Karelia Brigade

Karelia Brigade (Finnish: Karjalan Prikaati, KARPR) is one of the three Finnish Army readiness brigades. It is currently based at Valkeala. With some three thousand soldiers it is the second largest brigade in Finland. It is the only Finnish brigade providing training in all Army branches and houses the Finnish Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre of Excellence.[1] The brigade is currently commanded by Colonel Jukka Jokinen after Brigadier General Pasi Välimäki who served as commander until August 2019[3].

Karelian Brigade
Karjalan Prikaati
Insignia of the Karelia Brigade
Country Finland
Branch Finnish Army
TypeCombined arms
RoleReadiness brigade
SizeWartime size unknown, peacetime size 600 career personnel, 4,000 conscripts annually[1]
Garrison/HQVekaranjärvi, Finland
Commanders
Colonel[2]Jukka Jokinen
Notable
commanders		Jari Kallio
Insignia
HeaddressGreen beret with lion's head pin

History

The Karelia Brigade was founded on January 1, 1957 when the 5th Brigade was renamed, itself the successor of Infantry Regiment 8, which became famous due to Väinö Linna's novel The Unknown Soldier. The Karelia Brigade maintains the traditions of the Karelia Guard Regiment, which used to be based in Vyborg. Its anniversary day is on May 6, as on that day in 1618 the king of Sweden, Gustav II Adolf, gave the order to renew the Finnish military and the Karelia Regiment founded.

Composition
  • Kymi Jaeger Battalion (Kymen Jääkäripataljoona, KYMJP[4])
    • 1st Mechanized Jaeger Company (1. Panssarijääkärikomppania)
    • 2nd Mechanized Jaeger Company (2. Panssarijääkärikomppania)
    • 3rd Mechanized Jaeger Company (3. Panssarijääkärikomppania)
  • Karelia Artillery Regiment (Karjalan Tykistörykmentti, KARTR[4])
    • 1st Field Artillery Battery (1. Kenttätykistöpatteri)
    • 2nd Field Artillery Battery (2. Kenttätykistöpatteri)
    • Mortar Company (Kranaatinheitinkomppania)
    • Artillery NCO School (Tykistöaliupseerikoulu)
  • Salpausselkä Air Defense Battalion (Salpausselän Ilmatorjuntapatteristo, SALPITPSTO[4])
    • 1st Air Defense Battery (1. Ilmatorjuntapatteri)
    • 2nd Air Defense Battery (2. Ilmatorjuntapatteri)
    • 3rd Air Defense Battery (3. Ilmatorjuntapatteri)
  • Kymi Engineer Battalion (Kymen Pioneeripataljoona, KYMPIONP[4])
    • 1st Engineer Company (1. Pioneerikomppania)
    • 2nd Engineer Company (2. Pioneerikomppania)
  • East Finland Signal Battalion (Itä-Suomen Viestipataljoona, I-VSP[4])
    • HQ Company (Esikuntakomppania)
    • 1st Signals Company (1. Viestikomppania)
    • 2nd Signals Company (2. Viestikomppania)
  • Karelia Logistics Battalion (Karjalan Huoltopataljoona, KARHP[4])[5]
    • 1st Supply Company (1. Huoltokomppania)
    • 2nd Supply Company 2. Huoltokomppania)
    • Materiel Centre (Materiaalikeskus)
    • Maintenance Centre (Kunnossapitokeskus)
    • Transportation Centre (Kuljetuskeskus)
    • Driving School (Autokoulu)

References
  1. Karelia Brigade. Finnish Defence Forces. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  2. Maavoimat.fi, Retrieved 2019-08-25
  3. Puolustusvoimat.fi, Retrieved 2019-08-25. (In Finnish)
  4. Karelia Brigade - For Conscripts, Retrieved 2020-03-01. (In Finnish)]
  5. Karjalan Huoltopataljoona. Finnish Defence Forces. 2014-12-30. Retrieved 2015-08-06. (in Finnish)


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