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Forsvarets Spesialkommando

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Forsvarets Spesialkommando
File:FSK-HJK-logo.gif
Forsvarets Spesialkommando Insignia
Active1982- current
CountryNorway Norway
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
Uzbin Valley ambush (after action only)
Decorations  Army Presidential Unit Citation

Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK, en. Armed Forces' Special Command) is a special forces unit of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence. The unit was established in 1982[citation needed] due to the increased risk of terrorist activity against Norwegian interests, including[2] the oil platforms in the North Sea.

History

FSK was first[citation needed] officially revealed to the media after the military's comments regarding the hijacking of an airplane at Fornebu in September 1993.

Outside of Norway

Kosovo

The FSK and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) cooperated in various ways during the Kosovo conflict.[3] FSK / HJK was the first[citation needed] special forces unit to enter Pristina. The HJK's mission was to level the negotiating field between the belligerent parties, and to fine-tune the detailed, local deals needed to implement the peace deal between the Serbians and the Kosovo Albanians.[4]

Claims have been made, that the FSK could not have avoided witnessing war crimes perpetrated by the KLA, given that the FSK were closely monitoring/cooperating with the KLA.[3] 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 soldiers during Operation Anaconda
FSK during training in the Oslofjord, entring a ferry by telescopic ladder
FSK during training in the Oslofjord, entring a ferry by telescopic ladder
FSK during training in the Oslofjord

FSK supported U.S. Special Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. They have had missions in the Helmand and Uruzgan provinces of South Afghanistan[5]

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.[citation needed]

Organization

In 2003, the unit was claimed to consist of about 100 commandos.[6][n 1] (These individual commandos are referred to by various names in the Norwegian media, including kommandosoldat, spesialsoldat and spesialjeger.)

Chain of command

Above the FSK's Commanding Officer, the chain of command includes the Ministry of Defence. The unit commander reports directly to GIH (generalinspektøren for hæren).[7] There is at least one reference claiming the existence of a Chief of special forces (sjefen for spesialstyrkene)[n 2][8]

Relationship with HJK

HJK (Hærens Jegerkommando) and FSK have at times (if not today) shared a Commanding Officer.[n 3][9]

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.[10][11] FSK/HJK are claimed to be a special force(s) ("en spesialstyrke").[12] FSK/HJK are also claimed to be responsible for preparing/training soldiers for service in spesialjegerkommandoen and fallskjermjegertroppen[13]

HJK received its name in 1997, and records are lacking regarding any subsequent change of the unit's name. Records of FSK, being incorporated into another unit, are also 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, including mailing address[14] and e-mail address[15].

General tasks

In peacetime they are a support element to the Norwegian Police force and law enforcement agencies in allied nations, acting when requested[by whom?] in serious incidents like hostage situations and aircraft hijacking. During counter-terrorist operations, the commandos are trained to kill their opponents, rather[citation needed] 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[citation needed] for FSK selection.

Previously, the FSK only accepted applicants who had served as a conscript in either Marinejegerkommandoen or HJK.

Training

Candidates for FSK will go through some of the toughest Norwegian military training.

FSK-officers are claimed to receive training at Long Range Reconnaissance School in Germany.[16]

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.[17][18] The SAS (special forces from Britain) considered such as suicide missions.[18]

"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 the soldier's head by only a few centimeters.[19][17] The stated purpose of the exercise, if any, is lacking from records.

Comments made about the exercise include "There probably is a reason why one does not conduct this exercise today."[n 4][20]

Controversies

Psychological follow-up

Claims have been made, that professional psychological help for traumatized FSK-soldiers, has not been adequate (and sometimes not reasonably available).[21]

Knut Braa has said that in 2002, FSK soldiers who saw combat were not being debriefed adequately.[22] (Pål Herlofsen was (then) in charge of the "psychological follow-up" of the soldiers.[23])

Dagens Næringsliv asked in 2003, if it is a problem that soldiers are prohibited from talking about their experiences during their service for FSK, due to confidentiality (taushetsplikt). Minister of Defence Kristin Krohn Devold replied that "they are not prohibited from discussing their experiences and feelings (opplevelser) during therapy with civilian therapists."

Safety violations

During a FSK training mission a former commando of USA (Kevin Thilgman), died in 2010 when their boat capsized at a speed above 50 knots.[24] A number of safety procedures had been violated, when the "newly"[25] acquired boat was being demonstrated without testing being completed in advance.

Commandos

  • Eirik Kristoffersen (recipient of War Cross with sword—krigskorset med sverd)[26]
  • Jørg Lian (recipient of War Cross with sword)[27]
  • Bjørn Sagvolden (His access to a copy of his medical records with FSK, has been denied; As plaintiff against Norway, he lost.)[28][29][30][31][32]

Former Commanding Officers

Former Commanding Officers of FSK,include:

Weapons

Various types of weapons used by FSK:

Vehicles

  • Germany Geländewagen/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

Notes

  1. ^ A previous claim of 40 commandos, as of 2001, with a future increase of 50 % regarding the number of soldiers, was forecast (lacking a timeframe) in the enclosed reference: http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=9958374 Template:WebCite
  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 ) Template:WebCite
  4. ^ According to former "FSK-Sergeant"/ FSK-veteran of the Kosovo conflict, Knut Harald Hansen

References

  1. ^ Taushet om spesialstyrker : Ny Tid Template:WebCite
  2. ^ http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/terrorisme/artikkel.php?artid=10003256 "- VIKTIG Å BESKYTTE: Forsvarets spesialkommando (FSK) har jevnlig realistiske øvelser i terror mot norske oljeplattformer i Nordsjøen"
  3. ^ a b c Hjalp vi forbryterne til makten? - Kultur - Dagbladet.no Template:WebCite
  4. ^ Tom Bakkeli - Norges Hemmelige Krigere ( ISBN 978-82-489-0722-0 )
  5. ^ http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10029382
  6. ^ Dagens Næringsliv, DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.1 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-13/artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403.pdf ) Template:WebCite
  7. ^ Glossary of Endgame by Knut Braa,p.270 "FSK er direkte underlagt GIH - generalinspektøren for Hæren - og med det tillagt stor nærhet til strategisk nivå og stor operativ makt.",ISBN 978-82-8143-198-0
  8. ^ Ærverdig avslutning for Lingeklubben - regjeringen.no Template:WebCite
  9. ^ 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 ) Template:WebCite
  10. ^ mil.no | Hæren | Om FSK/HJK
  11. ^ mil.no | Hæren
  12. ^ mil.no | Hæren | Forsvarets spesialkommando/ Hærens Jegerkommando
  13. ^ Glossary of Endgame,p.270,ISBN 978-82-8143-198-0
  14. ^ http://www.fallskjermjeger.no/ "Post: — Forsvarets Spesialkommando- Hærens jegerkommando — Postboks 124—2451 Rena"
  15. ^ http://www.fallskjermjeger.no/
  16. ^ Taushet om spesialstyrker : Ny Tid Template:WebCite
  17. ^ a b 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 ) Template:WebCite
  18. ^ a b Verdens Gang, 14.11.2008 ( Facsimile: http://www.dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-14/faksimile_vg_fsk_141108.pdf )
  19. ^ http://www.lokalavisen.no/nyheter/til-kamp-mot-staten-1.4794004 : (translation: "A short time after the accident he was placed in a dark room with an infrared beam pointed at his forehead, and shots were fired around his head.") "Kort tid etter ulykken ble han plassert i et mørkt rom med infrarød stråle i panna, og skutt rundt hodet på."
  20. ^ 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 ) Template:WebCite
  21. ^ "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 ) Template:WebCite
  22. ^ Gjernes, Knut; Hustadnes, Halldor (2003-04-16). "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner". Dagens Næringsliv (in Norwegian). p. 29-M. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-02-02. November 2002 ... Knut Arnljot Braa holder foredrag om senvirkningene. Etter foredraget kommer to menn i 20-årsalderen bort til ham. To spesialtrente soldater. - Bare noen dager tidligere kom de hjem fra slagmarken i Afghanistan. De har skutt for å drepe, og selv blitt beskutt. De har sett døde ligge igjen. Nå forteller de om mangel på oppfølging etter at de kom hjem fra slagmarken i Afghanistan. De har skutt for å drepe, og selv blitt beskutt. De har sett døde ligge igjen. Nå forteller de om mangel på oppfølging av kritiske episoder, som ikke bare er militærfaglig. De forteller også hvor ekstra vanskelig det er å komme hjem til kjæreste og familie med forbud mot å fortelle hva de har opplevd. De er fra Forsvarets Spesialkommando.
  23. ^ Gjernes, Knut; Hustadnes, Halldor (2003-04-16). "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner". Dagens Næringsliv (in Norwegian). p. 29-M. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-02-02. Hemmelige psykologer. Dagens Næringsliv vet at oberstløytnant, psykiater og sjef for Oslo Militære Legekontor, Pål Herlovsen og psykolog Jon Reichelt ved Kontor for Psykiatri ved Forsvarets overkommando har ansvaret for den psykologiske oppfølgingen av Forsvarets Spesialkommando. - Det eneste jeg kan si er at vi har tenkt på det meste. Noe mer om hvordan vi har organisert oss ønsker vi ikke å gå ut med, sier psykiater Pål Herlovsen.
  24. ^ Tom Bakkeli (2011-10-06). "- SIKKERHETEN HAR SVIKTET". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). p. 14. "Forsvarets nye hurtiggående RHIB"; RHIB-en ikke var ferdig testet"; "toppfart langt over 50 knop"; "Båtfører fra FLO Forsvarets Logistikkorganisajon"; Vealøs ... Langøya
  25. ^ Tom Bakkeli (2011-10-06). "- SIKKERHETEN HAR SVIKTET". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). p. 14. "Forsvarets nye hurtiggående RHIB"; RHIB-en ikke var ferdig testet"; "toppfart langt over 50 knop"; "Båtfører fra FLO Forsvarets Logistikkorganisajon"; Vealøs ... Langøya
  26. ^ http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10091978
  27. ^ http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10091978
  28. ^ Gjernes, Knut; Hustadnes, Halldor (2003-04-16). "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner". Dagens Næringsliv (in Norwegian). pp. 27-M, 28-M. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-02-02. [translation to English: With a closed circuit rebreather, no bubbles would break the water surface and reveal the divers ... When Bjørn Sagvolden was pulled onboard, he had no vital signs ... They removed his mouthpiece and started attempts at resuscitation ... He vomited a bloody liquid. Bjørn Sagvolden was immediately transported to the Naval base where the diving chamber was manned and ready. — A Nitrogen bubble had reached the brain [via blood vessels]. In the diving chamber the air bubble loosened, and Bjørn Sagvolden was born again. He was nauseous and dizzy. A half hour had passed since he fell unconscious, and he remembered nothing of what had happened. He was taken to Horten sykehus [a hospital], where he remained for observation thru the night. — A few days later, he had returned to duty. As a commando without a certificate for diving. - A fact-finding commission, manned by employees of Norway's military and police services, was established to find the cause of the accident. Two weeks later a report, from Norsk Undervannsteknologisk Senter, showed that Bjørn Sagvolden should not have been in the water. The oxygen content of the diving cylinders was not 100 %, but 89 %.The fact-finding commission concluded that the direct cause of the accident was that the gas for breathing was contaminated with nitrogen. But the fact-finding commission's report was not complete (fullstendig). Because who really had the responsibility? The report from 1983, stated that: "Due to the group's special function, one did not find it advisable to discuss its composition, tasks or general training procedures." Those who led the secretive commando unit, were not held accountable. - Three weeks later Bjørn Sagvolden was fired as a commando of FSK, for disciplinary reasons ... In the 1990's he tried to find out if the event, in a non-illuminated "Killing House" where 30 bullets where placed so that they passed a few centimeters from his head, was illegal and could give the right to tortious compensation for work-related injury. But Forsvarsdepartementet dropped the case in 1993. A letter from Forsvarsdepartementet states that "nothing that was worthy of criticism or abnormal during the exercise", has taken place. FSK's instruction for live fire, he has never been allowed to see. For reasons of national security. — Sagvolden has tried to find out who had the responsibility for the diving accident. But the investigations have been stopped. He wants to know who had the responsibility for it, and if he has received senskader ["late" + "injuries"]. And he wants a decision about when his diving license will be returned. ... In our minds, we will always be members of FSK, says Sagvolden.] Bjørn Sagvolden ... Med lukket oksygensystem ville ingen bobler bryte vannoverflaten og avsløre dem ... Da Bjørn Sagvolden ble trukket ombord var han livløs ... De fjernet munnstykket og startet opplivningsforsøk ... Han kastet opp blodig væske. Bjørn Sagvolden ble umiddelbart transportert inn til marinebasen hvor trykktanken sto i beredskap. — En nitrogenboble hadde gått opp til hjernen. I trykktanken løsnet luftboblen og Bjørn Sagvolden ble født på ny. Han var kvalm og omtåket. Nå hadde det gått en halv time siden han besvimte og han husket ingenting av det som hadde skjedd. Han ble lagt inn på Horten sykehus for observajon over natten. — Noen dager senere var han tilbake i tjeneste. Som kommandosoldat uten dykkersertifikat. - En granskingskommisjon, med folk fra Forsvaret og politiet, ble nedsatt for å finne årsaken til ulykken. To uker etter ulykken kom en rapport fra Norsk Undervannsteknologisk Senter som viste at Bjørn Sagvolden aldri skulle ha vært i vannet. Det var ikke 100 prosent oksygen på flaskene, men 89 prosent. Granskingskommisjonen konkluderte med at den direkte årsaken til ulykken var at puste-gassen var forurenset med nitrogen. Men rapporten fra granskingskommisjonen var ikke fullstendig. For hvem hadde det egentlige ansvaret? I rapporten fra 1983 sto det: "Av hensyn til gruppens spesielle funksjon fant man det ikke tilrådelig å gå nærmere inn på dens sammensetning, oppgaver eller generelle treningsopplegg". De som ledet den hemmelighetsfulle kommandotroppen slapp å svare for seg. - Tre uker senere ble Bjørn Sagvolden oppsagt som kommandosoldat i FSK av disiplinære årsaker. ... På 90-tallet forsøkte han å finne ut om episoden i et mørklagt "Killing House", hvor 30 skudd ble plassert få centimeter fra hodet, var ulovlig og kunne gi rett til yrkesskadeerstatnin. Men Forsvarsdepartementet skrinla saken i 1993. I et brev fra Forsvarsdepartementet står det at det ikke er funnet sted "noe kritikkverdig eller unormalt ved denne øvelse". Skyteinstruksen for FSK har han aldri fått se. På grunn av rikets sikkerhet. — Sagvolden har forsøkt å finne ut hvem som har ansvaret for dykkerulykken. Men undersøkelsene stoppet opp. Han vil vite hvem som hadde ansvaret for den, og om han har fått senskader. Og han vil ha en avgjørelse om når han kan få dykkersertifikatet tilbake. ... I hodet er vi FSK-ere resten av livet, sier Sagvolden.
  29. ^ Dagbladet, 2009-11-13 "- Mannen min er slett ikke død": (Title and quotes translated): "My husband definitely is not dead" ... "«During the trial, your lawyer demanded (framprovoserte ) medical records that Dr. Eidsvik ought to have about you. Forsvarets attempt at finding these documents have been without results (...) Dr. Eidsvik has died, and thereby the department does not have any opportunity to examine the matter any further", wrote avdelingsdirektør Severin Vikanes, chief of juridisk seksjon of Forsvarsdepartementet."
  30. ^ Sykepleien 15/08 (Claims about nurses' insurance related to "risikodykking", made by Bjørn Sagvolden — printed in "Sykepleien" (and written by Sykepleien's editorial board), page 82: translation to English: "victory in the Diving chamber trial (trykkammer-saken)" ... [Bjørn Sagvolden called to congratulate] "after having read the article in Sykepleien 13/2008 about the nurses from Bergen who were awarded tortious compensation of 5.5 million in Norwegian kroner because they were injured by "dykkersyke" while at work. Sagvolden is a former Navy diver, and he was injured when he fainted while diving in 1983. In 2005 his injury was approved as a work-related injury, and in November there will be a trial regarding tortious compensation." ... "That the employer insured the nurses against "risikodykking" ... "must be the first time that Norway's government claims responsibility for "risikodykking" i "avtaleverket" ("Bjørn Sagvolden som ringer til Sykepleien etter å ha lest saken i 13/2008 om Bergenssykepleierne som fikk 5,5 millioner kroner i erstatning fordi de ble dykkersyke på jobben. Sagvolden er tidligere marinedykker og ble skadet da han besvimte under dykking i 1983. I 2005 fikk han godkjent dette som yrkesskade, men i november blir det rettssak i Oslo tingrett om erstatning." ... "At arbeidsgiver forsikret sykepleierne for risikodykking, synes han er svært interessant. – Dette må være første gang at staten erkjenner ansvar for risikodykking i avtaleverket")
  31. ^ VG, November 14, 2008 (Facsimile: http://dykkersaken.no/files/dated/2008-11-14/faksimile_vg_fsk_141108.pdf
  32. ^ http://www.lokalavisen.no/nyheter/tapte-mot-staten-1.4801230: (translation: "Lost against the Government - Oslo/Ellingsrud: In November 2008 Oslo tingrett, a ... trial started. Bjørn Sagvolden sued the Government for what he regards as violations of civil liberties and other violations thru 25 years. The starting point was a diving accident in 1983, that nearly killed him. Information (related to his military service) that did not benefit him, was supposedly leaked to civillian employers and borettslag to purposely harass Sagvolden. He claimed tortious compensation [amounting to Norwegian kroner] 17 million, but now he is running the risk of (instead) having to pay the [court] costs of the Government.) Tapte mot staten - Bjørn Sagvolden fra Ellingsrud har tapt saken som han anla mot staten. Sagvolden vil anke dommen. - OSLO/ELLINGSRUD: I november 2008 åpnet Oslo tingrett en meget omfattende sak. Bjørn Sagvolden gikk til sak mot staten for det han mener er menneskerettighetsbrudd og krenkelser gjennom 25 år. - Utgangspunktet var en dykkerulykke i 1983, som var nær ved å ta livet hans. Ufordelaktige opplysninger fra tiden i Forsvaret skulle angivelig ha lekket til sivile arbeidsgivere og borettslag i den hensikt å trakassere Sagvolden. - Han krevde 17 millioner i erstatning, men risikerer i stedet å måtte betale statens kostnader."
  33. ^ "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner", Dagens Næringsliv,16./21.April 2003,p.29
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