Rear Admiral Saunes (ret) graduated from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy in 1984. He has a broad military education from NATO, went through the Norwegian Naval Staff College in 1990 and the Norwegian Defense Command and Staff College in 2000. He is a graduate from the U.S. Naval Command College (2004) and strategy course from Darden University (2012). Rear Admiral Saunes started his naval career as a professional submariner in 1984. He has operational experience from NATO, National HQs and Norwegian High Command/Joint Staff. He has held flag position as Commandant of the Norwegian Coast Guard and Chief of Royal Norwegian Navy. In his position as Chief of Royal Norwegian Navy he established the Norwegian Maritime Doctrine for Naval operations, Strategic concept for the Norwegian Navy 2016-40 «In operation or preparing for operation», to meet Norwegian maritime security challenges in northern region of Europe and in the Arctic. He has been a key speaker in many international seminars and forums as well as many national and international military symposiums. In his current position he has published several articles and recently: Conflict Prevention and Security Cooperation in the Arctic Region “ Framework of the Future” (2020) Global Arctic “Norway in the Cold War a contemporary case for today” (2022) Defending NATO’s Northern Flank Integrated Naval Deterrence: “Deterring Russian aggression through US-Norwegian Cooperation” (2023) Integrated Naval Deterrence in the Arctic Region—” Strategic Options for Enhancing Regional Naval Cooperation” (2024). Newport Arctic Scholars Initiative. After retirement in 2017 he serves as Professor at U.S. Naval War College as CNO International fellow where he is the co-lead for Newport Arctic Scholars initiative. His commands include: HNOMS Utsira (kobben cl), HNOMS Uthaug (Ula cl) and HNOMS Uredd(ula cl) CTG 430.01 NORTG, CTG430.02 National SUBOPAUTH, CTG430.03 Coast Guard.