Andersen has long and varied operational service experience in the Norwegian Navy, including as ship commander on the Hauk and Skjold class missile torpedo boats, commander of an MTB weapons division and as commander of an MTB training center. He also has experience in the Ministry of Defense and Naval Staff, and served as Chief of the Navy from 2018 to 2020. Rear Admiral Andersen has been Chief of the Norwegian Navy since 2020.

Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen congratulated the incoming FOH chief:

– Congratulations to Rune Andersen on his appointment and important position. I hope to continue developing TNI with him as Head of FOH. Andersen has the right experience and background to lead the headquarters in more unpredictable and uncertain times, Kristoffersen said.

Taking over from Odlo

Rune Andersen takes over FOH duties from Lieutenant General Yngve Odlo who has served since February 2021. Odlo will retire due to age restrictions at the turn of the year.

– Now we have to find a new commander in chief of the Norwegian Navy. We have time for overlap between the outgoing and incoming FOH heads, as well as between Rune Andersen and his successor as head of the Norwegian Navy, said Defense Chief Kristoffersen.

The operational headquarters of the Norwegian Armed Forces (FOH) has overall command and control over Norwegian military activities at home and abroad. This includes everything from the Coast Guard, rescue services and border guards to Norwegian soldiers abroad.

– Central hub

Andersen himself was looking forward to starting his new job:

– FOH is the center of operational activities of the Armed Forces and the liaison with NATO and our allies. I very much look forward to continuing the important work that is being done, and at the same time continuing the development of the headquarters to face the new security situation and adapt to changes in NATO, Andersen said and added:

– The change of commanders both in FOH and in the Indonesian Navy is still far away, so until further notice I will fully concentrate on leading the Indonesian Navy.

Rear Admiral Andersen had four years’ experience at NATO’s maritime headquarters in Northwood, England, and during this period he was also assigned as the Joint Maritime Forces liaison officer in Bahrain.

He obtained his higher education from the Norwegian Armed Forces Staff College in Denmark in 2006 and the Norwegian Armed Forces College command course in autumn 2016.