• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Norwegian Special Operation Commando (NORASOC)

The Norwegian Special Operation Commando (NORASOC) is the Army competence center within special operations, parachute- and counter terrorism service, a flexible unit that post Army contributions to all Norwegian Special Forces. NORASOC is characterised by the high ability to act nationally and internationally, as well as a wide capacity spectrum of firepower, mobility and survival. The unit consists mainly of officers, as well as conscripts.

The operational mission NORASOC trains for is normally on hostile territory, and may be long lasting without support from other units. NORASOC's mission was to train parachutists within the frame of the Norwegian Special Forces, including maintaining and developing competence, capacities and functions in the special forces. NORASOC has in addition to this, standing orders to maintain a high reaction ability to solve foreign and domestic missions. Domestic also includes protecting the Norwegian oil installations in the North Sea.

The armed forces ' special forces include the armed forces ' special forces staff, the armed forces ' special command and the Marine command.The armed forces ' special forces staff make up a common management and of the building for the two Special departments. The armed forces ' special forces are on the continuous national preparedness and is defined as strategic forces. It means to be dedicated to tasks that are intended to provide strategic effect. The armed forces' Special command and the Marine command is therefore able to through-lead a so-called full spectrum of special operations, with a capacity of special reconnaissance, direct action and military assistance.

In addition, the special forces able to participate in the hostage rescue operations abroad and can support the justice sector When requesting assistance.

The military's special operations forces have been through their first years as a separate operational unit in the armed forces. Even if your device is still in a start-up phase, the realignment managed to continue the same responsiveness and operative deliveries that earlier for the Special command and the Marine command.

Society remains respectful to the army and the Navy for nearly fifty and sixty year has the transition to a new and private management been positive. Special forces earlier in the day that reap high recognition both in Norway and among its international partners. The newly established staff for the armed forces special forces provides the basis functions expected of an operational unit in the armed forces, and the supply after the requirements.

NORASOC's main focus in 2003 were activities that strengthened the ability to act, including basic individual military skills, training on section-, platoon- and squadron level, participation in exercises and seminars, platoon evaluation and concept development, offi cer candidate training, as well as maintenance of personnel and equipment. NORASOC was in 2003 also a national peace operational capacity, available with a high ability to react. In the first half of 2003, NORASOC contributed for the second time with forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and completed simultaneously basic training of a special operations platoon. In the second half of the year, education of another special operations platoon and attached officers began.

The armed forces' special forces has proved flexible and adaptable by to prepare for the new current Mission. In 2013 the Government decided, among other things to offer a special force contributions to the fight against ISIL in Iraq. The Mission required a number of preparations in 2014, where the armed forces' special forces deployed personnel to the relevant staffs to help in the planning process. A possible participation on the ground in Iraq involves the training of Iraqi security forces so that they are in the best possible way to be able to stem the tide against advancing ISILs in Iraq and Syria.

Through the year 2014 the armed forces' special forces demonstrated that e even during an ongoing restructuring managed to deliver on the operational requirements that are posed. Through 2014 is the Afghan security forces in emergency vs. terror further developed and strengthened, which has resulted in the that the Afghan special police, Crisis Response Unit 222, has been further professionalized. The need for the support of Western forces to independently plan and carry out demanding missions are in terror vs day far less than in the past. Specifically, it involves the Norwegian special soldiers have gone from supporting the Afghan the device by engaging shoulder to shoulder in combat actions, to mentorere from a more secluded role. Special forces' mission in Afghanistan in 2015 would be continued under the umbrella Resolute Support Mission.

The rising American terror alert, which was implemented in the summer of 2014, showed that special forces at short notice can accommodate the police request for assistance, if the the threat had been real. In addition, it was harvested a number of positive experiences under the American terror alert that is being analyzed with the aim of strengthening the emergency response further.

2014 was also a year of high practice activity, with Cold Response as the largest single 2014 exercise. The armed forces' special forces have also conducted exercises in accordance to the established practice the regime by the tactical units and maintains its high standard.

In the summer of 2014 armed forces special command for the first time conducted admission to Hunter Squad, made up of female conscripts soldiers. Special forces rely on to develop continuously to be able to resolve future tasks and missions, and lessons learned from international operations has shown that it is the need for female soldiers in the armed forces ' special forces. Hunter squad puts emphasis on reconnaissance in and around urban areas. It means to collect information If the enemy, military targets or the situation through a range of methods. Education must, however, be considered as a basic package for further development and career opportunities in the military.

The armed forces' special forces is a competent and robust combat system that constantly need to be further developed to accommodate future military and security policy challenges. One of the main pillars for special forces is fast responsiveness. Any further military and security-political strengthening of the northern regions suggests that the armed forces' special forces should have more solutions for mobility. The solutions should be viewed in the light of the need to be able to carry out special operations over long periods of time and under extreme climate conditions, where the program requirements to both speed and survivability.

On 01 October 2015, the Chief of Defence presented his Strategic Defence Review regarding the future development of the Norwegian Armed Forces. Increased presence and operational capability in the High North are to be prioritised. The SOF’s leadership will be continued in close affiliation with Norwegian Armed Forces leadership.

The SOF will be further developed with two combat units at Rena, one at Haakonsvern and two reserve units. In principle these units may be used seamlessly between different missions and preparedness assignments and are to be based on coordinated selection and training. There are plans underway to implement helicopters for SOF operations, operated by the Air Force.