Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK)

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Forsvarets Spesialkommando

Forsvarets Spesialkommando Insignia
Active 1982- current
Country Norway
Branch Norwegian Army
Type Special Forces
Role Special Surveillance and Reconnaissance (SR)
Direct Action (DA)
Military assistance (MA)
Collateral Activities (CA)
Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR)
Size Classified
Garrison/HQ Rena leir
Engagements Bosnian war
Kosovo war
2001 Macedonia conflict
Operation Essential Harvest[1]
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Anaconda
Operation Jacana
Decorations   Army Presidential Unit Citation
Norwegian special forces during a hijacking-exercise.

Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK) are the special forces of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence. The unit was established in 1981 due to the increased risk of terrorist activity against Norwegian interests, especially the oil platforms in the North Sea. As with other special forces, little is known and most information is based on speculation and rumors.

Contents

[edit] History

FSK soldiers during Operation Anaconda

FSK was first officially revealed to the Norwegian media and the public after the military spoke of them in connection with the hijacking of an airplane at Fornebu in September 1993. Afterward, speculation about their past involvement in similar hostage situations flourished.

It is officially admitted that FSK supported American Special Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The Norwegian special forces used newly developed and top secret methods and tools that gave the allied forces very important information [2]. They have also co-operated with other special forces such as the British SAS, Delta Force and DEVGRU of US Special Operations Command and KSK of Germany. It is rumored that they were among the first soldiers inside Pristina during the Kosovo conflict, but this is based only on photographs taken, and articles written by Norwegian, British and American journalists [3].

On August 20, 2007 Norwegian special forces soldiers helped Afghan police storm a house in Kabul to free kidnapped German aid worker Christina Meier. Meier had been kidnapped by a criminal gang on August 18 while working for Ora International. [The Norwegians had snipers on standby, ready to kill the hostage takers at a moment's notice. However, that was not necessary; the snipers provided the assaulting team with surveillance. http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1950007.ece][4]

[edit] General tasks

In peacetime they are a support element to the Norwegian Police force and law enforcement agencies in allied nations, acting when requested in serious incidents like hostage situations and hijacking. During counter-terrorist operations, FSK operatives are trained to eliminate the threats rather than trying to arrest them.

In wartime their operations are strictly secret. Very little information is official. Their tasks are mainly:

  • to gather intelligence
  • to localize and identify enemy supplies and activity
  • to carry out offensive operations against very important targets
  • to provide support to rescue missions involving important personnel
  • to provide protection to personnel and departments.

[edit] Recruitment

Soldiers join FSK from all parts of the Norwegian military. A soldier must have finished his year as a conscript before being allowed to apply for FSK selection and training.

Previously, the FSK only accepted applicants who had served as a conscript in either The Army Ranger Command or The Navy Ranger Command (Norwegian special forces, equivalent to the U.S. Army Rangers and the U.S. Navy SEALs).

When accepted into the training program, the enlisted will go through the toughest military training the Norwegian army has to offer. Though many are accepted into the training program, usually only a handful finish the entire recruitment period.

[edit] Weapons

The FSK are rumored[citation needed] to have access to possibly every weapon in the world, but these are confirmed to have been used during operations both foreign and domestic.

[edit] Vehicles

  • Flag of Germany Geländerwagen/MB270 CDI FAV vehicle armoured and EOD protected with 3 weaponstations (2 MG3 and 1 M2 or GMG). Developed in 2002 and later modernized. Used in operation Anaconda. Lot of space and mounts for equipment and communication.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forsvarets_Spesialkommando_(FSK)"
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