Siri Skare


Siri Skare was the first female aviator in the armed forces of Norway. She died during a demonstration in Mazar-i-Sharif in 2011.

Early life

Skare was originally from Åndalsnes, Møre og Romsdal, Norway. A resident of Oslo, Skare was married and had one child.

Career

Already a civilian pilot and flight instructor with more than 1400 hours, she completed her military pilot training in 1984, and went on to fly Lockheed P-3 Orion at 333 Squadron and later Lockheed C-130 Hercules at 335 Squadron. She achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel within the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
Skare became a military advisor to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, in August 2010.

Death

Skare was killed at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan compound during a protest in Mazar-i-Sharif on April 1, 2011, and two other UNAMA staff died along with their four armed security guards and a number of protesters.
Her remains were transported to a ceremony that was held in a hangar at Gardermoen, with attendance by Crown Prince Haakon and Minister of Defence Grete Faremo. Her grave is at Grytten churchyard in Rauma.