WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. - Nine New York National Guard Airmen and Soldiers learned cold weather survival techniques from Sweden’s subarctic warfare experts during a week-long course in Boden, Sweden, 48 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
Five Airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing, an Airman each from the 174th Attack Wing and the 105th Airlift Wing, and two Army Guard Soldiers took part in the Winter Training Planners Course at the Swedish Armed Forces Subarctic Warfare Center Nov. 25-29.
The course included a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on training in the Swedish winter, said Lt. Col. Bill Robesch, the 106th Rescue Wing’s chief of safety.
“They are the experts operating in this environment,” Robesch said. “So we are going to pass that knowledge on to the rest of the New York Air National Guard and the rest of the Air Force.
“We received briefings on training in subarctic environments, understanding how extreme cold affects both people and equipment and what to consider when planning in those conditions,” he said.
The team learned to assess how terrain differs between seasons — comparing clear landscapes in warmer months to snow-covered terrain in winter — and explored how these changes impact navigation and training operations, Robesch explained.
The outdoor training provided real-world, hands-on experience with the challenges of working in extreme conditions, said 1st Lt. Louis Buck, a helicopter rescue pilot at the 106th.
“They took us out onto a frozen lake and taught us how to assess the ice for safety,” Buck explained. “We drilled holes and took core samples to check the ice thickness and quality. Based on those measurements, we learned how to calculate how much weight the ice could safely hold and whether it was suitable for crossing.”
The New Yorkers’ visit to Sweden is the latest training exchange under a State Partnership Program agreement between the Swedish military and the New York National Guard signed in July.
The Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program provides a framework for military cooperation and exchanges between state National Guards and other nations’ militaries.
Since signing the agreement, the head of the Swedish Army has visited the New York National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division to observe training, the adjutant general of New York has led a delegation to Sweden, and Swedish Air Force officers have visited the 106th Rescue Wing. The New York National Guard also has State Partnership Program relationships with Brazil and South Africa.
Tech. Sgt. Michael Patterson, a 106th special missions aviator, said a key takeaway from the latest training exchange was learning the importance of winterizing equipment and personnel.
“The Swedish instructors went through our gear and provided recommendations on everything from the type of boots we should wear to the specific equipment needed for arctic operations,” he said. “They gave us a rundown of their survival kits, showing us what they carry on everyday flights and what’s necessary to survive and function in extremely cold conditions.”
Buck said the training was illuminating for the 106th team and strengthened ties between the U.S. and Swedish forces.
“Meeting in person and experiencing each other’s cultures really helps solidify and grow these partnerships,” Buck said. “We already have a strong relationship with Brazil, and both us and the Swedish military are excited to build that same level of rapport and trust between our units.”
The 106th Rescue Wing, based at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York, operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft and the HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopter. The 106th Rescue Wing is home to a special warfare squadron with pararescuemen and combat rescue officers specializing in rescue and recovery. It deploys for domestic and overseas operations.