Bad News from Norway

Inadequate medical support for Norwegian troops in Afghanistan?

Major General Leif Sverre Rosén, the commandor for the Norwegian army's medical battalion, has resigned under a dark cloud. He recently complained that Norwegian combat troops that are part of ISAF in Afghanistan have inadequate medical support, to the point that he would not be comfortable letting any of his children serve there. So far, three Norwegian troops have been killed in action, and Rosén has asked for - among other things - a dedicated surgical team and helicopter for evacuation. The government has not been receptive to this, and the minister of defense is being criticized.

Norway shutting down national military defense?

The Chief of Defense, Norway's highest-ranking military official, today released its report for dealing with budgetary cutbacks, concluding that within a few years, Norway will no longer have "a unified, independent national defense" system, save for a coast guard and a patrol on the northern border against Russia.

In the meantime, most military bases are proposed shut down, and all branches concentrated in a few bases, e.g., one Army base in the south and one in the north, 2-3 naval bases, and one air force base for aircraft. The communications infrastructure is recommended concentrated in one satellite. This follows a number of other cutbacks through the years.