The case in summary: Soldiers in the Army practice sharp warfare in the Setermoen firing range in Troms, with scenarios that have become more realistic after the war in Ukraine. The exercises include both physical combat and the mental strain of loss of life and field burials of fellow soldiers. The soldiers express that it has become more serious to be an army soldier, and that the war in Ukraine has put things into perspective. Chief Sergeant Stian Mo uses personal experiences from Afghanistan to make the exercises as close to reality as possible. Brigade commander Terje Bruøygård believes that the soldiers are well equipped physically and mentally to defend the country in a possible war situation through these exercises. Both soldiers and leaders express that the thought of losing fellow soldiers in battle is remote, but that the exercises help them prepare for this. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Soldiers in the Army practice combat at the Setermoen firing range in Troms. The war scenarios have become sharper and more real after the war came to Ukraine and Europe in 2022. This time they are practicing sharp acts of war. Other times it’s the mental part of war. They practice loss of life and having to bury fellow soldiers. Jens Espeland is a gunner in the 2nd battalion. He is one of the soldiers who has attended a field funeral. – We got to think and reflect on what everyday life actually is. But you are never properly prepared for something like that. So it’s difficult anyway, he says. The armed forces practice field burials to prepare soldiers mentally for losing one of their own in combat. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / The Armed Forces – It has become more serious to be a soldier During a sharp military exercise news was able to take part in, part of the scenario was that parts of the squad were to be put out of action. They practiced being wounded, and assisting wounded fellow soldiers. – They did not die, fortunately. But that need not be the case in a real war. That’s what Albert Vedeler, who is deputy commander in the 2nd battalion, says. The soldier is “injured” during the exercise, and is waiting for assistance from fellow soldiers. Photo: Per-Einar Grønmo / news He has also taken part in exercises where they had to handle dead fellow soldiers. – The war in Ukraine has put things into perspective. This is a real situation that can happen in Norway. Our great enemy in the east can potentially move in, take lives and destroy things we love about the nation of Norway. – It is clear, being an army soldier has become more serious, says Vedeler. Soldier in the 2nd battalion, Albert Vedeler. Photo: Øystein Arild M Antonsen / news Using experiences from Afghanistan The soldiers say they have the impression that conscripts have gained a different perspective on war. They talk more about it. Read more news about it. Am more interested in it. This was a sharp exercise with tanks and infantry. Photo: Per-Einar Grønmo This was a sharp exercise with tanks and infantrymen. Photo: Per-Einar Grønmo This was a sharp exercise with tanks and infantrymen. Photo: Per-Einar Grønmo This was a sharp exercise with tanks and infantrymen. Chief Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, Stian Mo, says this means that the military training must be as close to reality as possible. – That is why it is important that we not only practice shooting, training and using our fighting techniques and weapons. We also need to nurture our heads. And prepare for that day. – We can’t think that it won’t happen to me. Chief Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, Stian Mo, uses personal experiences when training young soldiers in the loss of fellow soldiers. In Afghanistan, he lost one of his squad. Photo: Øystein Arild M Antonsen / news Mo himself has experienced losing a fellow soldier in the Faryab province in Afghanistan. A bomb went off in an area his squad had been in several times before. They were out on a routine mission when they hit a roadside bomb. – It was heavy. But we had to accept what had happened, says Mo. The chief sergeant says he uses these personal experiences when they practice having to bury fellow soldiers. – In such situations, we have to make the best of the situation. We must take care of each other. And we still have to solve the mission we are set to do. The soldiers in the 2nd Battalion train both physically and mentally to get ready for combat. Photo: Øystein Arild M Antonsen / news The brigade commander: – Well prepared for sharp combat It was exactly a training focus during the combat exercise at Setermoen for the 2nd battalion. The battalion is part of Brigade Nord. Brigade commander Terje Bruøygård says the soldiers during their initial service are well equipped physically and mentally to defend the country in a possible war situation. – Norwegian soldiers and units are well prepared for a sharp combat situation. We are ready to defend Norway if the need arises. Brigade commander Terje Bruøygård (in the middle) together with Stian Mo Bjørn Andersen, Sergeant Major and battalion commander in the 2nd battalion. Photo: Øystein Arild M Antonsen / news The commander of the 2nd battalion, Bjørn Andersen, says they have always trained close to reality. At the same time, the reality of war has come closer, and that affects the entire Army. – It is clear that what is happening in Ukraine leaves a mark on us. It is a motivating factor to see how much it takes to be at the front, he says. The commander of the 2nd battalion, Bjørn Andersen. Photo: Øystein Arild M Antonsen / news Distant, but prepared That’s what soldier Veder says he agrees with. At the same time, he says that the thought of losing fellow soldiers in battle is still distant. But the exercises leave a mark. – It has probably become more common to reflect on what it is like to lose a partner. I think soldiers are now more prepared for it, says Vedeler.
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Norwegian soldiers practice burying their own – news Troms and Finnmark
