Colonel Daniel Rydberg

Commander, 19th Mechanized Brigade/ Norrbotten Brigade (MekB 19) Swedish Armed Forces

Colonel Daniel Rydberg is a senior officer in the Swedish Armed Forces, currently serving as Commander of the Norrbotten Brigade (2024-ongoing) in Boden. In this role, he is responsible for building and leading a mechanized brigade designed for high-intensity operations in subarctic conditions, with a focus on readiness, deterrence, and NATO integration.

Prior to his current command, Colonel Rydberg served as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff J3 (DACOS J3) at the Swedish Joint Forces Command (2022–2024), where he contributed to operational planning and the coordination of joint military activities including support to Ukraine. His earlier command experience includes officer education at the Swedish Defence University (2018-2022), supporting the development of future leaders within the Swedish Armed Forces and serving as Battalion Commander at the Royal Life Guards (2014–2017).

Alongside key staff roles at both tactical and operational levels, including service in Afghanistan as a G3 Operations Officer, his career reflects extensive experience across command, staff and training environments. Colonel Rydberg's professional military education is rooted in a strong academic foundation. Colonel Rydberg completed the Senior Course 147 at the NATO Defense College in January 2026, focusing on strategic leadership and Alliance-level security policy. He holds a Master's degree in War Studies from the Swedish Defence University and has completed advanced professional military education including the NATO Land Tactical Planning Course (2025) and the United Nations Staff Officer Course (2009).