Forsvarets Spesialkommando

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. ==History==

Forsvarets Spesialkommando can trace its roots back to the Second World War, when Norwegians served in the Norwegian Independent Company 1 (NOR.I.C.1) of the British Special Operations Executive, including the Operation Gunnerside raid on the heavy water plant at Rjukan. 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the unit for financial reasons met opposition, particularly from the oil industry and the military, and was eventually withdrawn after media coverage. 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. FSK has also cooperated with several international special operations forces, including the British Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS), and U.S. Delta Force and Navy SEALs/DEVGRU. Later development 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 () in 1997. ==International operations==

Kosovo FSK and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) cooperated in various ways during the Kosovo conflict. 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. Afghanistan |thumb|right FSK supported Coalition Special Operations Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as part of Task Force K-Bar. They have carried out missions in the Helmand and Uruzgan provinces of South Afghanistan. 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. FSK was responsible in training the Afghan National Police Crisis Response Unit (CRU 222) in Kabul, under the command of the International Security Assistance Force (known as the Kabul Crisis Response unit-an Afghan counterterrorist SWAT team). During the April 2012 Afghanistan attacks, FSK were involved in combating Taliban insurgents in Kabul, having only recently relieved a New Zealand SAS element that had been mentoring the Kabul Crisis Response unit. when the mission was terminated after the Fall of Kabul. ==Forsvarets Spesialkommandos 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. ==Selection and training==

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 (660 ft), with no underwater phobia; and perform a 7-kilometre (4.3 mi) road run carrying 22 kilograms (49 lb) 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. ==Commanding officers==

Commanding officers of FSK include: • General Harald Sunde (1992–1996) • Lieutenant colonel Karl Egil Hanevik (2003) • Eirik Kristoffersen (2010–2014) • Frode Arnfinn Kristoffersen (2014 ==Weapons==

The soldiers are or have been trained in the use of these weapons: • Assault rifles • Colt Canada C8SFW and C8CQB (default rifle) • Heckler & Koch HK416 • Submachine guns • Heckler & Koch MP5 • Heckler & Koch MP7 • Sniper rifles • Heckler & Koch MSG-90 • Heckler & Koch HK417 • Accuracy International L115A1 • Barrett MRAD • M82 Barrett rifle • Pistols • Heckler & Koch USP • Glock 17 (known as P-80) • Grenade launchers • AG-C/EGLM (Fitted to C8SFW) • M320 Grenade Launcher Module (Fitted to HK416). • HK GMG (automatic grenade launcher fitted to Mercedes-Benz SF vehicles). • Machine guns • FN Minimi (5.56 mm) • FN Mag (7.62 mm) • Rheinmetall MG3 (7.62 mm) • Browning M2 (12.7 mm) • Shotguns • Remington 870 • Benelli M4 • Anti-tank weapons • M72 LAW – Light anti-armor weapon • 84mm Rekylfri Kanon (Carl Gustav M2) – anti-tank weapon ==Vehicles==

• 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. • Safeguard ship for special forces – August Nærø . Dockstavarvet AB type IC20M Interceptor ==See also==