
A different kind of Christmas
More than 5000 kilometers away from home, in a military camp in Mali, Norwegian soldiers are having their traditional Christmas dinner in the African heat. They are on a mission for the UN.
Early in December, about 70 Norwegian soldiers from the Royal Norwegian Air Force deployed to Mali, for the UN mission MINUSMA. The soldiers are thus far away from home during Christmas. This is the third time Norway sends a C-130J transport aircraft to support the UN and the government in Mali.
Out of quarantine on Christmas Eve
The personnel went straight into a 14-day quarantine when arriving in Mali. On Christmas Eve, the quarantine is over, and they can have their first meal together in the big dining tent.
Chief Sergeant Staale Granli has gotten into the Christmas spirit. The kitchen staff prepare traditional Norwegian Christmas meals like pork belly, lamb ribs and boiled cod. Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja are on place in Mali. Sweets and desserts are naturally a part of Christmas. Command team: Force Commander Hans Jørgen Nordskog (left) and Chief Sergeant Staale Granli are ready for Christmas in Mali. Christmas decorations are on place.
Force commander, Lieutenant Colonel Hans Jørgen Nordskog, is looking forward to the Christmas celebration.
“We will try to maintain what many Norwegians have as a tradition on Christmas Eve. There will be a Christmas service and traditional Christmas games, before we sit down at the table for the traditional Christmas dinner. We will also make sure that the Norwegian boys choir Sølvguttene will be streamed”, he says.
Traditional Christmas dinner
Norway already operates "Camp Bifrost" in Bamako, with nine Norwegian employees responsible throughout the year. The kitchen in camp is known for its great food, and the menu on Christmas Eve includes traditional Norwegian Christmas food.
«Our kitchen is fantastic! Norwegian Pork belly, lamb ribs and boiled cod are served with all the well-know side dishes», says Nordskog.
It will be a slightly different Christmas for the Norwegian soldiers, however it will most likely be a Christmas to remember.
“We have intel that Santa is arriving, and we plan on screening a Christmas movie in our outdoor cinema. I think this will be another memorable Christmas celebration here in Camp Bifrost”, the force commander concludes.