| Naval Special Operations Command | |
|---|---|
| Marinejegerkommandoen (MJK) | |
 | |
| Active | Frogmen: 1953–1968MJK: 1968–current |
| Country |  Norway |
| Branch | Norwegian Special Operations Command |
| Type | NavalSpecial Operation Forces |
| Size | Classified |
| Garrison/HQ | Haakonsvern Naval Base andRamsund Naval Base |
| Mottos | "Prepare for tomorrow's threats, today" |
| Colors | Green beret flash on blue navy beret |
| Engagements | 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[1] 2018 Inter-Continental Hotel Kabul attack 2015 Park Palace guesthouse attack |
| Decorations |  United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Commander Kåre Karlsen (Commander MJK) Major general Torgeir Gråtrud. (Commander NORSOCOM) |
Marinejegerkommandoen (MJK) (English:Naval Special Operations Commando) is themaritime/naval special warfare unit of theNorwegian Armed Forces[2] and was established in 1953.[3]
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 base in northern Norway, with other MJK operators stationed on theHaakonsvern naval base in western Norway.
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 medic training,sniper training andforward air control (FAC) training.[5][6]
In 2008 a news-team fromNRK filmed their selection process,[7] showing recruits being strip searched and doing water exercises in a secret abandoned naval base somewhere along the Norwegian coast.
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 modernMarinejegerkommandoen andMinedykkerkommandoen. 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 diver team and twocombat swimmer teams, 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]
Marinejegerkommandoen plays 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]
Marinejegerkommandoen is on national counter-terrorism standby to assist the Norwegian Police if required (alongsideForsvarets Spesialkommando), and is also on continuous standby for international operations.[11]
TheMarinejegerkommandoen have participated in a number of international operations. The unit conducted operations inAfghanistan in 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 Police Crisis Response Unit aroundKabul in 2008–2009, relievingForsvarets Spesialkommando for a short period.[12]
The unit provided operators for Military Observer Teams (MOT's), as part of the Norwegian Armed Forces contribution inFaryab Province in northern Afghanistan. It was during a MOT patrol on 27 June 2010 thatLieutenant Commander Trond Andrè Bolle was killed, along with three members of theNorwegian Coastal Ranger Command, when theIveco LMV they were travelling in was struck by an IED.[13]Lt Cmdr Bolle was later awarded theNorwegian War Cross with Sword for his actions commanding the Norwegian Special Operations Force Task Group II in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan'sHelmand province from 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 theTaliban andAl-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 Hercules toSicily in connection with theIn Amenas hostage crisis inAlgeria.[17]
Marinejegerkommandoen's participation inOperation Enduring Freedom earned the unit theNavy Presidential Unit Citation on 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 NavyAdmiral who 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 Medal of the United States for extraordinary allied efforts during a mission in Afghanistan.[20]
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 Establishment puts the force structure of the MJK at a staff and six combat squadrons:
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)| International | |
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