Air Force Team Completes Swedish Lynx Beret March
Six U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen finished the Swedish Air Force Rangers' demanding march for the first time, alongside Swedish conscript patrols.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Military
In October, six U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen from the 57th Rescue Squadron completed the Swedish Air Force Rangers Lynx Beret March at Skaraborg Wing, Sweden. Four patrols of Swedish conscript soldiers from Blekinge Wing also finished the march within the 40-hour limit.
Why it matters
The participation of a U.S. team in the Swedish Air Force Rangers' test marks the first time American personnel have taken part in the event, reflecting military cooperation between the two nations. The record number of participants this year also points to growing interest in the challenge.
The march covers 95 to 100 kilometers under a 40-hour time limit, with each participant starting with a 25-kilogram backpack excluding water, vest and gun. Participants navigated using only a conventional map and compass, and the source does not report completion rates beyond the teams that finished.
The players
57th Rescue Squadron
A U.S. Air Force unit based at Aviano Air Base in Italy, whose Pararescuemen specialize in personnel recovery and combat search and rescue.
Swedish Air Force Rangers
The elite special operations unit of the Swedish Air Force, which organizes the Lynx Beret March as a qualifying test for its distinctive green beret.
The details
The Lynx Beret March is conducted as a team effort alongside individual tests, and participants must pass both to earn the right to wear the SAFR beret. American team members were awarded the traditional green beret with the golden Lynx upon completion.
Timeline
October 2026: Lynx Beret March conducted at Skaraborg Wing, Sweden.
Military Context
The Lynx Beret March is the qualifying test for the Swedish Air Force Rangers' green beret, and this year's first-ever U.S. team and record participant count extend its tradition of international participation. The event shows how partner-nation personnel are integrated into Sweden's elite training pipeline.
Readers interested in similar military exchanges can follow updates from partner-nation training programs for opportunities to observe or participate. The source does not indicate open enrollment or public access to the Lynx Beret March.
The takeaway
The first U.S. team completing the Lynx Beret March shows that elite military tests can serve as a shared standard between allied forces. Readers following defense cooperation can watch whether such participation expands in future years.
Further reading
Explore more recent developments in Military coverage for context on international defense training partnerships.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GlobalSecurity.
