NORSOF Task Group

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Norwegian special forces during a hijacking-exercise.

The NORSOF Task Group (Norwegian: Forsvarets Spesialkommando, FSK) 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. They are, however, by many experts considered to be the premier special force in the world.

1 History
2 General tasks
3 Recruitment
4 External links

[edit] History

They were first known to the Norwegian media and the public after the military officially spoke of them in connection with a hijacking of an airplane at Gardermoen airport in September 1993. From there, speculation about their past involvement in similar hostage situations flourished. It's officially known that they gave support to American Special Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. They have also co-operated with other special forces such as British SAS, Delta Force and DEVGRU of USA and GSG 9 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 journalists.

[edit] General tasks

In peacetime they are a support element to the Norwegian Police force, acting when requested in serious incidents like hostage situations and hijackings. Generally their involvement is official in these cases.

In wartime their operations are strictly secret. Very little information is official. However, it is believed that most of their operations include intel, recon and sabotage.

[edit] Recruitment

Soldiers signed to FSK are only recruited internally from the Royal Norwegian Army and Royal Norwegian Navy. One significant requirement is that the soldier has finished his year as a conscript, or is an officer or senior NCO. Mostly they come from other specialized departments, such as the Marinejegerkommandoen and the Hærens Jegerkommando. It is known that there are about 250 soldiers on contract at any time.