60 Norwegian soldiers will travel to Mali on Tuesday as part of the UN peacekeeping force MINUSMA. They must be there for six months. Norway will also send a transport aircraft.
NORTAD (Norwegian Tactical Airlift Detachment) will fly various types of cargo for the UN in Mali with one of Norway’s C-130J Hercules transport aircraft.
“The UN has a great need for air transport in Mali, and the Norwegian contribution is therefore both long-awaited and important,” the Armed Forces said.
The aircraft will be used both to carry shipments of supplies and fuel, as well as drop personnel and equipment by parachute.
“The aircraft will have its own security personnel while it’s on the ground. In addition, security personnel will be responsible for guarding the camp at Camp Bifrost,” the Armed Forces said.
This camp is located in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and will be the residence of the Norwegian soldiers.
Norway also participated in the peacekeeping operation in 2016.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
