Minedykkerkommandoen | |
---|---|
Active | 1968-current |
Country | Norway |
Branch | Norwegian Navy |
Type | Maritime Bomb Disposal |
Role | Special Operations |
Garrison/HQ | Haakonsvern naval base |
Engagements | Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom 2001 Macedonia conflict |
Minedykkerkommandoen (The Mine Diver Command) is Norway's clearance diver group. It is a branch of the Norwegian naval defenses specializing in explosive ordnance disposal. MDK is subordinate to Minekrigsflotiljen (The Mine Warfare Flotilla), which is a division of the Norwegian Navy. MDK has a base at the Haakonsvern naval station in Bergen and is divided into four small units, one of which has a stronghold at Ramsund naval station outside Harstad.
The Mine Diver Command is part of the naval contribution to the Norwegian Defense Forces Intervention Force, and the command's personnel have taken part in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, among others. The unit has also participated with mine disposal in the Baltic states and Norway (World War 2 mine disposal)
They use several Canadian-made rebreathers: Viper SE, Viper Plus, S-24. They also previously used Siva 55 and Siva Plus.