April 21, personnel of the Provincial Reconstruction Team of Ghor province (PRT-12) took part in the traditional Danish Contingent March (DANCON March) organised in the PRT base. In a warm and sunny afternoon nearly a hundred of Lithuanian, US and Ukrainian troops and several civilians tested strength and endurance in a 21km distance.
It is a traditional event arranged by the Danish Contingent during multinational missions to invite soldiers from different countries to surmount difficulties of a march together. An exceptional feature of this DANCON March is that it will take place in the highest point so far - altitude in Ghor province reaches 2300 m.
„DANCON March is a real endurance test because it must be walked in full assault equipment (armor vest and helmet and ammunition belt) and always with personal weapons. According to the rules of DANCON March a soldier's equipment set can not be lighter than 10 kg and the distance must be walked in 6 hours. With regard to different conditions in different operation regions distance and time of the march may vary but the core rules remain unchanged.
„The march is organised with an aim not only to walk the distance set but also to train combat spirit, solidarity, common understanding, and responsibility in troops. PRT motto is - „One purpose - one team" solidarity", said Major of the Danish Contingent Ken Ottosen Kristensen and stressed the significance of consolidating the PRT staff and overcome difficulties together.
Lithuanian Sergeant Rimas Šilanskas was the first to reach the finish line (in 2 hours and 56 minutes), he was followed by US Sergeant Ethan Eckert. The third to finish was Cpl Andrius Grigaravičius (3 hrs 8 min.).
Participants of the march were presented with commemorative medals made in Denmark fir the event and DANCON March certificates.
The first march of the Danish Contingent was held in 1972 in Cyprus. Since then Danish troops serving in different spots of multinational operations follow the tradition to organise such marches for enthusiastic participants form a variety of countries. A considerable part of personnel of Algirdas Battalion in PRT-12 already have experience of multinational deployments in the Balkan Region, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and consequently in participating in DANCON March as well.
Currently the 12th rotation of Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team approaches the end of service in the ISAF mission. It is manned mainly on the basis of the Lithuanian Great Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion's personnel. In May PRT-12 will be replaced by PRT-13 formed of King Mindaugas Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
The Lithuanian-led PRT in Ghor is a joint civilian-military mission, a part of NATO's ISAF that was launched in Ghor in summer of 2005. The main task of the mission is to help Government of Afghanistan to extend authority in the province, ensure security and create environment for provincial reconstruction.
Representatives of Denmark, Georgia, Japan, USA, Poland, Ukraine, and Finland are deployed for service at the base of the Lithuanian-led PRT together with Lithuanian personnel.
Article and pictures by PRT-12 Capt Ainaras Jonaitis
Pictures: moments from DANCON March in PRT base.