Sigurd Frisvold (1947 – 2022) fell asleep quietly after a short illness. The family confirms this to news. He leaves behind a grown child and a grandchild. Frisvold led the Norwegian Armed Forces through a very significant period. Sigurd Frisvold received many awards. Among other things, he was a commander with a star of the Order of St. Olav. Photo: Tor Richardsen / NTB The long war It started abruptly in April 1999, when he took over from Arne Solli. Norwegian forces had just been sent to take part in the NATO intervention in Kosovo. A couple of years later, two planes hit the Twin Towers in New York. – I was at the NATO chiefs of defense meeting, and traveled from Italy to Budapest. I was sitting on the bus, and suddenly all the phones started ringing, Frisvold recalled to news in 2021. – The Americans went to their place, and the rest of us had a small meeting. Nothing came of it, but I thought that here something would also happen for Norway. From the turn of the year 2001/2002, Norwegian strings were already involved in removing the Taliban from power in Afghanistan. Over the next 20 years, 7,000 Norwegians were to participate in the war. 10 of them lost their lives. At the same time as the war in Afghanistan, the Armed Forces were completely reorganized. Departments and camps were closed down. A separate body for military logistics called the regional support function was also created. On 1 April 2005, Frisvold resigned on his own initiative, after having been on sick leave several times in the previous months. Frisvold believed he had to resign as a result of the massive budget deficit in the Armed Forces, which was NOK 950 million. Former defense chief Sigurd Frisvold together with King Harald in 2002. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB Good mood The former defense chief had many serious matters on the table during his career. Even so, he said in an interview with Dagbladet in 2003 that he could let himself go. – I am a happy salmon in a company context. Occasionally a slightly too happy salmon. Over the years, I have had a tendency to arrive early and leave late, Frisvold said. Frisvold also had a clear conscience about one of his most important decisions. Current chief of defense Erik Kristoffersen together with Sigurd Frisvold in 2021. Photo: Roy Pettersen / news In an news interview with four other chiefs of defense conducted in autumn 2021, Frisvold said that he thought the decision to send forces to Afghanistan was still correct. – I think it was not in vain, said Frisvold. At the same time, he expressed his support for the decision to withdraw the forces in August 2021.
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Former defense chief Sigurd Frisvold is dead – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
