The Army

Having learnt about several unlawful arrests, 60% of refugees returned to their cities and that schools have again opened up in Libya, we had a somewhat quiet rest of the day in Luleå on Thursday. A psychologist went through various stress symptoms, which I could relate to, and that these normally disappear within two to four months. I then spent an hour at the gym followed by a couple of hours in group therapy, which is a standard procedure after a mission, as well as at a mission reunion.



It felt healthy to ventilate for a second time with my media and analyst colleagues – we have definitely bonded massively since the mission in Italy. Truth be told, I’ve never gotten so close to my contemporaries at work, as here in the Army. We’re all going through a unique situation being part of building a new military unit and adapting to a world much different to the civilian professional life we’re used to. It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun with colleagues and enjoyed spending time with work mates, and that includes our Psyops Group bosses. Despite being old militaries and essentially the heart of a bureaucratic boy’s club, we always have a laugh together.

The Luleå schedule was followed by a dinner with the Air Force and later drinks at the “Mäss” like the night before. I didn’t meet any pilots by the way – the closest I got was a 20 something year old, who spent seven months at Sigonella filling up the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen with petrol.

I also made a friend in the Air Force during lunch. He ended up showing me where the planes are being led. I had to put my mobiles and camera in a locker before entering the room where all flying traffic in Sweden can be viewed simultaneously. I was amazed by the large number of airplanes showing up as digit combinations on the system, and it wasn’t even rush traffic! The visit to the control room certainly added value to my trip up north.



Unfortunately I got to share my room with four party-loving Northerners who all dropped in at different hours in the night, severely disrupting my sleep. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to sharing my bedroom with more than one person.

I also discovered that the harsh Northern climate with its dry air and below zero temperatures completely dries up and ages the skin. I’ll make sure to invest in a rich cream in time for my next visit. However, next time I won’t be as part of Libya’s FL 02 group – after our final reunion at the Air Force base in Luleå this week – we no longer exist.

The plane landed smoothly tonight at Luleå airport. It’s so much snow here and not too cold, which instantly put me in a good mood.

The idea of spending two nights 725 kilometres north of Stockholm originally made me rebellious – it seemed like a waste of time, but as the date approached I just rolled with it. I even had a moment of appreciation on my way to the airport earlier since I am not in a situation where routine days and weeks is making my restless nature low. At least life in the Army offers variety...

I’m here with some colleagues in Psyops until Friday. We’re attending a final reunion with the Swedish Air Force, which we supported in Operation Unified Protector last year. I have a vague idea of what to expect, but will be informed of the full schedule tomorrow at 7.30am.

Having found my way to the lady’s barracks, I’ve just made my bed and is hitting the “Mäss” next – the military bar inside the regiment. It’s Wednesday and full of pilots, so I’m sure it will fly!

Failing that, my Army bed is looking very attractive...

I’m back at work after three eventful weeks on holiday from the Army. I’ve realised that a change in scenery is a must for any soldier’s sanity and I’ve come back feeling on top of the world, until today. Having worked an eleven hours day, mainly in the office, I’ve come home with a heavy head and light fever. It’s snowing outside and there’s a 15 degree difference from my time zone last week.

 

For the first time this week, I through myself on the coach as soon as I got in, I just about made it to the local grocery store beforehand and noticed that Enköping is pitch black and empty when the central shops shut.

 

There was a programme about women in Afghanistan on television tonight. Mainly filmed in Kabul, it is not the sort of environment I picture my colleagues placed in Afghanistan spending their time. Kabul is twice the size of Stockholm and has an international airport.

 

Only 10 percent of the women living in Afghanistan know how to read and write. According to the TV show, this is an effect of the 20 years of Taliban rule, forbidding women to go to school. Talibans continue to burn female schools, but they haven’t been in power since 2001, when US troops invaded Kabul on 7 October.

 

Despite of the power change, 90 percent of the women in Afghanistan today are abused in their homes. It's the world’s most dangerous country for a woman, and due to the domestic violence – a man in a tie is just as dangerous to a woman as a Taliban man.

 

Funnily enough, the Talibans used to be known as “freedom fighters" by Reagan’s anticommunist government in the 80s. Back then, the Talibans, or Mujahiddin groups, were fighting against the Soviet Union, who occupied Afghanistan in 1979. Several Mujahiddin groups were established with major support from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, who favoured the most extreme of the Mujahiddin commanders – ensuring that the most fanatical groups were also the best trained and armed.

 

68 women were put in the Afghan parliament in 2001 as a symbolic gesture. Each day these women drive to work with two armed guards in their car – they live under constant security threat.

 

The life expectancy of a woman in Afghanistan is 44 years. She is often forced into marriage before the age of 16, sold, or traded for sheep, or opium. Many women are not allowed to leave their homes without their husbands, or covered in a burqa. Men may be free in Afghanistan. Women are not.

 

The journalist finished the TV programme by asking one Afghan woman if it hadn’t been more calm and safe in the country whilst the Talibans were in power – compared to the last ten years of war? The woman replied with grace, wisdom and strength:

 

“It’s peaceful in the cemetery, but do you see any life there?”