Norwegian Helicopter pilots are highly needed in the Norwegian NATO operations in Afghanistan. However, it seems like a lot of the pilots do not want these assignments. The result is a huge recruitment problem for the Norwegian Air Force.
– There are almost no applications to vacant positions for pilots in the air force. When pilots have finished their contract with the air force, they apply for jobs outside the squadron, says Geir Brandsegg in the 339-squadron in northern Norway to NRK.
The main focus for the 339-squadron is the operations in Afghanistan and all training and education is directed on solving these operations. Brandsegg therefore believe that the Afghanistan operations is the main reason the for recruitment troubles.
Employees in the Norwegian armed forces have told NRK that the Afghanistan operations have changed all military training and made it less versatile than before. This has in turn also made it less attractive to apply for jobs in the Norwegian Air Force.
