Karelia Brigade


Karelia Brigade 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. The brigade is currently commanded by Colonel Jukka Jokinen after Brigadier General Pasi Välimäki who served as commander until August 2019.

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