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The “neversleeping eye” in the north
Andøya airstation is Norways only base for marine patrol aircraft. The Norwegian air force operates its 333 squadron with its 6 Orion aircrafts from an old geographically optimal location on Andøya. The planes also has its maintenance base on Andøya. Aproximate 300 people has its daily work at Andøya air base, which is a corner stone enterprise in Andøy county with a conciderable local recruiting in all of its units.
Joachim
Næss,
2005-06-27
Who are we?
Andøya air base consists of units from the Norwegian air force, the Norwegian Defence Logistics organization, estate district Anøya and the military intelligence service. All these units have its activites ties to the Orion aircrafts. In addition to these, AVINOR, meteorological institute and SHELL employees on the base support the marine patrol aircrafts.
Mission
By the means of the Orion-planes, Andøya air base shall conduct surveillance and assert sovereignity I the northern territories of Norway.
This applies to both military and civilian interests. The orion-planes is an important contributor to an effective coast guard. The planes are the only ones that can yield help to castaways far offshore. Andøya air base exercise for and participate in anti-terror assignments both nationally and internationally. 2 of the planes are specially equipped and loaded for anti-terror assignments
The base is also excercise base for marine patrol aircrafts from other NATO countries. In addition, Andøya air base is the basis for other types of air activity, bodth in military and civilian direction. The base is also collaborating with Andøya Rocket Range.
Andøya air base in change
Andøya air base has in conformity with the rest of the Norwegian defence forces, gone through large changes and is still going through an adaptation of its activity. The term, “compact station” was introduce already during the 50’s when the station was built.
There are still a few investments left before the goal of achieving a true “compact station” is reached.
133 Wing
The air force’s air bases was by 1. of august 2002 organized in a mobile operative unit and a static support unit and a static support unit. For Andøya air bases part, the mobile operative unit consists of 133 Wing,which today is led by Colonel Ole Sverre Asak.
The wings largest unit is 333 squadron, which again consists by an operations unit and the marine support sentere “MASC”.
Further on, 133 Wing has its own staff, which covers the functions plans, exercise, flight safety and medical service for the entire station. Totally, the 133 Wing consists of 85 persons I peacetime.
The wing has as its task to train, exercise and prepare 333 squadron and the operative support element on the tasks that the weapon system P-3 Orion may and can imply in Norway, as well as internationally as a part of FIST. We operate in the northern territories, therefore our motto “The neversleeping eye in the North”.
The wing operates an important command platform, sensor and effector in the Network based defence.
This implies, gathering information, contribute to relevant and effective marine sovereignty assertation, show presence in the Norwegian territories of interest, contribute to the coast guard, participate in search and rescue, conduct environmental surveillance as well as handling and leadership in crisis.
We have the capacity to analyze and report during flights, we conduct after analysis and reports the information we have gathered. We have as out goal to deliver accurate and relevant data with hi quality, to the right time. 133 Wing’s capacities within anti-submarine warfare shall be further developed and it it’s a long term goal to establish a centre of competence for the special field of marine patrol aviation.
Historikk
On a NATO meeting in lisboa in 1951, regarding the placement of the infrastructure program assets, it was solemnly uttered a request to build an air base on Andøya. The resolution was thereby placed on the agenda and continuously discussed by the military leadership, who meant that Andøya had a superior location, both from a strategic viewpoint as well as on flight basis. In the Harstad times, on the 6th of Februrary 1952, the chief of airforce, liutenant general Finn Lambrechts, stated that Andøya was a superior location for for an airport/air base With the support in this and similar statements, rumours had it that NATO and the Norwegian defence force was planning to build an air base on Andøya. In the middle of March the same year, the minister of defence, Nils Langhelle informed the press that it was decided that there would be an air base on Andøya. There were many similar options, as well as on the sourthern, central and northern part of the island. What probably became the conclusive factor for the choice of airbase location was the access to harbour facilities. At Andenes chief engineer Holst in the governmental harbour authoritites, caught sight of a possibility to expand the harbour and to develop Andenes into a large fishery harbour.
This reason probably weighed a lot.
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