10 000 soldiers occupy Norrbotten

"They come from Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Uk and the USA – 10 000 soldiers, combat vehicles and artillery – to carry out the great militärövningen Northern Wind 19."

"It gives us the opportunity to meet a qualified opposition," says Anna-Lena Hess, director of communications, the regiment Of 19."

"Residents in the eastern Norrbotten has hardly been able to avoid the armed forces is in the full process of the exercise the Northern Wind 19. The area of the drill extends from the Shore to the east to Haparanda and the Finnish border, and north to a line north of Överkalix."

"– this is the largest exercise conducted in the field for many years, " says Anna-Lena Hess."

"two years ago was the Aurora 17 in the region of Mälardalen, west Sweden and parts of Småland. In the exercise participated 19 000 men and women from all the armed forces. According to Anna-Lena Hesse, one can understand the exercises in the light of an old-school view of the Swedish armed forces."

"– the armed Forces has been low priority for a while and many have as well forgotten that it is important that we have a well trained defense. During a period we trained instead of efforts abroad, but now, it is above all a national defense that can defend Sweden, " she says."

"the International exercise"

"In the Northern Wind involved a brigade from the Norrbotten regiment, I 19, that practice, together with a Finnish battle group. The opponent consists of the Norwegian brigade North, which is reinforced with the special forces from the american marines and british Royal Marines."

"Around 7,000 of the soldiers participating in the exercise come from countries other than Sweden and the aim is to, as it is called,"

"– It is an important aspect in and of itself, just that we work together. Now we get to practice in good conditions that challenge us and can strengthen the Finnish-Swedish cooperation, " says Anna-Lena Hesse."

"Too hot in Norrbotten"

"the Time for the exercise is selected with care – it is important to ensure that the defence forces all the parts can handle the Swedish winter. For the moment, however, there is mildvänder around the gulf of Bothnia with any plusgrad in the relevant field."

"– It's too hot and it can cause problems with becoming wet, " says Hesse."

"It is also no coincidence that the drill is held precisely in the south-eastern Norrbotten."

"– this is one of the regions that has been pointed out as particularly important to defend, " says Hesse."

"the Exercise is going on 18-27 march, and at the same time practice the air force, in an airspace which covers large parts of Norrbotten."