Forsvarets Spesialkommando: Difference between revisions
| [pending revision] | [pending revision] |
Moved to discussion page. |
|||
| Line 74: | Line 74: | ||
====Fact-Finding Commission==== |
====Fact-Finding Commission==== |
||
At least one fact-finding commission has been constituted,regarding activities of FSK, specifically the causes as to why soldier [[Bjørn Sagvolden]] was seriously injured during a training mission, in 1983.<ref>"Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",[[Dagens Næringsliv]],16./21.April 2003,p.27</ref> The conclusion of the commission, was that "It was found that due to the |
At least one fact-finding commission has been constituted,regarding activities of FSK, specifically the causes as to why soldier [[Bjørn Sagvolden]] was seriously injured during a training mission, in 1983.<ref>"Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",[[Dagens Næringsliv]],16./21.April 2003,p.27</ref> The conclusion of the commission, was that "It was found that due to the [[Forsvarets Spesialkommando|group's]] [FSK] special functions, it was not advisable to further investigate its configuration, tasks, or general training procedures".<ref>[http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/pdf/rapport_071283_sagvolden.pdf Facsimile: «The Fact-Finding Commision's report (''Rapport fra undersøkelseskommisjon ...'') »] {{no icon}}</ref> |
||
==Controversies== |
==Controversies== |
||
Revision as of 20:24, 8 September 2009
| Forsvarets Spesialkommando | |
|---|---|
| File:FSK-HJK-logo.gif 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 |
Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK) is a special forces unit 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.
History
FSK was first officially revealed to the media after the military spoke of them in connection with the hijacking of an airplane at Fornebu in September 1993.
FSK supported U.S. 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]
Organization
The majority of the unit consists of commandos. (These individual commandos are referred to by various names in Norwegian media, including kommandosoldat, spesialsoldat and spesialjeger.)
Relationship with HJK
HJK (Hærens Jegerkommando) and FSK have at times (if not today) had a Commanding Officer who officially lead both units at the same time.[n 1] [1]
FSK and HJK share training facilities at the military base (Rena leir), where both units are headquartered.
The term "FSK/HJK"
The term "FSK/HJK" is in use.[2] FSK/HJK are claimed to be a special force(s)("en spesialstyrke").[3] Records of HJK changing name, are lacking. And records of FSK, being incorporated into another unit, are lacking. FSK/HJK is the name of any task force convened, consisting of the two different units, FSK and HJK.
FSK and HJK, have the capabilities of sharing logistics, training facilities and other resources.
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 aircraft hijacking. During counter-terrorist operations, FSK operatives are trained to eliminate the threats rather than trying to arrest them.
In wartime, 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.
Selection
Soldiers from any branch of the Norwegian military, can be selected to join FSK. Conscripts can not apply for FSK selection.
Previously, the FSK only accepted applicants who had served as a conscript in The Army Ranger Command (Norwegian special forces).
Training
Candidates for FSK, will go through some of the toughest Norwegian military training. Only a handful finish the entire training period.
Criticism of the training
Parachute landings on oil platforms in the North Sea
Testimony in court and in the media, indicates that training previously included parachute landings on helicopter landing-pads related to oil platforms.[4] [5] (The S.A.S. (special forces from Britain) considered such as suicide missions.)[6]
"Sitting ducks"
In the past, the training has included "sitting duck" exercises, where a soldier had to sit still, while live rounds were fired, to clear a soldier's head, by only a few centimeters.[7]
Fact-Finding Commission
At least one fact-finding commission has been constituted,regarding activities of FSK, specifically the causes as to why soldier Bjørn Sagvolden was seriously injured during a training mission, in 1983.[8] The conclusion of the commission, was that "It was found that due to the group's [FSK] special functions, it was not advisable to further investigate its configuration, tasks, or general training procedures".[9]
Controversies
Claims have been made, that professional psychological help for traumatized FSK-soldiers, has not been adequate (and sometimes not reasonably available).[10]
Former Commanding Officers
Former Commanding Officers of FSK,include:
Weapons
Various types of weapons used by FSK:
Heckler & Koch G3 - Assault Rifle
Colt Canada C8SFW - Assault rifle
Heckler & Koch HK 417 - Battle rifle not approved by photos- Heckler & Koch HK 416 - Assault rifle not approved by photos
- Heckler & Koch MP7 - Submachine gun not approved by photos
- Heckler & Koch MP5 - Submachine gun
- Heckler & Koch MSG-90 - Sniper rifle
Accuracy International L115A1 - Sniper Rifle
Barrett M82A1 - high-powered heavy Sniper Rifle- Heckler & Koch USP - Pistol
Glock 17 - Pistol- AG-C/EGLM - Grenade launcher (fitted to C8SFW)
- Talley Defense Systems M72 LAW - light anti-armor weapon
Carl Gustav recoilless rifle - anti-tank weapon- Browning M2 - HMG
- Rheinmetall MG3 - GPMG
FN MINIMI Para SPW - LMG- HK GMG (automatic grenade launcher on Mercedes SF vehicles).
- M320 Grenade Launcher Module(on HK416).
- M249 SAW
Vehicles
- 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.
See also
External links
- «Hærens Jegerkommando – en prioritert avdeling», from Milnytt.no, November 1, 2005 Template:No icon
- ShadowSpear.com Special Operations Community Website Template:No icon
- «Åsta-helt døde under anti-terrortrening», from Verdens Gang, October 6, 2005 Template:No icon
- «Ødelegge og nøytralisere» from Bergens Tidende, February 17, 2005 Template:No icon
- «Norske styrker øver anti-terror» from Forsvarsnett, December 30, 2002 Template:No icon
- «Taushet om spesialstyrker», from Ny Tid, November 16, 2001 Template:No icon
- «Spesialkommandoen skulle befri Ostrø» from Verdens Gang, September 23, 2001 Template:No icon
- «Video of NORSOF»from TVNORGE, January 21, 2007 Template:No icon
- TV Commercial Video Template:No icon
- Forsvarets Spesialkommando promo video Template:No icon
- «The FSK official website»
- Facsimile: «"Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21.April 2003,p.25 to p.29 » Template:No icon
References
- ^ Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.29 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-13/artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403.pdf )
- ^ http://www.mil.no/haren/hjk/start/Fakta_FSK/
- ^ http://www.mil.no/haren/start/org/fskhjk/
- ^ Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.27 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-13/artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403.pdf )
- ^ Verdens Gang, 14.11.2008 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-14/faksimile_vg_fsk_141108.pdf )
- ^ Verdens Gang, 14.11.2008 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-14/faksimile_vg_fsk_141108.pdf )
- ^ Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.27 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-13/artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403.pdf )
- ^ "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",Dagens Næringsliv,16./21.April 2003,p.27
- ^ Facsimile: «The Fact-Finding Commision's report (Rapport fra undersøkelseskommisjon ...) » Template:No icon
- ^ "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",Dagens Næringsliv,16./21.April 2003,p.29 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-13/artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403.pdf )
- ^ "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",Dagens Næringsliv,16./21.April 2003,p.29
Notes
- ^ The Commanding Officer for FSK and HJK, was the same person, in year 2003, at least. Ref: Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.29 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-13/artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403.pdf )