weapons, drugs and the like are smuggled high up in the mountains in Afghanistan. The mountain leader platoon has also been involved in search and rescue operations domestically, such as the 2012 Norwegian C-130 crash.
The Army Ranger battalion have deployed to Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Mali.
Commanders
- 2005–2007 – Lieutenant Colonel Peter Fredriksson
- 2007–2009 – Lieutenant Colonel Mikael Nordmark
- 2009–2013 – Lieutenant Colonel Urban Edlund
- 2013–2016 – Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Larsson
- 2016–present: Lieutenant Colonel Mathias Holmqvist
Gallery
See also
United Kingdom – Mountain Leader Training Cadre
Germany – Gebirgsjäger
France – Chasseurs Alpins
Italy – Alpini
References
- ^ "Arméns jägarbataljon" (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. Archived from the original on 29 August 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
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External links
- Army Ranger Battalion Blog (in Swedish).