Skaraborg Air Force Wing

Skaraborg Air Force Wing (Skaraborgs flygflottilj), also F 7 Såtenäs, or simply F 7, is a Swedish Air Force wing with the main base located near Lidköping in south-central Sweden.

History


The decision to set up the air wing was made in 1936, but disagreements in choosing a location delayed the commissioning. The Såtenäs estate was chosen for its good location and close proximity to suitable target ranges, and was purchased for 685,000 Swedish krona in 1938.

The first squadrons were set up with B 16A Caproni purchased from Italy at the start of World War II. These wooden framed aircraft were not suitable for the Nordic climate and soon got the nickname "flying coffins". They were replaced in 1941 by the Swedish B 17A that served throughout the war.

In 1946, the three bomber squadrons were converted to attack squadrons with the introduction of A 21, although for a brief number of years between 1948–1951, B 18 medium bombers were transferred from the Västmanland Air Force Wing (F 1).

The wing converted to jet aircraft in 1951 receiving A 21R converted from fighter to attack role from the Scania Air Force Wing (F 10). These were only kept for three years until the introduction of A 29B Tunnan in 1954. After only two years, they were in turn replaced by the new A 32A in 1956.

In 1964, a new transport squadron was set up with the introduction of the Tp 84 Hercules. Initially, only one aircraft was purchased, but a total of eight were introduced between 1965 and 1985. They are currently being used in international transport of Swedish Armed Forces. The first example acquired (84001) was withdrawn from use on 9 June 2014, with the second scheduled to follow within the year.

In 1973 the AJ 37 Viggen replaced the A 32, and the number of attack squadrons was reduced from three to two. The Viggens served until 1993, when one squadron was converted to the new JAS 39 Gripen. The second squadron followed suit in 1998.

F 7 is the main center for the entire Gripen system, and all training of pilots (including that of foreign operators) is carried out here.

Colours, standards and guidons
The colour was presented to the wing at Såtenäs by His Royal Highness Prince Gustaf Adolf in 1943. The colour is drawn by Brita Grep and embroidered by hand in insertion technique by the Kedja studio. Blazon: "On blue cloth in the centre the badge of the Air Force; a winged two-bladed propeller under a royal crown proper, all in yellow. In the first corner the lion of the provincial badge of Västergötland; bended sinister in yellow and white, armed and langued red."

Coat of arms
The first coat of arms of the Skaraborg Air Force Wing was used from 1940 to 1994. Blazon: "Per bend sinister sable and or a lion rampant counterchanged, armed and langued gules." The current coat of arms has been used since 1994. Blazon: "The provincial badge of Västergötland, per bend sinister sable and or, a lion rampant counterchanged, armed and langued gules between two estoiles argent in the first field, a chief azure over a string or, charged with a winged two-bladed propeller or.

Commanding officers
The commanding officer was referred to as flottiljchef ("wing commander") from 1940 to 1974 and had the rank of colonel. The commanding officer was referred to as sektorflottiljchef ("sector wing commander") from 1976 to 1981 and had the rank of colonel 1st class. His deputy was sometimes referred to as flottiljchef ("wing commander"). These latter are not listed in the list below. The commanding officer is since 1994 referred to as flottiljchef ("wing commander") and has the rank of colonel.


 * 1940–1945: Folke Ramström
 * 1945–1950: Ingvar Berg
 * 1950–1957: Stig Norén
 * 1957–1958: Åke Sundén
 * 1958–1968: Folke Barkman
 * 1968–1972: Bengt Lehander
 * 1972–1978: Karl-Erik Fernander
 * 1978–1985: Björn Amelin
 * 1985–1993: Stig Abrahamsson
 * 1993–1998: Krister Backryd
 * 1998–2001: Jan Andersson
 * 2001–2005: Fredrik Hedén
 * 2006–2008: Ingemar Adolfsson
 * 2009–2013: Ingela Mathiasson
 * 2013–2013: Per Danielsson
 * 2013–2016: Michael Cherinet
 * 2016–2019: Lars Helmrich
 * 2019–20xx: Malin Persson