| Norwegian Special Operations Command | |
|---|---|
| Forsvarets spesialstyrker | |
 | |
| Active | 2014- |
| Country |  Norway |
| Role | Special operations |
| Size | Classified |
| Garrison/HQ | Akershus Fortress |
| Engagements | Kosovo conflict Operation Enduring Freedom (Task Force K-Bar) Operation Anaconda Operation Jacana International Security Assistance Force Operation Pickaxe-Handle Operation Atalanta Operation Ocean Shield Resolute Support Mission American University of Afghanistan attack Hostage situation at Hetal Hotel, Kabul May 2015 2018 Inter-Continental Hotel Kabul attack 2015 Park Palace guesthouse attack Fall of Kabul (2021) |
| Decorations |  United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation |
Forsvarets spesialstyrker (English: Norwegian Special Operations Command (NORSOCOM)) is a unit in the Norwegian Armed Forces with overall responsibility for the special forces.
The unit was established on 1 January 2014 and consists of the Naval Special Operations Commando (MJK) and the Special Operations Commando (FSK). In addition, 339 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (from the Royal Norwegian Air Force) is operationally under the command of the NORSOCOM.
Bakgrunn
NORSOCOM were created as an operational unit to replace the special operations department in the Defense Staff.
The two units (FSK and MJK) in NORSOCOM have tasks related to national military preparedness, as well as international operations. They can, upon request, assist civil authorities in domestic counterterrorist operations.
The unit's management and staff are based at Akershus Fortress in Oslo, while Marinejegerkommandoen is based at Haakonsvern Naval Base in Bergen and Forsvarets spesialkommando is based at Camp Rena, eastern Norway, though both units have several training facilities across the country.
Mission
The NORSOCOM's mission is threefold:
- National defence
- Support for other sectors
- Contribution to international operations
Command
Commanding officers since establishment in 2014
- 1 January 2014–1 September 2017: Counter admiral Nils Johan Holte
- 1 September 2017–27 April 2022: Major general Torgeir Gråtrud
- 27 April 2022– 6 May 2022: Rear Admiral Christian Harstad (acting)
- 6 May 2022– : Brigadier Joar Eidheim
References
- Johnsen, Nilas (2017-02-16). Mikalsen, Helge (ed.). "Norske spesialsoldater i Afghanistan: – de vi slåss mot kjemper til døden". Verdens Gang. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
- ^ "Ny sjef for Forsvarets spesialstyrker". 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
- Prop. 1 S (2013–2014), statsbudsjettet for 2014, regjeringen.no. Archived 2014-01-03 at the Wayback Machine
- Forsvarets spesialstyrker (in Norwegian). 2023-01-26.
- "Den første sjefen for Forsvarets spesialstyrker". Forsvarsdepartementet (in Norwegian). 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2017-09-05.
- "Han er spesialstyrkenes nye sjef". Forsvaret (in Norwegian Bokmål). 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-09-06.
- Olderskog, Nora Storfjell (2022-04-27). "Sjefsskifte i Forsvarets spesialstyrker" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2022-04-29.