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(C//REL) Norwegian SIGINTers Are Back in Kosovo
FROM:
Former SIGINT Liaison Officer to Oslo
Run Date: 12/11/2006
(S//SI//REL) Norwegian Intelligence Service's capabilities are greatly expanded from the
previous Kosovo deployment in the mid-90s.
(S//SI//REL) In July 2005, the Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS) deployed its tactical SIGINT
team into Kosovo, setting up a collection and reporting unit at KFOR* Hqs in Film City. This
deployment was a result of the Norwegian government decision in June 2005 to commit an NIS
SIGINT unit as its government's commitment to NATO. This is the first time that a SIGINT Senior
partner has deployed a SIGINT/ intelligence unit in the role of supporting the coalition operation
and not in support of its own country's deployed forces. The Norwegian unit is TACOM (tactical
command) to KFOR and responds to direct tasking by the KFOR command.
(S//SI//REL) This deployment would mark the second time an NIS SIGINT unit would operate in
Kosovo. The first time, in August 1999, the NIS set up a collection site on top of Mt. Sotor, about
11 kilometers outside of Pristina. This was a very successful and productive operation in support
of KFOR operations. During this deployment the NIS first chopped its operational control to
KFOR for direct tasking and support of operations. This was an unusual move and great
commitment on the part of Norway and its service to support KFOR.
(S//SI//REL) During the NORUSA SIGINT Working Group held here at NSA Headquarters the
week of 16 October, the NIS presented several briefings related to their recent deployment back
into Kosovo. It can be said that this deployment is far different and actually a landmark in
partner support to coalition operations. The collection capabilities of this current deployment
cover the full spectrum of the signals environment. The fixed unit at Film City targets public
switched telephone network (PSTN), GSM, UHF/VHF and HF. Additionally, the NIS has a mobile
unit that also has UHF/VHF and GSM capabilities.
(U) KFOR presence in Kosovo.
(S//SI//REL) These capabilities are greatly expanded from the first NIS deployments into the
Balkans in the mid-90s that carried only the most basic COMINT and ELINT capabilities. Also,
today's unit is tied back to NIS headquarters in Oslo
that allows all collection to
be processed and analyzed both in theater and at headquarters. This communications link also
allows for multinational and NSA reporting via SIGDASYS to reach the deployed NIS unit.
(S//SI//REL) The Norwegian commitment is until the year 2008. This is a significant undertaking
by the NIS, and based on its last deployment, its contribution and support to KFOR is likely to be
significant.
*(U) Note: (U) The Kosovo Force (KFOR) is a NATO-led international force responsible for
establishing and maintaining security in Kosovo.
(U//FOUO) This article is reprinted from the Foreign Affairs Digest , November edition.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108