The case in summary: The Americans will spend NOK 2 billion on expanding Rygge air station. It could increase the danger of foreign intelligence. The police’s security service (PST) encourages people in the area to be vigilant and report suspicious activity. PST warns Norwegian companies that will be involved in the construction projects that they may be contacted by foreign intelligence services. PST expects a significant increase in intelligence activities from foreign intelligence services against Rygge air force base. Russia is the country from which PST expects the most activity in the future. The mayor of Moss, Simen Nord, believes that residents do not need to be worried, but calls for increased vigilance. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. A year ago, the government approved extensive American investments at Rygge air station. The works will start in the summer. The purpose is to increase the United States’ and NATO’s preparedness and reaction capacity towards the Baltic Sea area and the Baltics. But the rearmament at Rygge is also attracting interest from countries that are not part of the defense alliance. Now the police’s security service says that activity from foreign intelligence has increased in Rygge. They encourage people to follow along. Hege Naustdal is head of PST’s unit in the East police district. She urges people to be vigilant. Photo: Tomas Berger / news – Without scaring, we want to sharpen the vigilance of the population in the area, says Hege Naustdal, who heads the PST in the East police district. She also warns companies that will work at the air station that they may be contacted by foreign intelligence, or tried to tap them for information about the projects at Rygge. – Businesses that are going to have construction activities here, may receive requests by e-mail, for example, that are suspicious, says Naustdal. – We want there to be a low threshold for contacting the police if you discover something suspicious. PST: Expects significantly increased activity The Americans will spend NOK 2 billion on expanding the military base at Rygge. According to the plan, four hangars for combat aircraft, warehouses, increased capacity for ammunition storage and better security around the air station will be built. The Americans will build more buildings at Rygge air station. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB The increased activity is the reason why PST is now urging people to pay extra close attention. – We expect a significant increase in intelligence activities from foreign countries’ intelligence services against Rygge air defense base, says Naustdal. Observations of vehicles and people who appear suspicious towards the base are examples of the type of activity that PST expects more of. – There may also be people who come here to work, and who in their spare time are asked suspicious questions by people they do not know. Expecting activity from Russia Russia is the country from which PST expects the most activity in the future. – They want that information about what they can encounter in terms of capacities both in Ukraine, but also future NATO operations, says Naustdal. PST works to prevent threats to both military values and other national values. The airport is located in Moss municipality in Østfold. Mayor of Moss Simen Nord (H) is positive that new projects are happening in Rygge. The mayor of Moss, Simen Nord, says that several local companies will receive assignments at Rygge air station in the future. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news – We have a history as a defense municipality and that we contribute to the Norwegian Armed Forces, I think that’s good, says Nord. The mayor does not think residents need to be worried. – It is an important message for all the inhabitants of our region to learn that we must be more vigilant and report if you see something unusual, says Nord. – I don’t think you should be worried. What is nice is that you show the cooperation between PST, the Armed Forces and the municipalities. We have a good dialogue and make plans together. Rygge air station is the base for several of the Norwegian Armed Forces’ helicopters, such as the Bell 412. The rescue service is also based at Rygge with its Sea King helicopters. To facilitate combat aircraft In June 2022, the Storting agreed to the conclusion of an additional agreement on defense cooperation between Norway and the USA. – It will strengthen our security and defense capabilities, said Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) to news last year. Among other things, the agreement facilitates US investment in infrastructure in reunified areas. The government has defined these areas as Rygge, Sola and Evenes air stations, in addition to Ramsund orlog station. American personnel have long been present at the military area in Østfold. But now Norway must make better arrangements for American fighter planes to be able to train in cooperation with the Norwegian Defense Forces and other allies in Norwegian airspace. The Minister of Defense has previously told news that the Americans will not have permanent deployment of combat aircraft at Rygge. – But it is a base that the Americans can use when they need it and when we have to interact with them.
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Asking people to stay tuned – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
