Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 The Troubles (rumoured)
Bosnian war
Kosovo war
2001 Macedonia conflict
Operation Essential Harvest[1]
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Anaconda
Decorations   Army Presidential Unit Citation
Norwegian special forces during a hijacking-exercise.
Norwegian special forces during a hijacking-exercise.

Forsvarets Spesialkommando, FSK is the special forces of the Norwegian army. It 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 soldiers during Operation Anaconda

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 Fornebu in September 1993. From there, speculation about their past involvement in similar hostage situations flourished. It is officially known that they gave support to 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 British SAS, Delta Force and DEVGRU of USA and KSK of Germany. It's 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 in storming a house in Kabul to free kidnapped German aid worker Christina Meier. The Norwegians did also have snipers on standby, ready to kill the hostage takers at a moments notice. However, that was not necessary, the snipers did only provide the assaulting team with surveillance. Meier had been kidnapped by a criminal gang on August 18 while working for Ora International.[4][5]

[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 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. However, it is believed that most of their operations include intel, recon, and direct action (for instance using snipers to take out enemy key personnel from long range)

[edit] Recruitment

Soldiers signed to FSK are from all parts of the Norwegian defence. One significant requirement is that the soldier has finished his year as a conscript, only then is he or she allowed to apply for the basic FSK training.

[edit] Weapons

[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.
Http://www.mil.no/multimedia/archive/00079/multikjt 370 79352a.jpg

[edit] External links