Kystjegerkommandoen

Kystjegerkommandoen (KJK: in English "Coastal Ranger Commando") is a Norwegian amphibious unit trained to operate in littoral combat theatres, filling the role of a marine corps and coastal artillery.

Kystjegerkommandoen
Active2001- current
Country Norway
Branch Royal Norwegian Navy
TypeAmphibious
RoleISTAR
Size86 marines
Garrison/HQHarstad
Engagements
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Harekate Yolo
DecorationsUnited States Commendation Medal

The unit was created when it became clear that the coastal fortresses had to be abandoned due to their vulnerability to modern precision guided weapons. This was a gradual development, as the old coastal artillery branch of the Norwegian Armed Forces had been increasingly focusing on mobile operations, and less on coastal fortresses, for many years. With the establishment of the Ranger Command, this transition was complete.

KJK operatives are trained to be highly mobile in the littoral environment, using the Combat Boat 90 and occasionally helicopters. The CB90 is capable of landing troops directly on the shore. Max payload is 16 armed troops, and max speed is 40 knots (74 km/h). Their main weapon against enemy vessels is the AGM-114 Hellfire missile, using a blast-fragmentation warhead. This can easily be carried in the CB90, but will (usually) be launched from ashore, taking advantage of Norway's numerous islands and rugged coast. KJK maintain a strong focus on the ISTAR concept, and train to fight asymmetrical enemy tactics. KJK have trained with allied forces, where their CB90 have been embarked from the Dutch HNLMS Rotterdam LPD and the British HMS Albion. The unit was declared operational 17 August 2005. Home base is at Trondenes, Harstad, North Norway.

International operations

In November 2007, a KJK unit assisted a force of Afghan soldiers and their 14 American mentors as they came under a Taliban ambush in Badghis province in Afghanistan. When the Afghan soldiers and their American mentors were headed into an area to apprehend Taliban soldiers and leaders, they were unaware that they were headed into an ambush. The Norwegian soldiers observed this and were able to get through to their American allies on radio and warn them about the danger ahead, guiding them so they could fight themselves out of the situation. The Norwegian soldiers involved received the Army Commendation Medal for their efforts.[1]

In November 2007, KJK took part in Operation Front Straightening to push Taliban out of the Faryab province. During the mission, Norwegian snipers of the Norwegian Army 2nd Battalion hit one of the Taliban insurgents from a distance of 1,380 metres (4,530 ft).[2]

The unit has lost three soldiers in combat during the Afghan war.

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See also

References
  1. "Norske soldater hedret". Archived from the original on 2007-11-24. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  2. VG Newspaper Norway: Dreper fra 1380 meter ( Kills from 1380 meters (in Norwegian)
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