Commodore Hans Christian Helseth (RNoN)
Deputy Chief of Staff Operations

                                                                      
Commodore Hans Christian Helseth began his career in the Navy in 1977 as a midshipman at the Norwegian Naval Academy. In 1981, he was commissioned into the Submarine Service and served as navigator and executive officer up to 1985, when he passed the Submarine Commanding Officers Qualifying Course. On completion, he served as CO of the submarine HNoMS Svenner ("Kobben"-class). In 1988 he became teacher at the submarine training centre responsible for the CO's qualifying course.

In 1989 Helseth was ordered to take up the post as XO on the frigate HNoMS Narvik. He served in this post for two years until in 1991, when he was appointed CO of the new submarine HNoMS Utstein ("Ula"-class). After two years in command, he returned to the frigates, this time as CO. He served until 1995, a tour which included deployment with STANAVFORLANT and operation Sharp Guard.

After 14 years at sea, Helseth was selected to attend the two-year German Staff and Command College in Hamburg. Subsequently, he was appointed commander and ordered to take up the post as main instructor for naval affairs at the Norwegian Joint Staff and Command Course. In 1999 he went to Stavanger to the Plans division at the NATO Headquarters (JHQN), where he served for three years. During this period he served as an augmentee to AFSOUTH J35 during the Kosovo Crisis, and later in KFOR HQ (5) Pristina as Chief J5 Policy.

Helseth was appointed to the post as commander of the Norwegian Frigate Service in August 2002, with prime responsibility of accepting the new frigates of the Fridtjof Nansen-class into service. He also served as Commander Norwegian Task Group nin several exercises. In August 2006, he was promoted to Commodore and ordered to take up the post as Deputy Chief of Staff Operations at MCC Northwood.

Commodore Helseth's formal education includes:

• Naval Academy 1977 - 1981
• Submarine CO Course 1985
• Staff College (I) 1988
• Fuehrungsakademie der Bundeswehr (Staff College Germany) 1995 - 1997
• Norwegian Defence College 2002

Decorations:

• Norwegian Defence Medal
• Norwegian Defence Medal for International Service
• NATO Medal Former Yugoslavia
• NATO Medal Kosovo (twice)
• Sjomilitaere Samfunds Medal (Silver) for academic achievement (historical work)

Hans Helseth is married to Ranveig Karlsen and lives in Northwood. His interests include history, particularly military history, fishing, swimming and diving, in addition to the normal interests of every naval officer.

USCG/SNA Forum    March 25, 2009 U.S. Coast Guard Academy   Leamy Hall