[Sweden]: Operation Scimitar

[Connor]

OPERATION SCIMITAR NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS

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OFFICIAL OPERATION ORDER
FEBRUARY 2001
SECURE​

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Situation Report
Following a number of high-profile security incidents Operation Scimitar serves as a multi-agency response to dignitary protection both in domestic and foreign settings. The objective of the operation is for the coordination of predominantly security services to ensure the protection of identified important persons - this may also include the liaison and arrangement of necessary precautions through appropriate foreign agencies, organisations and services as a contingency. The operation also seeks to identify, train and quality officers of the National Security Office to conduct their duties on foreign soil lawfully. At present all Operation Scimitar deployments should be conducted in accordance with a dynamic risk assessment and liaison with the hosting party to ensure adequate security provisions are in place to ensure ongoing safety, rapid extraction in emergency situations, communication and countermeasure capability and reasonable medical response in a catastrophic failure of the operation. This operation also provides a framework for the way in-which dignitaries and locations are graded to ensure an appropriate deployment of resources to mitigate an established threat. This operation order will remain permanently active and serves as a rolling journal of activities and deployments.

Belligerents

Kingdom of Sweden

v.

Objective(s)

OS/1/FRA/01 - ACTIVE - Positioning of an authorised Armed Support Taskforce at the Swedish Embassy in Paris, France (G1L-OS authorised).
OS/2/FRA/01 - ACTIVE - Positioning of authorised Uniformed Protection Unit at the French Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden (G3L-OS authorised).
OS/1/GBR/01 - ACTIVE - Positioning of an authorised Armed Support Taskforce at the Swedish Embassy in London, England (G2L-OS authorised).
OS/1/USA/01 - ACTIVE - Positioning of an authorised Armed Support Taskforce at the Swedish Embassy in Washington DC, United States (G2L-OS authorised).

Casualty Report
Nothing to report

Campaign Register
Energy Protest (Paris, France) (2001 - present)

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Live Deployment

National Security Office Europe Division​ Armed Support Taskforce - France [Paris, France]​ [25x] Active Personnel​ Uniformed Protection Unit - France [Stockholm, Sweden]​ [4x] Active Personnel​ Armed Support Taskforce - United Kingdom [London, England]​ [8x] Active Personnel​ North America Division​ Armed Support Taskforce - United States [Washington DC, USA]​ [8x] Active Personnel​	Malmslätt Air Force Wing [Malmen Air Base] 3rd Airlift Squadron​ 2nd Airlift Flight​ [3x] Active Personnel​ [1x] Boeing C-17 Globemaster III​

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Dispensed Deployment
Nothing to report

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

 

[Connor]

TOP SECRET
Operation Tangeite
February 2001

Since the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between both the French and Swedish governments in respect to overseas diplomatic mission protection, agreements with the United States of America in respect to the provision of consular services and a heavy reliance of embassy function to return Swedish nationals back to Sweden; there has been an upsurge in protests, even riots, around the Swedish embassy prompting a security alert and immediate closure order by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Emergency evacuation is required which will be facilitated by the Department of Defence in the form of Operation Tangeite being run by the Swedish Royal Navy. The deployment consists of two. armed frigates equipped with two helicopters each with range capable of evacuating the embassy as well as depositing armed personnel, namely the Armed Support Taskforce being provided as part of Operation Scimitar. As such, the personnel of the National Security Office would join this deployment to be airlifted to the embassy upon arrival in the English Channel.

Once in situ, the taskforce will be responsible for the continued preservation of the embassy whilst domestic law enforcement and authorised agencies manage any ongoing civil unrest as a result of the protests. It has been made absolutely clear that rules of engagement remain purely to preserve the loss of life or serious injury and any use of force must be recorded to be reviewed centrally in Stockholm. All personnel will operate in accordance with international law, specifically the conventions of the Global Assembly which manage diplomatic arrangements such as these.

 

[Connor]

TOP SECRET
Paris, France
April 2001

Deliverance of the Armed Support Taskforce was a huge success. The twenty five strong unit successfully made they way into the Swedish Embassy situated firmly within the 7th Arrondissement which is shared by internationally acclaimed landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars and a stones throw from the historical Les Invalides. However, despite the incredible sights surrounding the embassy, literally within walking distance, the architecture of the embassy itself was woefully hideous. The building stands as an ugly duckling within what appears to be nothing more than a hive of traditional 19th century Parisian housing sprinkled with cheap boxy office buildings; one of which being the embassy pitched on the corner like a cheap prostitute. The plot decorated primarily by a large Swedish coat of arms bestowed upon the gate alongside a tall white flagpole from which the Swedish blue and yellow flag waves with pride.

Securing the embassy was not much of a difficult task given the fact it were already surrounded by a hedge line, metal and brick fencing and a large steel gate keeping the internal carpark and access to the building well protected. CCTV systems remain in operation and given the heightened threat any feed would be diverted to the central Swedish server network rather than being retained onsite - this feed would be monitored periodically by a team within the National Security Office in Stockholm. The windows of the building are reflective from the exterior, preventing those outside form being able to see any restricted or private documentation. Once inside, the Taskforce would undergo an extensive briefing which included a review of the premises floor plans as well as the electrical, gas, water and sewage networks that feed into and from the site. They'd take note of any exterior hazards which may effect their patrol plans. Once complete, and separated into their respective teams, they would complete shifted patrols of the perimeter with concealed firearms and within the embassy officers would take up static positions throughout the site with rifles exposed. Whilst their firearms have been authorised in accordance with provisions enforced by the Global Assembly, all use of force including anything more than unarmed skills would have to be reported to the National Security Office for independent review.

All officers remain uniformed and wearing personal encrypted radios - a supervisor would perform periodic status checks.

 

[Connor]

TOP SECRET
Stockholm, Sweden
April 2001

With the overwhelmingly successful insertion of the Armed Support Taskforce in France, the continued reinforcement of established sites within the remit of Swedish responsibility was ongoing, which included the addition of Uniformed Protection Officers at the French Embassy; part of the authorised G3L-OS grading. These officers are strictly for the policing of public right of way and not specifically the identified private diplomatic property as specified within the Vienna Convention, its amendments and any associated Global Assembly resolutions. Operation Scimitar took a passive role in many of the day-to-day diplomatic business conducted both in Sweden and overseas however with two recent terror attacks in Swedish-occupied territory and the wider ranging threat to interests abroad, the operation has seen a substantial increase in activity and funding.

As part of an established presence in and around the embassy, which for the most part was a terraced building of traditional Swedish architecture, officers would be stationed on the street outside in-which part of their patrol plan would include the length of Kommendörsgatan, Stockholm, Sweden where they'd be responsible for the identification of any oncoming threat to the integrity of the embassy site. There are no exterior ground to the French Embassy in Sweden. It leads directly onto the public right of way with no obvious ease of access to the rear of the building. A total of four officers would be stationed in this position at any one time and will rotate on a 9 hourly basis.

All officers remain uniformed and wearing personal encrypted radios - a supervisor would perform periodic status checks.

 

[Connor]

SECURE
Malmen, Sweden
January 2002

In the early hours of the morning the Swedish Royal Air Force, Swedish Central Command, Malmslätt Air Force Wing, 3rd Airlift Squadron, 2nd Airlift Flight would recieve orders from the Department of Defence to assist security services with the deployment of predefined Armed Support Taskforce to both London, England and Washington DC, United States of America. This was as a result of an agreed escalation in the security provided at these two diplomatic missions after a local risk assessment increased the location grading to G2L-OS. Domestic law in Sweden prevented the conveyance of government-issued firearms via civilian chartered airlines thus the only reasonable method of transport was with the use of a ferrying Boeing C-17 Globemaster III stationed in Malmen. The operation orders would prompt the immediate preparation of the aircraft which, for the most part sat on the tarmac ready-to-go.

A series of personnel at Malmen Air Base would begin the insurance that the aircraft was totally fuelled, equipped with chaff/flares and that all onboard systems, sensors and countermeasures were in full working operational order. This was coupled with a total walk-around of the aircraft where the structural integrity of the aircraft and its parts were checked. A flight plan was then electronically filed with military Air Traffic Control which was similarly filed with the local authorities in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The total journey being approximately 6,640km with a refuel planned in London, England. Well within the ferry range of the aircraft. As this was being completed, the sixteen armed personnel from the National Security Office would be equipped and dressed in full uniform denoting them as members of the security service and equipped with standard issue bullet-resistant vest, telescopic baton, encrypted personal radio, incapacitant spray, rigid-bar handcuffs, flex-cuffs, limb restraints, conducted energy device, SIG Sauer P239 and LWRC M6 rifle. This outfit would be declared to the receiving states and registered as legally required. As a single unit they would travel to Malmen Air Base in preparation for their flight. Each officer would be issued a premises, floor plan, street view and map of the area immediately surrounding their embassy for study.

Jamie Odinson

 

[Connor]

SECURE
Malmen, Sweden
January 2002

Upon arriving at Malmen Air Base, primarily to prevent waiting time within a military installation, the officers would all be escorted to the awaiting aircraft where they would board and take their seats within a small passenger cabin in the forward section of the aircraft. They'd stow their equipment on overhead lockers and the firearms would be securely kept within the cargo area at the rear of the aircraft, kept in internationally approved locked firearms carriage cases, all of which on this occasion would be fitted with covert trackers and clear identification on the exterior of the cases as property of the National Security Office. This group would then later be joined by three Royal Air Force pilots which would be taking their positions as captain, first officer and second officer for the flight - each of these pilots would have conducted a walk around of the aircraft despite engineers having done so prior to their arrival, purely to comply with the expectations within Swedish law. There were no identified fault with the aircraft prior to departure. All foors would have their stairways removed before being locked and secured airtight. The captain once donning his headset would make contact with military Air Traffic Control for authorisation to push the aircraft away from the apron into a position ready to taxi to the runway.

Once Air Traffic Control have given authorisation the aircraft would be pushed back onto the taxiway by a tractor and onto the live taxiway. During this process the pilots would startup and spool the jet engines during which they actively monitor the sensors within the cockpit for any errors or irregularities with the usual procedure. When the tractor and ground crew are clear of the aircraft the captain would again contact ATC, this time for permission to taxi to the active runway where they would ultimately prepare for takeoff. Naturally, this would be given immediately and the aircraft would move under its own power to the active runway where they line up on the centre-line and prepare for take off. At this point the pilots would undergo an internal pre-takeoff checklist.

Soon enough the tower authorises takeoff clearance and the aircraft thunders down the active runway before slowly lifting into the sky up to a cruising altitude where it would then join commercial aviation routes. Throughout the flight the aircraft crew would continue to monitor systems and sensors.

Unless specified otherwise by the British government, the aircraft would continue with its filed flight plan to land at Heathrow Airport, London. Initial leg of the journey being via flight route JO > IO.

Jamie

 

[Connor]

SECURE
London, England
March 2002

The aircraft would roar through central London as it came into the approach at Heathrow, carefully following the instruction of the Air Traffic Control as to ensure it did not interfere with ongoing civilian traffic. Heathrow remained one of the busiest airports in the world with millions shuttling their way through the various international terminals available. The arrival of a foreign military aircraft was not overly unusual, albeit somewhat of a ejaculation-worthy sight for the various anorak wearing plane spotters at the ends of the runway hoping to grab a picture of unusual aircraft. Once the aircraft had safety touched down it would carefully taxi away from the civilian terminals to an appropriate apron where the personnel on-board would be able to leave the aircraft with their luggage, which of course included their firearms for inspection within - the personnel would provide all the relevant documentation for their travel and equipment, including serial numbers and specifications of the firearms. Once permitted through the airport and to continue their onward journey to the embassy they'd leave the confines of the building to approach Europcar, a local vehicle hire company, where they'd have hired a minibus ahead of time to transport their equipment and the personnel to the Embassy. This vehicle would later be returned to a designated drop off as defined by the private organisation, within the time constraints of their lease.

Once the London drop has been completed the aircraft would again be refuelled and another total walk-around of the aircraft where the structural integrity of the aircraft and its parts were checked. The complement of the aircraft would take an opportunity to have a refreshment break within the airport before they reboarded and, once able, taxi to the active runway for departure. Their onward flight would have them destined for Washington DC, United States of America.

The listed flight plan would have them travel via IO > HN > GM > FM.

Jamie Odinson