The majority of chiefs from the different units were on hand at the Defence Staff at the Akershus fortress in Oslo on Tuesday to report the most important experiences from their participation in NBG 11. The meeting concluded with the Force Commander handing over a souvenir coin to the Norwegian contingent.
Ready for Action
The chiefs said that they felt ready for action and that they had made good preparations in their respective units. Much of the knowledge and skills achieved in preparations for and during the contingency period will be put into practice directly, including the escort platoon from the Telemark battalion, which is flying out to Afghanistan during the autumn.
The deputy chief of the MNMP-platoon, Captain Espen Halland, explained that the soldiers were keen to carry out an operation:
“As soon as there are reports of various crises in the Norwegian media, my soldiers have called me and asked when we shall go,” he says smiling.
The Norwegian soldiers in MNMP consist mainly of civilian police, which during the contingency period have served at their normal places of work.
FCdr, Brigadier-General Stefan Andersson is satisfied after listening to the reported experiences:
“We had good discussions and our Norwegian colleagues highlighted both valuable experience as well as suggestions for changes prior to continued partnership. Now is the time for us to listen and learn and really make use of these valuable lessons for the future as well,” concludes Stefan Andersson.