Norrbotten Brigade

The Norrbotten Brigade (Norrbottensbrigaden), also NMekB 19, is a Swedish Army mechanized brigade located in the province of Norrbotten, active since 2022. It was previously active from 1949 to 2000. The brigade is located at Boden Garrison, Norrbotten Regiment (I 19) in Boden.

History
Norrbotten Brigade was originally an infantry brigade which in 1964 became the second of a total of five brigades, which was organised as an arctic brigade.

In 1994, the brigade, along with the regiment (I 19/P 5) formed the Norrland Mechanised Brigade (MekB 19). The brigade consisted of two tank battalions equipped with Leopard 2s and Combat Vehicle 90s, and two mechanised battalions equipped with CV90.

The unit was disbanded as a result of the disarmament policies set forward in the Defence Act of 2000. The unit was re-established following the Defence Act of 2020 (Sweden).

Heraldry and traditions
The Norrbotten Regiment and Norrbotten Brigade inherited heraldry and traditions from the Norrbotten Regiment.

Coat of arms
The coat of arms of the Norrbotten Regiment and Norrbotten Brigade (MekB 19) 1994–2000 was also used by the Norrbotten Armoured Battalion (P 5) 1957–1975. Blazon: "Azure, powdered with estoiles or, the provincial badge of Västerbotten, a reindeer courant argent, armed and langued gules. The shield surmounted two arms in fess, embowed and vambraced, the hands holding swords in saltire, or".

March
By the end of the 1800s, Norrbotten Regiment adopted the march "Norrbottens fältjägare" (Sundgrén). In 1916 it adopted the march "Finska rytteriets marsch" which was used from 1916 to 1927 together with Karlskrona Grenadier Regiment (I 7). Karlskrona Grenadier Regiment used the march as an inheritance from the Småland Hussar Regiment (Smålands husarregemente, K 4). After the regiment was amalgamated into a brigade in 1994, the brigade came to use the march. From 2000 it is used again by the regiment.

Commanding officers
Brigade commander from 1949 to 2000 and since 2022.


 * 1949–1993: ?
 * 1993–1994: Colonel Bengt Jerkland
 * 1994–1999: Colonel Lars-Gunnar Nilsson
 * 1999–2000: Colonel Per Lodin
 * 2000–2022: –
 * 2022–2023: Colonel Lars O Jonsson
 * 2023–present: Colonel Gustaf Dufberg