Common Swedish Helicopter Wing

Starting in 1997, finished in 1998, the Swedish military helicopter forces will belong to a unified command.

At first it was a separate joint unit, since 2003 it's part of the air force.

The single helicopter wing, HQ at Malmen, consists of four batallions:

• North: HQ at Boden, consisting of the Army helicopter battalion AF1 at Boden, the Air Force search-and-rescue groups at F 21 Luleå and F 4 Östersund.
• East: HQ at Berga (Stockholm), consisting of the Navy's 11:th helicopter squadron at Berga, the SAR group at F 16 Uppsala. Rescue helicopters will also be stationed at Visby.
• South: HQ at Kallinge, consisting of the Navy's 12:th helicopter squadron at Säve (Göteborg) and the 13:th sqn at Kalling, the Air Force SAR groups at F 17 Kallinge, F 10 Ängelholm and F 7 Såtenäs.
• Malmen: Central schools and the AF2 battalion at Malmen.

As of 1997, there were 135 helicopters in the Swedish defence forces, of seven types, and a total staff of 2500. Of this, 18 helicopters and 110 personell are from the air force.

During 1999, the defence forces had a bit more than 110 helicopters of seven types in service.

The future

The future organization of the wing will consist of two battalions, Berga outside of Stockholm for the naval operations and Malmen near Linköping for the land operations, and one detachment at Boden.

This means that Göta helikopterbataljon and Norrlands helikopterbataljon will be disbanded, starting 2000 July 1. However, the HKP 4s at Säve will remain there until 2003.

The helicopter types operated by the Swedish defence forces.

Military aviation

Document last modified 2003 Apr 30 by Urban