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First Air Group

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First Air Group
Första flygeskadern
Active1938–1995
CountrySweden
AllegianceSwedish Armed Forces
BranchSwedish Air Force
TypeMixed (1938–1948)
Attack (1948–1995)
SizeGroup
Part ofSouthern Military District
Garrison/HQKarlsborg (1938-1942)
Stockholm (1942–1957)
Gothenburg (1957–1995)
Nickname(s)ÖB:s klubba[1]
Insignia
RoundelRoundel of Sweden.svg
Aircraft flown
AttackA 21A-3
A 32A Lansen
AJ 37 Viggen
BomberB 3 Junkers
B 4 Hawker Hart
B 17
B 18
B 18B
FighterJ 8 Gloster Gladiator
J 21
J 21R
ReconnaissanceS 6 Fokker
T 18B

First Air Group (Swedish: Första flygeskadern, E 1), previously named Air Group (Swedish: Flygeskadern) and later named Attack Group (Swedish: Attackeskadern) was an air group unit in the Swedish Air Force. The First Air Group was the collective name given to the attack wings who would jointly carry out heavier attacks in the event of war. It was active in various formations from 1938 to 1995. It was directly subordinate to the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces and therefore nicknamed ÖB:s klubba ("Supreme Commander's club").[1]

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Naming

Since its foundation in 1926 the Swedish Air Force grouped its aircraft into Flygkår (Air Corps, like the Första flygkåren, Andra flygkåren, Tredje flygkåren - the First, the Second, the Third Air Corps etc.), this being the aviation equivalent of an army regiment. In 1936 the Swedish Air Force switched from army-like to navy-like naming of its flying units. Thus the "air corps" became "flying flotillas" (flygflottiljer, sing. flygflottilj) with the respective geographic region added as an official name, thus the Second Air Corps (Andra Flygkår) established in 1926 became the Second Royal Roslagen Flying Flotilla (Andra Kungliga Roslagens Flygflottilj) in 1936. Following the naval nomenclature these flying flotillas were further divided into divisions (divisioner, sing. division) like the navy's destroyer divisions.

In the end of 1938 the Swedish Air Force formed an air squadron (Flygeskadern) in the end of 1938. In 1942 it became the First Air Squadron (E1 Första Flygeskadern), with the Second and Third to follow in 1943 and the Fourth in 1945. So the traditional Swedish naming of air units is as follows:

  • Eskader or Flygeskader - USAF Air Division or RAF Air Group equivalent
  • Flottilj or Flygflottilj - USAF Air Wing or RAF Station equivalent
  • Division - Air Squadron
  • Grupp - Flight

History

According to the Defence Act of 1936, an air group commander would in case of war carry out the immediate command of the Swedish Air Force units that were part of the air group. In peacetime, his duties were to plan exercises, inspect wing exercises and conduct co-exercises and major practical exercises, that is, not to have constant command of Swedish Air Force wings.[2] Flygeskadern (the "Air Group") was organized in response to the emergency preparedness in September 1939 and was resolved (except for the staff) in the latter part of 1940. According to the Defence Act of 1942, four air groups would be permanently organized and in peacetime command the constituent wings regarding tactical and operational exercises. Its staff was located in Karlsborg from 1939 to 1942. In 1942 the Swedish Air Force expanded its war organization into four air groups and the Air Group was renamed First Air Group (Första flygeskadern, E 1), with its staff in Stockholm. The distribution of the Swedish Air Force wings to the air groups varied from 1 July 1945, when all four air groups had been organized. The First Air Group had attack duties, the Second and Third Air Group had fighter duties and the Fourth Air Group had reconnaissance duties.[2]

The staff were merged with the staff of the Western Airbase Area (Västra flygbasområdet, Flybo V) on 1 October 1957 and was placed in Gothenburg. This air group was meant to have attack duties.[2] Its command center Björn, was located south of Skara.[3] In 1966 the First Air Group became the only air group in the Swedish Air Force, when the three others were decommissioned. The commander of the First Air Group was subordinate to the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces according to instruction by the King in Council. Issues concerning unit training and production, the commander of the First Air Group was subordinate to the Chief of the Air Force.[1] The First Air Group was then renamed Attackeskadern ("Attack Group") and was led by a joint staff based in Gothenburg until it was decommissioned in 1995. The decommissioning decision came in conjunction with the Defence Act of 1992, in which it was decided that three geographic air commands were to be established on 1 July 1993 and subsequently retrieved the duties from the First Air Group.[4] At the decommissioning, the traditions and history of the First Air Group were transferred to the Chief of Air Force Staff, which on 30 June 1998 handed them over to the Air Force Center.

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Defence Act of 1936 (Sweden)

Defence Act of 1936 (Sweden)

The Defence Act of 1936 was a defence act passed by the Swedish Riksdag on 11 June 1936 which remained in effect until 17 June 1942.

Swedish Air Force

Swedish Air Force

The Swedish Air Force is the air force branch of the Swedish Armed Forces.

Karlsborg

Karlsborg

Karlsborg is a locality and the seat of Karlsborg Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 3,551 inhabitants in 2010. This garrison town lies at the shore of lake Vättern in Västergötland.

Stockholm

Stockholm

Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden as well as the largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 990,000 people live in the municipality, with 1.6 million in the urban area, and 2.5 million in the metropolitan area. The city stretches across fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea. Outside the city to the east, and along the coast, is the island chain of the Stockholm archipelago. The area has been settled since the Stone Age, in the 6th millennium BC, and was founded as a city in 1252 by Swedish statesman Birger Jarl. It is also the county seat of Stockholm County. For several hundred years, Stockholm was the capital of Finland as well, which was then a part of Sweden. The population of the municipality of Stockholm is expected to reach one million people in 2024.

Gothenburg

Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden, fifth-largest in the Nordic countries, and capital of the Västra Götaland County. It is situated by the Kattegat, on the west coast of Sweden, and has a population of approximately 590,000 in the city proper and about 1.1 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area.

Command center

Command center

A command center is any place that is used to provide centralized command for some purpose.

Skara

Skara

Skara is a locality and the seat of Skara Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 18,580 inhabitants in 2013. Despite its small size, it is one of the oldest cities in Sweden, and has a long educational and ecclesiastical history. One of Sweden's oldest high schools, Katedralskolan, is situated in Skara. The former county of Skaraborg was named after a fortress near the town.

Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces

Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces

The Supreme Commander is the highest ranked professional military officer in the Swedish Armed Forces, and is by NATO terminology the Swedish chief of defence equivalent. The Supreme Commander is the agency head of the Swedish Armed Forces and formally reports to the Government of Sweden, though normally through the Minister for Defence. The primary responsibilities and duties of the Supreme Commander are prescribed in an ordinance issued by the Government.

King in Council (Sweden)

King in Council (Sweden)

King in Council, or Royal Majesty, was a term of constitutional importance that was used in Sweden before 1975 when the 1974 Instrument of Government came into force.

Chief of Air Force (Sweden)

Chief of Air Force (Sweden)

Chief of Air Force is the most senior appointment in the Swedish Air Force. The position Chief of Air Force was introduced in 1926 and the current form in 2014.

Air Component Command

Air Component Command

Air Component Command was a part of the Joint Forces Command of the Swedish Armed Forces. The staff was located at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters in Stockholm. The Air Component Command commanded the operations of the Swedish Air Force.

Organisation

1938–1940

Wings Type Main aircraft Comment
F 1 Hässlö Medium bomber B 3 Junkers
F 3 Malmslätt Reconnaissance S 6 Fokker
F 4 Frösön Light bomber / Dive bomber B 4 Hawker Hart
F 8 Barkarby Fighter J 8 Gloster Gladiator

1942–1948

Wings Type Main aircraft Comment
F 1 Hässlö Bomber B 18
F 4 Frösön Light bomber B 17
F 12 Kalmar Light bomber B 17
F 15 Söderhamn Day-time fighter J 21

1948–1957

Wings Type Main aircraft Comment
F 6 Karlsborg Attack A 21A-3
F 7 Såtenäs Attack J 21R / B 18B
F 14 Halmstad Attack B 18B
F 17 Kallinge Attack T 18B

1957–1966

Wings Type Main aircraft Comment
F 6 Karlsborg Attack A 32A Lansen
F 7 Såtenäs Attack A 32A Lansen
F 14 Halmstad Attack A 32A Lansen Removed in 1961, and replaced by F 15
F 15 Söderhamn Attack A 32A Lansen Added in 1961, and replaced F 14
F 17 Kallinge Attack A 32A Lansen

1966–1995

Wings Type Main aircraft Comment
F 6 Karlsborg Attack A 32A Lansen. AJ 37 Viggen from 1977
F 7 Såtenäs Attack A 32A Lansen. AJ 37 Viggen from 1973
F 15 Söderhamn Attack A 32A Lansen. AJ 37 Viggen from 1974
F 17 Kallinge Attack A 32A Lansen until 1975 Removed from E 1 after rearmament to fighter wing

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Junkers Ju 86

Junkers Ju 86

The Junkers Ju 86 was a German monoplane bomber and civilian airliner designed in the early 1930s, and employed by various air forces on both sides during World War II. The civilian model Ju 86B could carry ten passengers. Two were delivered to Swissair and five to Deutsche Luft Hansa. In addition a single civilian Ju 86Z was delivered to Sweden's AB Aerotransport.

Fokker C.V

Fokker C.V

The Fokker C.V was a Dutch light reconnaissance and bomber biplane aircraft manufactured by Fokker. It was designed by Anthony Fokker and the series manufacture began in 1924 at Fokker in Amsterdam.

Jämtland Wing

Jämtland Wing

Jämtland Wing, also F 4 Frösön, or simply F 4, is a former Swedish Air Force wing with the main base located at Åre Östersund Airport outside Östersund on Frösön in the middle of Sweden.

Hawker Hart

Hawker Hart

The Hawker Hart is a British two-seater biplane light bomber aircraft that saw service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was designed during the 1920s by Sydney Camm and manufactured by Hawker Aircraft. The Hart was a prominent British aircraft in the inter-war period, but was obsolete and already side-lined for newer monoplane aircraft designs by the start of the Second World War, playing only minor roles in the conflict before being retired.

Gloster Gladiator

Gloster Gladiator

The Gloster Gladiator is a British biplane fighter. It was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) and was exported to a number of other air forces during the late 1930s.

Saab 18

Saab 18

The Saab 18 was a twin-engine bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, designed and built by Svenska Aeroplan AB (SAAB) for use by the Swedish Air Force in response to a 1938 design competition. Due to delays, it did not enter service until 1944, but quickly became the standard Swedish bomber aircraft. Serving in the bomber, reconnaissance and ground-attack roles, it also assisted in the development of ejection seats and air-to-surface guided missiles until its replacement by the Saab Lansen in the late 1950s.

Saab 17

Saab 17

The Saab 17 is a Swedish single-engine monoplane reconnaissance dive-bomber aircraft of the 1940s originally developed by ASJA prior to its merger into Saab. It was the first all-metal stressed skin aircraft developed in Sweden.

Kalmar Wing

Kalmar Wing

Kalmar Wing, also F 12 Kalmar, or simply F 12, is a former Swedish Air Force wing with the main base located on the south-east coast of Sweden.

Hälsinge Wing

Hälsinge Wing

Hälsinge Wing, also F 15 Söderhamn, or simply F 15, is a former Swedish Air Force wing with the main base located near Söderhamn in northern Sweden.

SAAB 21

SAAB 21

The SAAB 21 is a Swedish single-seat low-wing monoplane fighter and attack aircraft designed and manufactured by SAAB. It used a relatively unorthodox twin boom fuselage with a pusher engine, giving the aircraft an unusual appearance.

Skaraborg Wing

Skaraborg Wing

Skaraborg Wing, also F 7 Såtenäs, or simply F 7, is a Swedish Air Force wing with the main base located near Lidköping in south-central Sweden.

Saab 21R

Saab 21R

The Saab 21R was a Swedish fighter/attack aircraft developed and produced by Svenska Aeroplan AB (SAAB). It was a jet-powered development of the piston-engined SAAB 21 and was the first jet aircraft to be produced by Saab. The R-suffix stands for reaktion (reaction), referencing reaktionsdrift or reaktionsmotor. Along with the Soviet Yakovlev Yak-15, the 21R was one of only two jet fighters to have been successfully converted from piston-powered aircraft.

Commanding officers

Between 1938 and 1941 and 1994 to 1995 the commander had the rank of colonel. Between 1941 and 1994, the commander had the rank of major general.

Commanders

List of commanders:[5][6]

Deputy commanders

After the airbase areas were decommissioned on 30 September 1957, a deputy commander position was added. The deputy commander had the rank of colonel. When all the air groups (except the First Air Group) were decommissioned in 1966, the deputy commander position disappeared.

  • 1957–1964: Gösta Sandberg (acting)
  • 1964–1966: Karl-Erik Karlsson

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Bengt Nordenskiöld

Bengt Nordenskiöld

General Bengt Gustafsson (G:son) Nordenskiöld was a Swedish Air Force officer who served as Chief of the Air Force from 1942 to 1954. In 1910 Nordenskiöld started his military career as a volunteer in the Svea Life Guards, later attending the Royal Swedish Army Staff College. In 1928, he was made a captain in the General Staff. During 1931 he went through aircraft recognition training at the Swedish Air Force Flying School, after which he was trained as a pilot. In 1936, Nordenskiöld started to serve in the recently created Air Staff under general Torsten Friis, later becoming a lieutenant general. He was appointed Chief of the Swedish Air Force in 1942 as the first Chief of Air Force with pilot training. Nordenskiöld was promoted general and retired from active service in 1954.

Paulus af Uhr

Paulus af Uhr

Major General Paulus Reinhold af Uhr was a Swedish Air Force officer. He also competed at the 1912 Summer Olympics.

Björn Bjuggren

Björn Bjuggren

Lieutenant General Björn Gustaf Eriksson Bjuggren, “Bjuggas”, was a Swedish Air Force officer and aviator. Bjuggren senior commands include wing commander of the Jämtland Wing, head of the Royal Swedish Air Force Staff College and commanding officer of the First Air Group. After his active military career, he served as War Materials Inspector and head of the National Swedish War Materials Inspectorate.

Stig Norén

Stig Norén

General Carl Stig Norén was a Swedish Air Force officer. Norén started his military career in the Swedish Navy and was after a few years transferred to the Swedish Air Force where he would remain for over 30 years. Norén finished his career by being the Chief of the Air Force from 1968 to 1973.

Gösta Odqvist

Gösta Odqvist

Lieutenant General Gösta Odqvist was a Swedish Air Force officer. His senior commands include commanding officer of the Västmanland Wing, the Fourth Air Group, the Chief of the Air Staff and the First Air Group.

Bengt Rosenius

Bengt Rosenius

Major General Bengt Rosenius was a Swedish Air Force officer. Rosenius served as wing commander of the Östgöta Wing, Inspector of Flight Safety and commanding officer of the Attack Group. Later in his career he served two years as War Materials Inspector and head of the National Swedish War Materials Inspectorate.

Sven-Olof Olson

Sven-Olof Olson

Lieutenant General Sven-Olof Olson was a senior Swedish Air Force officer. He served as Commanding General of the Southern Military District from 1980 to 1982 and as Chief of the Air Force from 1982 to 1988.

Erik Nygren

Erik Nygren

Major General Erik Gustav Vilhelm Nygren was a Swedish Air Force officer. Nygren's senior command was Chief of the Air Staff from 1978 to 1980 and commanding officer of the Attack Group from 1980 to 1983.

Bert Stenfeldt

Bert Stenfeldt

Major General Bert Göran Stenfeldt was a Swedish Air Force officer. Stenfeldt served as Chief of the Air Staff from 1987 to 1990 and as the commander of the First Air Group from 1990 to 1994.

Names, designations and locations

Name Translation From To
Flygeskadern Air Group 1938 1942
Första flygeskadern First Air Group 1942 1966
Attackeskadern Attack Group 1966 1995-06-30
Designation From To
E 1 1938 1995-06-30
Location From To
Karlsborg 1938 1942
Stockholm 1942 1957
Gothenburg 1957-10-01 1995-06-30

Source: "First Air Group", Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, (2022, January 27th), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Air_Group.

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References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "Första flygeskadern dirigent med "ÖB:s klubba"" (PDF). Flygvapennytt (in Swedish). Stockholm: Flygstaben (4): 32–33. 1972. SELIBR 8257600.
  2. ^ a b c "Förteckning > Flygeskadern / 1. flygeskadern" [List > Air Group / 1st Air Group] (in Swedish). National Archives of Sweden. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  3. ^ Jansson, Mattias (2015-05-20). "Hemlig militärbas utanför Skara". Nyheter Väst (in Swedish). Sveriges Television. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  4. ^ Regeringens proposition 1991/92:102 om totalförsvarets utveckling till och med budgetåret 1996/97 samt anslag för budgetåret 1992/93. Regeringens proposition, 8216139 ; 1991/92:102 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Riksdagstryckeriet. 1992. SELIBR 10148318. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  5. ^ Stenfeldt, Bert (1992). "Historik" [History] (PDF). Flygvapennytt (in Swedish). Stockholm: Flygstaben (3): 31. ISSN 0015-4792. SELIBR 8257600.
  6. ^ Andersson, Lennart (2010). ÖB:s klubba: flygvapnets attackeskader under kalla kriget (PDF). Publikation / Försvaret och det kalla kriget (FOKK), 1652-5388 ; 24 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Svenskt militärhistoriskt bibliotek. p. 208. ISBN 978-91-85789-74-0. SELIBR 11958220.

Print

  • Braunstein, Christian (2005). Svenska flygvapnets förband och skolor under 1900-talet. Skrift / Statens försvarshistoriska museer, 1101-7023 ; 8 [dvs 9] (in Swedish). Stockholm: Statens försvarshistoriska museer. p. 122. ISBN 91-971584-8-8. SELIBR 9845891.
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