Ride of the
valkyrie: Coming in with the daylight, the Norwegian helicopter
detachment flies out on their first operational mission with
NORBN.
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It is half
past five in the morning. The sun is about to rise over the Kosovo
plains. The four helicopters in the Norwegian helicopter detachment
are starting their engines. The mission is to transport four search
teams from the Norwegian Infantry Battalion (NORBN). The objective
is the Kosovo-Albanian village of Stanica Banjica.
The helicopters
take off, and fly in direction of the camp of C coy/NORBN in the
Drenica valley. This used to be one of the core areas of the KLA
guerrilla. Illegal firearms are still hidden around in the villages
in this area. On the ground the soldiers of C coy/NORBN are waiting.
The helicopters are guided down, loaded up, and take off again
in direction of the village. Stealth and surprise is the unit
commander's intention in the helicopter operation.
Stealth and surprise: Stealth and surprise are the key elements
as C coy/NORBN conduct their search operation
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Co-ordinated
The operation is thoroughly planned and co-ordinated, and the
pilots of the Norwegian helicopter detachment know exactly where
to land. In a matter of seconds the soldiers deploy and get in
to defensive positions. They take control of the village and make
ready for the reinforcements of their own company - the search
of Stanica Banjica is operational. The Norwegian helicopters have
completed the first part of the mission. Two of the helicopters
break away, and returns to base at Lebane.
Surveillance
in the air
In the search area two helicopters still remain. They are to survey
the area from above. The village and its surroundings are combed
for all suspicious traffic and movement - none shall escape from
the village with illegal firearms hidden in the trunk of their
car. Suspicious movements on the ground and possible hiding places
is continuously reported from the helicopters to the search team
leader, who in turn directs his men. The co-operation between
the search teams and the helicopters works according to plan.
Weapons are confiscated, illegal weaponry threatening a safe and
secure environment in Kosovo. The first mission of the Norwegian
helicopter detachment in Kosovo is a successful one.
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