The Swedes are taking the advanced Patriot air defence system with them. It is Sweden's most powerful ground-based air defence system, capable of engaging ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and helicopters.
The Dutch armed forces have been carrying out the NATO mission for just over a year. Sweden is now taking over.
It's great that they feel they can send us, that they feel we know our stuff so well and are so well trained. It's clear that it's a very serious task, but that's what we're going to work on, says Ville.
Mandatory fire training at Ringenäs shooting range outside Halmstad.
The last few weeks before departure are being spent honing their skills. Today, they are carrying out a fire drill in the bright November sun at the Ringenäs shooting range, right next to the Kattegat. One exercise involves extinguishing a fire in a smoking object.
A lump in the stomach
The soldiers say their close relatives are anxious, and that anxiety can also be sensed in the way the soldiers express themselves. Mattias describes it as a lump in the stomach.
But I see it as a good thing that I have this lump, because it shows that it's real.
Soldier Mattias is participating as a driver. He describes the feeling before the mission as a lump in his stomach.
Rzeszów in southeastern Poland is a logistics hub for civilian and military support to Ukraine. Per Skoglund, an associate professor at the Swedish Defence University, describes the city as a cornerstone of Ukraine's supply chain. It has an airport, storage facilities, transshipment centres and repair workshops, all in the middle of a well-developed road and rail network.
Russia is not prepared to attack, because that would mean starting a war with NATO, says Per Skoglund. But protection against Russian missiles is still needed, since Russia could fire a single missile and blame it on losing control of it.
We can never know if they sent it on purpose or if they actually lost control of a missile. In any case, Russia will always say that they lost control of it.
Different worlds
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mattsson, who is in charge of the operation, does not see any imminent threat to the location, but emphasises that the mission is necessary.
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mattsson is the commander of the operation in Rzeszów, Poland, which begins in December. The end date has not been set. Lv 6 is preparing to stay at least until mid-2027.
The biggest challenge will be to relate to two different worlds at the same time, he believes. The soldiers will live in a city that is at peace while carrying out a high-stakes mission.
That will probably be the challenge, to maintain focus for a longer period of time, even though you might be able to go to the cinema one evening.
The Armed Forces do not want the soldiers' last names to be published.
What do you think?