State Partnership Program brings National Guard, Sweden together for Air Force centennial 'Sweden Jubilee'
LINKÖPING, Sweden – U.S. Soldiers and Airmen with the New York and South Dakota National Guard prepared for Sweden Jubilee events here Aug. 20, joining Swedish and international partners in celebrating 100 years of the Swedish Air Force and discussing the future of air and space power.
The Sweden Jubilee runs Aug. 20-23 and includes the Centennial Air and Space Power Symposium Aug. 21 and the Jubilee Air Show Aug. 22-23. National Guard members are taking part through the Department of War National Guard State Partnership Program.
"Participation in the Sweden Jubilee Air Show and Symposium is a showcase of the expert capabilities from each of our nations to the Swedish population," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Melanie Padilla, director of the New York National Guard State Partnership Program.
New York and Sweden formally became state partners in July 2024, four months after Sweden joined NATO. Since then, the two have conducted approximately 160 engagements, including about 80 in fiscal year 2026 alone, Padilla said.
"New York brings depth in large-scale operations, and joint and interagency integration, while Sweden brings unmatched expertise in Arctic and cold-weather operations," Padilla said.
Those engagements have ranged from professional exchanges to large-scale training. This spring, more than 80 New York Army National Guard Soldiers trained alongside Swedish forces during Northern Lights 26, the largest training exchange between the partners since the relationship began.
An aircrew with the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing arrived here Aug. 20 in an HC-130J Combat King II, a four-engine turboprop aircraft that will be displayed and flown during the air show. The crew also transported two Search and Rescue Tactical Vehicle – Side by Side Vehicles, or SRTV-SXVs, and a half-scale model of the MQ-9 Reaper, a medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft. Airmen from the 107th and 174th Attack Wings will showcase the MQ-9 display during the Jubilee.
South Dakota National Guard Airmen from the 114th Fighter Wing are also supporting the New York-Sweden partnership, providing fighter aircraft subject matter expertise to help develop interoperability between U.S. fighter aircraft and Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen.
The Centennial Air and Space Power Symposium will bring together military leaders from allied and partner nations with Swedish government and industry representatives to discuss how forces operate, adapt and sustain operations in a changing security environment.
The celebration moves to Malmen Air Base Aug. 22-23 for the Jubilee Air Show, a free public event featuring ground displays and aerial demonstrations by the Swedish Armed Forces, NATO allies and international partners. The Aug. 22 program includes a centennial address by Swedish Air Force Chief Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman.
While the Jubilee showcases a century of Sweden’s air power, New York and Swedish service members will also use their time together to train for future operations. After the air show concludes Aug. 23, they will conduct subject matter expert exchanges through Aug. 26 focused on forward aerial refueling and air assault operations. Airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing will take part in the aerial refueling exchange, while Soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade will share expertise in air assault planning.
"Together, we are building interoperability, readiness, and enduring relationships that strengthen both nations and contribute to a more secure NATO Alliance," Padilla said. -30-
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