CAMP RIPLEY - A strong bond between Norway and the United States has long been in the making and some of it is thanks to a partnership at Camp Ripley.
This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the Annual American-Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange, as well as the 70th anniversary for Operation RYPE, a World War II operation the two countries partnered in.
Both celebrations were marked Wednesday at Camp Ripley. About 100 Norwegian soldiers in Minnesota for the exchange, and a slew of American soldiers, gathered for the event.
"The most important contribution of (Operation) RYPE was the political relationship between the U.S. and Norway. The fact that U.S. soldiers died on Norwegian soil for Norwegian freedom, it's an important factor that further cemented the relationship (between the two countries)," said Lt. Col. Ingvar Seland, of the Norwegian Home Guard.
At Wednesday's event, Seland gave a history of Operation RYPE and just how vital it was in ending the war.
ADVERTISEMENT
It all started near the end of World War II.
For the special operation, most of the American soldiers volunteered from the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate). The "99th" was the only active duty group to be organized and activated on Camp Ripley. Many members of the "99th" were from Minnesota and had Norwegian heritage, along with Norwegian language skills and knowledge of the geography of the country.
Those volunteering for the mission weren't told much about it. But it was of "high strategic importance," Seland said.
The Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which planned the operation in Norway, is now known as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
In spring 1945, the group of Norwegian and American special operations soldiers parachuted into the high mountains of Norway.
The commando team, led by a Maj. William Colby, would attack and destroy key bridge and rail lines in central Norway, and continued operating there until the Germans surrendered in May 1945.
The key goal of the operation was to destroy railroad lines, which was the only way to transport troops at the time, since travel by air and water was considered too dangerous.
That would stop the Germans from sending 400,000 more soldiers to fight the Allies in northern Europe.
ADVERTISEMENT
"If Germany was able to move (troops) during the final defense, it could have prolonged the war," Seland said.
Today, though, the troop exchange serves as a further way to expand on the relationship between the two countries, said Col. Scott St. Sauver, post commander of Camp Ripley.
The exchange is a partnership where soldiers from both nations learn about each other's culture and military tactics, techniques and procedure, by training on each other's bases.
Even more important is the trust formed between the two, St. Sauver said.
"When a Norwegian military person comes across Red Bull patch, they already know they are a friend, that they trained together," he said.
Seland added, "The friendship between our two nations is as important as ever."
He continued, "The U.S. is our most important ally."
JESSIE PERRINE may be reached at jessie.perrine@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5859. Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/brainerdnews .
