Garrison in South Varanger (GSV)
The Garrison in South Varanger (GSV) is the Armed Forces' border guard unit at the Norwegian-Russian border in East Finnmark; a peacetime operational unit executing a live mission 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. GSV is simultaneously a force producer training its own unit for the specialised mission of guarding the border between Norway and Russia. GSV operates from border stations and border surveillance is conducted trough permanent observation points, mobile observation points and patrols.
GSV's main mission was to train own forces, survey and enforce Norwegian sovereignty along the borderline, including identifying and reporting activity, supporting the Border Commissioner and police in border related incidents and services.
GSV trained in 2003 two companies for border guard duties in January and July, as well as personnel for a garrison company and operating and maintaining communications systems. Of the January contingent 135 qualifi ed border guards passed inspection, and 190 from the July contingent. At the January draft 267 personnel were called in, about 90 fewer than required from the National Service Administration, a quantitatively unsatisfactory result which raised a need for enlisted personnel. The trained units were of high quality, and performed their mission in an excellent way. GSV conducted late November selection for Offi cers Candidate School, with about 30 applicants for 12 slots. GSV had a tragic accident at Jarfj ord mountain in East Finnmark during Exercise Patrol on the 16th of November 2003. 19-year old border guard Andreas Lindin was killed as a result of a fall during a mission, an accident that put its mark on the garrison for a long time, but also strengthened the unit.
GSV was in 2003 organised with a staff, three company units, a signals unit and a garrison administration (the latter designated RSF East Finnmarks from Jan 1st 2004).
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