Norwegian helicopters to stay in Afghanistan for another year

STOCKHOLM, March 10 -- Norwegian helicopters and support personnel will stay in Afghanistan for another year, the country's defense ministry says.

Norway's three helicopters and a support group of 58 were originally scheduled to operate in Afghanistan from May 2008 until the fall of 2009, but will now stay until October 2010, The NorwayPost reported Tuesday.

Nearly 300 Norwegian troops are stationed in Meymaneh in Northern Afghanistan. The helicopters have been called out 32 times over the past 10 months to pick up wounded troops, the newspaper reported.

After the United States last month announced an increase of 17,000 troops to Afghanistan and asked that its NATO allies contribute more, the Norwegian government said it would not send additional troops.

Norway has not received any direct request from NATO, Defense Minister Anne-Grete Stroem-Erichsen said last month, adding that it would be possible to strengthen Norway's presence in Afghanistan temporarily during the Afghan elections in August.