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I was dedicated a tank with the callsign "113 Avec".
This was the 3rd tank in the 1st platoon in the 1st company,
meaning I was usually the front tank, at least within my platoon.
I had a great time up in Bardufoss, with the great crew
of gunner Myklebust, loader Kanestrøm
and driver Frantzvåg. Our training
went on a full year, and we participated in several exercises,
for instance NATO Strong Resolve in 1998 where we "fought"
against Germans, Italians, Brits, Americans and others.
After this year, I came to realize that my carrier as a tank
commander would come to and end in a maximum of six years.
Due to the low number of operational tanks in Norway, an officer
has to quit after a certain number of years in order to let
fresh officers get their training. In Norway, you cannot be
a sergeant for more than one year, as you automatically become
a Second Lieutenant. Furthermore, unlike countries such as
the United States and Denmark, you eventually end up in
an office somewhere in Norway. This is the main reason why
I left the army, and went to take three years of computer
engineer education at Stavanger
University. Now I work as interactive developer at Papirfly.
Click on thumbnail for full size
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| The crew of "113 Avec" |
The new tactical west |
At exercise Strong Resolve 1998. The red
band indicates enemy |
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| Me at my commander postition |
Shooting drones at Hjerkinn Shooting Range |
The tank class of 1996-1997 |
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| Gunner Myklebust at his station in the tank |
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Me in my tank
suit, wearing the black cavalry beret and MP5A3 sub machinegun.
I have a map on my thigh, and my gasmask hanging over my hip. |
