Erik Nygren

Major General Erik Gustav Vilhelm Nygren (18 July 1923 – 27 September 1999) was a Swedish Air Force officer. Nygren's senior command was Chief of the Air Staff from 1978 to 1980 and Commanding General of the Attack Command from 1980 to 1983.

Early life Nygren was born on 18 July 1923 in Visby City Parish (Visby stadsförsamling), Sweden, the son of Artur Nygren, a senior postman, and his wife Ester (née Berg).

Career Nygren was commissioned as an officer in the Swedish Air Force in 1946 with the rank of second lieutenant. He was promoted to lieutenant in Östgöta Wing (F 3) in 1948 where he served as squadron commander from 1949 to 1954. Nygren attended the General Course at the Royal Swedish Air Force Staff College in 1951 and was promoted to captain in the 2nd Air Command in 1953.

Nygren attended the Staff Course at the Royal Swedish Air Force Staff College from 1954 and 1955 and served as a staff officer from 1956 to 1957. In 1958, Nygren was promoted to major, whereupon he was flight commander at Hälsinge Wing (F 15) from 1958 to 1961 and led training for Austrian pilots in Sweden and served in the Austrian Air Force in 1961. He served as section chief in the 2nd Air Command from 1962 to 1966, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1963 and attended the General Course at the Swedish National Defence College in 1964. On 1 October 1980, Nygren assumed the position of commanding officer of the Attack Command. He left the position three years later on 30 September 1983 and retired from active service.

Personal life In 1948, Nygren married Elsie Löfveberg (1925–1989), the daughter of Gösta Löfveberg and Ester (née Högstadius).

Dates of rank 1946 – Second lieutenant 1948 – Lieutenant 1953 – Captain 1958 – Major 1963 – Lieutenant colonel 1966 – Colonel 1969 – Senior colonel 1977 – Major general

Awards and decorations