Wikipedia

Marinejegerkommandoen

Marinejegerkommandoen(MJK) (English:Naval Special Operations Command) is themaritime/naval special warfareunit of theNorwegian Armed Forces[2]and was established in 1953.[3]

Naval Special Operations Command
Marinejegerkommandoen(MJK)
ActiveFrogmen: 1953–1968 MJK: 1968–current
CountryNorwayNorway
BranchNorwegian Special Operations Command
TypeNavalSpecial Operation Forces
SizeClassified
Garrison/HQHaakonsvernNaval Base andRamsundNaval Base
Motto(s)"Prepare for tomorrow's threats, today"
ColorsGreen beret flash on blue navy beret
EngagementsOperation 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[1]
2018 Inter-Continental Hotel Kabul attack
2015 Park Palace guesthouse attack
DecorationsNavy and Marine P.U.C.United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation
Commanders
Current
commander		Commander Kåre Karlsen
(Commander MJK)

Major general Torgeir Gråtrud.
(Commander NORSOCOM)

The MJK is under the command of theNorwegian Special Operations Command(NORSOCOM)[4]together with theForsvarets Spesialkommando(FSK), with the MJK being the older of the two units. The unit is headquartered on theRamsund naval basein northern Norway, with other MJK operators stationed on theHaakonsvernnaval base in southwestern Norway.

Selection

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As with any modern special operations forces, the training to become an MJK operator is long and arduous, both physically and mentally taxing. To become a fully qualified MJK operator takes a minimum of two years and is further augmented by specialized courses during the following contract period, such ascombat medictraining,snipertraining andforward air control(FAC) training.[5][6]

In 2008 a news-team fromNRKfilmed their selection process,[7]showing recruits being strip searched and doing water exercises in a secret abandoned naval base somewhere along the Norwegian coast.

History

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In the autumn of 1940, two Norwegian military units were set up in the United Kingdom. Their mission was to carry out special operations against Nazi forces in occupied Norway. The two units wereShetlandsgjengen(Shetland Bus), who used fishing vessels to transport people and materials to and from Norway, andKompani Linge(Norwegian Independent Company 1), initially under the command of LieutenantMartin Linge.Both units were under the command of the BritishSpecial Operations Executive.[8]

In 1953, the Royal Norwegian Navy formed afrogman-unit. This unit was under the command of Ove Lund, and is the origin of the modernMarinejegerkommandoenandMinedykkerkommandoen.The mission of the frogmen was to conduct recon and sabotage against enemy targets above and below water. The frogmen were also tasked with disarming all water-borne explosive devices.

The missions gradually become more comprehensive and different frogman specialities emerged. This led to members of the unit being divided into aclearance diverteam and twocombat swimmerteams, in 1968. Of the combat swimmer groups, one was based at Ramsund Naval Station in northern Norway, and one was based at Karljohansvern Naval Station in southern Norway.[9]

The two combat swimmer teams were eventually fused into one and based in Ramsund. They later changed names to the currentMarinejegerkommandoen.Today the unit has its main base in Bergen, with training facilities in Ramsund.[10]

Role

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Marinejegerkommandoenplays an integral part in modern warfare operations. The unit carries out missions that require thorough planning, quick reaction, high precision, covert implementation, daring, courage and the ability to work independently. As with all SOF missions, they target objectives of high or critical strategic value.[11]

Domestic security

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Marinejegerkommandoenis on national counter-terrorism standby to assist the Norwegian Police if required (alongsideForsvarets Spesialkommando), and is also on continuous standby for international operations.[11]

International operations

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FourMarinejegerkommandoendivers in the water

TheMarinejegerkommandoenhave participated in a number of international operations. The unit conducted operations inAfghanistanin 2002 (Task Force K-Bar), in 2003 and in 2005–2006, as part ofOperation Enduring Freedom.The unit was also involved in the training of theAfghan National PoliceCrisis Response Unit aroundKabulin 2008–2009, relievingForsvarets Spesialkommandofor a short period.[12]

The unit provided operators for Military Observer Teams (MOT's), as part of the Norwegian Armed Forces contribution inFaryab Provincein northern Afghanistan. It was during a MOT patrol on 27 June 2010 thatLieutenant Commander Trond Andrè Bollewas killed, along with three members of theNorwegian Coastal Ranger Command,when theIveco LMVthey were travelling in was struck by an IED.[13] Lt Cmdr Bolle was later awarded theNorwegian War Cross with Swordfor his actions commanding the Norwegian Special Operations Force Task Group II in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan'sHelmand provincefrom October 2005 to February 2006.[14]

MJK's contribution in Afghanistan has largely been kept secret, but from what little information is available, its missions have includedDA (direct action),Forward Air Control (FAC) and SR (Special Surveillance and Reconnaissance), and cooperating with other coalition forces in the fight against theTalibanandAl-Qaeda.[citation needed]

Following Afghanistan, MJK has deployed twice aboard Royal Norwegian Navy frigateHNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310)off the coast of Somalia, conducting anti-piracy operations as part ofOperation Atalanta(2009)[15]andOperation Ocean Shield(2013).[16]

In January 2013, medical specialists from MJK, amongst other units, were sent on a Norwegian Air ForceSuper HerculestoSicilyin connection with theIn Amenas hostage crisisinAlgeria.[17]

Recognition

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Marinejegerkommandoen'sparticipation inOperation Enduring Freedomearned the unit theNavy Presidential Unit Citationon 8 February 2005. The Presidential Unit Citation is the highest unit award given by the United States to allied units and was awarded to all members ofTask Force K-Bar.[18]William H. McRaven,aUnited States NavyAdmiralwho previously served as the commander ofJoint Special Operations Command(JSOC), said in an interview with a Norwegian newspaper in 2007 that he regarded the Special Operations Forces of Norway to be among the top special operations forces in the world.[19]

A member of the MJK was in August 2020 awarded theBronze Star Medalof the United States for extraordinary allied efforts during a mission in Afghanistan.[20]

Structure

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Naval Special Operations Commando(Norwegian:Marinejegerkommandoen) (MJK),[21]at Jaeger's Bight in Haakonsvern Naval Base, nearBergen.A research paper[22]of theNorwegian Defence Research Establishmentputs the force structure of the MJK at a staff and six combat squadrons:

  • HQ Staff (MJK stab)
  • Alfa Squadron - premier naval special warfare unit
  • Bravo Squadron - entry unit for recent graduates of the training course
  • Echo Squadron - special boat squadron
  • Reconnaissance Squadron - special reconnaissance and intelligence unit
  • Lima Squadron - combat service support squadron
  • Training Squadron, atRamsundNaval War Station (Ramsund orlogsstasjon) inTjeldsund Municipality

Commanding officers

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  • Tom Robertsen (-2014)[23]
  • Petter Hellesen (2014-2018)[23]
  • Trond Gimmingsrud (2018-2020)
  • Kåre Karlsen (2020-)[24]

Vessels

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  • 10 Goldfish 36 RIB ( special version of the 36 model ) by Goldfish Boats AS[25][26]
  • Safeguard ship for special forces -Petter B Salen.DockstavarvetAB type IC20M Interceptor[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^Johnsen, Nilas (16 February 2017). Mikalsen, Helge (ed.)."Norske spesialsoldater i Afghanistan: – de vi slåss mot kjemper til døden".Verdens Gang.Retrieved10 November2021.
  2. ^"The Norwegian Special Forces".forsvaret.no.11 October 2020.Retrieved10 November2021.
  3. ^"marinejeger.no".Retrieved25 December2014.
  4. ^deBlanc-Knowles, Tess (6 October 2015)."Creation of a Norwegian SOCOM: Challenges and Opportunities".Global SOF Foundation.Archived fromthe originalon 17 September 2016.Retrieved17 September2016.
  5. ^"Bli med på livredning med spesialstyrkene"(in Norwegian). 5 November 2015.
  6. ^"Verdens tøffeste krigere".19 March 2020.
  7. ^"30. Aug. 2008 – Lørdagsrevyen"(in Norwegian). 20 March 2019.
  8. ^Rein, Torolf (22 March 2021)."Kompani Linge".Great Norwegian Encyclopedia(in Norwegian).Retrieved10 November2021.
  9. ^"Marinejegerkommandoens opprinnelse"(in Norwegian). Archived fromthe originalon 6 June 2004.
  10. ^"50 år i tjeneste på dypet"(in Norwegian). 2 September 2018.
  11. ^ab"Primary Special Forces Missions".
  12. ^From the book: "Our Secret Soldiers"
  13. ^TV 2 AS (27 June 2010)."Fire norske soldater drept i Afghanistan".TV 2.Retrieved25 December2014.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^Bakkeli, Tom (22 January 2011). Ege, Rune Thomas (ed.)."Trond Bolle får Krigskorset med sverd".Verdens Gang(in Norwegian).Retrieved10 November2021.
  15. ^Forsvarets museer."Operasjon Atalanta;" Piratjakt i Adenbukten "".Retrieved25 December2014.
  16. ^"Hedrer piratjegerne".Bergens Tidende.Retrieved25 December2014.
  17. ^"Forsvaret har sendt norske spesialstyrker mot Algerie".Aftenposten.Retrieved25 December2014.
  18. ^"Task Force K-Bar - Special Operations Forces and Operation Enduring Freedom".
  19. ^Bakkeli, Tom (2 May 2011)."VG møtte bin Ladens banemann".VG(in Norwegian).Retrieved25 December2014.
  20. ^"En av operatørene i Marinejegerkommandoen mottok fredag USA sin" bronze star "for ekstraordinær alliert innsats under oppdraget".Facebook.28 August 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 26 February 2022.Retrieved10 November2021.
  21. ^"Organisation: The Norwegian Special Forces".Forsvaret.
  22. ^Danielsen, Tone (2012)."Hos oss sitter kulturen i hjertet" – en antropologisk studie av kultur i Marinejegerkommandoen(in Norwegian). Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (FFI). p. 45.ISBN978-82-464-2052-3.
  23. ^abColliander, Arne (8 August 2014)."NY sjef for hemmelige soldater".Bergen Tidende(in Norwegian).Retrieved10 November2021.
  24. ^"Sjefsskifte i Marinejegerkommandoen".
  25. ^Ole H. Nissen-Lie (Båtliv) (25 September 2014)."Norske kjøremaskiner vekker oppsikt".Verdens Gang(in Norwegian).Retrieved10 November2021.
  26. ^"Goldfish med 10 RIB-båter til forsvaret".Norsk Maritimt Forlag – Båtliv.no.12 February 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 27 February 2015.Retrieved19 March2016.
  27. ^Jan Einar Zachariassen."August Nærø".skipsrevyen.no.Archived fromthe originalon 16 March 2016.Retrieved19 March2016.
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