Norwegian Army 2nd Battalion

2nd Battalion
Insignia of 2nd Battalion
Active	1955-present
Country	Norway
Branch	Army
Type	Line Infantry
Role	Infantry
Size	One battlegroup
Part of	Brigade Nord
Garrison/HQ	Skjold Garrison
Motto	Latin: In hoc Signo Vinces English: In this sign, thou shalt conquer. Norwegian: Under dette tegnet, skal vi seire.
Colors	Khaki beret
Commanders
Current commander	Lieutenant Colonel Håkon Warø
Notable commanders	Espen Arntzen

2nd Battalion (Norwegian: 2. bataljon abbreviated to 2BN) is an infantry unit of the Norwegian Army, based at camp Skjold in Troms county in Northern Norway. It serves in the mechanized infantry role as part of Brigade Nord; the battalion is one of three that Norwegian battalions performing this role, along with being Telemark Battalion and Panserbataljonen. 2nd Battalion serves two roles, primarily being organised for Norway's defense, however, during Norway's engagement with NATO in Afghanistan, 2nd Battalion also contributes substantially to ISAF forces in northern Afghanistan, supporting a well trained light infantry, organized as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF). The battalion is divided into four companies, including three unites equipped with Patria Pasi, M113 and heavy infantry, as well as a combat support company including recon, medical and mortar units. The battalion uses a khaki beret, as opposed to the traditional black beret, worn by cavalry units throughout the world.

In November 2007, during Operation Harekate Yolo, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion and Kystjegerkommandoen stationed in Mazar-e-Sharif were involved in what has been referred to as some of the heaviest combat operations involving regular Norwegian Army troops since World War II. After an ANA unit was attacked by Taliban forces in the Ghowrmach district in the province of Baghdis, soldiers from 2nd Battalion and Kystjegerkommandoen responded. Outnumbered and facing heavy Taliban resistance, machine guns, mortar teams, snipers and CV9030s were used to beat down the enemy combatants. Air strikes were eventually called in to drive off the remaining Taliban fighters. While no NATO casualties were reported, the exact Taliban death toll had not yet been disclosed as of November 9. However, according to Norwegian news reports "between 45 and 65 insurgents" were killed in action. This was one of the first known uses of the Swedish made CV9030 in live combat.

The motto of the battalion is In hoc Signo Vinces (Latin for "In this sign, thou shalt conquer." Translated in Norwegian to "Under dette tegnet, skal vi seire."), referring to the Griffin seen on the coat of arms.

Organization

Name	Abbreviation	Field
Companies
Company C/B	KPC/B	Mechanised infantry
Cavalry Squadron	KavESK
Support Company	STØKP
Support Companies
Medical Platoon		Medics
Mortar Platoon		Mortars
Train Platoon
Command Space Platoon

References

• Norwegian Army page on 2nd Battalion (in Norwegian)