Minedykkerkommandoen

Minedykkerkommandoen (MDK) Norwegian Naval EOD Command
Active	Frogmen: 1953 - 1968 MDK: 1968 - current
Branch	Royal Norwegian Navy
Type	Naval Clearance diver
Role	Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Expeditionary force Special Warfare
Garrison/HQ	Haakonsvern Naval Base Ramsund Naval Base
Colors	Blue beret flash
Engagements	Operation Enduring Freedom International Security Assistance Force Operation Pickaxe-Handle Operation Atalanta Operation Ocean Shield Macedonia Conflict Operation Recsyr

Minedykkerkommandoen (MDK) or Norwegian Naval EOD Command is a clearance diver group. MDK is subordinate to Norwegian Navy Special Warfare Group (Marinens Jegervåpen), which is a division of the Royal Norwegian Navy. MDK is located at Haakonsvern Naval Base in Bergen and Ramsund Naval Base, in vicinity of Harstad.

The Commando is part of the naval contribution to the Norwegian Armed Forces Intervention Force, and the command's personnel have taken part in operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Baltic states and Mediterranean, among others. The unit is often on assignment for the Norwegian Police Service with bomb disposal.

History

In 1953 the Norwegian Navy formed a frogman-unit. This unit was under the command of Ove Lund, and is the origin of the modern Minedykkerkommandoen and Marinejegerkommandoen. The mission of the frogmen was to conduct re-con and sabotage against enemy targets above and below water. The frogmen were also tasked with disarming all water-born explosive devices.

The missions gradually become more comprehensive and different frogman specialities emerged. This led to members of the unit being divided into a clearance diver team and two combat swimmer teams, in 1968.

See also

• Marinejegerkommandoen (Norwegian Maritime Speicial Operations Forces, Command frogmen)
• Kystjegerkommandoen (Norwegian Navy Coastal Ranger Command)
• Danish Frogman Corps (Danish Maritime Special Force)
• Minentaucher (German Navy Clerance Divers)
• Canadian armed forces divers (Canadian Clerance Divers and Combat Divers)
• Commandos Marine (French Marine Nationale Special Operations Force)
• Underwater Demolition Team (Elite special-purpose force established by the US Navy during WW II)

External links

• Minedykker - Forsvaret.no