In the coming two weeks there will be a lot of activity at sea. The Danish Navy is conducting its large annual naval exercise DANEX.
There are participating ships from the Netherlands, Poland, Great Britain and Germany besides Denmark. Furthermore planes and helicopters from Denmark, Poland, Great Britain and Germany are taking part. The exercise will primarily be conducted in Kattegat.
Captain (n) Per F. Hansen together with the 2nd Danish Squadron staff is leading the exercise from ESBERN SNARE. Usually Per. F. Hansen is the commanding officer for the Operational Logistics Center in Frederikshavn, but he is happy to be at sea:
– I’m happy that we’re on the move and look forward to an intensive exercise in a good international environment. It is the Danish Navy’s large exercise that everyone is looking forward to. The exercise is planned so that it in principle is easy to conduct, but that certainly doesn’t mean that the individual elements are simple. It will be a great challenge for all participants.
The theme for this year’s exercise is fighting piracy and terrorism at sea – a theme that is highly relevant for the Danish Navy. That is not least the case for the crew of ESBERN SNARE which in November will relieve the crew of the sister ship ABSALON, which since the end of August has been part of the international naval force Task Force 150, that is operating off Africa’s Horn.
– DANEX 08 is a big challenge for the crew of ESBERN SNARE. The have to handle their usual tasks on board and at the same time provide service to three staffs. It is an important preparation – the dress rehearsal – for their participation in Task Force 150 later this year, says Per F. Hansen.
During DANEX 08 the ships will, however, not be at sea all the time. From Friday 5 September until Monday 8 September there is a harbour visit in Aalborg, where most ships will be open to the public Saturday and Sunday.
– We’re looking forward to go to Aalborg to present the ships and hope that many will visit us at the harbour, Per F. Hansen ends.