General Claesson then turned directly toward Colonel Anders Lindqvist, commander of the Gotland Regiment.
“Colonel Lindqvist, the Americans are already on the island with their advance party, but as you know, they’ve deployed only Bravo Company of the 2-503rd Infantry Regiment to Gotland. Alpha and Charlie Companies are currently slated for basing at the naval facility near Stockholm, with Delta Company near the submarine base at Muskö. Given Minister Qiao’s latest announcement and the sheer scale of the Chinese deployment in Kaliningrad, what’s your assessment?”
Lindqvist straightened, his expression serious. “General, frankly speaking, one American company — regardless of its capabilities — will barely be enough to protect the Patriot and HIMARS batteries. With the Chinese now openly basing a significant force just across the sea, I strongly recommend you press NATO to deploy the entire battalion here, or at the very least, one or two additional companies. If we’re to credibly cover island-wide security, countersabotage patrols, and rapid responses to potential infiltration, I’ll need more soldiers and more equipment than we currently have.”
Claesson nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right, Colonel. Given today’s announcements, it’s clear Gotland is no longer merely symbolic — it’s a potential front line. I’ll raise this immediately with the Americans and General Calder at NATO. In the meantime, we must prepare as if Bravo Company is all we’ll have. Beyond the American presence, what else will you need to hold the island effectively? Would a targeted call-up of local reservists suffice, or do we need immediate mainland reinforcements?”
Lindqvist replied without hesitation. “General, given the scale of what’s happening in Kaliningrad, targeted reservist call-ups would help. It would minimize strain elsewhere in the country, allowing us to strengthen island security without weakening the mainland. But even then, we can’t rely solely on reservists and Home Guard units to defend the critical infrastructure at Visby, the countryside, and the air base without creating dangerous gaps.”
Captain Joran Lindholm, commander of the island’s Leopard 2 tank platoon, leaned forward, interjecting calmly, “Sir, we’ve already begun positioning armor just north of the airport — hidden from public view but close enough to rapidly respond. I’ve consulted with our American counterparts; we’re all in agreement about dispersing Patriot and HIMARS batteries into hardened, camouflaged sites. No co-location. No proximity to civilian population centers.”
Next to him, Major Mikael Stenqvist affirmed, “Fallback positions for both US and Swedish missile systems are already under preparation. If missiles start flying, we’ll need more dedicated transport assets to ensure rapid repositioning.”
Across the table, Captain Elin Boström, liaison from the Eastern Air Defense Command, adjusted the overlay on her tablet, her voice professional yet tense.
“Our fighters will maintain continuous air patrol coverage over Gotland and the surrounding Baltic Sea, fully coordinated with NATO’s air policing operations. NATO’s asked us specifically for increased coastal patrol craft presence and additional SHORAD coverage around the Patriot and HIMARS reload points, as well as ISR units operating near Tofta.”
She looked directly at Claesson. “With your approval, we can redeploy an additional RBS 70 team to the southern ridge and a mobile IRIS-T launcher near Slite. That would fill the blind zones effectively without overtly militarizing the entire island.”
Captain Bertil Sonevang, representing the Gotland Home Guard, folded his arms firmly. His tone was calm yet resolute. “General, our troops are already actively patrolling the woods, cliffs, and coastlines quietly but effectively. If saboteurs arrive, we’ll find them quickly. However, clear operational boundaries must be established with NATO personnel. We’ll coordinate with them, but under no circumstance will the Home Guard be subordinated directly to foreign command structures. Islanders will not tolerate Gotland becoming a permanent NATO forward operating base.”
Claesson raised his hand reassuringly. “I fully understand your concerns, Lieutenant. That’s exactly the careful line we must navigate. NATO’s presence here is necessary, but optics and islander sentiment matter greatly. Colonel Lindqvist, I trust you’ll handle coordination personally with the incoming American commander at Tofta. Captain Boström, maintain tight airspace coordination with NATO’s Joint Force Air Component. And, Captain Sonevang, I authorize immediate mobilization of two reservist platoons at your discretion.”
