Norwegian soldiers guarding Gardermoen military airport during the Iraq war relaxed with beer and pizza while on duty. Newspaper VG presented a photo taken by one of the soldiers on watch, showing four colleagues ignoring monitoring equipment in favor of other distractions.

The photographer and former soldier posted the picture on a web site, saying that he wanted to give people a glimpse of what really goes on in the Norwegian defense.

The photograph shows four soldiers, drinking beer, eating pizza and potato chips, playing chess and talking on the phone while paying no attention to surveillance equipment in the room.

Base chief Kjell Belbo told VG that the men in the picture, as well as the photographer, have violated Defense security statutes.

The incident has been reported to military police and Belbo has informed Air Defense staff and the Defense security administration.

The picture was taken during heightened security at the military airport, which is also the nearest neighbor to Oslo's Gardermoen International Airport.

Via Aftenposten News in English. Photo: VG.

Freedom and Politics [14:55]