Harrskog was born on 11 November 1944 in Finspång, Sweden and grew up in Högsjö, Vingåker Municipality. He passed studentexamen in Katrineholm in 1964 and joined the Swedish Air Force as an aspirant the same year. Harrskog finished first in his class at the Swedish Air Force Flying School in 1965. He became an officer and was promoted to fänrik in 1967 and served as an A 32 attack fighter pilot at Skaraborg Air Force Wing. Harrskog was promoted to löjtnant in 1969 was transferred to the Defence Materiel Administration as a test pilot at the Swedish Center for Experimental Research where he tested the Saab 37 Viggen. He completed the higher course at the Swedish Armed Forces Staff College from 1976 to 1978 and served at the Defence Staff from 1978 to 1981. In 1981 Harrskog took office as a flight commander during the introduction of the AJ 37 ground-attack fighter at Bråvalla Air Force Wing. In 1983 Harrskog left F 13 and served at the Air Staff's Planning Department until 1985. He was then head of the same department from 1985 to 1987. Harrskog studied at the Air War College in the United States from 1987 to 1988 and at the Swedish National Defence College. In 1988, Harrskog took over the position of acting sector wing commander for the Norrbotten Air Force Wing, and in 1990 he became head of the Air Staff's Program Management. In 1992, Harrskog became the commander of the Northern Air Command, and in 1994 he became the Chief of Air Force Staff. On 1 July 1998, Harrskog assumed the position of military commander of the Southern Military Area. In 2000, Harrskog left the Swedish Armed Forces, and until 2005, he was a military expert at the Ministry of Defence. He was appointed in 2005 as chairman of the first MOU committee appointed to work towards Saudi Arabia which meant that Saab could sell the radar systemErieye. From there he went directly to Saab International in 2006 and worked as an adviser for the export of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen.
Personal life
Harrskog was married to Rose-Marie Harrskog, and to Inger Amft Harrskog. His third wife is Inger Sterling Harrskog. Harrskog has four children. He is Grand Prior the President of the Governing Council av Order of Saint Lazarus.
