FSK is organized with combat squadrons composed of professional special operators. The unit also includes conscript elements, such as the all-female Jegertroppen (Hunter Troop) and a parachute reconnaissance troop. Conscripts who complete their service may be transferred to FSK’s reserve or apply for further selection and training within the special forces or other parts of the Norwegian Armed Forces.[5][6][7]
On 25 March 1962, the Army Parachute Ranger School (Norwegian: Hærens Fallskjermjegerskole) was established.[4] Initially, the school provided parachute training for selected groups within the Norwegian Armed Forces, and in 1965 the Paratrooper Platoon (Norwegian: Fallskjermjegertroppen) was formed. Selected personnel from this unit were assigned to Ranger Command 1 in the Cold War mobilization army and held in readiness in the event of conflict.
In 1972, the school was renamed the Army Ranger School (Norwegian: Hærens Jegerskole, HJS) to emphasize the training of Army Rangers.[4] Over the next decade, its focus was long-range reconnaissance patrols (LRRP).[4] With the rise of international terrorism and Norway’s expanding offshore oil industry, the government decided in 1979 to establish a counter-terrorism capability within the Armed Forces.[4] In 1982, this task was formally assigned to the Army Ranger School, and Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK) was created as part of the school.[4] On 1 June 1984, the 38-man unit was declared operational with support from the British Special Air Service and Special Boat Service.[4]
Reveal
For a long period, very little was publicly known about FSK, as the Norwegian government denied its existence and involvement in operations. Some information emerged following the unit’s participation in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.[8]
The establishment of FSK was first briefly mentioned by Aftenposten in 1983. During a hijacking in 1985, it was reported that FSK personnel were on alert at their base at Trandum, though they were not called upon to act. In 1988, a proposal to disband the unit for financial reasons met opposition, particularly from the oil industry and the military, and was eventually withdrawn after media coverage.[9] At that time, Aftenposten described the unit as a "special military command composed of highly trained operators from Hærens Jegerkommando at Trandum and Marinejegerkommandoen, as well as other specialists."
The first official acknowledgement of FSK by the Norwegian Armed Forces came in connection with the SAS Flight 347 hijacking at Gardermoen Airport in September 1993. The following year, Vi Menn published an article on the unit. A 1990 research paper had also noted that "The Armed Forces' Special Command (FSK) is specially trained to be used in the event of terrorist attacks against oil installations – especially hijacking situations." FSK’s existence was formally recognized by the Armed Forces in 1999, when an article about the unit was published in Forsvarets Forum.[10]
From the mid-1990s there was an increasing focus on international operations. To signal that the Army Ranger School had developed an operational arm as well as a training role, it was renamed the Army Ranger Command (Norwegian: Hærens Jegerkommando) in 1997.[4] The same year, the unit relocated from Trandum to Rena, where it remains based.
During the 2000s, the designation FSK/HJK was adopted to reflect the dual structure of the command (FSK as the operational unit and HJK as the training wing). In 2004, the command began reporting directly to the Chief of the Army.[4] In 2013, the name FSK/HJK was discontinued, and the operational unit has since been known simply as FSK.[12][4]
International operations
Kosovo
FSK and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) cooperated in various ways during the Kosovo conflict.[13] FSK, operating alongside the British SAS, was the first special operations force to enter Pristina. FSK's mission was to level the negotiating field between the belligerent parties, and to fine-tune the details that the local deal required to implement the peace deal between the Serbians and the Kosovo Albanians.[14][15][16]
Afghanistan
FSK soldiers during Operation AnacondaFSK during training in the Oslofjord, entering a ferry by telescopic ladderFSK during training in the Oslofjord, entering a ferry by telescopic ladderFSK during training in the Oslofjord
In August 2007, FSK members carried out the successful hostage rescue of Christina Meier, a pregnant German NGO worker in Kabul, no shots were fired and the hostage takers were believed to be a criminal gang and not insurgents.[18]
FSK and the Naval Special Operations Commando alternated on the training of CRU from 2016 until June 2021,[20] when the mission was terminated after the Fall of Kabul.[21]
Forsvarets Spesialkommando's role
"Forsvarets spesialkommando (FSK) has a role in the Norwegian Armed Forces' independent responsibility to handle an act of terrorism that is considered to be an "armed attack" on Norway, but also has a dedicated mission to support the police in the event counter-terrorism operations at sea. FSK may further assist the police on land." – Norwegian Parliamentary Statement 29 and e-mail address.[12]
In wartime, their tasks are mainly:
to gather intelligence
to localize and identify enemy supplies and activity
to carry out offensive operations against strategically important targets
to provide support for rescue missions of important personnel
to provide protection for personnel and departments
Currently, anyone who has completed their military service with the Norwegian Armed Forces can apply.
The road to becoming an elite soldier of the FSK is long and hard. First, one must go through a general selection to separate out those who do not have the physical and mental strength to start the special forces recruitment school. This selection lasts three days. A candidate must do 45 push-ups and 50 sit-ups in two minutes, 8 pull-ups, swim 400 meters in under 11 minutes and march 30 kilometers carrying 25 kilograms in less than 4 hours and 50 minutes. It is emphasized that this is the bare minimum, and that candidates should ideally be able to do more than that. The female troop has lower standards, with one pull-up, 20 push-ups, 35 sit-ups in two minutes or less, 20 back extensions, swim 200 metres (660ft), with no underwater phobia; and perform a 7-kilometre (4.3mi) road run carrying 22 kilograms (49lb) in 59 minutes.
After passing the general selections, an applicant attends the SOF selection. This selection lasts three weeks and comprises hard physical and mental exercises with little food and little sleep. Very few of those who enter the school get through.
Following selection, the potential operator starts basic training (one year). This training involves all basic disciplines required to serve as a SOF operator. Not all who begin basic training get through. After training, one is eligible for operational service in FSK, including training in specialist roles, such as sniper, combat medic, forward air controller, etc. Further training is conducted in Norway or abroad at allied training facilities.[23]
Geländewagen/MB270 CDI FAV vehicle armoured and EOD protected with 3 weapon-stations (2 MG3 and 1 M2 or GMG). Developed in 2002 and was later modernized. They were used in operation Anaconda due to large amount of space and mounts for equipment and communication. In 2015, a £23 million order was placed for Supacat HMT Extenda vehicles to be delivered from 2017 to 2019.[30]
Safeguard ship for special forces – August Nærø . Dockstavarvet AB type IC20M Interceptor[31]
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