Torsteyn Shiaker Norwegian Lieutenant General Country: Norway

1. Early Life and Military Education
2. Rising Through the Ranks
3. Commanding Peacekeeping Forces in Kosovo
4. NATO Appointment and Awards

Early Life and Military Education

Torsten Saksaker was born in 1947. He attended military school in Oslo and served in the artillery battalion in Northern Norway. He then graduated from the Army Staff College.

Rising Through the Ranks

In 1991, Saksaker was promoted to Colonel and took command as Chief of Staff, Regional Command Northern Norway. He continued his education in Pennsylvania, USA. In 1997, he became a Major General and two years later, a Lieutenant General.

Commanding Peacekeeping Forces in Kosovo

Saksaker was appointed the fifth Commander of the Kosovo Force, taking over a challenging situation. Kosovo militants were attempting to infiltrate neighboring Macedonia to incite local Albanians into fighting against the government. Under Saksaker's command, 42,000 soldiers from 39 countries served in the largest unit ever led by a Norwegian, a source of great pride for his compatriots.

NATO Appointment and Awards

Saksaker was appointed Chief of Staff, Sub-regional Command North Europe for NATO. The headquarters is located in Jåttå, near Stavanger. He has received numerous orders and medals for his service.