1st Submarine Flotilla (Sweden)


The 1st Submarine Flotilla is a submarine unit of the Swedish Navy, established in 1901 and based at the Karlskrona Naval Base within the in Karlskrona, Blekinge County. The flotilla shares its location with the 3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla.
WWW forsvarsmakten.se/1ubflj

History

The first form of the flotilla was established in 1904 as unit subordinate to the Coastal Fleet, following the creation of the Swedish Navy's submarine force with the arrival of its first submarine, Hajen. In 1918 the unit was formally named the 1st Submarine Division. By 1934, it had expanded into a three-division unit, now named the Submarine Department. In 1951, the unit was assigned its current name, and was part of the Coastal Fleet as the 1st Submarine Flotilla. During the 1970s, the Navy Diving School was added to the flotilla, which later formed the Diving Division, which included submarine rescue ships.
On 1 July 1994, the flotilla was organized as the First Submarine Department. This was due to all units within the Swedish Armed Forces being cadre-organized and receiving permanent structures. On 1 January 1998, the flotilla was given its current name, the 1st Submarine Flotilla. According to the Defence Act of 2004, it was decided that the flotilla and its staff would be relocated from Hårsfjärden to Karlskrona. As of 1 January 2005, the flotilla has been based at the Karlskrona Naval Base.

Organization

See below the composite of the submarine force at different time points. During the 1930s, the submarine force was included in the Winter Squadron, which was the equipped part of the Swedish Navy during winter time. Parts of the submarine force were included in the Gothenburg Squadron and the Karlskrona Department during World War II.
YearNameDivisionShips
19181. undervattensbåtsdivisionenDelfinen, Skäggald, Svärdfisken, Tumlaren
1934UbåtsavdelningenDepådivisionSvea
1934Ubåtsavdelningen1. ubåtsdivisionenDraken, Gripen, Ulven
1934Ubåtsavdelningen2. ubåtsdivisionenBävern, Illern, Uttern
1934Ubåtsavdelningen3. ubåtsdivisionenHajen, Sälen
1940UbåtsavdelningenDepådivisionSvea
1940Ubåtsavdelningen1. ubåtsdivisionenDraken, Gripen, Ulven
1940Ubåtsavdelningen2. ubåtsdivisionenSjöbjörnen, Sjöhunden,
1940Ubåtsavdelningen3. ubåtsdivisionenDelfinen, Najad, Springaren
1945UbåtsavdelningenSS Patricia, Belos
1945Ubåtsavdelningen1. ubåtsdivisionenSjöborren, Sjöhästen, Sjöormen
1945Ubåtsavdelningen7. ubåtsdivisionenNajad, Neptun, Näcken
1945Ubåtsavdelningen12. ubåtsdivisionenU4, U5, U6
19511. ubåtsflottiljenSS Patricia, Belos
19511. ubåtsflottiljen1. ubåtsdivisionenNeptun, Sjöborren, Sjöhunden
19511. ubåtsflottiljen2. ubåtsdivisionenDykaren, Nordkaparen, Näcken, Sjöormen, Tumlaren
19751. ubåtsflottiljenBelos,
19751. ubåtsflottiljen1. ubåtsdivisionenSjöhästen, Vargen
19751. ubåtsflottiljen3. ubåtsdivisionenDelfinen, Draken, Gripen, Hajen,
19891. ubåtsflottiljen1. ubåtsdivisionenSjöbjörnen, Sjöhästen, Sjölejonet,, Hälsingland, Södermanland, Västergötland, Östergötland
19891. ubåtsflottiljen2. ubåtsdivisionenNajad,,, Sjöhunden
19891. ubåtsflottiljenDykdivisionenBelos
19981. ubåtsflottiljen1. ubåtsdivisionen,,, Södermanland, Östergötland, Hälsingland, Västergötland
19981. ubåtsflottiljen2. ubåtsdivisionenNajad,
19981. ubåtsflottiljenDykdivisionen, URF
19981. ubåtsflottiljenTorpedbärgningsdivisionenPelikanen, Pingvinen
20131.ubåtsflottiljen,,, Södermanland, Östergötland
20211.ubåtsflottiljenGotland, Halland, Uppland, Södermanland

Heraldry and traditions

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of the 1st Submarine Division 1994–1998 and the 1st Submarine Flotilla since 1998. Blazon: "Or, from a wavy base azure a trident issuant sable".

Flag

The flag is a double swallow-tailed Swedish flag. It was presented to the then 1st Submarine Division by the Supreme Commander, General Owe Wiktorin at the Artillery Yard in Stockholm on 30 April 1996.

Commanding officers

  • 1951–1951: Lieutenant Commander Åke Lindemalm
  • 1951–1952: Lieutenant Commander Gustav Lindgren
  • 1952–1964: ?
  • 1964–1965: Commander Rolf Rheborg
  • 1966–1969: Captain Hans Petrelius
  • 1969–1971: Captain Rolf Skedelius
  • 1971–1972: Captain Bengt Rasin
  • 1973–1976: Captain Jan Enquist
  • 1976–1978: Captain Bror Stefenson
  • 1978–1981: Captain Bertil Daggfeldt
  • 1981–1983: Captain Roderick Klintebo
  • 1983–1987: Captain Sten Swedlund
  • 1987–1994: ?
  • 1994–1997: Captain Bertil Björkman
  • 1997–2000: Captain Curt Lundgren
  • 2000–2003: Captain Bo Rask
  • 2004–2006: Captain Anders Järn
  • 2006–2007: Captain Gunnar Wieslander
  • 2007–2010: Captain Jonas Haggren
  • 2010–2013: Captain Fredrik Norrby
  • 2013–2016: Captain Jens Nykvist
  • 2016–2016: Lieutenant Commander Stefan Östrand
  • 2016–2020: Captain Mats Agnéus
  • 2020–2023: Captain Fredrik Lindén
  • 2023–present: Captain Paula Wallenburg