Minedykkerkommandoen

Minedykkerkommandoen (MDK) or Norwegian Naval EOD Command is a clearance diver group. MDK is subordinate to Norwegian Navy Special Warfare Group Marinens Jegervåpen, which is a division of the Royal Norwegian Navy. MDK is located at Haakonsvern Naval Base in Bergen and Ramsund Naval Base, in vicinity of Harstad.

Minedykkerkommandoen (MDK) Norwegian Naval EOD Command
Active	Frogmen: 1953 - 1968 MDK: 1968 - current
Country	Royal Norwegian Navy
Type	Naval Clearance diver
Role	Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) Expeditionary force Special Warfare
Garrison/HQ	Haakonsvern Naval Base Ramsund Naval Base
Colors	Blue beret flash on navy beret
Engagements	Operation Enduring Freedom International Security Assistance Force Operation Pickaxe-Handle Operation Atalanta Operation Ocean Shield Macedonia Conflict Operation Recsyr

The Commando is part of the naval contribution to the Norwegian Armed Forces Intervention Force, and the command's personnel have taken part in operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Baltic states and Mediterranean, among others. The unit is often on assignment for the Norwegian Police Service with bomb disposal.[1][2][3]

History

In 1953 the Norwegian Navy formed a frogman-unit. This unit was under the command of Ove Lund, and is the origin of the modern Minedykkerkommandoen and Marinejegerkommandoen. The mission of the frogmen was to conduct re-con and sabotage against enemy targets above and below water. The frogmen were also tasked with disarming all water-born explosive devices.

The missions gradually become more comprehensive and different frogman specialities emerged. This led to members of the unit being divided into a clearance diver team and two combat swimmer teams, in 1968.

Selection and training[4]

General selection separates out those who do not have physical and mental abilities to start the clearance diver course. A candidate must contest a strength test, fitness test and a water stress test.[5]

After passing the general selection, an applicant attends the main selection, performed in the winter. It comprises physical and mental exercises with little food and little sleep. Few of those who enter get through.

Following selection, the potential operator starts basic training for 12 months at the Norwegian Navy diver and frogman school, Dykker og Froskemannskolen. This training involves all basic disciplines required to serve as a clearance diver. After training, the candidates who are eligible for operational service are transferred to MDK, to become an EOD operator. Further training is conducted domestically or abroad, at allied training facilities.

See also

• Marinejegerkommandoen – Norwegian naval special operations unit (Norwegian Maritime Special Operations Forces, Command frogmen)
• Kystjegerkommandoen (Norwegian Navy Coastal Ranger Command)
• Frogman Corps (Denmark) – Danish maritime special operations unit (Danish Maritime Special Force)
• Minentaucher – Mine clearance divers of the German Navy (German Navy Clearance Divers)
• Clearance Diving Branch (RAN) – Diving unit of the Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Navy
• Canadian armed forces divers (Canadian Clearance Divers and Combat Divers)
• Commandos Marine – Special operations forces of the French Navy (French Marine Nationale Special Operations Force)
• Underwater Demolition Team – US Navy special operations group (Elite special-purpose force established by the US Navy during WW II)
• Swedish Navy EOD – Clearance divers of the Swedish Navy
• Explosive ordnance disposal (United States Navy) – US Navy personnel who render safe or detonate unexploded ordnance

References

1. NRK. "Minedykkerkommandoen sprengte flybombe". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
2. NRK. "Her sprenges «Tirpitz-bomba»". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
3. Forsvaret. "Ødela eksplosiver fra andre verdenskrig". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
4. Forsvaret. "Minedykker i Minedykkerkommandoen". Retrieved 18 August 2016.
5. Forsvaret. "Fysiske minstekrav". Retrieved 18 August 2016.

External links

• Minedykker - Forsvaret.no