Minedykkerkommandoen (MDK) or ''Norwegian Naval EOD Command'' is a
clearance diver
A clearance diver was originally a specialist naval diver who used explosives underwater to remove obstructions to make harbours and shipping channels safe to navigate, but the term "clearance diver" was later used to include other naval unde ...
group. MDK is subordinate to the
Royal Norwegian Navy
The Royal Norwegian Navy ( no, Sjøforsvaret, , Sea defence) is the branch of the Norwegian Armed Forces responsible for naval operations of Norway. , the Royal Norwegian Navy consists of approximately 3,700 personnel (9,450 in mobilized state, ...
. MDK is located at
Haakonsvern Naval Base in
Bergen
Bergen (), historically Bjørgvin, is a city and municipality in Vestland county on the west coast of Norway. , its population is roughly 285,900. Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway. The municipality covers and is on the peninsula o ...
and
Ramsund Naval Base, in vicinity of
Harstad
( se, Hárstták) is the second-most populated municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. It is mostly located on the large island of Hinnøya. The municipal center is the town of Harstad, the most populous town in Central Hålogalan ...
.
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
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...
,
Iraq
Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and K ...
,
Baltic states and
Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western Europe, Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa ...
, among others. The unit is often on assignment for the
Norwegian Police Service
The Norwegian Police Service ( no, Politi- og lensmannsetaten) is the Norwegian national civilian police agency. The service dates to the 13th century when the first sheriffs were appointed, and the current structure established in 2003. It c ...
with bomb disposal.
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 disarm explosive devices and to conduct sabotage against enemy targets above and below water.
The missions gradually become more comprehensive and different frogman specialities emerged. This led to members of the unit being divided into a
clearance diver
A clearance diver was originally a specialist naval diver who used explosives underwater to remove obstructions to make harbours and shipping channels safe to navigate, but the term "clearance diver" was later used to include other naval unde ...
team and two
combat swimmer
A frogman is someone who is trained in scuba diving or swimming underwater in a tactical capacity that includes military, and in some European countries, police work. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver, comb ...
teams, in 1968.
Selection and training
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.
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 Naval Diving 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
*
* (Elite special-purpose force established by the US Navy during WW II)
* (German Navy Clearance Divers)
*
* (Canadian Clearance Divers and Combat Divers)
* (French
Marine Nationale
The French Navy (french: Marine nationale, lit=National Navy), informally , is the maritime arm of the French Armed Forces and one of the five military service branches of France. It is among the largest and most powerful naval forces in th ...
Special Operations Force)
* Royal Australian Navy
* (Danish Maritime Special Force)
* (Norwegian Navy Coastal Ranger Command)
* (Norwegian Maritime
Special Operations Forces
Special forces and special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...
, Command
frogmen
A frogman is someone who is trained in scuba diving or swimming underwater in a tactical capacity that includes military, and in some European countries, police work. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver, comb ...
)
References
External links
Minedykker - Forsvaret.no
{{Underwater diving, prodiv
Royal Norwegian Navy
Armed forces diving