Pori Brigade
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The Pori Brigade (Finnish: Porin Prikaati), based in Huovinrinne, Säkylä, is a Finnish Army unit, part of the Western Command of Finland. It is comprised of the Satakunta Jaeger Battalion, the West Finland Signals Battalion, and the Satakunta Engineer Battalion. It also trains soldiers for the Finnish Rapid Deployment Force, which makes up the 1st Jaeger Company.
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[edit] The Battalions
In addition to the 1st Jaeger Company (FRDF), the Satakunta Jaeger Battalion also consists of Anti-Tank and Mortar Companies. The Anti-Tank Company trains conscripts to operate light and heavy anti-tank missile systems or to use 95 mm recoilless rifles and Apilas anti-tank launchers. The Mortar Company trains conscripts to use medium and heavy mortars.
The West Finland Signal Battalion consists of four companies: the 3rd Jaeger Company, the Military Police and Reconnaissance Company, the Signal Company, and the Headquarter and Logistics Company. The 3rd Jaeger Company trains a wartime mechanised infantry company, specialising in fast assault with PaSi transports (Finnish, 6-wheeled APCs commonly used by UN Peacekeepers) and also have their own Light Mortar Platoon. The Military Police and Reconnaissance Company trains a wartime military police platoon and a reconnaissance platoon. In addition to the personnel needed at signal system positions, the Signal Company trains personnel that can operate both sophisticated mobile transmitters and field telephone networks. The Headquarter and Logistics Company oversee the supply and transport needs of the other companies and battalions, during peacetime as well as war.
The last of the three Pori Brigade Battalions, the Engineer Battalion, comprises of two companies: the 1st and the 2nd Engineer Companies. Both of the companies produce wartime engineer troops, some of which are assigned to water-crossing units. Mechanics are trained during the summer season to maintain and repair outboard motors. Some of the engineers are trained to operate landing craft or to handle pontoon and crossing equipments. Engineers consctruct and dismantle mobile bridges, build bridges and other consctructions and perform blasting and ground breaking operations.
[edit] History
Pori Brigade traditions date back to the 17th century. On 16 February 1626, King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden founded the Royal Pori Regiment during the Thirty Years' War. During the Finnish Civil War in 1918, Pori Regiment fought on the South-western front. Its men took successfully part in the Winter War and the Continuation War while serving in a number of regiments. The present name, Pori Brigade, was adopted in 1957.
[edit] Training
Reputed as one of the harshest environments for conscripts, the training of a typical jaeger (which each conscript receives regardless of weapon specialisation) reflects the Pori Brigade's broad role. Each soldier learns the basics of communications by radio and SANLA messaging device, anti-tank tactics (each jaeger squad generally carrying four 66 mm KES 88 Light Armor Weapons), use of medium and heavy weapons, urban and winter combat (in temperatures reaching -30° C) and mechanised assault, as well as further skills in their specialisation. The Pori Bridage regularly attracts foreign officials and officers for demonstrations, and has a long history of cross-training with NATO and other forces.
