Siri Skare
Siri Skare (June 6, 1958 – April 1, 2011) was the first female aviator in the armed forces of Norway.[1] She died during a demonstration in Mazar-i-Sharif in 2011.
Early life
Skare was originally from Åndalsnes, Møre og Romsdal, Norway.[2] A resident of Oslo, Skare was married and had one child.[2]
Career
Already a civilian pilot and flight instructor with more than 1400 hours,[3] she completed her military pilot training in 1984, and went on to fly Lockheed P-3 Orion at 333 Squadron and later Lockheed C-130 Hercules at 335 Squadron.[1][3][4] She achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel within the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
Skare became a military advisor to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, in August 2010.[2]
Death
Skare was killed at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) compound during a protest in Mazar-i-Sharif on April 1, 2011, and two other UNAMA staff died along with their four armed security guards and a number of protesters.[1]
Her remains were transported to a ceremony that was held in a hangar[5] at Gardermoen,[5] with attendance by Crown Prince Haakon and Minister of Defence Grete Faremo.[6] Her grave is at Grytten churchyard in Rauma.[6]
References
- Sandelson, Michael (2011-04-07). "Military mourns fallen officer". The Foreigner. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
- Berglund, Nina (2011-04-02). "Female pilot killed in Afghanistan". News and Views of Norway. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
- Aftenposten 2 October 1984
- Luftforsvarets historie, volume 3, p.202 "First female pilot completes her flight training at Corpus Christi NAS, Texas 11 May 1984", Duvsete 2004
- http://www.newsinenglish.no/2011/04/07/officers-body-heading-home/
- Berglund, Nina (2011-04-07). "Officer's body arrives back home". News and Views of Norway. Retrieved 2011-04-10.