In one of our previous episodes
we learned and explored a lot about the Special Forces of Norway and
Before even that we learned a lot about how much power Norway has not just as a country, but from a military perspective
however with that in mind today
We are gonna dive much deeper into understanding the different divisions of the military
And in this one we are gonna look at the Marines of Norway and figure out who these guys are
What they're all about and maybe get an understanding of some of their history. How's it going guys?
Dave Walpole here and welcome to FTD facts the channel where I look at people cultures and
Places from all around the world and in this video we're looking at militaries now
This is actually a continuation of our military segments of Norway
So if this is kind of something that you're really interested in you want to stay here?
but for this video I'm kind of doing it as a
correction to our Special Forces because I was saying things like the
Mjk or the Marines. Yeah, Gurkha mendelian
They were part of the Marines, but I was actually wrong about that
But for this video I'm looking specifically at the actual Marines of Norway
And that is the coastal Rangers or the coast? Yeah gonna come on Doolin. I hope I got that right
So who are these guys?
Well, yeah, they're the Marines that the guys that you just don't want to mess with they know how to shoot
they know how to kick, but they're not like the
stormtroopers on this shirt who can't shoot worth a crap these guys they know what they're doing now to
Understand a little bit about the Marines in Norway today
They have an estimated size. Although rather small coming in at approximately eighty six Marines
however
I also read in different reports that there's
Approximately maybe about a hundred of them that includes operators and even staff when I saw 86
I was like mmm that looks a little small for the Marines of Norway. I betcha
It's much higher so it might be anywhere in between that it might be more
It might be less and I know they might seem very small in size
But let's be perfectly honest here when it comes to the coastal Rangers
They've only been around for a very short amount of time. This unit has only been around since about
2001 and it was originally designed to have the strain to 500 to 1,000 soldiers
So why so recent you're telling me that Norway didn't have Marines prior?
Well, they kind of did but they come from different units
So for their history the kjk units evolved out of what is known as the coastal artillery
Which although over time throughout the 20th century the unit became more of a mobile?
Operation than what you might think it was and actually during the Second World War
These guys became extraordinarily famous so famous that there is a little bit of legend around the coastal artillery
Because it was in the early days of the war that the coastal army fought off the Germans when they were actually invading the country
The story basically goes as this that the oslofjord
fort opened fire on the Germans when they were moving into their
territory and because of that they ended up sinking the German ship known as the blood sure and of course damaged another and keep in
Mind when the Norwegian forces saw the Germans coming in at this time. They didn't really know quite what to do
But however, the order to open fire was given by Colonel Berger Ericsson who apparently was well known for saying either
I'll be a hero or a criminal when making the decision to fire upon the Germans and the reason why this
decision became well-known in the army was because when the Germans invaded on April 9th 1940
They actually bought enough time for others to escape as well as the royal family as well
I should mention that during the cold war
This artillery unit did become more mobile by training with Swedish forces in order to prevent Russians from amphibious attacks
and you might be wondering how did the Marines get formed out of the coastal position units like
Seems very odd will this evolved because they came to realize that during the Cold War weapons began to get more and more
precise at hitting their targets and
therefore sticking with the old times of having forts and artillery
Positions was a bit outdated and this conversation went back and forth between officials until they pretty much decided in 2001
That these coastal positions needed to be abandoned and it was at that time the country had decided to go with a more mobile unit
thus creating the Norwegian Marines and there was only a few years after on August 17th of
2005 that the group had become fully transitioned into what is known as an operational unit
So another thing that I find really interesting when it comes to the coastal Rangers in Norway, they classify as an ice star unit
What is an ice tower unit? Well, this is an abbreviation for any group that has intelligence surveillance target acquisition and reconnaissance
but unlike other military units that are ISTAR these guys focused primarily on the
Amphibious area of combat, and this is where it can get confusing for people like myself
Basically, if you think of something like the Navy SEALs you could say are they and fibia or not?
They do go from ground to land, but they usually work further out in the waters as well
We're Marines focus specifically on littoral or coastal areas
Oh, and by the way, before we continue with this video
I'm just gonna put a little bit of a pause and a break on it for about 10 seconds and just let you know
Because you guys are probably out there. Most of you are probably from Norway
That's usually what happens in our videos and a lot of you guys want more military
Content because that's what you guys are looking for. I know you clicked on the video
so with that being said
I made a playlist all about different military aspects and different military programs and units within
Norway, so check out this playlist right here or you guys can wait if you want to continue learning more about the Marines you can
Wait till the end of this video or go down there in the description box below, but let's get back to it. Shall we?
Okay, cool. I think that was more than 10 seconds
so now let's just take a little bit of a step back and let's look at some of the equipment that the
Kjk uses by the way if I haven't mentioned it before
KJK is the short form for the coast. Yeah, Gurkha mendelian
So besides the use of helicopters one
very popular thing that you will see the Norwegian Marines in is
The combat boat 90 also known as the CB 90 now
This is a Swedish made attack craft that can go up to 40 knots and can carry
Approximately 21 amphibious troops and all of their equipment for this craft and the Norwegian Marines
They are usually launched from the HML s Rotterdam, which is classified as an amphibious warship
Now one question that you might want to know is where does this unit? Garrison?
well
that's actually really really hard to say right now as the time of recording this video because
It's kind of up in the air because originally and throughout history there garrison has been located
intron de Nez which is in Harts tad in northern, Norway, however in
2017 there has been
Plans and a major push to close down this base and move the Marines to a different area in the Navy now this does not
Mean that the Marines are gonna go bye-bye that they're gonna be like, nope. See later guys. We don't like you anymore
You're just not useful. That's totally not true at all. According to the Army website
They stated that the proposed plan was not only to close down the old garrison
But to move the entire Marines to the haxon burg base in Bergen
Which has created so much controversy because a lot of people are saying no you got to keep them up north
because that's where they are needed because you got to be worried about the Russians coming into the territory and that's
Why they're there also besides being trained in multiple other different landscapes
this is their realm the north is their location so I can see why a lot of people are like
Mmm, you shouldn't put him down south keep him up in the north now also on a side note when it comes to the Tyrande
Neighs fort in heart stat being chosen as the location for the coastal artillery unit
One of the major reasons why this was chosen is because it is home to the Adolf gun
Which is located in that fort which was a huge giant battery that was created by Nazi, Germany
And as a matter of fact the last time this battery was fired. It was in 1957 and it was officially decommissioned in 1964
so let's move along and let's look at some of the training because not gonna lie the
selection process to become one of these guys is really
Really tough and you thought asking that girl out when you're 14 years old was a hard thing to do
that's
nothing
compared to what these guys got to go through now according to the stats for one to be in this group one has to have
A high physical ability and be able to work in teams and have a great mental aspect basically from my knowledge
There is a five-week selection course
That one has to go through in which after that there is a 10 month vocational
educational period by the way guys remember how I said
I'm totally okay with being wrong on facts if anybody wants to correct me down there in the description box below
Feel free to do so if you were an actual Ranger, that would be great. I'll
Guys read down there we get some good comments
And of course within all of this there also
Includes basic training which moves on to a patrol course and then there is that 10 month vocational
Education, and of course this program is only entitled for Norwegian citizens. So me as a Canadian. See you later guys. I'm done
Okay, I'm back let's continue, of course
another requirement is that you pass part 1 & 2 of the theory test and
can comply with the physical tests as well as have a color view of 9 a hearing of 6 and
Also, you have to have normal eyesight and cannot use contacts or glasses
Yeah, that's I'm out there cuz believe it or not. There's contacts in here
Is that weird? Yeah as well for the physical you must be able to do 7 hang ups 30 push ups
35 sit ups in 2 minutes 20 dead lips as well as swim
400 meters in 12 minutes March 7 kilometers with a 22 kilograms sack and equipment which you got to do that in
49 minutes, so you gotta be good with your cardio
Yeah, as well one needs to be able to run 3000 meters in 12 minutes in whatever clothing you want
Just don't go nude. I don't recommend that because it's cold in Norway
however in today's world
I should mention that the Marines have become known as a very adaptive force as they were even present in
Afghanistan part of Operation Enduring Freedom as well in Afghanistan
they also took part in operation hair Kate Yolo or
Simply known as front straightening speaking about operation front straightening. This one is really really
Important because it was during this operation that the kjk linked up with the 2nd battalion unit in
mazar-e-sharif Afghanistan and these two took part in the largest battle that Norwegian Armed Forces
Have ever been involved in since the Second World War now on top of that. I should also mention
This is a very important battle now. I'm not sure if this was either a marine or a sniper from the 2nd battalion
because during this battle a norwegian sniper managed to hit a soldier at
1380 meters with a burette
m82a1
Which by the way the fourteenth?
Longest shot in the entire world and is the longest shot ever recorded from a Norwegian
Individual it's insane as well. Unfortunately for the Marines when it comes to Afghanistan
It's been said that they lost a total of three soldiers during the entire operation as well
The coastal Rangers were also in Syria for operation re C YS are in which they worked with Danish forces?
To complete the task of destroying chemical substances, and that happened in 2014
also
let's just mention the fact that the Norwegian Marines are always training with different task forces and
groups in NATO joint operations from all around the world
one of the biggest of these that has held yearly is Operation cold response in which this
Operation takes place every year at the Varon as garrison in Norway as well within the country. They also take part of Trident juncture
Exercises. I also forgot to mention one last little interesting fact when it comes to the Marines of Norway and that is the
Entire unit has received a military decoration from the United States. And that was the commendation medal for their work in Afghanistan
So either way that's it guys. That's me looking at the Marines of Norway
I hope this video does justice to my screw up from the last video which actually reminds me if there's any additional facts
Maybe some people who are watching
this video are
Actually people who served in the Marines and you want to let us know a little bit more information. Boom
Put it down there because I'm totally cool with you guys. Just giving us some extra info or even correcting some things
That's how we do it here on MTV facts and believe it or not. It actually happens quite frequently
Because we get military guys that are go. Oh wait. Yo, it's actually there's this and this and this so it's cool
They expand on our information
Which also as I said earlier if you guys are big military
Buffs at the end of this video and down in the description box below. I know you guys are coming here
You're wanting more Norwegian military facts videos
So I've got a whole playlist that I'm working on right now just for you guys
So check it out there in the description box below or just wait till the end
We'll have that in a little card thingy. And of course hit that subscribe button if it's your first time here better than that
I'm Dave waffle and I'll see you guys later. Okay, cool. Have a good one
So you made it to the end awesome groovy. Fantastic?
So by the way here is that military playlist that I was telling you all about like a million times
But also if you just want to learn about Norway and some great things of the country
Check this playlist out right here because it's all about the country. Other than that. We'll see you guys the next one
I hope you guys have a good one. Alright, bye