Historien

Our first night was spent in Drammen, just outside Oslo, and taking advantage of the very warm weather and long days we planned an exploratory hike in a nearby canyon, and flew a couple of the drones. Later, we had our first taste of real Norwegian food, kebabs and falafel at a local kebab shop. The mids could see first-hand the growing diversity of Norway’s population, not all blonde hair and blue eyes, and the expanding of the Norwegian culture to enfold others, much as the US did in the early 19^th and 20^th century.

Our second stop landed us in the small mountain village of Folldal, where we stayed in a “hytta” or mountain cabin, owned by the proprietor of the Kvebergsøya Gard, a 17th century mountain farm with modern social media (Instagram @kvebergsoya) and a website at kvebergsoeya.com. Our hosts Eris and Martin fed us a traditional Norwegian breakfast and dinner of Moose Stew, and Martin gave a demonstration of the traditional farming techniques using Fjord horses to pull a mechanical mower. Five of us learned to stack the hay in the traditional fashion driving vertical poles into the ground, and laying the hay astride additional horizontal poles to form a long green line. Hanging the hay up in this way helps it to dry, as the air can get to it, and also protects it from rain damage. Only the very top layer gets wet, as the rain easily runs down the sides. The more adventurous group made a 27-km hike to the windswept top of a mountain in Rondane.

On our travel days, we often stopped at places of opportunity to fly drones or take advantage of the available beauty and cold mountain streams. Some days were very rainy and precluded drone operations, but for the most part we flew multiple times a day. Oslo is a restricted flight area, so we explored the city on foot instead. We wanted to include as many people as possible in our adventure, so videos of our adventure and photos were made available during the trip on YouTube (USNA Drontur) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/usnadrontur).

One Instagram post made it to the Naval Academy Instagram page, which the mids said was a big deal. I also wrote a short Linked-In article about the LREC. Taking advantage of the lovely coastline and “allmannsretter” (the right for public access to all lands) we took many local hikes in Trondheim, and topped off the trip with a 20-km hike to Trolltunga near Odda, where we were rewarded with a fantastic view from 3000 ft of the surrounding mountains and lake. It was a rewarding but challenging hike for the midshipmen, but even more for the designated old guy, me.

While in Trondheim, we experienced a regional food festival with delicacies such as whale, reindeer and moose, and attended a Champion’s league qualifying football (soccer) match between local favorite Rosenborg FC and Scottish side Celtic. Although the game remained tied nil-nil, we were all impressed with the fans’ 90-minute performance singing endless songs of support. Norwegians are mad about football! We experienced the grandeur of the Nidaros Cathedral in Old Trondheim dating from 1070; built over the burial site of King Olav, patron saint of Norway. Traveling about the city, we were also brought face-to-face with the reality that Norway had been an occupied country during WWII, as there are plaques in the street commemorating Jewish residents that had been deported and resistance fighters that had been killed in firing squads. In addition, many old German bunkers and fortifications are still emplaced in the city and along the coastline trail or have been repurposed (built over) instead of being removed.

We also had the opportunity to meet with two technology companies in Trondheim (a growing start-up hub) that are working in the drone space; one working on solutions to airborne drone icing problems (UBIQ) a spin-off of an NTNU incubator and one working on a tethered undersea drone to visualize the sea floor, conduct port security and do undersea inspection (Blueye Robotics). The parallels to US Navy missions could not be missed.

Upon returning to Oslo, we met with the US Ambassador, Rear Admiral Kenneth J. Braithwaite, Ret. USNA ’84, the Defense Attaché Capt Rogeness, and LCDR Riffle at the newly opened U.S. Embassy. We discussed the sensitive nature of the Norway’s location (NATO’s Northern Flank) and the challenges of balancing diplomatic relations with the Russians while still assuring NATO of our resolve to defend against any aggression. In Bergen, we had met with CDR Tor Ivar at the Norwegian Sjokrigskole (Naval Academy), where we received an excellent brief on the Norwegian Navy, Norway’s maritime heritage, and dependence on the sea. The midshipmen were able to continue that conversation with the Ambassador.

So what did we learn?

We learned that Norway has a small but very capable maritime force to protect one of the longest coastlines in the world, and is a potent ally in the defense of freedom around the globe, but they also need our continued support and backing. Norway is a bulwark to a resurgent Russia and its potent Northern Fleet – the first line of defense and operational specialists for high-latitude operations.

Echoing the current Naval Vision encapsulated in A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower: "The security, prosperity, and vital interests of the United States are increasingly coupled to those of other nations.” We should continue to grow our partnership with strong, peace-loving nations like Norway. As the Navy’s Second Fleet was recently re-established with authority over the ships, aircraft and landing forces of the East Coast and the North Atlantic, Adm Grady remarked that “The days of competition at sea… have returned.” In this environment, where our Sea Control and Power Projection missions are contested, increased maritime cooperation with our NATO allies will be a goal, but needs to also have high priority and funding as well, in order to have the right level of combined training and collaboration – which will improve combat effectiveness.

This program was extremely formative in developing midshipmen to appreciate the partnerships and unique skillsets that different NATO partners bring. For several of the mids this was their first time out of the country and they were exposed to a different culture, food, geography, language and perspective. For many of them – they remarked how much it made them appreciate what they may take for granted in the United States, like freedom, large roads, cheap cost of living, and even microwaves and large washers and dryers. Students took turns planning meals, cleaning up, leading on hikes, navigating our path, organizing daily activities and problem solving – with several taking lead in trip logistics and leadership. Learning a lesson in how not to do the dishes, Midn 2/C Mitch Turpin commented “Apparently dish soap doesn't go in the dishwasher!”

Many of the mids were very favorably taken with the chance to meet with the Ambassador and the Defense Attaché and could see themselves working to position themselves in a way to be able to take advantage of similar job opportunities in the future. They got an appreciation of the nuanced messaging required within another sovereign nation and the different challenges posed to the State Department. Overall, it was a great learning and growing experience for the entire group. Several mids commented that this was “One of the best summer experiences I have had at USNA.”

Culturally, we learned about how passionate Norwegians are about environmental conservation, they value a slower pace and lifestyle and simple enjoyment of the outdoors. As a nation they are less socially outgoing as Americans, but build deep lasting friendships, are very hospitable and extremely patriotic.

One of the questions I asked the mids to reflect on was “How did the trip change you or your perceptions of the world?” I love their answers and include them in full below.

· “I didn't realize how much I would miss America and the little things, like having a drying machine or a microwave. It enhanced my perception of America.” Midn 1/C Isaac Driewer

· “I have a greater appreciation for the freedoms that we have in America.” Midn 1/C Eric Braun

· “The world has different ways of doing things. Societies are different and not everyone is the same.” Midn 1/C Dave Lewkowicz

· “It showed me how important it is to learn about other cultures. It makes you a more well-rounded individual and more effective officer.” Midn 1/C Tony Janssen

· “Helped me to become more open to different types of government and economic systems.” Midn 2/C Joel Schneider

· “It made me realize that I want to see more of the world and that other countries have better ways of doing things than how America does them.” Midn 1/C Mady Malczynski

· “This trip made me realize the beauty of nature and how important it is to preserve that.” Midn 2/C Mitch Turpin

· “It helped me realize the importance of our allies but how countries can function in such different ways than ours does. It also helped me realize a few things that clearly need to be fixed in our country, like food quality.” Midn 2/C Brendan Finn

· “I loved hearing Tommy (CDR Dittmar’s brother-in-law) talk about Norwegian culture and the way their government and taxes work. It changed my perspective on how one person's actions could affect an entire community!” Midn 2/C Sophie Lekas.

We experienced a country-wide drought, combined with a record-setting heat wave, while we were in Oslo and Trondheim with temperatures a full 20 degrees warmer than usual. The implications of these changing climate conditions were insufficient hay for livestock, more livestock sent to slaughter and warm sleeping conditions for many as even the Ambassador’s house doesn’t have A.C.

USNA Classes of '19, '20 and '94 with Ambassador Braithwaite '84 in Oslo