[Sweden]: Message to Great Britain

[Connor]

Government of Sweden
Löfven Administration

Security Classification: TOP SECRET
Document Classification and Security Act 1995​

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Dear Rt. Hon. Jason Green,

Operation Boron

I am writing to you on behalf of the Swedish Royal Air Force, with the knowledge and instruction from the Executive Office of the Prime Minister of Sweden. It should be noted that the content of this communication is classified at the highest possible level in line with Swedish domestic law at 'TOP SECRET' as defined by the Document Classification and Security Act 1995; it is imperative that the equivalent encryption level and classifications are impended by the recipient.

At present the Swedish Armed Forces are under instruction, and in the primary preparation phases of, an intelligence gathering operation as part of Operation Boron. This deployment will include some of the most sophisticated equipment operated in our arsenal, including the recently acquired Lockheed U-2, prompting this message to you. Although the Kingdom of Sweden retains a vast amount of overseas territory across the globe, at present we have no military assets within the Southern Atlantic within the range of the Lockheed U-2 which drastically limits our capability to conduct this operation; however I note this is not the case for Great Britain.

It's with great hope that we may negotiate the use of RAF Ascension Island as, what we will classify, a Temporary Operating Position providing the necessary replenishment, comfort and refreshment for our crew and equipment. I understand there may be political, financial and perhaps even ethical considerations to this arrangement which I am more than happy to discuss further.

I trust given the recent developments in our relationship, including contractual obligations set our within the Lockheed U-2 Disclosure Agreement, that the content of this message will receive the necessary securities. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Stefan Nordström
Under Secretary of Defence for the Air Force
Kingdom of Sweden

Jamie

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Crown Copyright © Kingdom of Sweden
All information is subject to the Swedish Document Classification and Security Act 1995​

 

[Jamie]

Ministry of Defence
Security Classification: TOP SECRET

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Entering his office the following morning, the Secretary of Defence took to his seat and resorted to his normal routine. A cup of coffee beside him and opening his emails, from Nigerian Princes to military operations, the one that stood out was from his Swedish Counterpart: Operation Boron. Working his way through the email, it was justifiable for a phone call to discuss this further. Ensuring the office door was shut, he picked up the landline and entered the number for the Swedish Ministry of Defence; encrypting his line in the privacy of his own office. Keeping the email open on one screen, he spent the time on hold to review other operations going on in the region to prevent a conflict of interest based on the initial request from the Swedes.

Connor

 

[Connor]

Stefan Nordström, from the comfort of his private office in the Department of Defence would glance his eyes over to the desktop telephone ringing atop of his desk with a small green light illuminated on the handset to symbolise the fact that the line was encrypted by the switchboard. He'd lift the handset as his personal secretary explains where the call originated from; the British Ministry of Defence. He'd approve the call, thinking to himself "that was quick" - in the next breath he'd speak directly into the handset.

"Good Afternoon, Under Secretary Stefan Nordström speaking!"

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

Tapping his pen against the desk in sync with the on-hold music, waiting to be put through to the Under Secretary for the Swedish Air Force. Fortunately, it wasn't a long wait. "Good Afternoon Sir" responded Jason, "How are you doing today? I'm sure my purpose for the call doesn't need much introduction but based on your email to us relating to Operation Boron, I thought it was justified to discuss over a phone call to go over the... finer details. Financial considerations are not much to be thought about from our perspective, the main implication for the British Government is the political."

The Secretary of Defence paused, raising his drink and taking a sip before continuing. "Understandably, intelligence gathering is something every government does but my main worry is that it somehow becomes public knowledge of U-2s been flown from RAF Acension Island which could result in a few different problems. May I know more about your intentions and what precautions you have in place to protect the secrecy of the operation? And, by extension, your staging place on British Territory?"

Connor

 

[Connor]

Stefan leans back in his chair, pushing the handset into his ear as he listens intently, he knew that this agreement with the British was important to not only central government but also to the continuity of the operation.

"Secretary, thank you for your call, I agree it's much easier to discuss this over the phone rather than a continual chain of laborious emails. I expected the concern surrounding the political...- issues...- likely to come of your assistance with Sweden in an operation you know very little about but I must stress that we have considered everything we possibly can to limit any repercussions on your government. Operation Boron is probably one of the most important operations to be authorised by the Swedish Department of Defence and could change the face of the battlefield in years to come - part of this, the Lockheed U-2, is as much of a key secret asset to our Royal Air Force as it is yours. I intend to keep it that way, at all costs.

Our identification of RAF Ascension Island was not only of geographic strategic importance but also of a tactical nature - we intend for all departures and arrivals of our aircraft to be completed in the dead of night where detection of this aircraft is extremely minimal. With that being said the island has, to our knowledge, a substantially lower population than alternate locations which are on the mainland or neighboured by major cities and towns, lowering the odds of any knowledge worldwide and... to be honest... lowering the odds of the base being actively under surveillance by foreign entities.

Now, continencies have been discussed in the event that this operation were to swirl the drain. Touch wood it does not. Of course there is a scale whereby a mission is compromised; the mere sighting of the Lockheed U-2 is at the lower end whilst being detected during an operational campaign is obviously much higher whereby the risk to life, limb and property is substantially higher. We've toyed with a number of scenarios at either end of the scale to rid the British of any responsibility primarily and with the view of rescuing the operation for future stages to come. Our National Security Council have concluded that the event of this operation being severely compromised is extremely unlikely given the advanced technologies, isolated operating position and lack of knowledge surrounding surveillance capabilities.

We don't intend to operate in a position where this aircraft would ever be detected operationally - it's most vulnerable points will be arrival and departure from RAF Ascension Island."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"Thank you for the thorough run down, although we have no doubts about your operational capabilities, the political aspect is potentially the most dangerous. I find that quite ironic given the world we live in with tanks, nuclear weapons and aircraft carriers; that a political outburst could be the start of a tragic chain of events. I do not expect a threat from those on the island, with a minimum population and night operations. That can be passed as a routine visit to deliver supplies to the island. That would be unquestioned and something that we could manage to help protect the parties involved from detection. Due to the isolated nature of the island, the departure of the high altitude U2's could be impossible to detect. That is, if you remember to turn the transponder off." joked the Secretary before continuing.

"The three main questions I now possess are the duration and resources. To put it bluntly, might I inquire as to the planned duration for Operation Boron and the intended use of RAF Ascension Island? Are we perhaps, looking at a prolonged intelligence gathering operation, or is this looking at a few months? Secondly, do you require any resources from the United Kingdom? We will grant the permission to land and re-supply at the islands, but do you require assets such as chase cars, specifically for the U2? Or transport of personnel to the island? We would also need to know how many personnel you will be sending and any other equipment, if any. The less requirements for our resources, the bigger the benefit for both our countries to keep our hands clean in the matter.

Thirdly, and this is not a requirement and will not change the outcome of our support for your operation. Especially given you would be doing the leg work... equally, perhaps this is an opportunity to come to a written agreement. Anyhow... the question I had was around the intelligence you collect and about the possibility of that intelligence, been shared between the UK and Sweden. The information wouldn't be used to harm yourselves in anyway, but it would help our own portfolio without risking alternative intelligence missions in the area. On top of that, I wonder if this opens the door to an intelligence sharing agreement but I figure that may be one for others in our government to agree on."

Connor

 

[Connor]

"Oh without doubt, Mr Secretary, rest assured that we have considered all the possible ramifications of the mission being compromised and at the very top of our agenda is always the protection of friends, partners, allies and neighbours. I think at the end of the day irrespective of what, if any, information ends up in the public domain following a breach of our document security protocols or hostile intelligence operations conducted by foreign actors; the only realistic likelihood of any risk to your government is following the operation being completely compromised. The mere operation of Swedish aircraft within your RAF bases is nothing untoward, particularly whilst we undergo large scale naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, it shouldn't come as a shock to the international community that we're working together... but as I said, the whole intention of this mission is to remain undetected and we will do everything in our power to ensure that's the case."

Stefan laughs along with the Secretary, making quick notes through the call to keep track once it ends.

"I'll answer your questions in order sir. If I'm honest we have no timescale for Operation Boron, it's something we and our allies have never attempted before and it's something we're going to have to take with a pinch of salt considering the capabilities of the aircraft we're operating and the limits of our Royal Air Force personnel. If I were to give a ballpark rage... I think years is probably more likely dependant on it's success.

What we need from you... well... that's subjective on what you have available at RAF Ascension Island. We will need fundamentals such as facilities for our personnel, we're happy to arrange supply runs from our logistics section which will be able to provide refreshments and bare essentials if this would be a concern? In terms of assets we will need from you, yes, a chase car for the Lockheed U-2 and I beg the question on whether you have any form of rapid reaction squadrons on or near RAF Ascension Island? The Lockheed U-2, as you know, has no armament, and should the worst occur we'd like to ensure we can ensure the protection of our assets. I suppose our deployment will very much depend on your response Secretary - we will be sending two Lockheed U-2 spy planes and their crew as a minimum... but should it be necessary we'd also be looking at sending an aircraft capable of any necessary logistics runs and fighter aircraft capable of interception and defending of our assets in a worst case scenario."

The Under Secretary pauses to listen, ever more curious as the Secretary speaks.

"I think the sharing of intelligence in exchange for your assistance may be something the Department of Defence would be greatly interested in... obviously that kind of decision lands way above my position but it's certainly something I will raise with the National Security Council to be discussed. Maybe we could see greater cooperation with Great Britain globally which, selfishly, would greatly increase the dependence of the Swedish Royal Air Force and no doubt I speak for my colleagues when I say it would substantially benefit them operationally. We are investing heavily in surveillance and intelligence gathering opportunities. A ripe fruit ready for picking."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"Thank you very much for that thorough briefing, whilst we have no qualms about national security threats from Sweden, such operations are always much more sensitive than more... conventional efforts. With secrecy the key to this particular scenario, especially if this is aimed to be a prolonged deployment, then our own approach will be more cautious. RAF Ascension already possesses a solid logistical front, rented cars can be utilized as chase cars to prevent unwanted attention through extra flights to the island and if you retain the plan to only approach and depart at night; there won't be any concerns of leaks. Albeit a small population, seeing U2s on the airport would spark interest. Fortunately supply runs happen often enough for you to use that as a ploy." responded the British Secretary. Pausing for a few moments whilst he collected his thoughts.

"To be honest, I believe the use of Interception Aircraft would be added noise, with little benefit. Any attack on RAF Acension, is a declaration of war against the United Kingdom. And any threat to the U-2 Spyplane would, as you've said, be on approach or departure. Fighters wouldn't have the capacity to go too far from the island without tankers, nor have the capacity to reach the highest altitudes of the U2. A plane or two leaving and arriving is easy to mask, but jet engines are powerful. At a push, I'd be more likely to suggest a naval vessel on patrol in the region which could respond, providing it has air defence functionalities. This would minimize noise and take away interest from the island, substituted by a more conventional patrol in the region. To summarize my suggestion is to deploy your logistics section and U-2 Spyplanes. This could then be complimented in the South Atlantic by either a British or Swedish patrol vessel. Or perhaps, a Quick Reaction Force at Gibraltar as reassurance. Mostly to minimize the amount of assets in the area if you are committing to intelligence gathering.

I would definitely be interested in pursuing an intelligence sharing agreement further, among other things. I will wait to hear back from you after this has been raised with your National Security Council."

Connor

 

[Connor]

"I understand the attention interception aircraft would bring however I would note that there's no contingency available for in the unarmed Lockheed U-2 aircraft are detected and intercepted or worse, actively engaged upon, in international air space where the knowledge of British involvement wouldn't even be considered. Perhaps in this event the only outcome would be the abandonment and complete destruction of the aircraft which could later be covered up and a search, rescue and salvage operation when in actual fact this disguised the recovery of highly sensitive and classified military equipment?

Do you or the central government have any other pressing concerns about Operation Boron? Is our deployment something that needs to be discussed higher up the food chain? We're eager to get this operation on the road."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"I hope I did not misspeak. Although I do understand the need for a contingency, I just mean that the presence of other fighters would potentially spark too much interest from others and put your crews at risk. Of course, that is something you would be aware of." clarified the Secretary "Nonetheless, I certainly think the best contingency would be a search and rescue unit and as you mentioned, the destruction of the aircraft. This would serve as an opportunity to avoid sparking a conflict there and then in the skies too. That, is my recommendation anyway. Naturally, it's a Swedish Operation but we do authorize you to use RAF Ascension. I must note that British Operations would be given the higher priority, if required. Although it's extremely unlikely of a large scale military deployment in the South Atlantic, if it was required, RAF Ascension Island would be the main operating base.

If you are happy with these arrangements, from here, I wish you all the best with Operation Baron and that we will support you where possible - with a keen interest of been seen as neutral and... uninvolved."

Connor