Danish Army Command steps in to save British Exercise

By Sune Wadskjær Nielsen, Defense Command

The annual exercise for soldiers from the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh was on the verge of being cancelled when Army Command managed to find space for the British in Nymindegab. Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Dafydd Evans is relieved that the exercise could take place. The soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh are reservists, so the annual training is crucial for maintaining the soldiers' skills.

Soldiers from The Royal Welsh training attack on buildings in Nymindegab. Photo: Lars Skjoldan/Danish Armed Forces.

"The Battalion is extremely grateful to Denmark for allowing us to conduct this important training at very short notice in Nymindegab. The opportunity to train in Denmark allows us to set the conditions for success on operations next year," says Lieutenant Colonel Dafydd Evans.

3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh arrived in Denmark on November 4 and today completed Exercise Danish Dragon with an assault on a building in the training area near Nymindegab. From the Danish side, it is Captain Michael Kejser and his colleagues from Army Command who have been tasked with arranging host nation support for the British soldiers.

"The task is essentially Host Nation Support – that is, support for our allies on Danish soil. In this case, Army Command received a request to help our British partners at the '11th hour.' The British soldiers were supposed to have been on exercise elsewhere, but due to some national obligations, it was cancelled. Army Command stepped in and solved the task with invaluable help from our G4 section for all logistical aspects, Joint Movement and Transport Organisation (JMTO) secured diplomatic clearance, etc., the Ministry of Defense Property Agency ensured accommodation, training terrain, and sustenance. In particular, the cafeteria and their staff in Nymindegab deserve praise. They immediately cleared their entire schedule to solve this task and have been very helpful in connection with the British visit to Denmark," says Captain Michael Kejser from Army Command's Training Section G7.

Being good at host nation support is a high priority for the Armed Forces.

"It is important that the Danish Armed Forces is good at Host Nation Support tasks, as our geographical location will make Denmark a natural hub for units heading further into Europe or out into the world. The ability to handle allies on Danish soil may never have been more important, and here Denmark can really make a difference. Especially our high standard of infrastructure and professional soldiers will create the best conditions for our most important strategic partners. This exercise may be on a very small scale, but that does not change the fact that the same efforts must be made for the task to be carried out to perfection," Michael Kejser says.

The British guests have been very satisfied with host nation support from Denmark.

"Firstly, we are very grateful for the warm hospitality we have received from the Danes. The camp facilities are of an excellent standard, and we have enjoyed trying the Danish food in the dining facility. The terrain on the Nymindegab training area allows testing and challenging training for our soldiers. We are also looking forward to conducting a cultural visit to Aarhus at the end of our stay," says Lieutenant Colonel Dafydd Evans.

Close cooperation with the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is an important partner for the Danish defense, and British soldiers often visit Denmark for exercises and other activities. Denmark and the United Kingdom collaborate in NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). Last year, the Nymindegab camp hosted the JEF exercise Joint Protector, where the British headquarters Standing Joint Force Headquarters, consisting of 465 personnel, benefited from the camp's facilities.