For the first time in history, the Swedish Armed Forces are providing what is known as host nation support to allied forces, as part of a major NATO exercise in northern Sweden.

American units are moving from Norway to Finland through Norrbotten, as part of the exercise Immediate Response 24, which is a segment of NATO's largest exercise series in decades, Steadfast Defender 24. This unprecedented operation involves long military convoys, including over 130 military vehicles and 550 soldiers, significantly impacting local traffic.

The exercise aims to demonstrate NATO's ability to reinforce Europe and ensure the defense of the Nordkalotten, a strategically important area.

It marks a historic moment for Sweden's military cooperation with NATO and highlights the strategic significance of the Nordic region in global defense.