OBAT 29 - Norway

[Spike11]

As a Norwegian, I felt a strong urge to make a couple of suggestions.

First, the elite units of the Norwegian army, called FSK (Forsvarets Spesialkommando, basically meaning "special forces") are considered top notch elite units you should consider including. They have seen action in Afghanistan lately, where their mountain warfare skills have been especially appreciated.

Second, the Norwegian army use Mercedes 4X4 jeeps fitted with a MG3 AAMG, mainly as scout vehicles, I think. These have also been used in Afghanistan. The army have also recently received Iveco light APCs. Don't know too much about these, but they appear to have a BMW drive train. Someone out there might know more?

Third, the FSKs and a select group of other elite units have been seen with both M16s and G36es. True, the Norwegian armed forces still use the G3, but a decision has been made to introduce a 5.56mm rifle.

My main source is www.mil.no - that is the official website of the Royal Norwegian Armed Forces (in Norwegian, but there should be an English version as well). I'll try to dig up some more details about structure etc.

[DRG]

Ok........ info like when the FSK were formed would also be helpful

Don

[Spike11]

The FSK was formed in 1982. Alongside the assault divers (No: "Marinejegere") of the navy, they are the very best Norwegian forces. They have been deployed to Afghanistan alongside the Telemark Battalion, the Norwegian contribution to the NATO's Rapid Reaction Force. These are, of course, all-volenteer formations, with better equipment and training than the regular conscript army.

[Spike11]

Sometimes I get confused by my own research... The FSK generally recruits from the assault divers (MJK - Marinens Jegerkommando), the commandos (HJK - Hærens Jegerkommando) and paratroop units. The MJK and the HJK were formed in the 50s, partly based on the units who gained experience fighting alongside the British in WW2. The idea was to create saboteur units capable of independent operations behind enemy lines in the event of a Soviet invasion. Main source, still www.mil.no.

[DRG]

OK, this is what the official Norwegian Armed forces website says.........Norwegian Special Forces

The Norwegian Defence has had a Special Forces capability since the 1960s, but it was not until 1999 that the armed forces decided to lift the veil and make information on these forces more available to the public.

The first of our Special Forces were established in the 1960s, by the Army and the Navy. The Army and Navy Special Commands are both built up by well-trained troops, with much better equipment and capabilities than regular army forces.

So you will be getting a "SF" formation starting in 1968 that will represent all of these troops.

I now need info on the Fallskjermjegere

Don

[Spike11]

A SF category seems sensible.

Fallskjermjegere are paratroopers ("fallskjerm" is Norwegian for "parachute"), better trained and equipped than the regular army, but still a part of the conscripted forces. A "normal" +10 (or thereabouts) bonus in terms of morale and experience would make sense, I think. For some reason, there does not seem to be a date for the formation of the Norwegian paras on the Army's website, although I would guess they came into being in the early 50s. BTW, "jeger" is the Norwegian equivalent of the German jäger - or jaeger as used in the game.

The Telemark Battalion should perhaps get a separate category. These aren't special forces as such, but more conventional mechanised troops with better equipment and training (they are equipped with the Bv 9030, among other things). They are also volunteers, not conscripted. They were operational in 2003.

To make matters even more complicated, you have the Border Guards. These are also specially selected and trained units (though part of the regular conscripted army) stationed at the Russian border. During the entire Cold War period, these were expected to fight delaying actions whilst withdrawing through the county of Finnmark - about 50.000 sq kms... They still exist, although their mission is somewhat different today.

The AAMG-equipped MB jeep I mentioned earlier was probably introduced in the late 90s, perhaps even later. It is based on the GD290 version, which wasn't available until the 90s.

[DRG]

Which is correct

Jegere or Jeger

and do Fallskjermjegere exist as companies

Don

[DRG]

........when did Norway buy c-130's and what did the Fallskjermjegere jump out of before that?

Don

[Spike11]

The C-130s are about 40 years old, I'll see if I can find the exact introduction date (should be doable, there is a heated debate about transport planes over here at the moment - should we buy "new" C-130s now or wait a couple of years for Airbus to get the A-400M ready...). As far as I know, the Norwegian Air Force used Dakotas before the introduction of the C-130. However, I'm anything but sure about this and even less sure about the existence of paratroopers jumping from them. I'll have a look around some Norwegian military sites and see what I can find. The same goes for the para company question.

"Jeger" is what we use (as in "jegertropp" meaning "jeger platoon"). "Jegere" isn't exactly wrong, it's simply the plural form of the same word.

[Spike11]

According to the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Norwegian Aviation Museum, the RNAF sent transport aircraft to various international operations: Germany 47-53, Gaza 56-67 and the Congo 60-64. Unfortunately, these sources do not say anything about what kind of aircraft. Wikipedia, however, claims that the RNAF had some 7 C-56B/60As, 8 C-119Gs and 20 C-47s. These were gradually retired throughout the 60s, the final Dakotas in 1973.