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Forsvarets Spesialkommando

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Forsvarets Spesialkommando
File:FSK-HJK-logo.gif
Forsvarets Spesialkommando Insignia
Active1982- current
CountryNorway
BranchNot assigned
TypeSpecial forces
RoleSpecial Surveillance and Reconnaissance (SR)
Direct Action (DA)
Military assistance (MA)
Collateral Activities (CA)
Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR)
SizeClassified
Garrison/HQRena leir
EngagementsBosnian war
Kosovo war
2001 Macedonia conflict
Operation Essential Harvest[1]
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Anaconda
Operation Jacana
Decorations  Army Presidential Unit Citation
File:Fly37 13458a.jpg
Norwegian special forces during a hijacking-exercise.

FSK (Forsvarets Spesialkommando) 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 soldiers during Operation Anaconda

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.

Outside of Norway

Kosovo

FSK and Kosovo Liberation Army(KLA) cooperated in various manners, during the Kosovo conflict.[1]

Claims have been made, that the FSK could not have avoided witnessing war crimes by KLA, given that the FSK were closely monitoring/cooperating with KLA.[2] Questions asked in connection with FSK's activities, include "How well informed was the Norwegian government about the cooperation between KLA and FSK? ... Did we help criminals get in to power?"[3]

Afghanistan

FSK supported U.S. Special Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. That Norwegian special forces used newly developed and top secret methods and tools that gave the allied forces important information, has been alleged by Norwegian media.[4] .

FSK has co-operated with other special forces such as the British SAS, Delta Force and DEVGRU of US Special Operations Command and KSK of Germany.

Organization

The unit was claimed to consist of about 40 commandos, as of 2001.[n 1] [5] (These individual commandos are referred to by various names in Norwegian media, including kommandosoldat, spesialsoldat and spesialjeger.)

Chain of command

The chain of command includes the Ministry of Defence. There is at least one reference claiming the existence of a Chief of special forces(sjefen for spesialstyrkene)[n 2] [6]

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 3] [7]

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.[8] FSK/HJK are claimed to be a special force(s)("en spesialstyrke").[9]

HJK received its name in 1997, and records are lacking regarding any subsequent change of the unit's name. 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 HJK.

Training

Candidates for FSK, will go through some of the toughest Norwegian military training. Only a handful finish the entire training period.

FSK-officers are claimed to receive training at Long Range Reconnaissance School in Germany.[10]

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.[11] [12] (The S.A.S. (special forces from Britain) considered such as suicide missions.)[13]

"Sitting duck" exercises

In the past, the training has included "sitting duck" exercises, where a soldier had to sit still, while live rounds were fired, missing a soldier's head, by only a few centimeters.[14] Any stated purpose of the exercise, are lacking in records.

Comments made about the exercise, include: "There probably is a reason why one does not conduct this exercise today.".[n 4] [15]

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.[16] 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".[17]

Controversies

Claims have been made, that professional psychological help for traumatized FSK-soldiers, has not been adequate (and sometimes not reasonably available).[18]

Former Commanding Officers

Former Commanding Officers of FSK,include:

Weapons

Various types of weapons used by FSK:

Vehicles

  • 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.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2008/11/05/552810.html
  2. ^ http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2008/11/05/552810.html
  3. ^ http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2008/11/05/552810.html
  4. ^ http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=5347112
  5. ^ http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=9958374
  6. ^ http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/fd/aktuelt/nyheter/2007/arverdig-avslutning-for-lingeklubben.html?id=486257
  7. ^ 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 )
  8. ^ http://www.mil.no/haren/hjk/start/Fakta_FSK/
  9. ^ http://www.mil.no/haren/start/org/fskhjk/
  10. ^ http://www.nytid.no/arkiv/artikler/20011116/taushet_om_spesialstyrker/
  11. ^ 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 )
  12. ^ Verdens Gang, 14.11.2008 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-14/faksimile_vg_fsk_141108.pdf )
  13. ^ Verdens Gang, 14.11.2008 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-14/faksimile_vg_fsk_141108.pdf )
  14. ^ 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 )
  15. ^ Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.28 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-13/artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403.pdf )
  16. ^ "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",Dagens Næringsliv,16./21.April 2003,p.27
  17. ^ Facsimile: «The Fact-Finding Commision's report (Rapport fra undersøkelseskommisjon ...) » Template:No icon
  18. ^ "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 )
  19. ^ "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",Dagens Næringsliv,16./21.April 2003,p.29

Notes

  1. ^ An increase of 50 % regarding the number of soldiers,was forecast (lacking a timeframe) in the enclosed reference.
  2. ^ Colonel Torgeir Gråtrud was Chief of special forces as of October 17,2007
  3. ^ 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 )
  4. ^ According to former "FSK-Sergeant"/ FSK-veteran of the Kosovo conflict, Knut Harald Hansen
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