From 24 to 25 May 2022, the Deputy Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Lieutenant General Lance Landrum was in Sweden, where he met with the Chief of Defence, General Micael Bydén, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Jonas Haggren, the Department Head of Military Capabilities and Operations, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Peter Göthe, and other Swedish Armed Forces military officials. He also visited the Upland Wing (F16) and the 211th Air force division at the Uppsala air base.
While in Sweden, Lieutenant General Landrum visited the Uppland Wing (F16) and the 211th Air Force Division. He was greeted by the Commander of the Swedish Air Force, Major General Carl-Johan Edström in a small ceremony. He was then able to tour the base, with the newly re-established 211th Air Force Division as well as witness the take-off and flyby of a Swedish fighter aircraft, Saab JAS 39 Gripen. The Uppland Wing is responsible for the command and control of the military fighter aircraft and the surveillance of Swedish air space. “As a fighter pilot, I understand the importance of having the right assets in the right place at the right time – not only for deterrence, but also when necessary for swift and effective defence”, he highlighted.
Back in Stockholm, Lt Gen Landrum sat down with the Chief of Defence, General Bydén. They discussed the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the repercussions for Swedish and European security as well as NATO’s response, namely its enhanced Deterrence and Defence posture. “Sweden is one of NATO’s closest Partners. Not only do we share the same values and face many of the same challenges, but over the years, our forces have trained together regularly, which has allowed them to become fully interoperable with NATO”, he emphasised.
The Deputy Chair also held a roundtable discussion with a series of Swedish military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Jonas Haggren, the Chief of Policy and Plans Department, Major General Lena Persson Herlitz and the Commander Joint Forces Command, Lieutenant General Michael Claesson.
He concluded his trip with a visit to the Joint Operations Command, where he received an update on ongoing deployments and operations from its Commander, Lieutenant General Claesson.