The Norwegian Defence has started the work of investigating the revelations of a few weeks back regarding the illegal shooting of dogs in Kosovo. The matter is now under police investigation as well as under examination by a newly appointed commission.

BY: The Norwegian Defence Media Centre (FMS)

Commander of the Land Forces, Major General Harald Sunde said he hoped for swift process from the commission set down to investigate allegations that Norwegian soldiers were shooting dogs for sport in Kosovo.
- This matter will have a high priority. It will also be an open process; and we will aim at learning lessons and improving ourselves rather than manning some form of witch-hunt, he said.

SERIOUS: Major General Sunde wishes to reveal all the facts as swiftly as possible. Photo: Are Rannem Johansen, FOHK.

Major General Sunde also stresses that Norwegian troops, in some contingents, were putting down stray dogs in Kosovo on the request of local authorities. Some dogs were also put down on the request of their owners when they were no longer able to feed or care for them, or when they turned hostile. These missions, however, were assigned to specifically trained and equipped personnel who were holders of hunting licenses.
The putting down of these animals was also conducted in accordance with Norwegian animal rights laws and in as humane a way as possible.

The Norwegian troops in Kosovo ended these types of missions one year ago, and are now only allowed to shoot animals in self defence or in situations were it is the only humane thing to do, like after traffic accidents.

Visited by the ISAF commander
Along with a significant security retinue the ISAF commander, Canadian Lieutenant General Rick J Hillier, visited the troops of the Telemark Task Force (TmTF) in Kabul this week.
Lieutenant General Hillier said that even before he took over the job as commander of ISAF he had heard words of praise about the Norwegian troops of TmTF, and that his visit only served to confirm it.

The Telemark Task Force is an armoured unit, and being an old cavalry officer Lieutenant General Hillier showed significant interest for the Norwegian vehicles. The visit also fitted in inspections of the Norwegian medical facilities, maintenance bay, training facilities and an observation post.
During his visit the ISAF commander spent a great deal of his time talking with the Norwegian troops, showing his interest in their duties, welfare opportunities and even their holiday plans.

WITH THE TROOPS: ISAF commander Rick Hillier took the time to talk with the troops during his visit. Photo: Commander Ola Bøe Hansen, PIO, NCC Staff Afghanistan.

Investing in new rifles
After being equipped with HK G3A3 assault rifles since the late 1960s, the Norwegian armed forces have begun looking around at alternatives to replace their G3A3s by late 2005. The project still needs to be cleared through the Norwegian Parliament, and once clearance has been gained requests will be sent out to the various relevant producers.

A list of three particularly relevant alternatives has already come through, though. These are the F2000 (FN Herstal, Belgium), the G36 (Hechler & Coch, Germany) and the C8 (Diemaco, Canada)
It is likely that the acquisition project will be conducted in several phases, in which case priority will be given to units serving, or likely to serve, in missions abroad.

LOYAL WORKHORSE: The first of the Norwegian army’s G3s were bought in 1966, and since then more than 200,000 rifles have seen use by the Norwegian Defence. Photo: Torgeir Haugaard, FMS.

Improved living conditions in Iraq
After more than six months in Iraq the Norwegian Engineering Squadron, affectionately known as the Desert Vikings, spent this week moving into a new camp and new container-based living accommodations.
The first contingent of Norwegians in Iraq spent their six months in the country living in tents, the same has so far been the case with the second contingent, but now the situation is finally improving with the troops moving into two-man living containers. Not only will the troops find more privacy; their new quarters are also air-conditioned.

The moving procedure took a week to plan, and another week to complete, but the troops are now finally resettled and ready to once more undertake their missions.

CONTAINERS: The new containers have oval roofs to help protect against the heat. Photo: Jim Pettersen, PIO, NCC Iraq.