Marinejegerkommandoen: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Norwegian naval special operations unit }}

[[Image:Mjk dykker.jpg|thumb|right|300px|MJK specialises in maritime and coastal operations.]]

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}

{{Italic title}}

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = Naval Special Operations Command

| native_name = {{lang|no|Marinejegerkommandoen}} (MJK)

| image = Coat of arms of the Norwegian Naval Special Operations Commando.svg

| image_size = 150px

| caption =

| dates = Frogmen: 1953–1968

MJK: 1968–current

| country = {{Flagicon|NOR}} [[Norway]]

| allegiance =

| branch = [[Forsvarets spesialstyrker|Norwegian Special Operations Command]]

| type = [[Navy|Naval]] [[Special forces|Special Operation Forces]]

| role =

| size = Classified

| command_structure =

| current_commander = Commander Kåre Karlsen<br />(Commander MJK) <br /><br />Major general Torgeir Gråtrud. <br />(Commander NORSOCOM)

| garrison = [[Haakonsvern]] Naval Base and [[Ramsund, Norway|Ramsund]] Naval Base

| ceremonial_chief =

| colonel_of_the_regiment =

| nickname =

| patron =

| motto = "Prepare for tomorrow's threats, today"

| colors = Green beret flash on blue navy beret

| march =

| mascot =

| battles = [[Operation Enduring Freedom]]<br />([[Task Force K-Bar]])<br />[[Operation Anaconda]]<br /> [[Operation Jacana]]<br /> [[International Security Assistance Force]]<br />[[Operation Pickaxe-Handle]]<br />[[Operation Atalanta]]<br />[[Operation Ocean Shield]]<br />[[Resolute Support Mission]]<br />[[American University of Afghanistan attack]]<br />Hostage situation at Hetal Hotel, Kabul May 2015 <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/afghanistan/vg-moette-norske-spesialsoldater-i-afghanistan-de-vi-slaass-mot-kjemper-til-doeden/a/23917662/|title = Norske spesialsoldater i Afghanistan: – de vi slåss mot kjemper til døden|work=[[Verdens Gang]]|first=Nilas|last=Johnsen|editor-first=Helge|editor-last=Mikalsen|access-date=2021-11-10|date=2017-02-16|url-access=registration}}</ref> <br />[[2018 Inter-Continental Hotel Kabul attack]]<br />[[2015 Park Palace guesthouse attack]]

| anniversaries =

| decorations = [[File:U.S. Navy Unit Commendation streamer.svg|250px|Navy and Marine P.U.C.]] [[Presidential Unit Citation (US)|United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation]]

}}

'''''Marinejegerkommandoen''''' (MJK) ({{langx|en|Naval Special Operations Commando}}) is the [[special operations forces|maritime/naval special warfare]] unit of the [[Norwegian Armed Forces]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forsvaret.no/en/organisation/norwegian-special-forces|title = The Norwegian Special Forces|access-date=2021-11-10|date=2020-10-11|work=forsvaret.no}}</ref> and was established in 1953.<ref name=Ramsund>{{cite web|url=http://marinejeger.no/|title=marinejeger.no|publisher=|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>

'''Marinejegerkommandoen''' (MJK) is a Norwegian maritime and coastal-oriented special force formally established in 1951. It is divided into two operative units, one of which is located in [[Ramsund]] in the northern part of [[Norway]] and the other at the [[Haakonsvern]] Navy base in [[Bergen]].

The MJK is under the command of the [[Forsvarets spesialstyrker|Norwegian Special Operations Command]] (NORSOCOM)<ref>{{cite web|last1=deBlanc-Knowles|first1=Tess|title=Creation of a Norwegian SOCOM: Challenges and Opportunities|url=https://globalsoffoundation.org/creation-norwegian-socom-challenges-and-opportunities|website=Global SOF Foundation|access-date=17 September 2016|date=6 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917183916/https://globalsoffoundation.org/creation-norwegian-socom-challenges-and-opportunities|archive-date=17 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> together with the ''[[Forsvarets Spesialkommando]]'' (FSK), with the MJK being the older of the two units. The unit is headquartered on the [[Ramsund, Norway|Ramsund naval base]] in northern Norway, with other MJK operators stationed on the [[Haakonsvern]] naval base in western Norway.

As is expected from any special forces, the training to become a MJK operative is long and arduous, taking two years and then further augmented by courses taken during the following four-year contract period, such as field medical training, sniper training and [[forward air control]] (FAC) training. As of recently, all MJK personnel are assigned as officers and are put through the required courses in order to qualify. This is to maintain a level of authority and operational independency in relations to other, non-special forces units.

== Selection ==

== Marinejegerkommandoen's role in domestic and international security ==

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 as [[Battlefield medicine|combat medic]] training, [[sniper]] training and [[forward air control]] (FAC) training.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politiforum.no/nyheter/bli-med-pa-livredning-med-spesialstyrkene/126393|title = Bli med på livredning med spesialstyrkene|date = 5 November 2015|language=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.klikk.no/side3/historie/verdens-farligste-krigere-6671020|title=Verdens tøffeste krigere|date=19 March 2020 }}</ref>

<blockquote><i>Operatives are tasked to accomplish missions where conventional forces are unusable. MJK operatives are highly mobile, with stamina and forceful firepower in terms of their operative size. MJK operatives are specialists in maritime operations. They are trained and equipped to solve missions while under extreme climatic and environmental stresses.[[http://marinejeger.no/marinejeger/index.html]]</I></blockquote>

In 2008 a news-team from [[NRK]] filmed their selection process,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tv.nrk.no/serie/dagsrevyen/200808/NNFA41124308#t=938s|title = 30. Aug. 2008 – Lørdagsrevyen| date=20 March 2019 |language=no}}</ref> showing recruits being strip searched and doing water exercises in a secret abandoned naval base somewhere along the Norwegian coast.

MJK forms an integral part of the special operations command mesh that serves to protect Norway’s interests, both domestic and internationally. As to be used with maximum efficiency in the latter, the unit is modelled after the NATO Special Forces definition.

=== DomesticHistory security ===

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 were ''Shetlandsgjengen'' ([[Shetland Bus]]), who used fishing vessels to transport people and materials to and from Norway, and ''[[Kompani Linge]]'' (Norwegian Independent Company 1), initially under the command of Lieutenant [[Martin Linge]]. Both units were under the command of the British [[Special Operations Executive]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://snl.no/Kompani_Linge|title = Kompani Linge|date =2021-03-22|language=no|encyclopedia=[[Great Norwegian Encyclopedia]]|access-date=2021-11-10|first=Torolf|last=Rein}}</ref>

In 1953, the Royal Norwegian Navy formed a [[frogman]]-unit. This unit was under the command of Ove Lund, and is the origin of the modern ''Marinejegerkommandoen'' and ''Minedykkerkommandoen''. 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.

MJK’s role in a domestic defence situation is multifaceted, augmenting those of the Forsvarets Spesialkommando ([[FSK]]), Hærens Jegerkommando ([[HJK]]), HV-016 and Kystjegerkommandoen (KJK), while also supported by the Marine EOD command: Minnedykkerkommandoen (MDK).

The missions gradually become more comprehensive and different frogman specialities emerged. This led to members of the unit being divided into a [[clearance diver]] team and two [[combat 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.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040606173348/http://www.marinejeger.no/mjk/historie/index.html|url=http://www.marinejeger.no/mjk/historie/index.html|archive-date=2004-06-06|title=Marinejegerkommandoens opprinnelse|language=no}}</ref>

The two combat swimmer teams were eventually fused into one and based in Ramsund. They later changed names to the current ''Marinejegerkommandoen''. Today the unit has its main base in Bergen, with training facilities in Ramsund.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fredrikstadavisa.no/2018/09/02/50-ar-i-tjeneste-pa-dypet/|title = 50 år i tjeneste på dypet|date = 2 September 2018|language=no}}</ref>

== Role ==

''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.<ref name="PSF">{{Cite web|url=https://www.goarmy.com/special-forces/primary-missions.html|title = Primary Special Forces Missions}}</ref>

=== Domestic security ===

''Marinejegerkommandoen'' is on national counter-terrorism standby to assist the Norwegian Police if required (alongside ''[[Forsvarets Spesialkommando]]''), and is also on continuous standby for international operations.<ref name="PSF"/>

Primarily focused on defence of the considerable Norwegian coastline, they are also tasked with the protection of the numerous oil wells that lie offshore.

=== International operations ===

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Mjk dykker.jpg|thumb|220px|MJK specialises in maritime and coastal operations]] -->

[[File:Aa Jegere i vann 24159a.jpg|right|thumb|Four ''Marinejegerkommandoen'' divers in the water]]

The ''Marinejegerkommandoen'' have participated in a number of international operations. The unit conducted operations in [[Afghanistan]] in 2002 ([[Task Force K-Bar]]), in 2003 and in 2005–2006, as part of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]]. The unit was also involved in the training of the [[Afghan National Police]] Crisis Response Unit around [[Kabul]] in 2008–2009, relieving ''Forsvarets Spesialkommando'' for a short period.<ref>[http://www.spartacus.no/Assets/PresseMateriellbilder/PZvHLwl2_653_norske_spesial_styrker_184802.pdf From the book: "Our Secret Soldiers"]</ref>

The unit provided operators for Military Observer Teams (MOT's), as part of the Norwegian Armed Forces contribution in [[Faryab Province]] in northern Afghanistan. It was during a MOT patrol on 27 June 2010 that [[Trond André Bolle|Lieutenant Commander Trond Andrè Bolle]] was killed, along with three members of the [[Kystjegerkommandoen|Norwegian Coastal Ranger Command]], when the [[Iveco LMV]] they were travelling in was struck by an IED.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv2.no/nyheter/utenriks/afghanistan/flere-norske-soldater-drept-i-afghanistan-3238670.html|title=Fire norske soldater drept i Afghanistan|author=TV 2 AS|work=TV 2|date=27 June 2010 |access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>

Lt Cmdr Bolle was later awarded the [[War Cross (Norway)|Norwegian War Cross with Sword]] for his actions commanding the Norwegian Special Operations Force Task Group II in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan's [[Helmand province]] from October 2005 to February 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10029209|title=Trond Bolle får Krigskorset med sverd|first=Tom|last=Bakkeli|work=[[Verdens Gang]]|editor-first=Rune Thomas|editor-last=Ege|access-date=2021-11-10|date=2011-01-22|url-access=registration|language=no}}</ref>

MJK's contribution in Afghanistan has largely been kept secret, but from what little information is available, its missions have included [[Direct action (military)|DA (direct action)]], Forward Air Control (FAC) and SR (Special Surveillance and Reconnaissance), and cooperating with other coalition forces in the fight against the [[Taliban]] and [[Al-Qaeda]].{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}

Following Afghanistan, MJK has deployed twice aboard Royal Norwegian Navy frigate [[HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310)]] off the coast of Somalia, conducting anti-piracy operations as part of [[Operation Atalanta]] (2009)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forsvaretsmuseer.no/Marinemuseet/Sjoeforsvarets-historie/Internasjonale-operasjoner-1990-2013/Operasjon-Atalanta-Piratjakt-i-Adenbukten|title=Operasjon Atalanta; "Piratjakt i Adenbukten"|author=Forsvarets museer|publisher=|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref> and [[Operation Ocean Shield]] (2013).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bt.no/nyheter/lokalt/Hedrer-piratjegerne-3065710.html|title=Hedrer piratjegerne|work=Bergens Tidende|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>

In January 2013, medical specialists from MJK, amongst other units, were sent on a Norwegian Air Force [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|Super Hercules]] to [[Sicily]] in connection with the [[In Amenas hostage crisis]] in [[Algeria]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/Har-sendt-norske-spesialstyrker-mot-Algerie--7095757.html#.UyoMGIXLKo0|title=Forsvaret har sendt norske spesialstyrker mot Algerie|work=Aftenposten|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>

=== Recognition ===

''Marinejegerkommandoen's'' participation in [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] earned the unit the [[Presidential Unit Citation (US)|Navy 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 of [[Task Force K-Bar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/operation-enduring-freedom-the-first-49-days-6/|title = Task Force K-Bar - Special Operations Forces and Operation Enduring Freedom}}</ref> [[William H. McRaven]], a [[United States Navy]] [[Admiral]] who previously served as the commander of [[Joint 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10093179|title=VG møtte bin Ladens banemann|first=Tom|last=Bakkeli|work=VG|date=2 May 2011 |access-date=25 December 2014|language=no}}</ref>

A member of the MJK was in August 2020 awarded the [[Bronze Star Medal]] of the United States for extraordinary allied efforts during a mission in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Sjoforsvaret/photos/pcb.1660566824111999/1660535267448488/?type=3&theater |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/155591847942845/1660535267448488 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=En av operatørene i Marinejegerkommandoen mottok fredag USA sin "bronze star" for ekstraordinær alliert innsats under oppdraget.|website=[[Facebook]] |date=2020-08-28|access-date=2021-11-10}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Structure==

'''Naval Special Operations Commando''' ({{langx|no|Marinejegerkommandoen}}) (''MJK''),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.forsvaret.no/en/organisation/norwegian-special-forces |title=Organisation: The Norwegian Special Forces |website=Forsvaret}}</ref> at Jaeger's Bight in Haakonsvern Naval Base, near [[Bergen]]. A research paper<ref>{{Cite book |last=Danielsen |first=Tone |title="Hos oss sitter kulturen i hjertet" – en antropologisk studie av kultur i Marinejegerkommandoen |publisher=Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (FFI) |year=2012 |isbn=978-82-464-2052-3 |page=45 |language=no}}</ref> of the [[Norwegian Defence Research Establishment]] puts 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, at [[Ramsund, Norway|Ramsund]] Naval War Station (''Ramsund orlogsstasjon'') in [[Tjeldsund Municipality]]

== Commanding officers ==

MJK has participated in a number of international operations, most notably and most recently in [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] in [[Afghanistan]], not once, but twice. First deployed in 2002, and then subsequently in 2003, MJK’s contribution is primarily unknown, but from what is available, its missions have included DA (Direct Action), Forward Air Control (FAC) and SR (Special Surveillance and Reconnaissance), assisting US troops in the fight against Taliban.

* Tom Robertsen (-2014)<ref name="CO">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bt.no/nyheter/lokalt/i/W6wPr/ny-sjef-for-hemmelige-soldater|title = NY sjef for hemmelige soldater|work=Bergen Tidende|date=2014-08-08|access-date=2021-11-10|first=Arne|last=Colliander|language=no}}</ref>

* Petter Hellesen (2014-2018)<ref name="CO"/>

* Trond Gimmingsrud (2018-2020)

* Kåre Karlsen (2020-)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forsvaret.no/aktuelt-og-presse/aktuelt/sjefsskifte-i-marinejegerkommandoen|title = Sjefsskifte i Marinejegerkommandoen}}</ref>

== Vessels ==

With the majority of the Norwegian public moderately to strongly disinclined towards the US military interventions in the Central-Asian and Middle-Eastern regions, the realisation that Norwegian troops were in a shooting war came as a shock to many. Several political parties made it their cause to see the withdrawal of all Norwegian troops in the 2005 national elections, though their progress is still confined to inter-party debate as of October ‘05.

* 10 Goldfish 36 RIB ( special version of the 36 model ) by Goldfish Boats AS <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg.no/forbruker/bil-baat-og-motor/baat/norske-kjoeremaskiner-vekker-oppsikt/a/23299605/|title=Norske kjøremaskiner vekker oppsikt|author=Ole H. Nissen-Lie (Båtliv)|work=[[Verdens Gang]]|access-date=2021-11-10|date=2014-09-25|url-access=registration|language=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.batliv.com/wip4/detail.epl?id=414830|title=Goldfish med 10 RIB-båter til forsvaret|date=12 February 2009|work=Norsk Maritimt Forlag – Båtliv.no|access-date=19 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227095625/http://www.batliv.com/wip4/detail.epl?id=414830|archive-date=27 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* Safeguard ship for special forces - ''Petter B Salen''. [[Dockstavarvet]] AB type IC20M Interceptor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skipsrevyen.no/august-naero/|title=August Nærø|author=Jan Einar Zachariassen|work=skipsrevyen.no|access-date=19 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316080258/http://www.skipsrevyen.no/august-naero/|archive-date=16 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== See also ==

Despite these domestic disagreements, the MJK has been set in readiness for a third deployment to Afghanistan, and it seems likely that they will have a third tour of duty, making them the most experienced combat troops Norway has to offer.

* ''[[Forsvarets Spesialkommando]]'' (FSK)

* ''[[Minedykkerkommandoen]]'' (Royal Norwegian Navy [[clearance diver]]s/EOD)

* ''[[Kystjegerkommandoen]]'' (Royal Norwegian Navy Coastal Ranger Command)

* [[:no:Taktisk båtskvadron|Norwegian Tactical Boat Squadron]] {{in lang|no}}

* [[Delta (Norwegian police unit)|Delta]] (Norwegian Police tactical unit)

* [[List of military special forces units]]

== References ==

Their participation in Afghanistan was been rewarded by the [[Navy Presidential Unit Citation]] on February 8th ’05 on grounds of their, and it is the first time since the [[Vietnam war]] the citation is given to a special forces. This is the second highest award one can receive in the US.

{{Reflist|3}}

== External links ==

* [httphttps://www.milforsvaret.no/sjoom-forsvaret/keskdrorganisasjon/kyststridforsvarets-spesialstyrker/marinejegerkommandoen-mjk/ ForsvarsnettForsvaret.no: Marinejegerkommandoen] Marinejegerkommandoen's (Official site, though not as informative or up-to-date as one might desire –Site (in Norwegian])

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIGCSuIvQno YouTube Video] Marinejegerkommandoen in the Gulf of Aden

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne2oBcsxztc YouTube Video] Recruitment video for MJK

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcEOcJj4BHo YouTube Video] Video from the annual MJK candidate selection course

* [http://www.dutchdefencepress.com/?p=866 Marinejegerkommandoen gallery] Photos of the Marinejegerkommandoen during exercise Cold Response on www.dutchdefencepress.com

{{Naval special operations forces}}

[http://www.marinejeger.no Marinejeger (Maintained by MJK, but not officially recognised – in Norwegian)]

{{Underwater diving|prodiv}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Military ofcounterterrorist Norwayorganizations]]

[[Category:SpecialMilitary forcesunits and formations established in 1953]]

[[Category:Naval special forces units and formations]]

[[Category:Special forces of Norway]]