End of FL 02
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.
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.
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