Marinejegerkommandoen

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 combat medic training, sniper training and forward air control (FAC) training.[5][6]

In 2008 a news-team from NRK 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 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.[8]

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.

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.[9]

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.[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]

International operations

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.[12]

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 Lieutenant Commander Trond Andrè Bolle was killed, along with three members of the Norwegian Coastal Ranger Command, when the Iveco LMV they were travelling in was struck by an IED.[13] Lt Cmdr Bolle was later awarded the 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.[14]

MJK's contribution in Afghanistan has largely been kept secret, but from what little information is available, its missions have included 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.

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)[15] and Operation Ocean Shield (2013).[16]

In January 2013, medical specialists from MJK, amongst other units, were sent on a Norwegian Air Force Super Hercules to Sicily in connection with the In Amenas hostage crisis in Algeria.[17]

Naval Special Operations Commando (Norwegian: Marinejegerkommandoen) (MJK),[21] at Jaeger's Bight in Haakonsvern Naval Base, near Bergen. A research paper[22] 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 Naval War Station (Ramsund orlogsstasjon) near Tjeldsund

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

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

• Assault and battle rifles
  • Automatgevær 3F2 – Battle Rifle
  • Heckler & Koch HK416 – Assault Rifle
  • Colt Canada C8 SFW – Assault Rifle
• Sniper rifles
  • Heckler & Koch MSG90 – Sniper Rifle
  • Accuracy International L115A1 – Sniper Rifle
• Anti-material rifles
  • Barrett M82A1 – Anti-Material Rifle
• Submachine guns/personal defense weapons
  • Heckler & Koch MP5 – Submachine Gun
  • Heckler & Koch MP7 – Personal Defense Weapon
• Machine guns
  • Browning M2 – HMG
  • Rheinmetall MG 3 – GPMG
  • FN Minimi – LMG
• Pistols
  • Heckler & Koch USP – Pistol
  • Glock 17 – Designated “P80” by the Norwegian armed forces – Pistol
• Grenade launchers
  • AG-C – Grenade Launcher
  • M320 – Grenade Launcher
  • Heckler & Koch GMG – Grenade Launcher
• Anti-tank
  • Talley Defense Systems M72 LAW – Anti-Tank Launcher
  • Carl Gustaf 8.4cm recoilless rifle – Anti Tank Rifle

• Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK)
• Minedykkerkommandoen (Royal Norwegian Navy clearance divers/EOD)
• Kystjegerkommandoen (Royal Norwegian Navy Coastal Ranger Command)
• Norwegian Tactical Boat Squadron (in Norwegian)
• Delta (Norwegian Police tactical unit)
• List of military special forces units

• Forsvaret.no: Marinejegerkommandoen Marinejegerkommandoen's Official Site (in Norwegian)
• YouTube Video Marinejegerkommandoen in the Gulf of Aden
• YouTube Video Recruitment video for MJK
• YouTube Video Video from the annual MJK candidate selection course
• Marinejegerkommandoen gallery Photos of the Marinejegerkommandoen during exercise Cold Response on www.dutchdefencepress.com