Norwegian Army 2nd Battalion
Encyclopedia
2nd Battalion is an infantry
unit of the Norwegian Army
, based at camp Skjold
in Troms
county in Northern Norway. It serves in the mechanized infantry
role as part of Brigade Nord
; the battalion is one of three that Norwegian battalions performing this role, along with being Telemark Battalion
and Panserbataljonen
. 2nd Battalion serves two roles, primarily being organised for Norway's
defense, however, during Norway's engagement with NATO in Afghanistan
, 2nd Battalion also contributes substantially to ISAF
forces in northern Afghanistan, supporting a well trained light infantry, organized as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF). The battalion is divided into four companies, including three unites equipped with Patria Pasi, M113 and heavy infantry, as well as a combat support company including recon, medical and mortar units. The battalion uses a khaki beret
, as opposed to the traditional black beret, worn by cavalry units throughout the world.
In November 2007, during Operation Harekate Yolo
, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion and Kystjegerkommandoen
stationed in Mazar-e-Sharif were involved in what has been referred to as some of the heaviest combat operations involving regular Norwegian Army
troops since World War II
. After an ANA
unit was attacked by Taliban forces in the Ghowrmach
district in the province of Baghdis, soldiers from 2nd Battalion and Kystjegerkommandoen
responded. Outnumbered and facing heavy Taliban resistance, machine guns, mortar teams, snipers and CV9030
s were used to beat down the enemy combatants. Air strikes were eventually called in to drive off the remaining Taliban fighters. While no NATO casualties were reported, the exact Taliban death toll had not yet been disclosed as of November 9. However, according to Norwegian news reports "between 45 and 65 insurgents" were killed in action. This was one of the first known uses of the Swedish made CV9030
in live combat.
The motto of the battalion is In hoc Signo Vinces
(Latin for "In this sign, thou shalt conquer." Translated in Norwegian to "Under dette tegnet, skal vi seire."), referring to the Griffin
seen on the coat of arms.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
unit of the Norwegian Army
Norwegian Army
Norway achieved full independence in 1905, and in the first century of its short life has contributed to two major conflicts, the Cold War and the War on Terror. The Norwegian Army currently operates in the north of Norway and in Afghanistan as well as in Eastern Europe. The Army is the oldest of...
, based at camp Skjold
Skjold (garrison)
Skjold is an army camp in the small village Øverbygd in the municipality of Målselv in Troms county, Norway. This camp is part of the Northern Brigade of the Norwegian Army and is where the 2nd Battalion Mechanized Infantry and Combat and Construction Engineers are based....
in Troms
Troms
or Romsa is a county in North Norway, bordering Finnmark to the northeast and Nordland in the southwest. To the south is Norrbotten Län in Sweden and further southeast is a shorter border with Lapland Province in Finland. To the west is the Norwegian Sea...
county in Northern Norway. It serves in the mechanized infantry
Mechanized infantry
Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers , or infantry fighting vehicles for transport and combat ....
role as part of Brigade Nord
Brigade Nord
Brigade Nord is the only brigade in the Norwegian Army. It is mostly based in mid-Troms north of the Arctic Circle. Until 2009, the brigade was part of the 6th Division.-Units:...
; the battalion is one of three that Norwegian battalions performing this role, along with being Telemark Battalion
Telemark Battalion
The Telemark Bataljon is a mechanised infantry unit of the Norwegian Army. It was established in 1993, and is a part of Brigade Nord and stationed at Rena, Hedmark...
and Panserbataljonen
Norwegian Army Armoured Battalion
Panserbataljonen is a unit of the Norwegian Army. Although it is categorised as an armoured unit, the battalion primarily serves in the mechanised infantry role. As with the Norwegian Army's two other mechanised infantry units, it also has a tank squadron equipped with Leopard 2...
. 2nd Battalion serves two roles, primarily being organised for Norway's
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
defense, however, during Norway's engagement with NATO in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, 2nd Battalion also contributes substantially to ISAF
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
forces in northern Afghanistan, supporting a well trained light infantry, organized as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF). The battalion is divided into four companies, including three unites equipped with Patria Pasi, M113 and heavy infantry, as well as a combat support company including recon, medical and mortar units. The battalion uses a khaki beret
Beret
A beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
, as opposed to the traditional black beret, worn by cavalry units throughout the world.
In November 2007, during Operation Harekate Yolo
Operation Harekate Yolo
Operation Harekate Yolo was a two part military operation involving NATO ISAF and Afghanistan government forces against the Taliban as part of the war in Afghanistan....
, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion and Kystjegerkommandoen
Kystjegerkommandoen
Kystjegerkommandoen is a Norwegian amphibious unit trained to operate in littoral combat theatres, filling the role of a marine corps and coastal artillery....
stationed in Mazar-e-Sharif were involved in what has been referred to as some of the heaviest combat operations involving regular Norwegian Army
Norwegian Army
Norway achieved full independence in 1905, and in the first century of its short life has contributed to two major conflicts, the Cold War and the War on Terror. The Norwegian Army currently operates in the north of Norway and in Afghanistan as well as in Eastern Europe. The Army is the oldest of...
troops since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After an ANA
Afghan National Army
The Afghan National Army is a service branch of the military of Afghanistan, which is currently trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the role in land-based military operations in Afghanistan. , the Afghan National Army is divided into seven regional Corps. The strength of the Afghan...
unit was attacked by Taliban forces in the Ghowrmach
Ghowrmach
-Armed conflict:One ISAF-soldier was killed here,January 25, 2010.-External links:*...
district in the province of Baghdis, soldiers from 2nd Battalion and Kystjegerkommandoen
Kystjegerkommandoen
Kystjegerkommandoen is a Norwegian amphibious unit trained to operate in littoral combat theatres, filling the role of a marine corps and coastal artillery....
responded. Outnumbered and facing heavy Taliban resistance, machine guns, mortar teams, snipers and CV9030
Combat Vehicle 90
The Combat Vehicle 90 or Stridsfordon 90 is a Swedish infantry fighting vehicle designed by Hägglunds where the first generation was fitted with a Bofors turret. It is currently produced by BAE Systems Hägglunds.-Background:...
s were used to beat down the enemy combatants. Air strikes were eventually called in to drive off the remaining Taliban fighters. While no NATO casualties were reported, the exact Taliban death toll had not yet been disclosed as of November 9. However, according to Norwegian news reports "between 45 and 65 insurgents" were killed in action. This was one of the first known uses of the Swedish made CV9030
Combat Vehicle 90
The Combat Vehicle 90 or Stridsfordon 90 is a Swedish infantry fighting vehicle designed by Hägglunds where the first generation was fitted with a Bofors turret. It is currently produced by BAE Systems Hägglunds.-Background:...
in live combat.
The motto of the battalion is In hoc Signo Vinces
In hoc signo vinces
In hoc signo vinces is a Latin rendering of the Greek phrase "" en touto nika, and means "in this sign you will conquer"....
(Latin for "In this sign, thou shalt conquer." Translated in Norwegian to "Under dette tegnet, skal vi seire."), referring to the Griffin
Griffin
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle...
seen on the coat of arms.
Organization
| Name | Abbreviation | Field |
|---|---|---|
| Company C/B | KPC/B | Mechanised infantry |
| Cavalry Squadron | KavESK | |
| Support Company | STØKP | |
| Medical Platoon | Medics Battlefield medicine Battlefield medicine, also called field surgery and later combat casualty care, is the treatment of wounded soldiers in or near an area of combat. Civilian medicine has been greatly advanced by procedures that were first developed to treat the wounds inflicted during combat... |
|
| Mortar Platoon | Mortars Mortar (weapon) A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber.... |
|
| Train Platoon | ||
| Command Space Platoon | ||