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RAMSTEIN, Germany – Finnish and Swedish liaison officers have been working closely with Allied Air Command colleagues during exercise Steadfast Jupiter to strengthen vital relationships and cooperate on air operations planning.

The Finnish and Swedish teams focused their efforts into their Consultant, Coordinator, and De-conflict (CCD) role. Their CCD concept aims to enhance the operational partnership between Finland, Sweden and NATO for instances of crisis or conflict. The enhanced communication and understanding of operations that Partners bring to the Alliance is well understood, and the benefits are significantly improved through Partner integration in NATO exercises.

Sweden participates in a wide range of NATO exercises, training events and educational courses. The purpose is to reach a higher level of interoperability between NATO and Sweden

"Sweden participates in a wide range of NATO exercises, training events and educational courses. The purpose is to reach a higher level of interoperability between NATO and Sweden. In Steadfast Jupiter 21, my team and I formed a CCD team at Allied Air Command. We are the link between the Swedish Air Force and the NATO Joint Force Air Component Commander. We assist leadership and staff officers in the planning and the execution of air operations. The benefit of this exercise has been to address all the frictions and questions that will be raised in a pre-article 5 operation," said Lt Col Anders Segerby, Swedish CCD Group Lead.

Swedish Partners from their CCD team working with Allied Air Command colleagues during exercise Steadfast Jupiter 21. Photo by Adc Arnaud Chamberlin. 

Remaining non-aligned is key to understanding the relationship Finland and Sweden have with NATO. Neither country is a member of the Alliance, but they frequently participate in NATO exercises. For many years, Finnish and Swedish air forces have flown their jets alongside Allied aircraft during Allied Air Command's exercises in the Baltic Sea Region, thereby enhancing regional cooperation and security and further building on common procedures. Both Partners are in a privileged partnership and have permanent liaison officers deployed to Allied Air Command.