Four Nordic Air Forces Fighting as One
This winter, the Nordic Division was established at the Norwegian Joint Air Operation Centre (JAOC) in Bodø.
The division was established in mid-January and is led by Colonel Carl-Fredrik Edström from Sweden. It consists of 13 officers from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
The division’s task is to lead the development and operationalisation of the Nordic Airpower Concept (NAPC). The NAPC aims to achieve the ability to operate as one force in full-scale joint air operations with day-zero readiness.
“We have a very exciting and important task ahead of us. The security situation and expectations mean that we need to move quickly from the start of this work. We have already begun exploring joint Nordic activities that will contribute to establishing a shared virtual environment for data exchange, shared briefings and coordinated planning”, says Colonel Edström.
Members of all the Nordic air forces at the NAOC in Bodø, Norway. 
Four Nordic Air Forces are now fighting as one. 
From left to right: Colonel Carl-Fredrik Edström from Sweden; Brigadier Tron Strand, head of the JAOC; and Jani Knuuti, Combat Plans Section, Air Operations Center in Finland.
The division will partially work together in Bodø and otherwise operate remotely from their respective air force headquarters.
“The Nordic Division represents a significant milestone in Nordic cooperation within the air domain. I am very pleased that the Nordic Division have had their first meeting in Bodø and established an offensive roadmap to drive Nordic integration and cooperation forward at a significant pace”, says Brigadier Tron Strand, head of the JAOC.
Nordic Airpower Concept (NAPC)
- The Nordic air force commanders have developed a joint concept for deepened cooperation between the countries’ air forces. The concept is built on four pillars: joint planning and command of air operations, coordinated development and use of Nordic air bases, enhanced joint situational awareness, and joint education, training, and exercises.
- The concept will strengthen the combined capability for air operations and create the conditions for an effective and seamless transition to collective defence within the framework of NATO.