[Sweden]: Operation Tangeite

[Connor]

OPERATION TANGEITE SWEDISH ARMED FORCES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

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OFFICIAL OPERATION ORDER
FEBRUARY 2001
TOP SECRET​

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Situation Report
Protests in France, specifically Paris, have began to result in civil unrest and public disorder compromising the integrity and security of the Swedish diplomatic mission in the capital. With so-called protestors now reported to be surrounding the embassy the safety of those within can no longer be assured; attempts to initially preserve services for as long as reasonably able are now impossible. This operation will be ran in conjunction with Operation Scimitar which is headed by the Department of Home Affairs' National Security Office and focus only on the provision of additional services to the diplomatic mission. Operation Tangeite is ordered to begin the emergency evacuation of diplomatic staff. In addition to this, whilst assets are in the region, the Department of the Navy has request regional surveillance and patrol.

Belligerents

Kingdom of Sweden

v.

Republic of France

Objective(s)

OT/1/PP/01 - COMPLETE - Primary maintenance tasks, pre-deployment ammunition provision and supply of essential services/assets.
OT/1/TR/01 - COMPLETE - Tactical relocation of assets within the English Channel to serve Swedish interests within France.
OT/1/CD/01 - COMPLETE - Maintain open and transparent lines of communication with neighbouring independent states in close proximity to operational region.
OT/2/TR/01 - COMPLETE - Tactical relocation of aerial assets to the Swedish Embassy in Paris, France for insertion of National Security Office personnel.
OT/3/TR/01 - CANCELLED - Tactical relocation of aerial assets to the Swedish Embassy in Paris, France for emergency evacuation of diplomatic staff.
OT/4/TR/01 - CANCELLED - Return of diplomatic staff to the HSwMS Avesta (F10) for medical assessment and return to Sweden.
OT/1/PR/01 - COMPLETE - Patrol route strategy within the English Channel major shipping routes.

Casualty Report
Nothing to report

Campaign Register
Energy Protest (Paris, France) (Feb '01 - Apr '01)
Alpha ('A') Patrol (English Channel) (Apr '01 - present)

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Live Deployment

1st Naval Warfare Flotilla [Kungsbacka Naval Base] Brandenburg-class Frigate 219-2-2​ HSwMS Avesta (F10)​ [128x] Active Personnel​ [2x] RHIB​ [2x] NHIndustries NH90 NFH​ HSwMS Boden (F11)​ [128x] Active Personnel​ [2x] RHIB​ [2x] NHIndustries NH90 NFH​

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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
Les Miserables
February 2001

Despite recent news that the riots within France had began to diminish and the local authorities had began to take some control of the situation, the decision for immediate deployment of the Swedish Royal Navy as a contingency was expedited within the Department of Defence. Despite the long standing commitment to retaining an open and established diplomatic mission even through domestic hardship had come to a point where it was no longer safe to operate and a closure order had been issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs to protect the safety of the diplomatic staff within and prevent further loss of life or bring harm to Swedish nationals, and those of international friends, allies and partners, as a result of them flocking to the embassy to seek help. The commitment from the government was clear: to establish an armed presence at the embassy in order to preserve its integrity during a period of closure and to begin the immediate emergency evacuation of staff. Security services were to be provided by the National Security Office as part of Operation Scimitar whilst the Royal Navy was due to purely provide a platform of escape.

Within a matter of minutes of the order being given all vessels involved, namely two Brandenburg-class Frigates, would be prepared for deployment. As part of usual preparation measures all vessels would receive a full system, sensor and weapons analysis prior to deployment to ensure everything was in safe working order for the mission ahead. Each vessel would be adequately stocked with the required essentials to maintain basic crew health and safety on deployment; this was in addition to a full ammunition and missile stock to ensure all outfit weapon systems and countermeasures were in an operational condition. The stock on these particular vessels included ammunition for the OTO-Melara 76 mm 62Mk-75 multi-purpose naval gun, two Mauser BK-27 27 mm rapid-fire cannons, a Mk 41 Mod 3 vertical launch system, two Mk 49 CWIS launchers, two anti-ship quadruple launchers and four 324 mm torpedo tubes. Aviation fuel was also onboard for the equipped NHIndustries NH90 NFH helicopters. All vessels would be donning a clearly flown Swedish flag.

To simplify the collaboration between two government department operations (Operation Tangeite of the Department of Defence and Operation Scimitar of the Department of Home Affairs), a total of twenty five National Security Office Armed Support Taskforce officers would make use of the vessels to travel to the embassy.

Almost immediately after preparation had been signed off the two vessels, once their ship's company was aboard, would make their way out of Kungsbacka Naval Base destined for the English Channel via transit routes JO > IO as an ordered tactical relocation. This operation would remain Top Secret and at the permission of the incumbent government of France - a communication line has already been established with the United Kingdom given their proximity to active military operation as a method of transparency.

 

[Connor]

TOP SECRET
English Channel
February 2001

Whilst the journey was a success to reach the English Channel, the situation in France had undoubtedly hit a brick wall, becoming nothing but a distance remanence of disorder whilst the streets where largely in silence. Operation Tangeite had received strict instruction from the Department of Defence to continue military activity in the area, not only as a deterrent for any further action in the region but also as a means to justify the vast expense paid in taxpayers money; something the Swedish government had a long history of taking advantage of and a reputation they're keen to shake. The ship's company remained on a high level of alert; not for any direct attack against the vessel per se but more so for onboard operations in preparation for the deployment and retrieval of diplomats in Paris. Throughout any patrols in and around the English Channel the vessel would, to the best of its ability, remain within international waters where it would actively make use of onboard sensors and equipment to detect any passive or hostile threat to the integrity of the ship.

Within hours of the vessels arrival one of the onboard NHIndustries NH90 NFH helicopter would spool up, piloted by airmen of the Swedish Royal Navy and boarded with passengers of the National Security Office Armed Support Taskforce. The aircraft, now operational, would adopt the callsign 'ANGEL' before lifting slowly from the helipad of the frigate and up into the air. In a hovering position the aircraft would test it's immediate manoeuvrability before confirming its airworthiness and flying off towards the French coast. The flight was relatively short into Paris and with the Swedish Embassy only being a short distance from the city centre it took minutes for the aircraft to fly into the ground of the embassy where those onboard were able to begin to assess the most suitable landing zone. There were a number of hazards which included powerlines, high rise buildings, fences, roadways and debris left from the disorder. The pilots were highly skilled however and making use of a clear intersection, keen to miss any street furniture, pylons, traffic/street lighting, pedestrians and vehicles, they would slowly bring the helicopter to the floor and to safety; prompting the NSO officers to alight and bring themselves to the pavement.

Immediately upon being clear of the aircraft the most senior officer present, a Sergeant, would split the twenty five officers into five serials of five. Here they would line the side of the street, one serial behind the next, in two straight lines. The odd number filling the gap on the outmost side of the serial. The Sergeant would lead the way speaking only in Swedish as he barked the order "SERIALS, FORWARD!" prompting them to walk towards the intersection to be met by "LEFT WHEEL" prompting each serial to follow the next to the left. They'd continue this almost military march onwards towards the embassy. Each and every officer would be visibly armed with an assault rifle and sidearm whilst wearing the National Security Office uniform. They would not engage with any members of the public during their way in an attempt to prevent disruption to the serial formation. Once at the embassy, providing it was clear, they'd move inside to begin liaising with diplomats within.

'ANGEL' would lift when safe to do so and return directly to the frigate, awaiting an assessment by the NSO officers whether or not an evacuation was necessary.

Oceania

 

[Connor]

TOP SECRET
English Channel
December 2001

Order issued by the Department of Defence would see the immediate disbanding of Operation Tangeite, noting its' origin as a rescue mission was now months old and the total lack of requirement for regional patrol following the establishment of the Transatlantic Security Arrangement. All and any remaining materiel would be ordered back to home port or alternate operation deployment in accordance with any subsidiary orders. Following a review the operation will remain at 'TOP SECRET' classification in accordance with the Swedish Document Classification and Security Act 1995.