The Crown Princess in the Swedish Air Force

In-depth Study of the Service Branch’s Activities
During the autumn, Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess has complemented her officer training within the Swedish Armed Forces with an in-depth study of the Air Force’s operations.

The Crown Princess has gained insight into both the practical and strategic work carried out within the branch. The programme, conducted by the Swedish Air Force Air Warfare Centre, aims to provide The Crown Princess with a thorough understanding of the Air Force’s operational activities. It has encompassed the entire air domain with its unique environment and has included history, air and space power, operational planning, command and control, the air base concept, air defence, future studies, innovation, and development.

— The aim has been to provide insight into the air and space domain and knowledge of what the Air Force represents, says Major General Jonas Wikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force.

To provide an understanding of the history that shapes the culture of the Air Force, the programme began at the Air Force Memorial Hall.

— It is a place of great significance, with the engraved names of those who have paid the ultimate price from the Air Force’s inception to the present day. It has been a solemn experience, and there are almost one thousand names on the memorial wall. But this has also contributed to the safer Air Force we have today, with a learning and forgiving culture that forms the foundation of the ”Air Force spirit”, says Johan Lörelius, Chief Master Sergeant the Air Warfare Centre.”

From Theory to Practice in Fighter Aviation
Part of The Crown Princess’s time with the Air Force included a visit to the Air Defence Regiment in Halmstad, with training in air defence and an introduction to NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence system (IAMD). The Crown Princess was shown the Patriot system, tried various simulators, and named an air command and control centre.

Innovation is an essential aspect of Air Force operations. The Crown Princess therefore visited the Air Warfare Centre, innovation office and received briefings on the Air Force’s NATO mission in Poland and the preparations for it, including capability enhancements, night-time air-to-air refuelling, and counter-UAS operations. The LOKE counter-drone system has been developed within a short timeframe, and The Crown Princess received an overview of the system and had the opportunity to engage simulated drones.

The Air Force Air Simulation Centre (FLSC) provided an understanding of a pilot’s reality and the nature of air combat. Under the guidance of a fighter controller, The Crown Princess flew a simulated mission herself. To then translate theory into practice, a visit was made to Norrbotten Wing in Luleå. After training in how the Air Force commands, plans, and conducts its air operations, The Crown Princess met with the fighter squadron and took part in a flight during a training mission. A four-ship formation carried out air combat and defended against two hostile aircraft attempting to attack Swedish bridges.

— The Crown Princess flew with the squadron commander, and together with the four-ship formation they successfully completed the mission. She was highly focused and impressed by the tactics, cooperation, and capabilities of the fighter aircraft, says Johan Lörelius.

Focus on Space
Space plays an increasingly important role in the current security environment. From F 21 in Luleå, the programme continued by helicopter to Kiruna for a visit to the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and Esrange.

— The Crown Princess experienced the unique cooperation within the helicopter crew, including the pilot, technicians, and mission specialists, says Johan Lörelius.

For more than 60 years, Esrange has been a platform for scientific space missions. Over 1,200 research rockets and balloons have been launched from the site, and satellite launch capability is now being established there - a development of major importance for Sweden, Europe, and NATO.

— We are proud to have welcomed The Crown Princess to Esrange Space Center outside Kiruna, one of the world’s most versatile space bases, says Charlotta Sund, CEO of the Swedish Space Corporation.