New soldiers and officers from the Royal Swedish Navy’s Stockholm Amphibious Regiment (amfibieregemente) recently completed their annual Övning Amfibie, a final exam of sorts for the regiment. A small coastal defense force, just 850 strong, you have to earn your place.
It is a grueling three-phase (combat obstacle course, fast march and amphibious exercise) evolution held over four days that allows only six hours of sleep (not in a row), 80 km of marching– of which about 40 km is with a 50 kilo 120L pack– water crossings through icy water, dozens of of skills stations, and few meals (none warm) all under constant precipitation (April is rainy in the Baltics) followed by nightly sub-freezing temperatures.
Those participating finish as a group or not at all.
Photos: Bezav Mahmod/Försvarsmakten
