12 Facts About Haakon Bruun-Hanssen

Haakon Bruun-Hanssen was appointed head of the operational headquarters of the Norwegian Armed Forces and Chief of Defence from 2013 to 2020.

Haakon Bruun-Hanssen retired in August 2020, and Eirik Kristoffersen was appointed as his replacement.

In 1980, Bruun-Hanssen started his military career with an officer course at KNM Harald Haarfarge and in 1981 he graduated as a second lieutenant after completion of Officer School of the Norwegian Navy.

Haakon Bruun-Hanssen studied at the Naval Academy in Laksevaag 1983.

Haakon Bruun-Hanssen has completed Naval Staff College, 1st Class, Dutch Staff College 2nd class, and all Total Defense courses at the Defence Academy.

Haakon Bruun-Hanssen has been a staff officer at the Naval staff, and worked at Strategic plan office at the same place.

From 2006 to 2008 Haakon Bruun-Hanssen served as Chief of Staff of the Naval Staff, later as the Inspector General of the Navy.

Haakon Bruun-Hanssen has never participated in actual combat, but has been in staff management for Norwegian military units in combat.

Haakon Bruun-Hanssen succeeded General Harald Sunde in the autumn of 2013, after Sunde retired as chief of defence a few months before the end of his term and retirement.

Haakon Bruun-Hanssen was at the appointment the first Chief of Defence from the Navy since 1994, when Admiral Torolf Rein stepped down as Chief of Defence after five years.

Haakon Bruun-Hanssen holds The Defence Service Medal with Laurel Branch, Defence Medal with one star and The Royal Norwegian Navy's Prowess Medal with three stars.

In 2009 Haakon Bruun-Hanssen was appointed Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.