Recent events in Kosovo have put Norwegian troops to the test during the last weeks. In addition to the Kosovo conflict much of the Norwegian armed forces' resources have been tied down for Exercise Joint Winter.

By The Norwegian Defence Media Centre

On alert in Kosovo
Due to their role as the KFOR commander's theatre reserve, the Norwegian Task Force in Kosovo was heavily involved in the troubles seen in the province over the last weeks.

The Norwegian troops took part in riot-control operations in the area of Caglavica just south of Pristina, and suffered 20 light injuries as a result of their service over a six-hour period.

Most of these injuries came as a result of rocks and other debris being thrown by the crowds at the Norwegian troops. Out of the 20 injuries, 12 of the soldiers were back on duty the following day, while another was cleared for duty 24 hours later.

Also after the troubles in Kosovo settled down the Norwegian troops have been on alert, and have, among other things, conducted house searches in an attempt to identify and disarm potential future dissidents.

RIOT CONTROL: Members of the Norwegian Task Force in Kosovo hold the line south of Pristina. Photo: Norwegian Task Force.

Gathering for Joint Winter
Norwegian Air Defence units have been flocking together in Northern Norway in order to take part in this year's major winter exercise, Exercise Joint Winter.

In spite of the danger of future reductions, maybe even terminations, of the Norwegian air defence capabilities as we know them today, the troops that were assembling in Northern Norway were greatly motivated and eager to do a good job.

The Professional Military Evaluation that was conducted last year recommended a reduction in the anti-air capabilities of the Norwegian Defence, which among other things will result in the anti-air batallion not training new soldiers after 2004-2005.

There were nonetheless a great many new assets for the air defence troops to show off, among them the new Norwegian Protector vehicle.

The Protector is a rebuilt M-113 chassis armed with Stinger anti-air missiles.

PROTECTOR: The new Norwegian Protector was shown off during this year's Exercise Joint Winter. Photo: Captain Knut Aasgaard, Anti Air Batallion.

Praised for equal opportunities
A new recruitment campaign for recruiting future leaders into the Norwegian Defence was praised by the Norwegian Equal Opportunities Centre for being genuine, realistic and gender neutral.

The campaign came in third for the Equal Opportunities awards for 2004.

The campaign was also praised for appealing to both men and women.

- If the Norwegian Defence had decided to replace the woman in the photograph with that of a man it would not have made for much of a difference for the target group. Gender does not matter in this campaign, which was clearly a conscious choice by the Norwegian Defence Media Centre, said jury Chair Sara Ekern Lossius.

Challenged by mild weather
The mild weather that was seen during this year's Exercise Joint Winter led to many challenges for participating the Norwegian mechanised and armoured troops.

Vehicles as large as the Norwegian Leopard tanks, weighing in at more than 40 tons, risk causing massive damage to the environment when the winter weather turns mild.

Lieutenant Colonel Yngve Odlo of the armour batallion of the Sixth Division said great measures had been taken to ensure that one did not cause permanent damage to the environment under the snow.

- We have toured the areas of operation with our environmental officer, and though things look better above 200 meters above sea-level, we are unable to maneuver outside the road-networks closer to the coasts.

The ideal conditions for the Norwegian mechanised and armoured troops is one meter of snow and ten degrees centigrade below freezing.

In spite of the limitations put on the armoured batallion, Lieutenant Colonel Odlo is not concerned for the outcome of the exercise.

- We know the local area well, and taking the environment into consideration during maneuvers has become close to second nature for us, he said.

CONSIDERATE: The Norwegian armoured batallion promises to care for the environment during Exercise Joint Winter.