Setermoen is the administrative centre of the municipality of Bardu in Troms county, Norway. Its population (2009) is 2,457.[1] The local administration declared city status for Setermoen in 1999, but this was rejected by the government of Norway since the municipality has less than 5,000 inhabitants.
Setermoen is located along the river, Barduelva, and on the shores of Sætervatnet lake in the middle of the Bardudalen valley. It is about 23 km (14 mi) south of Andselv/Bardufoss Airport and about 75 km (47 mi) east of the city of Harstad. European route E6 runs right through the center of Setermoen. Both the Bardu church and the Setermoen military camp are located in Setermoen.
Military education was established at Setermoen in 1898 because of its strategic location in the midst of the mountains, and is one of the oldest camps in Norway today. In many ways, the Norwegian Armed Forces has shaped Setermoen and the community through its presence.
Altogether, about 1000 soldiers and 500 officers are stationed here, making it the largest garrison in Norway. Stationed at Setermoen is:
Recently, a massive renovation program has taken place at Setermoen. Most of the main buildings and barracks will be torn down and new ones built. Costs of the project will spiral to over 1 billion Norwegian kroner (about US$155 million). The reason for the project is the end of the Cold War and the reorganization of the Norwegian Army from a mere mobilization force into a modern professional force, as this requires a lot more follow-up to the troops and better standards to attract more volunteers.