Sweden Makes State Partnership Visit to 106th Rescue Wing

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. - Ten members of the Swedish Air Force visited the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base as part of the State Partnership Program Nov. 17-20.

The New York National Guard signed a State Partnership Program agreement with the Swedish Armed Forces July 15. The agreement calls for the New York National Guard and the Swedish military to conduct training and leader exchanges to learn from each other.

The visit enabled Swedish personnel to learn the advanced search and rescue capabilities of the 106th, said Maj. Mark Joseloff, 106th Combat Rescue Officer and lead planner for the visit.

The visit also allowed key leaders and Airmen from the New York Air National Guard and personnel from the Swedish Air Force to get to know each other, he added.

Joseloff said the Swedish delegation included C-130 search and rescue aircraft aircrew and Swedish Air Force Rangers who possess similar capabilities to U.S. Air Force pararescuemen, specializing in search and rescue capabilities.

Lt. Col. Sebastien Blixte, a Swedish Air Force Ranger and chief of operations for Blekinge Wing, Sweden, said he was looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership.

"New York has extraordinary capabilities and a lot of experience that Sweden can gain from," he said.

Joseloff said the New York National Guard will benefit from Sweden's proficiency in cold-weather and arctic operations.

"Personnel recovery, global access and precision strike are mutual interests of our two Air Forces," he said. "Learning how to operate most effectively in remote arctic environments is something that I think would really benefit the 106th. There is a lot we can share with each other. Sweden has specific subject matter expertise that provides unique benefits, particularly arctic survival, mobility and warfare."

During the visit, the Swedish airmen attended operational briefings to familiarize themselves with the wing's equipment, procedures and tactics. The Swedes also briefed about their arctic capabilities.

A member from the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing, which operates the F-35A Lightning II fighter jet, and two members from the South Dakota Air National Guard's 114th Fighter Wing, which operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon, also participated in the meetings.

"Fighter jets were a particular area of interest for Sweden," explained Joseloff. "South Dakota and Vermont brought F-16 and F-35 subject matter experts to meet with the Swedes here at the 106th to satisfy that aspect of the relationship."

Eight Airmen from the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, which specializes in arctic transport and flies the LC-130H Hercules, and 174th Attack Wing, which operates the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, also gave briefings on their capabilities.

Col. Jeffrey Cannet, commander of the 106th, said he was enthusiastic about the partnership with Sweden.

"We're really looking forward to this partnership. Having them come out here is a great way to kick it off and really start building toward the future where we can fully integrate together," Cannet said.

"We're going to help them integrate better into NATO and they're going to help us better integrate into that Arctic region. It's a great partnership already, and we hope this is just the first of many events that we do here at the 106th," Cannet added.

The State Partnership Program pairs U.S. National Guard units with foreign militaries to build relationships, enhance cooperation and strengthen interoperability. Since its inception in 1993, the program has grown to include 105 partnerships with 115 nations.

New York also has partnerships with Brazil and South Africa.

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