Brigadier John Olav Fuglem Becomes the First Commander of the Finnmark Brigade
The newly appointed Commander of the Finnmark Brigade, Brigadier John Olav Fuglem. The brigade is under establishment with new capacities and will be a central piece in the collective defense of Norway and NATO. (Photo: Synne Kvam/the Norwegian Ministry of Defense)
On Tuesday, John Olav Fuglem was appointed Brigadier and Commander of the new Finnmark Brigade on NATO’s northern flank. "We will have a very capable and experienced commander in Fuglem," says the Chief of the Norwegian Army.
The Norwegian new long term plan on defense involves developing the Finnmark Land Defense into the Finnmark Brigade by 2032. Finnmark, Northern Norway, shares a 198 km long border with Russia.
On Tuesday, Colonel John Olav Fuglem (55) was appointed Brigadier and Commander of the Finnmark Brigade.
"In Fuglem, we will have a very capable and experienced commander with a good overview to lead the important work in the further establishment and build-up of the Finnmark Brigade," said the Chief of the Norwegian Army, Major General Lars Lervik.
The brigade will, among other things, be provided with a light infantry battalion, artillery, air defense capacity, and necessary support.
Extensive experience
Fuglem is currently the Head of Competence Management in the Norwegian Defense Staff and a former Chief of Operations (G3) in the Army Staff.
He also has experience with operations and planning from Brigade Nord and the Norwegian Joint Headquarters, as well as operational experience from the intelligence and reconnaissance field, including as squadron commander and battalion commander of the Intelligence Battalion.
Additionally, Fuglem has international experience as an instructor in the US Marine Corps and through several deployments in Afghanistan.
Fuglem will take over from Colonel Jørn Qviller, who is currently the commander of the Finnmark Land Defense, and will assume the position as of the date determined by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.
