31st Airborne Battalion (Sweden)

The 31st Airborne Battalion (31. Luftburna bataljonen) was a Swedish military elite light infantry unit mainly trained for air assault operations (similar to the U.S. 101st Airborne Division). The unit was made up of conscripts who all volunteered for the demanding service and every member of the unit went through an 11 or 15 months long training program before earning the Ranger tab and becoming an Air Assault Ranger. The unit was part of Life Regiment Hussars. Founded in 2008, the battalion was disbanded in 2013. A new air assault unit with a somewhat different role is planned to be raised in 2015 as part of the Life Guards.

Operations and training
The battalion was a rapid reaction force and was to be supported by transport and combat helicopters. Advance to contact on the ground was 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 was considered the most mobile unit in the Swedish Army and have a good ability to use precision guided weapons.

After completed basic training, the units become a part of Swedish Armed Forces, ready to defend Swedish territory. The conscripts can after completed basic training apply to be a part of Sweden's Rapid Deployment Forces, volunteer for international peace supporting missions or return to civilian life. They can also be a part of Swedish National Standby Forces (the Home Guard).