NATO troops compete in Viking Challenge at CMLT

Photo By Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon | Sgt. Greg Pellizzeri, a Soldier assigned to the Multinational Battle Group-East Forward Command Post, compete in a tug-of-war event during the Viking Challenge on Camp Marechal de Lattre de Tassigny, Kosovo, Dec. 18. The games included a tug-of-war event, an axe-throwing competition and a written exam testing soldier’s knowledge of viking lore. (U.S. Army photos by Spc. Adeline Witherspoon)  

KOSOVO

12.18.2016

Story by Spc. Adeline Witherspoon      

KFOR Regional Command East

CAMP MARECHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSIGNY, Kosovo- What do Soldiers and Vikings have in common? They’re tough, they’re brave and they love to compete.
U.S. Army Soldiers of Kosovo Force Multinational Battle Group- East Forward Command Post, and their NATO allies, participated in the Viking Challenge on Camp Marechal de Lattre de Tassigny, Dec. 18. The challenge was hosted by Odin Platoon, of the Danish Defense, stationed at CMLT.
In addition to American Forces, participants included soldiers from Hungary, Poland, Germany and Luxembourg. The Polish emerged victorious, followed by the Danes and the Americans.
“We wanted to be able to show and tell a little bit about the viking history,” said Danish Capt. Stefan Sorensen, leader of Odin Platoon. “The Viking Age has a special place in every Dane’s heart because, back then, the Danes were magnificent. They conquered England and Paris and they went out to America 500 years before Columbus.”
The competition consisted of challenges modeled on ancient viking games and chores such as log flipping, axe throwing, a farmer’s carry and a tug-of- war.
“We wanted to use elements from the vikings,” said Sorensen. “Like if you had to carry some wood back from the forest to your house, and a farmer’s carry, like when they had to collect water from the mountains. We had some axe-throwing to symbolize how they would train before they went to battle.”
Vikings and Soldiers need to have big brains as well as big muscles. A written quiz tested the participant’s knowledge of viking lore, and which team could best distinguish historical fact from Hollywood fiction.
“They’re very proud of their viking heritage, understandably,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Daniel Herbster, assigned to 1st Platoon, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division. “My favorite part was the trivia contest. I’m a history geek, so that came in handy.”
The competition was about more than winning or losing.
“It’s most important that everyone is coming together and bonding,” said Sorensen. “We are a NATO country. We are allies and brothers-in-arms. We are standing next to each other on the battlefield and on the playing field.”

• Date Taken: 12.18.2016
• Date Posted: 12.21.2016 13:33
• Story ID: 218408
• Location: ZZ