Norwegian Home Guard
Encyclopedia
The Norwegian Home Guard , is a rapid mobilisation force in the Norwegian military. Founded 6 December 1946, it is the youngest branch in the Norwegian forces.
. In a wartime situation Heimevernet will typically be used to protect the local infrastructure and population, but may also be used as regular troops. As it for the most part comprises locals, it is ideally suited for guerrilla warfare
, sabotage
, ambush
es.
Recently (2005), the Home Guard has recruited for a high readiness force with better trained and equipped personnel. It is called the "Task Force" (Norwegian: Innsatsstyrke) This force represents 10 percent of the total force.
HV-016
is now a part of HV I-styrke, and is administered separately from the other branches.
The total Home Guard Force is approximately 56,200.
every year. The exchange grew from Norwegian American soldiers sent to Norway to assist resistance fighters in World War II. As part of the Exchange, American Guard members are flown to Camp Torpomoen and Norwegians are sent to Camp Ripley. Troops complete each other's winter operations training, and tour the area.
The Task Force consists of several different units within each district. In this way, each district will be able to respond to any kind of incident that could occur, without having to rely on outside help. Each district (with some variations) will have trained operators in these different types of units:
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Organization
It is divided into districts, which again is divided into smaller units, typically covering a single MunicipalityMunicipalities of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties , and 430 municipalities...
. In a wartime situation Heimevernet will typically be used to protect the local infrastructure and population, but may also be used as regular troops. As it for the most part comprises locals, it is ideally suited for guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
, sabotage
Sabotage
Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
, ambush
Ambush
An ambush is a long-established military tactic, in which the aggressors take advantage of concealment and the element of surprise to attack an unsuspecting enemy from concealed positions, such as among dense underbrush or behind hilltops...
es.
Recently (2005), the Home Guard has recruited for a high readiness force with better trained and equipped personnel. It is called the "Task Force" (Norwegian: Innsatsstyrke) This force represents 10 percent of the total force.
HV-016
HV-016
HV-016 is a former military unit of Norway, that was a part of the Home Guard. It was established after 1985 to "stop terror- or sabotage actions that could weaken or paralyze Norway's ability to mobilize its military and its ability to resist".- Background :...
is now a part of HV I-styrke, and is administered separately from the other branches.
Strength
The Home Guard has a peace time personnel number of 1,200. On high readiness there are 5,000 Task Force personnel, 25,000 "Strengthening Force" personnel and 20,000 "Follow-up Force" personnel.The total Home Guard Force is approximately 56,200.
Troop Exchange
The Home Guard does a troop exchange with the Minnesota National GuardUnited States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
every year. The exchange grew from Norwegian American soldiers sent to Norway to assist resistance fighters in World War II. As part of the Exchange, American Guard members are flown to Camp Torpomoen and Norwegians are sent to Camp Ripley. Troops complete each other's winter operations training, and tour the area.
The Task Force
There is one Task Force per district, in total 5000 men. The Task Force is the speartip of the Norwegian Home Guard, and contains flexible and mobile units. It has top priority when concerning weapons, material and training resources. The Force is ready to respond within 24 hours to acts of terrorism, bomb threats, and or other emergencies.The Task Force consists of several different units within each district. In this way, each district will be able to respond to any kind of incident that could occur, without having to rely on outside help. Each district (with some variations) will have trained operators in these different types of units:
- Jegertropp (Reconnaissance units)
- Skarpskyttertropp (Sharpshooter teams)
- MP-tjeneste (Military Police service)
- Hundetjenesten (K9 unit)
- ABC-tropp (NBC platoon)
- 016 (Close Quarter Battle)
- Stabstropp (Staff platoon - Communications, intelligence, transport & logistics)
- Dykkerlag (Diving team - Underwater reconnaissance, explosives-detection)
- Sanitetstropp (Medical unit)
- Sambandstropp (Communications unit)
- Innsatstropp (Force protection platoons)
- Kystmeldepost (Coastal observation posts)
- Bordingslag (Boarding team - Observation, control, inspection and takeover of ships/boats)
Home Guard Districts
Region 1- Oslofjord Heimevernsdistrikt 01 - HV-01 - RyggeRyggeRygge is a municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Rygge. Rygge was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 .The emblem of Rygge is the Pasque flower...
- Oslo og Akershus Heimevernsdistrikt 02 - HV-02 - LutvannLutvannLutvann is a lake in the recreational area Østmarka in Oslo, Norway. It covers an area of 0.39 km², at 205 m elevation.Located just outiside the capital city, it is a popular site for recreation, including swimming and fishing during summer, with brook trout in the lake. In the winter there are ski...
- Telemark og Buskerud Heimevernsdistrikt 03 - HV-03 - HeistadmoenHeistadmoenHeistadmoen is a Norwegian military encampment in Kongsberg, in the county of Buskerud, Norway. Heistadmoen currently provides able quarters for the Telemark and Buskerud Home Guard District . The camp is large and modern, most of the buildings have been recently refurbished...
- Opplandske Heimevernsdistrikt 05 - HV-05 - TerningmoenTerningmoenTerningmoen is a military camp in Elverum in Norway.The base trains and contains parts of the Norwegian army such as:* His Majesty the Kings's Guard...
Region 2
- Rogaland Heimevernsdistrikt 08 - HV-08 - VatneleirenVatneleirenVatneleiren is a Norwegian military base close to Sandnes in Rogaland. It was constructed by the German army during World War II, and has been used by the Norwegian army since 1945. After the cold war ended the number of soldiers stationed there gradually decreased, and the base is now mainly used...
- Bergenhus Heimevernsdistrikt 09 - HV-09 - BergenhusBergenhusBergenhus is a borough of the city of Bergen, Norway.-Location:Named after the historic Bergenhus Fortress, Bergenhus makes up the city centre and the neighborhoods immediately surrounding it, including Sandviken and Kalfaret, as well as the mountains to the north and east of the city centre...
Region 3
- Møre og Romsdal Heimevernsdistrikt 11 - HV-11 - Setnesmoen
- Trøndelag Heimevernsdistrikt 12 - HV-12 - Værnes
- Sør-Hålogaland Heimevernsdistrikt 14 - HV-14 - Drevjamoen
Region 4
- Nord-Hålogaland Heimevernsdistrikt 16 - HV-16 - Elvegårdsmoen
- Finnmark Heimevernsdistrikt 17 - HV-17 - Porsangermoen
External links
- The Home Guard
- HV-016HV-016HV-016 is a former military unit of Norway, that was a part of the Home Guard. It was established after 1985 to "stop terror- or sabotage actions that could weaken or paralyze Norway's ability to mobilize its military and its ability to resist".- Background :...