NOVEMBER 23, 2021 – Senior leaders from 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, and key leaders from the Swedish Armed Forces Air Defense Regiment witnessed a handover ceremony of the Patriot missile system on November 18 in Halmstad, Sweden.
The new system marks the beginning of a new era for Swedish Air Defense and a decisive step towards enhancing Swedish air defense capability.
“This is a great day for not only for Sweden, but for all of us in the air defense community,” said Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Brady, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
“The acquisition of the Patriot will enhance our readiness and capabilities as we face future threats,” said Brady.
One of Maj. Gen. Brady’s priorities is to continue to strengthen the relationship between the Swedish air defense regiment and the 10th AAMDC.
There have been multiple joint exercises leading up to today’s handover ceremony.
“Over the last few years, we have participated in exercises together and we look forward to continuing to build our relationship in 2022 with the Swedish armed forces,” added Brady.
That relationship has been fostered through joint training and education down at the unit-level between 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment and the 61st Air Defense Battalion with the intent to build capacity through interoperability.
That training will be on display for upcoming exercise Ramstein Legacy 2022.
Exercise Ramstein Legacy 2022, scheduled for this coming summer, is going to be the largest ground-based integrated air and missile defense exercise in the world, bringing together NATO IAMD allies and partners to build theater-wide procedural interoperability.
“Anytime you increase the amount of time you spend together, it builds proficiency, which builds readiness, and readiness is critical for what we will encounter together in the future.”
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Terrance Rhodes
10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command