The Västernorrland Regiment, designation I 21/Fo 23, was a Swedish Armyinfantry unit which operated in various forms the years 1869-1983 and 1991-2000. It was located in Sollefteå Garrison in Sollefteå.
Barracks and training areas
Barracks
When the Allotment system was abolished and the conscript army was introduced in the early 20th century, the regiment moved to the newly built barracks in Sollefteå on 5 April 1911. However, the fact that the regiment was moved to Sollefteå was not a matter of course, when the army proposed that the regiment should be placed in Härnösand. The regimental commander Selander expressed himself: "A barracks in Sollefteå would become morally ruinous for the officers." For strategic reasons, partly because of the Forsmo Bridge, it was decided that the regiment should be placed in Sollefteå. The barracks establishment was built according to the 1901 Defense Reform Building Program, following the Fortifikationens drawings for infantry barracks establishment. A total of 80 buildings were built in the area during its active time. On 1 July 1992, the barracks area was abandoned on Trängvägen, and Norrland Train Regiment was co-located with the Västernorrland Regiment on Regementsvägen. When the garrison was concentrated on Regementsvägen, a larger extension of the garages and storage areas was made in autumn of 1993. After the garrison was disbanded, the area was sold to Vasallen, which developed the area for residential and office space.
Training areas
The regiment trained at Sånga mo and Sollefteå camp before moving to Sollefteå in 1911. In Sollefteå, the regiment was trained at Tjärnmyran's proving ground.
Detachment
In connection with the disbandment of Sundsvall Anti-Aircraft Regiment on 30 June 1982, the operation was resumed in a decommissioning organisation from 1 July 1982. The decommissioning organisation in Sundsvall was subordinated and administered by the Västernorrland Regiment. The decommissioning organisation was dissolved on 31 December 1982. From 1 July 1982 a department was located in the former regimental barracks in Sundsvall where the schoolhouse and a barracks were used for voluntary activities.
Heraldry and traditions
Colours, standards and guidons
A colour was presented to the Royal Västernorrland Regiment at Nipvallen in Sollefteå by His Majesty the KingGustaf VI Adolf on 16 August 1960. It was used as regimental colour by I 21/Fo 23 until 1 July 2000. The colour was drawn by Brita Grep and embroidered by hand in insertion technique by the company Libraria. Blazon: "Per pale the provincial badge of Ångermanland; on blue three white salmons in pale, armed red, the middle one sinisterset, and the provincial badge of Medelpad; with waves four times divided in blue, white, red, white and blue."
Coat of arms
The coat of the arms of the Västernorrland Regiment 1977–1994 and the Ångermanland Brigade 1994–2000. Blazon: "Per pale azure, the provincial badge of Ångermanland, three salmons naiant in pale, the middle one sinister set, armed gules, and the provincial badge of Medelpad; with waves four times divided, azure, argent, gules, argent and azure. The shield surmounted two muskets in saltire or". The coat of arms of the Västernorrland Regiment 1994–2000 and the Västernorrland Group 2000–2004. Blazon: "Per pale azure, the provincial badge of Ångermanland, three salmons naiant in pale, the middle one sinister set, armed gules and the provincial badge of Medelpad; with waves four times divided, azure, argent, gules, argent and azure. The shield surmounted two swords in saltire or".
Medals
In 1974, the Västernorrlands regementes och Ångermanlandsbrigadens förtjänstmedalj and Ångermanland Brigade in gold and silver of the 9th size was established. The medal ribbon is divided in green and white moiré. In 2000, the Västernorrlands regementes och Ångermanlandsbrigadens minnesmedalj and Ångermanland Brigade in silver of the 8th size was established. The medal ribbon is divided in green, white, green, white and green.
Commanding officers
Battalion and regimental commanders from 1869 to 2000. From 1974, the commanding officer was referred to as Defence District Commander, and held the rank of Colonel 1st Class. The regimental commander was from 1983 to 1990 also the commanding officer of Sollefteå Army Garrison.
