Brigade Nord

Brigade Nord
Active	2002-
Country	Nordenland
Branch	Royal Nordenic Army
Type	Combined Brigade
Role	Armored
Size	5,500
Headquarters	Heggelia Leir, Askelvafoss
Nickname(s)	Brig N
Colors	Blue Beret
Engagements	War in Afghanistan (ISAF) War on Terror
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier General Lars Henrik Andersen
Notable commanders	General Carl Gustav Fleischer

Brigade Nord (Nordenic: Northern Brigade) is one of the major combat formations of the Royal Nordenic Army, stationed in mid-Troms (Askerud Municipality and Målvann Municipality), north of the Arctic Circle.

History

Brigade Nord was officially formed after the 6th Division was disbanded in 1996 as part of the Royal Nordenic Army's restructuring. The brigade inherited the responsibilities and traditions of the 6th Division, continuing its mission of defending Nordenland's northern regions, particularly its Arctic coastline and strategic infrastructure.

Following its formation, Brigade Nord was tasked with defending Nordenland's northernmost territories, with its headquarters in Tromsø. It quickly became one of the primary units responsible for securing the Arctic and northern areas of the country, ensuring rapid deployment in response to both national and international security threats.

In the 2010s, as part of the Nordenic Army's modernization efforts, Brigade Nord underwent significant structural changes. As part of the 2014 Army Modernization Plan, the brigade was upgraded to a Heavy Combined Brigade, integrating mechanized infantry, armored units, and advanced artillery systems. This upgrade enhanced its ability to operate in the harsh Arctic environment and significantly improved its combat readiness.

Today, Brigade Nord remains a key component of Nordenland's defense, focusing on Arctic warfare and cold-weather operations. It continues to play a vital role in the defense of Nordenland's northernmost regions, with an emphasis on rapid deployment and the protection of critical infrastructure in the Arctic and coastal regions.

Reorganizations

Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Nordenland began the conversion of Brigade Nord from a mechanized brigade into a Heavy Combined Brigade. This transformation was prompted by the increased security concerns in Europe, particularly following Russia's expansionist actions in the region. As part of the upgrade, Brigade Nord was attached an additional armored battalion, which significantly enhanced its armored warfare capabilities, allowing the brigade to maintain a high level of combat readiness in the face of potential regional threats.

Soldiers from Brigade Nord in the newly issued Nordic Combat Uniform (NCU) for Arctic operations

In addition to the integration of an armored battalion, the brigade undertook a major modernization of its artillery systems. The outdated M109 self-propelled howitzers were replaced with the more modern Swden made Archer artillery system, providing Brigade Nord with improved mobility, accuracy, and firepower. This upgrade was part of a broader effort to strengthen the brigade's support elements, ensuring it could deliver precise and powerful fire support in complex operational environments.

Futhermore, following the annexation of Belarus in 2020, Brigade Nord expanded further, increasing its personnel by 500 additional troops, to address the heightened security situation in the region, as well as to meet NATO’s demands for a more robust presence in the Arctic and Northern Europe.

In response to the futher escalating tensions Ukraine in 2022, Brigade Nord initiated a series of additional upgrades to enhance its combat capabilities. The brigade’s KPV 120 tanks were retrofitted with Active Protection Systems (APS), offering better defense against incoming anti-tank missiles and improving the tanks' survivability on the battlefield. Moreover, Brigade Nord began the modernization of its CV90 infantry fighting vehicle fleet, ensuring it remained epuipped with state-of-the-art technology to counter evolving threats, particularly in urban and hybrid warfare scenarios.

Brigade Organization

With responsibility for the Royal Nordenic Army's nine battalions, Brigade Nord ensures that these units are equipped, trained, and exercised to operate together effectively. Brigade Nord is a complete, tactical joint system that maintains overall command, enabling synergy and increased combat effectiveness across the battalions. The brigade remains largely organized today according to the same principles as when it was established in 1953 as Brigaden i Nord-Norge, with subunits representing dedicated areas of expertise. Brigade Nord currently consists of nine battalions, a brigade staff, and a military police company, totaling approximately 5,500 soldiers.

Departments

Brigade Nord, in Askelvafoss

• Brigade Command, in Askelvafoss

• 1. Panserbataljon, Askelvafoss with Kpv 120

• 7. Panserbataljon, Camp Thorolf with Kpv 120 and Leopard 2NM

• 2. Bataljon, Skjold Leir with Spv 9030N and NM113

• 4. Mekanisertebataljon, Sætermyr with Spv 9030N and NM113

• 81. Artilleribataljon, Sætermyr with Archer and NOMAD

• 2. Ingeniørbataljon (2nd Combat Engineer Battalion), Skjold Leir

• 6. Sambandsbataljon, Askelvafoss

• 1. Militærpolitikompaniet, Askelvafoss

• 1. Sanitetsbataljon (Medical Battalion), in Sætermyr

• 1. Stridstrenbataljon, in Askelvafoss

Garrisons

• Sætermyr Garnison – Troms.
• Skjold Garnison – Finnmark.
• Heggelia Leir – Troms.
• Rusta Leir – Hålogaland.
• Thorolf Leir – Located in Troms.

Archer Artillery System of the 81st Artillery Battalion operating in Northern Nordenland

Brigade Commanders

• Colonel Erik Magnusson (January 2002 – December 2005)
• Brigadier General Henrik Solberg (January 2006 – December 2008)
• Brigadier General Alexander Østberg (January 2009 – December 2011)
• Brigadier General Johan Henrik Aasheim (January 2012 – December 2014)
• Major general Magnus Emil Bjerke (January 2015 – December 2017)
• Brigadier General Erling Kristian Jørgensen (January 2018 – Present)
• Brigadier General Lars Henrik Andersen (January 2022 – Present)
  

  A winter evening from Sætermyr Garrison.

Unit Insignia

The unit insignia of Brigade Nord features a white reindeer in mid-leap on a black background, with the Nordenic crown above it. The insignia follows the standard coat of arms used by the Nordenland Defense Forces and shares the same shape as a typical municipal coat of arms. The origins of the brigade’s insignia date back to Brigade 521, when the leadership adopted the reindeer in its insignia on February 1, 1953.

The insignia is worn on the left shoulder, along with the battalion insignia on the right shoulder. It is also possible to wear the company or squadron insignia instead of the brigade emblem, provided it adheres to the army’s standard format. In certain situations, both the battalion and brigade emblems may be omitted, particularly during overseas operations.

Controversies

Promo Video

In 2013, the Nordenland Defense Forces and the company Gyro created an informational video about the Army, depicting the capabilities and readiness of Brigade Nord. The video begins with a news segment in which a fictional breakaway republic goes to war over oil and gas resources off the coast of Arland. The video claimed, among other things, that the Army consists of well-trained soldiers ready for action. It portrayed Brigade Nord as the most powerful unit in the Army, fully prepared to deploy across the entire country. Mats Hansen, a former officer, stated that it "is pure fabrication and reckless propaganda." He commented that the video should serve as a goal for the Army. Anders Nilsen from the Progress Party, a member of the Foreign and Defense Committee in Parliament, described the video as a bluff. He argued that the facts were manipulated and that an illusory image should not be presented. The response time depicted in the video was also criticized: the video claimed that Brigade Nord could be combat-ready within a few hours, which raised questions. Senior advisor in the Army, Jonas Lindberg, later stated that the criticism was valid; the video did not provide an accurate picture of Brigade Nord, though that was not the intent.