Skaraborg Wing
Template:Air Force Wing F 7 Såtenäs, Skaraborgs Flygflottilj, Skaraborg Air Force Wing, or simply "F 7", is a Swedish Air Force wing with the main base located near Lidköping in south-central Sweden.
History of the airbase
The decision to set up the air wing was made in 1936, but disagreements in choosing a location delayed the commissioning. The Såtenäs estate was chosen for its good location and close proximity to suitable target ranges, and was purchased for 685,000 SEK in 1938.
The first squadrons were set up by B 16A Caproni purchased from Italy at the start of World War II. These wooden construction aircraft were not suitable for the Nordic climate and soon got the nickname "flying coffins". They were replaced in 1941 by the Swedish B 17A that served throughout the war.
In 1946, the three bomber squadrons were converted to attack squadrons with the introduction of A 21, although for a brief number of years between 1948-1951, B 18 medium bombers were transferred from F 1 Hässlö.
In 1951, the wing converted to jets with receiving A 21R converted from fighter to attack role from F 10 Ängelholm. These were only kept for three years until the introduction of A 29B in 1954. After only two years, they were in turn replaced by the new A 32A in 1956.
In 1964 a new transport squadron was set up with the introduction of the Tp 84 Hercules. Initially, only one aircraft was purchased, but a total of eight were introduced between 1965 and 1985. They are currently being used in international transport of Swedish armed forces.
In 1973 the AJ 37 replaced the A 32, and the number of attack squadrons was reduced from three to two. The Viggens served until 1993, when one squadron was converted to the new JAS 39 Gripen. The second squadron followed suit in 1998.
F 7 is the main center for the entire Gripen system, and all training of pilots (including that of foreign operators) is carried out here.
