Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Troy E. Black visited Sweden from October 21 to 24 with the aim of meeting his Swedish counterpart, Command Sgt. Maj. Johan Lindgren, to discuss the Swedish noncommissioned officer corps, the U.S.-Swedish Defense Cooperation Agreement, and to witness Sweden’s strengthening defense capabilities. Black toured the Swedish Air Defense Regiment in Halmstad and the Älvsborg Marine Regiment in Gothenburg during his visit. At the Halmstad Garrison, Black was briefed on the military base’s operations, including the training system for conscripts, professional soldiers, NCOs, and officers.
During the briefing at Halmstad, Black learned about Sweden’s growing air defense and training capabilities, as well as the integration of Swedish operations systems with NATO air and missile defense systems. The Halmstad Garrison plays a crucial role in training Swedish armed forces members through the basic training battalion, maintaining order and readiness, and supporting new air defense units and the air defense schoolhouse. The integration of existing Swedish operations systems with NATO systems contributes to building a stronger force both within Sweden and NATO, with a focus on developing host nation support for domestic defense.
In addition to his visit to the Air Defense Regiment, Black also visited the Älvsborg Marine Regiment in Gothenburg, where he was given an overview of the regiment’s mission and discussed the roles and responsibilities of NCOs. Black highlighted the importance of delegating decision-making to NCOs, allowing officers to oversee operations more effectively. Marines assigned to the Älvsborg Marine Regiment provided a demonstration of their amphibious battalion abilities with an amphibious landing, deploying a Robot 17 antiship missile and an 8-centimeter mortar. The visit concluded with discussions on further cooperation opportunities and the importance of adapting to new domains in warfare.
Black emphasized the importance of fostering growth among allies and partners, both bilaterally and within NATO, during his visit with Swedish counterparts. The significance of building up the NCO corps to become a more lethal and effective force in warfighting was a key theme of the visit. The evolution of warfare, modernization, innovation, and the roles of NCOs and officers in leadership were also discussed with Swedish Marines. Overall, the visit highlighted the importance of collaboration and cooperation between nations to strengthen defense capabilities and readiness for future conflicts.
