The 31st Ranger Battalion ( sv, 31. jägarbataljonen), previously called the 31st Light Infantry Battalion ( sv, 31. lätta skyttebataljonen, 31. LSkbat), is a specialized

light infantry Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often fought ...

unit of the Swedish Army. The unit is part of the

Life Regiment Hussars The Life Regiment Hussars ( sv, Livregementets husarer; designated K 3) is one of the world's oldest regiments still active. The regiment descends directly from units set up by King Gustav I of Sweden (Gustav Vasa) in 1536, when Sweden set ...

and is based in Karlsborg. It is the primary support unit for the Special Operations Group (SOG). The battalion utilizes different means of transportation and is trained for airborne operations. As per the Defence Act of 2020, the 31st is to be redesignated as a ranger battalion, previously having been designated as a light infantry battalion.

Operations and training

The battalion is a rapid reaction force and is supported by

helicopter A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by horizontally spinning rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward and laterally. These attributes ...

s and

transport aircraft Transport aircraft is a broad category of aircraft that includes: * Airliners, aircraft, usually large and most often operated by airlines, intended for carrying multiple passengers or cargo in commercial service * Cargo aircraft or freighters, fix ...

. Advance to contact on the ground is to be carried out with the units own light all terrain vehicles or on foot. The unit is built on man-portable systems and operates in a, for the purpose, composed task force. It is considered the most mobile unit in the Swedish Army due to its light nature and ability to be transported via air and dropped by parachute, and have a good ability to use precision guided weapons. The battalion is also tasked with providing infantry support to the Special Operations Task Group. The battalion continuously deployed to

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...

until the Swedish

ISAF ' ps, کمک او همکاري ' , allies = Afghanistan , opponents = Taliban Al-Qaeda , commander1 = , commander1_label = Commander , commander2 = , commander2_label = , commander3 = , command ...

mission ended. All recruits applying for service with the battalion undergo the same basic training as every other recruit in the Armed Forces (3 months). Though they are required to undertake a selection course in order to be considered for further training and service with the battalion. Training to become a Ranger with the battalion is 6–8 months excluding basic training.

Organisation

Prior to 2013, the battalion consists of the following squadrons: *311th Airborne Squadron *312th Airborne Squadron *313th Airborne Squadron *314th Airborne Squadron *315th HQ & Support Squadron Each rifle squadron (311th, 312th and 313th) consisted of three rifle platoons, one mortar platoon and one HQ/support platoon. The supply squadron (314th) of a pioneer platoon, a supply platoon and medical platoon. The HQ/support squadron (315th) consisted of the battalion HQ, a command & control platoon (also includes the battalions

TACP The Tactical Air Control Party, commonly abbreviated TACP, is a small team of military personnel who provide coordination between aircraft and ground forces when providing close air support. Australia Australian TACPs are provided by the RAAF ...

) and a

reconnaissance In military operations, reconnaissance or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, terrain, and other activities. Examples of reconnaissance include patrolling by troops (skirmisher ...

platoon. After temporarily being disbanded and re-organized the battalion was re-instated as a battle group (although retaining the classification as a battalion) in 2015. In its current form it's made up of three squadrons: *310th HQ & Support Squadron *311th Airborne Squadron *312th Airborne Squadron

References

External links

* {{lang in, sv Infantry battalions of the Swedish Army Military units and formations established in 2003 Military units and formations disestablished in 2013 Military units and formations established in 2016 2003 establishments in Sweden 2013 disestablishments in Sweden 2016 establishments in Sweden Karlsborg Garrison

Operations and training

Organisation

See also

References

External links