Norwegian Joint Headquarters Welcomes New Chief
During an official ceremony on Friday morning, Vice Admiral Rune Andersen took over as the chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ) from Lieutenant General Yngve Odlo.
Norwegian Chief of Defence, branch chiefs, and leaders from several civilian agencies were present at the change of command in Bodø, Norway Friday 24 November.
Lieutenant General Yngve Odlo was thanked for his leadership of NJHQ since February 2021, and now Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, formerly the head of the Royal Norwegian Navy, has assumed the role.
Leading in Challenging Times
In recent years, the daily operations at NJHQ in Bodø have been marked by the pandemic, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine, and increased readiness. The new chief faces equally demanding times ahead, with inflation, war in Europe, NATO expansion, and changes in total defence. Andersen has a clear plan:
"We must maintain focus on developing our relationships with NATO and total defence. The way we lead operations and how we collaborate within the Norwegian Armed Forces is crucial. This ensures we have a plan to operate as effectively as possible to secure Norway," says Andersen.
He looks forward to further developing the headquarters into an efficient leadership element within the Armed Forces.
"I have gotten to know the team at NJHQ over the past few weeks. I have met a very experienced, competent, and committed staff, and I'm really looking forward to working with them."
Photo by Torbjørn Kjosvold 
Photo by Torbjørn Kjosvold 
Photo by Martine Furnes-Wilkens 
From left: Chief of NJHQ, Vice Admiral Rune Andersen; Chief of Defence, General Eirik Kristoffersen; and former Chief of NJHQ, Lieutenant General Yngve Odlo. Photo by Torbjørn Kjosvold
Unique in Europe
NJHQ, in simple terms, commands all the forces in the Norwegian Armed Forces and leads all operations and exercises at home and abroad. ‘This is unique in Europe’, according to Andersen.
"Norway has retained a headquarters capable of uniting the Norwegian Armed Forces for joint efforts and coordinating actions in peace, crisis, and war. Having a headquarters that pulls these threads together, joint plans, and coordinates efforts for synergies – that is a strength Norway possesses."
Creating Security
Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen thanks the outgoing chief Yngve Odlo for his work over nearly three challenging years. Kristoffersen says it was reassuring to have Odlo as the head of NJHQ and states that Andersen is the right person to take over.
"His most important job will be to create security in uncertain times. There are many things happening around us in the world now, and the Defence must do what we can so that people in Norway can feel the security we should have here," says General Kristoffersen.
Rune Andersen has a long military career and is not afraid to speak up if he disagrees, says the Chief of Defence.
"He has made a significant effort to increase the availability of the Royal Norwegian Navy's vessels. He has also worked very well with safety culture, and with efforts to change the culture regarding bullying and sexual harassment in the Defence. Andersen has delivered, and I look forward to having him as the chief of NJHQ."
Central in NATO's Northern Flank
NJHQ plays a central role in the Norwegian defence, and thus also a central role in NATO's defence and presence in the Arctic. This was evident by the attendance of the Commander of NATO's Joint Force Command Norfolk at the change of command ceremony. Vice Admiral Daniel Dwyer's visit to Bodø concludes a busy week in Norway, where he had several meetings with the Norwegian defence sector.
"I am here today showing my support to the Norwegian Joint Headquarters as they are a strong partner for my mission, namely to ensure that the transatlantic link between North America and the Arctic remains open and secure," said Vice Admiral Dwyer.
