An Cosantóir

22 | strategic review NBG it is recognised that the Irish brought considerable previous overseas experience to the FHQ from the variety of missions the personnel have been involved with over the years as well as the significant professional military skills and knowledge they have gained across a variety of areas. The variety and volume of formal military training and education received by Irish personnel on training courses such as the Defence Forces Command and Staff course and the Logistics Management course provided a significant advantage in an environment requiring flexibility and a broad understanding of a wide range of complex military issues. From a social and general life point of view Irish families who deployed as part of the mission have had a very fruitful experience in Sweden. They got the chance to get involved in local communities, picking up some Swedish along the way, and the children had the opportunity to attend Swed- Sweden Ends Conscription The Swedish Armed Forces is currently undertaking its greatest change to date in terms of its manpower poli- cies. This is as a result of compulsory military service, which had been in place since 1909, ceasing in July 2010. The Armed Forces has now become the largest recruiter in Sweden as they plan to take on over 6,000 profes- sional, full-time soldiers. New recruits undergo three months training. The change from conscripts to professional soldiers has significant implications for the Swedish Armed Forces who now have to train and develop an entire cadre of professional non-commissioned officers. More information on the Swedish Armed Forces is avail- able in English on their website: www.försvarsmakten.se. Members of the Swedish Armed Force conducting heli-landing training. Photo: Jesper Tengroth, Swedish Armed Forces ish schools. Sweden is a very child friendly country and this was a very positive benefit for those families that moved there for the duration of the mission. Irish personnel also got involved in many sporting activities (in temperatures ranging from -24 C to +35 C), including the entering of a six-man cross-country Irish ski team in the Enköping Garrison championship. Members of the contingent were also involved in many other challenging sporting events. Capt Cathal Keohane successfully completed the 90 Km Vasaloppet cross- country ski race, which is the longest ski race in the world, while he and Capt Dom Timpson complete the Lindigo Ultra 50K run in less than five-and-a-half hours. While the Nordic Battle Group 2011 was not called upon to deploy during its standby period the overall train- ing and educational experience has been exceptional for the Irish personnel involved, particularly at the FHQ level. This training and education is likely to be of great benefit to individual staff officers, their units, and the Defence Forces, especially in the context of future overseas missions. The overall mission of the NBG was achieved in that the unit reached full operational capability and maintained it throughout the standby period. The lessons learned during the process will be of great benefit for future NBGs or any Irish involvement in other EU battle groups. While the Swedes have not made a decision regarding their involvement with another EU battle group in 2014, it is clear that when Irish personnel are given the op- portunity to participate it is a very worthwhile experi- ence, not only for the individuals concerned but for the Defence Forces in general. An Cosantóir July 2011 Lt Aoife Herbert and CQMS Christy Guilfolye undergoing security training in mines, OXOs, and IEDs with the Lifeguards Regiment in Kungsängen, Stockholm. Photo: Jesper Ten- groth, Swedish Armed Forces. Major Joakim Westberg (Sweden) duty officer and staff officer Lt Aoife Herbert during a staff exercise at the Joint Operations Centre (JOC). Photo: Jesper Tengroth, Swedish Armed Forces.

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