At the end of August, the second amphibious battalion and the United States Marine Corps conduct the exercise Archipelago Endeavor (AE 23). The exercise takes place for the fifth time since 2018 and is carried out as part of the declaration of intent signed between Sweden and the USA at a political level in 2016. AE 23 includes nearly 150 American soldiers and officers, many of whom have participated previously according to a press release from the Swedish Armed Forces.

– Some of those who are coming I have already met, both officers, specialists, and soldiers, which is incredibly fun. It makes things much easier when you have worked with them before. We pick up where we left off last time and develop together, says Sergeant Virtanen, engagement leader at the second amphibious battalion to the Swedish Armed Forces.

The exercise lasts for three weeks and begins with the American soldiers, among other things, showing the Swedish soldiers the equipment they have brought with them, and then the Americans get to see the Swedish equipment. After that, they train each other on the weapon systems before the next phase of the exercise kicks off.

– The United States Marine Corps soldiers are very proactive in their actions. They are more than willing to perform their duties and do so vigorously. It is interesting and educational to be a part of. They are extremely curious about everything, whether it concerns military activities or the culture here in Sweden. They also find it a bit amusing that we carry the Robot17 system instead of mounting it on a helicopter, says Sergeant Virtanen to the authority.

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