Polish Paratroopers Land on Gotland – Not an Exercise

Polish paratroopers have been deployed on Gotland. The Swedish Armed Forces are careful not to call it an exercise but an operation with a purpose.

The two black Blackhawk helicopters stir up gravel and dust as they fly over Gärdet in Stockholm. A group of curious young boys are ushered away by shouting military guards. People pause on their way to work. The roaring rotor blades in the middle of Stockholm break the everyday scene.

We are a dozen journalists boarding and lifting off over Stockholm, heading towards Gotland.

There, 120 Polish paratroopers will soon be deployed as part of Gotland Sentry. A swiftly coordinated operation expected to last just over a week.

The operation also includes Polish missile systems temporarily stationed on Gotland.

In military terms, Operation Gotland Sentry is described as a test of sharp defense plans.

"Land and sea operational units are being moved to Gotland to reinforce the army and navy."

Nothing about this operation is secret. On the contrary, Sweden, Poland, and NATO want it to be visible all the way to Russia. It is no coincidence that we are a group of journalists heading out by helicopter to Tofta firing range to witness the Polish landing.

The message is: See how effectively and quickly we can move and deploy forces by land, sea, and air.

"It's Russia That Threatens"

The time is past when the Swedish Armed Forces spoke of a nameless enemy.

– It is Russia that threatens us, says the head of the Swedish operations command, Ewa Skoog Haslum.

The recent weeks' violations with drones over Poland and Romania, as well as Russian fighter jets over Estonia, do not come as a surprise but accentuate the situation, she believes.

– These are just signs of what we have been saying for so many years now: They conduct destabilizing operations to test us and try to influence us.

Gotland Crucial

In the tense situation, Gotland's importance cannot be overstated, nor can the threats against the island.

– Whoever controls Gotland in war controls the Baltic Sea, says Ewa Skoog Haslum.

She stands in front of one of the Swedish coastal defense's truck-mounted Robot 15. If the enemy approaches over the sea, they can be targeted from ten miles away from here.

– Tomorrow, the Polish coastal missile unit will also arrive here as part of the operation. It is from Gotland that we protect shipping and our important sea routes.

In the event of a war with Russia, Gotland and Sweden are likely to function as a hub for NATO forces.

Is Operation Gotland Sentry a kind of deterrence maneuver?

– Yes, deterrence is part of the NATO family's role. We are strong, and we have the same goal.

Military analysts and intelligence services across Europe point to the Russian military buildup as an existential threat. They warn that Europe is not mobilizing at the same pace.

Ewa Skoog Haslum still believes that Sweden is safer than it has been in a long time.

– I would have been much more worried if I had stood here as a lone Swede and not been part of NATO. We are safe together. I should also say that the determination within NATO is very clear.

"Secured the Landing Zone"

Potr Bieniek is a commander in the Polish airborne sixth brigade. He participates in the operation and jumped over Gotland on Tuesday as part of a small reconnaissance force consisting of nine paratroopers.

– We met with the local home guard forces. Our mission was to secure the landing zone for the main force arriving today.

Is this how it would be done in war?

– Yes, this is exactly how we act in sharp situations. Poland has long been a member of NATO, and I have participated in several operations in war zones.

But it turns out to be a significant difference. When the three planes with the Polish main force finally appear on the horizon, the wind over Gotland has increased. 13 meters per second in gusts. When the first parachutes are dropped, they quickly drift eastward with the wind, away from the landing zone. Under the canopies hang only packages with equipment.

At the last moment, the drop of soldiers is canceled for safety reasons. Instead, they land at Visby airport, and we disappointed journalists are left without images of combat-ready soldiers scattered in the Gotland terrain.

Would you have jumped if it were war?

– Yes, we would have. But from a lower altitude and with higher risk. From 200 meters, you only have 30 seconds to landing, says Potr Bieniek.

An hour after the Polish planes roared over the firing range, a caravan of buses and military vehicles arrives. Through the windows, 120 camouflage-painted soldiers gaze out.

Operation Gotland Sentry can begin.