October 1997
Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish Air Force, Lieutenant General Kent Harrskog, declares the first Gripen squadron operational at a ceremony at F7 Wing, Såtenas
The first Czech pilot to fly Gripen is Lt. General Ladisav Klima, who flies on 27 October 1997
Whilst trawling idly through the Gripen website, I notice the above. Oh for heavens sake, that's nearly ten years ago and even ETPS are flying them!