Photo By Spc. Christopher Grammer | Captain Morten Maerkedahl, commander of the Danish engineering company, helps unload a...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- Danish troops under British command have worked alongside U.S. and coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since autumn 2003. Their time in Iraq and Kuwait however, is drawing to a close.
Contrary to the original withdrawal date of Aug. 10, announced by Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Danish troops have begun to withdraw from Iraq and Kuwait early.
"We have found a way of packing our bags more quickly than expected and the Soldiers have worked hard for that," said Danish military spokesman Lt. Col. Jes Rasmussen to Danish TV channel TV2.
More than 250 Danish troops have already passed through Kuwait en route to Denmark and another 150 are slated to leave Basra soon.
Though they are leaving, the Danish troops feel they have had a positive effect on the war in Iraq.
"I feel good about what we have done here," said Capt. Morten Maerkedahl, commander of the Danish Engineer Company. "I think our people have done a good job."
Some of the munitions the Danish troops have in Iraq and Kuwait however cannot return with them. To take care of these munitions the Danish Explosive Ordnance Disposal along with the 221st EOD took it to Udairi Range, Kuwait, Aug. 4 to dispose of it.
The Danish were disposing of various munitions including 84mm rockets, 40mm grenade rounds and 5.56mm NATO rounds. Using this chance to dispose of some unserviceable munitions, the 221st EOD brought along some 155mm High Explosive Rocket Assist rounds that had been exposed to more heat than recommended. Including the munitions brought by the Danish, the total amount to dispose of was estimated at approximately 14,000 pounds of explosives.
After a quick safety brief the Danish troops unloaded their munitions along with the 221st EOD's 155mm HERA rounds. The munitions were lined up and stacked in two separate piles. Working, together the Danish troops and the 221st EOD made quick work of setting up the ordnance for disposal.
"Working with the Danish is really good for building international relations," said Sgt. Nicholas W. Cox, 221st EOD.
Both piles of munitions were set to detonate simultaneously by means of an electric blasting cap once the 221st EOD and Danish personnel had moved to a safe distance. The 221st EOD gave a Danish Soldier the privilege of detonating the munitions.
The explosions went off within less than a second of each other, lighting up the horizon of Udairi range and sending flaming fragments in all directions. After the flames from the explosion died down, the blast area was inspected to make sure that all the ordnance was destroyed.
Once everything was packed up the Danish EOD returned to Camp Virginia, Kuwait, to prepare for their departure. Though the Danish are leaving Iraq and Kuwait, they remain a valuable ally of the United States.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2007 09:13 |
| Story ID: | 11751 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 74 |
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