From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The youngest branch of the Norwegian armed forces (established in 1944), the Royal Norwegian Air Force (or RNoAF) has a peacetime strength of about 7,200 (of which 4,200 are officers and civilians, while 1,500 are conscripts). After a mobilisation, the total force will be around 20,000 soldiers.
The infrastructure of the RNoAF includes seven airbases (Banak, Bardøfoss, Bodø, Ørland, Sola, Rygge and Gardemoen), two control and alert stations (Gråkallen and Mågerø) and two training centers (Kjevik and Kuhaugen).
The RNoAF has ten squadrons of planes as well as two anti aircraft battalions. The operational force consists of 57 F16 fighters, six NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) batteries, twelve Sea King rescue helicopters, six P-3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, six Hercules transport aircraft, six Lynx helicopters, 18 Bell 412SP helicopters and three DA-20 EW-planes.
Short history
Military flights started in 1912, the first plane beeing bought with money donated by the public and piloted by an officer from the submarine Kobben. Up until 1940 most of the aircraft belonging to the Navy and Army air forces were domestic designs or built under license agreements. In the late 30s more modern aircraft was bought from abroad, including 12 Gloster Gladiator fighters from the UK. Considerable orders for aircraft were placed with US companies during the months prior to the invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940.
When war broke out, only a few aircraft had been delivered. The unequal situation led to the rapid defeat of the Norwegian forces, even if Jagervingen (the pursuit wing) defended Fornebu agains the attacking german forces with some success - claiming a number of Me110 heavy fighters and a few He111 bombers. After the withdrawal of allied forces, the Norwegian Government gave up fighting in Norway and fled to Great Britain on June 10th 1940.
The Army and Navy air forces established themselves in Great Britain under the command of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Norwegian air and ground crews operated from here in both Norwegian squadrons and in purely English squadrons (RAF).
In the autumn of 1940, a Norwegian training center known as "Little Norway" was established in Toronto, Canada. The Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) was established by a royal decree on November 1 1944, thereby merging the Army and Navy air forces.
Up until May 8, 1945, 335 persons had lost their lives while taking part in the efforts of the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
In 1947, the Surveillance and Control Division acquired its first radar system, and around the same time the RNoAF got it's first jetfighters in the form of DeHaviland Vampires.
In 1948 Norway joined NATO, and quite soon recived american aircraft through the MAP (Military Aid Programe).
In 1959, the Anti-Aircraft Artillery was integrated into the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
