Today, the Swedish Air Force (SwAF) is operating 98 Gripens at three fighter wings – the Skaraborg Air Force Wing, F7 Såtenäs, located in Såtenäs outside Lidköping, Blekinge Air Force Wing, F17 Kallinge, located at Kallinge in Ronneby and Norrbotten Air Force Wing, F21 Luleå, located at Kallax in Luleå.
The Air Force Wings F17 in the south and F21 in the north of Sweden are the two wings that are currently working operational squadrons. The F7 Såtenäs wing is the SwAF’s main centre for the Gripen system and for the basic training of the Gripen pilots. In fact, all Gripen pilots, Swedish as well as foreign operators, begin their training here.
The Air Combat Training School, LSS in Uppsala – the principal centre of excellence for the development and training of the Swedish Air Force – are also using Gripen fighters for the training of pilots, operators and aircrews.
International exercises
International exercises are a vital part of the Swedish Air Force’s operations and are a requisite for its ability to participate in international missions with other countries. Two important exercises during recent years were the Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, USA and the Loyal Arrow, a NATO-led exercise executed from the SwAF F21 Wing at Kallax in Luleå, Sweden.

Image: Gripen at Loyal Arrow, Norrbotten Wing (F21) Luleå, Sweden. Photo: Försvarets-Bildbyrå.