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Weeks 35-36: Cares for veterans
The Norwegian Armed Forces are continually improving their support for servicemen returning from international operations.
| | IMPROVEMENT: After 1995, there has been a definite improvement in the services that the Armed Forces offer soldiers returning from missions abroad. (Photo by Hans Petter Hval) |
“This is not a widespread problem in the Armed Forces, but for those that are affected, it is a big deal,” says Major Kåre Egil Brændeland. He is leader of the national military policlinic, which helps soldiers find the right treatment.
One problem that the Forces are encountering is the lack of military knowledge in the civilian health service.
Upholds the contract
The Spanish shipyard Navantia wants the Norwegian Armed Forces to approve the parts that are produced by contractors in Norway before they are sent to Spain. The contract states that the Armed Forces are only to inspect and approve the frigate when it is complete and not the different parts.
| | CLEAR CONTRACT: The contract states clearly that it is Navantia’s responsibility that the smaller parts from other contractors are up to standards. This is from the ceremony when KNM Fridjof Nansen was finished and ready to sail to Norway. (Photo by Torgeir Haugaard) |
“There is no good in us approving the part in Norway before it is going to rust in wind and weather on the transport down to Spain,” says building director Stein Bergstad.
Royal visit
The Bulgarian president Georgi Paranov and his wife visited among other sites the National Joint Headquarters in Stavanger on their state visit to Norway and to the Norwegian King Harald.
| | WELCOME: Vice Admiral Jan Reksten and Air Marshal Peter Walker welcome the Bulgarian president and the Norwegian King. (Photo by Iver Gabrielsen) |
During their visit, the two were briefed on the workings of the National Joint Headquarters and NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre.
Three Norwegians injured
Three Norwegian soldiers were injured in a car accident just outside Kateh Quala in Afghanistan. They were sent to the field hospital in Mazar –e Sharif.
| | ACCIDENT: A landcruiser of this sort tipped over and injured the three soldiers inside on 4 September. (Archive photo by the Armed Forces) |
“None of the involved was seriously injured, but they have been checked into hospital for observation at our field hospital. Our doctor has examined them, and there will be no need for an operation,” said Colonel Rune Jacobsen, the contingent commander for the Norwegian Forces in Afghanistan.
Norwegian chefs to Afghanistan
Eight chefs and a large mobile kitchen went to Afghanistan and Mazar –e Sharif on Wednesday 6 September. This is part of the reaction to the Shigella-outbreak earlier this year.
| | MOBILE KITCHEN: This is what the kitchen looks like from the inside. (Photo by Atle Standnes) |
Food poisoning struck the Norwegian camp in Mazar –e Sharif this April due to the Shigella bacteria. The bacteria came from the Afghan cooks that the Norwegian units were using, and therefore it has been decided that Norwegian cooks are to be sent down.
This will be the first time that this type of mobile kitchen is used.
Exchanged experiences
Thirty or so engineers from the US Air National Guard spent two weeks on Rygge air station in September working on building projects and gaining experience useful for international operations.
The Americans visited Rygge for the first time in 1991 to help repair an air strip. The Norwegians did things differently and more efficiently, and the Americans arranged a deal where Norwegian and American engineers would exchange experiences and learn from each other.
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