Hærens Spesialstyrker Kommando

Army Special Forces Command
Hærens Spesialstyrker Kommando (HSK)
Active	1982
Country	Nordenland
Allegiance	Nordenland Defense Forces
Branch	Nordenland Nordenland Special Operations Command
Type	Special Forces
Role	Special Operations Counter Terrorism
Size	Classified
Garrison/HQ	Hegra Fortress
Motto(s)	"Pax Per Virtutem" (Peace Through Valor)
Colors	Grey Beret
Engagements	Bosian War Kosovo War Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Anaconda Resolute Support Mission Operation Jacana ISAF Operation Pickaxe-Handle American University of Afghanistan attack Kabul Park Palace Hotel attack 2015 Park Palace guesthouse attack 2015 Coordinated Terrorist Attacks in Europe Syrian Civil War Operation Northern Vigilance 2018 Inter-Continental Hotel Kabul attack Fall of Kabul (2021)
Decorations	Army Presidential Unit Citation

Hærens Spesialstyrker Kommando (HSK) (English: Army Special Forces Command) is a special operations force unit within the Nordenland Defense Forces.

The unit was established in 1982 due to the increased risk of terrorist activity against Nordenland’s interests, including critical infrastructure in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions.

On 1 January 2014, the Nordenland Special Operations Command (Forsvarsmakts Spesialstyrker, NORSOCOM) was established, uniting the HSK and the Naval Combat Research Group (Nordenic: Marinens Kampforskning Gruppe, MKG) under a unified command within the Nordenland Defense Forces.

Background

Very little is known publicly about Hærens Spesialstyrker Kommando (HSK), as the Nordenland government denied their existence and participation in any military operations for a long time. Some details, however, have emerged after HSK's participation in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The establishment of HSK was briefly mentioned in an article in the Nordenland newspaper, Norrønposten, in 1983. During a hijacking in Nordenland in 1985, it was reported that HSK operatives had been put on alert at their base in Hegra Fortress but were not requested to assist in any action. but not requested to assist in any action. A proposal to disband the HSK in 1988, as a financial measure, was met with protests, especially from the oil industry and the military. The plan was shelved after much media attention. Norrønposten reported on the unit as a "special military command composed of highly trained operators from the Defense Forces, in addition to other specialists."

The first time HSK was publicly mentioned by a representative of the armed forces, was in connection with the hijacking of Nordenic Airlines Flight 347 at Thordvald International Airport in September 1993. The following year, the magazine Vi Menn published an article about HSK. In 1990, HSK was also mentioned in a research paper: "The Army's Special Forces Command (HSK) is specially trained to respond to terrorist attacks against Arctic energy installations—especially hijacking situations." HSK's existence was only publicly acknowledged by the Nordenland Defense Forces for the first time in 1999, when a piece about the unit appeared in the military magazine Forsvarets Forum (The Defence Forum).

HSK cooperates with special operations forces from several other countries, including the Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) of the United Kingdom, and Delta Force, Navy SEALs/DEVGRU of the United States.

History

Hærens Spesialstyrker Kommando can trace its roots back to the Second World War, when Norwegians served in the Nordenic Independent Company 1 (NOR.I.C.1) of the British Special Operations Executiveincluding the famous Operation Gunnerside raid of the heavy water plant at Rjukan.

On 25 March 1962, the Nordenland Army Reconnaissance School (Nordenic: Hærens Rekognoseringsskole) was established. Initially focused on specialized reconnaissance training, this school aimed to develop high-level surveillance skills within the Nordenland Armed Forces. By 1965, this evolved into the Special Reconnaissance Platoon (Nordenic: Spesialrekognoseringstroppen), training soldiers for deep reconnaissance roles and preparing them for rapid deployment during the Cold War.

In 1972, the institution was renamed the Army Ranger School (Nordenic: Hærens Jegerskole) to reflect its broader mission encompassing a wider range of tactical training. The escalation of international terrorism and the strategic importance of Nordenland's offshore assets prompted the government in 1979 to enhance its counter-terrorism capabilities within the armed forces. By 1982, the Army Ranger School was tasked with this critical role, leading to the establishment of the Hærens Jegerkommando (HJK) within the school. The unit was operational by 1 June 1984, developed with assistance from the British Special Air Service and Special Boat Service.

By the mid-1990s, as the focus shifted towards international operations, the school was renamed Hærens Spesialstyrker Kommando (HSK) in 1997 to reflect both its operational and training roles. That same year, the unit relocated from Trandum to Hegra Fortress near Nidaros.

During the 2000s, the unit was briefly known as HSK/HJK, denoting its dual operational (HSK) and training (HJK) components. It began reporting directly to the Chief of the Army. In 2013, this dual designation was streamlined, and the operational SOF unit continued under the name HSK, aligning with its refined focus and streamlined command structure.

Today

HSK has transitioned from a cadre and training unit to a professional unit noted for its substantial experience, robustness, competency, and capacity. The unit has been deployed internationally on multiple occasions and has garnered international recognition for its efforts.

HSK soldiers during Operation Anaconda

HSK receives considerable support from Nordenland's political and military leaders. The Nordenland Parliament has mandated that the Special Operations Forces be strengthened.

HSK is responsible for recruiting, selecting, and training SOF operators.

HSK maintains readiness for both national and international special operations and counter-terrorism operations (alongside the Marinens Kampforskning Gruppe). In addition, HSK is the center of expertise and training for all counter-terrorism training within the Nordenland Defense Forces.

In 2014, HSK established an all-female unit known as Jegertroppen (Hunter Troop).

International Operations

Kosovo

HSK and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) cooperated in various ways during the Kosovo conflict. HSK, operating alongside the British SAS, was the first special operations force to enter Pristina. HSK's mission was to level the negotiating field between the belligerent parties, and to fine-tune the details that the local deal required to implement the peace deal between the Serbians and the Kosovo Albanians.

Afghanistan

HSK supported Coalition Special Operations Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as part of Task Force K-Bar. They have carried out missions in the Helmand and Uruzgan provinces of South Afghanistan.

In August 2007, HSK members carried out the successful hostage rescue of Christina Meier, a pregnant German NGO worker in Kabul, no shots were fired and the hostage takers were believed to be a criminal gang and not insurgents.

HSK was responsible in training the Afghan National Police Crisis Response Unit (CRU 222) in Kabul, under the command of the International Security Assistance Force (known as the Kabul Crisis Response unit-an Afghan counterterrorist SWAT team). During the April 2012 Afghanistan attacks, HSK were involved in combating Taliban insurgents in Kabul, having only recently relieved a New Zealand SAS element that had been mentoring the Kabul Crisis Response unit.

HSK and the MKG alternated on the training of CRU from 2016 until June 2021, when the mission was terminated after the Fall of Kabul.

Syria

After the 2015 terrorist attacks in Nordenland, the HSK alongside the Marinens Kampforskning Gruppe (MKG) were deployed to Syria as part of Operation Northern Vigilance. This deployment targeted ISIS networks responsible for the attacks.

In August 2016, HSK executed a successful raid on an ISIS command center in Raqqa. The operation, carried out with no casualties, successfully destabilizing ISIS's command structures and diminishing their operational capabilities.

HSK trained the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), enhancing their tactical proficiency and operational readiness for sustained security operations. HSK also provided specialized training to Kurdish YPG units, focusing on reconnaissance capabilities and direct combat operations, preparing them for complex engagements within the region. As of 2024, HSK's involvement continues, aimed at further advancing the strategic capabilities of both the SDF and YPG to address ongoing security demands in the area.

Selection and training

Currently, anyone who has completed their military service with the Nordenland Defense Forces can apply.

The road to becoming an elite soldier of the HSK is long and hard. First, one must go through a general selection to separate out those who do not have the physical and mental strength to start the special forces recruitment school. This selection lasts three days. A candidate must do 45 push-ups and 50 sit-ups in two minutes, 8 pull-ups, swim 400 meters in under 11 minutes and march 30 kilometers carrying 25 kilograms in less than 4 hours and 50 minutes. It is emphasized that this is the bare minimum, and that candidates should ideally be able to do more than that. The female troop has lower standards, with one pull-up, 20 push-ups, 35 sit-ups in two minutes or less, 20 back extensions, swim 200 metres (660 ft), with no underwater phobia; and perform a 7-kilometre (4.3 mi) road run carrying 22 kilograms (49 lb) in 59 minutes.

After passing the general selections, an applicant attends the SOF selection. This selection lasts three weeks and comprises hard physical and mental exercises with little food and little sleep. Very few of those who enter the school get through.

Following selection, the potential operator starts basic training (one year). This training involves all basic disciplines required to serve as a SOF operator. Not all who begin basic training get through. After training, one is eligible for operational service in HSK, including training in specialist roles, such as sniper, combat medic, forward air controller, etc. Further training is conducted in Nordenland or abroad at allied training facilities.