Lapland Ranger Regiment
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| Lapland Ranger Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Lapplands jägarregemente (I 22, I 22/Fo 66, I 22/GJ 66) | |
 Insignia | |
| Active | 1975–2000 |
| Country |  Sweden |
| Branch | Swedish Army |
| Type | Arctic light infantry |
| Size | Regiment |
| Colours | Green and silver (white) |
| March | "Friska tag" (1984–2000) |
The Lapland Ranger Regiment (Template:Lang-sv), designations I 22, I 22/Fo 66 and I 22/GJ 66, was a Swedish Army light infantry regiment, one of the few new formations raised in the 20th century. It was disbanded in 2000. The regiment was garrisoned in Lapland.
History
The regiment traced its origins from the elite "Skidlöparbataljonen" (Skirunners Battalion), of Norrbottens regemente, the battalion was raised in 1910 as the first modern ranger unit of the Swedish Army and the first unit specializing in Arctic warfare. The battalion was garrisoned in northern Lapland Kiruna in 1940 and was renamed in 1943 as Jägarbataljon K (Ranger Battalion K), K for Kiruna, which became Sweden's first special operation unit. In 1945 the battalion became an independent training unit under the army high command as the Army Ranger School Arméns jägarskola for setting up and training three army corps ranger battalions and long range recon companies and special operation units. The unit received independent regimental status with a regimental standard from the hands of the King in 1975, and was renamed Lapplands jägarregemente I 22, I 22 stood for infantry regiment no 22. The Lapland Ranger Regiment was finally disbanded in 2000. Its tasks and personnel were largely transferred to the heavier equipped "Norrlands dragonregemente" K 4 Norrland Dragon Regiment, a former mounted ranger cavalry unit that had a de facto light infantry role, later in turn reorganized and downsized as "Armens jägarbataljon" (The Army Ranger Battalion) as part of theNorrbottens regemente, the original mother regiment of Lapland Rangers.
The rangers of The Lapland Ranger Regiment and the Ranger School wore a green "commando" beret, from 1960 onward, with the unit's insignia a crowned wolf's head. For ranger qualification the soldiers had to pass a demanding 7-day march exercise, with daily distances between 25 to 50 kilometers (15–31 miles) carrying 35 to 50 kilo (77–110 pounds) rucksacks, in rough mountain terrain. Despite this the pass rate was high, due to 2 to 3 months prior extensive tough heavy load marching training for recruits.
Organisation
The regiment raised independent ranger companies, one or two per year, that was specialized in behind enemy lines operations in Arctic environment on small unit bases, ranger troops. The requirement was for a ranger troop to be able to sustain high combat capability for at least 30 days of operations behind enemy lines without supplies.
Name, designation and garrison
| Name | Translation | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapplands jägarregemente | Lapland Ranger Regiment | 1 July 1975 | – | 30 June 2000 |
| Designation | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I 22 | – | ||
| I 22/Fo 66 | 1 July 1975 | – | 1998 |
| I 22/GJ 66 | 1998 | – | 30 June 2000 |
| Training ground or garrison town |
From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiruna (G) | 1 July 1975 | – | 30 June 2000 |
See also
References
- Braunstein, Christian (2003). Sveriges arméförband under 1900-talet. Stockholm: Statens Försvarshistoriska Museer. ISBN 91-971584-4-5.
- Holmberg, Björn (1993). Arméns regementen, skolor och staber: en sammanställning. Arvidsjaur: Svenskt militärhistoriskt bibliotek. ISBN 91-972209-0-6.
- Kjellander, Rune (2003). Sveriges regementschefer 1700–2000: chefsbiografier och förbandsöversikter. Stockholm: Probus. ISBN 91-87184-74-5.
- Nelsson, Bertil (1993). Från Brunkeberg till Nordanvind: 500 år med svenskt infanteri. Stockholm: Probus. ISBN 91-87184-23-0.
- Svensk rikskalender 1908. Stockholm: P.A. Norstedt & Söner. 1908.
- Online
- Holmén, Pelle; Sjöberg, Jan (2007). "Swedish Armed Forces 1900–2000". Retrieved 2007-08-20.
- Högman, Hans (2007). "Militaria – Svensk militärhistoria". Retrieved 2007-08-20.
- Persson, Mats (1998). "Swedish Army Regiments". Archived from the original on 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
- Sharman, Ken (2000). "Swedish military administrative division as per 1629". Retrieved 2007-08-20.