KFOR soldiers face summer heat during DANCON march
Story and photos by U.S. Army Sgt. Samantha Parks 4th Public Affairs Detachment
wenty-?ve kilometers of uneven terrain, sparse shade and scorching sun; that is what Multinational Battle Group-East soldiers faced during the Danish Contingency March July 20 at Camp Novo Selo.
“It’s a good team morale builder,” said U.S. Army Spc. Mike Ellis, a soldier with Joint Regional Detachment- East. “It brings everyone together in one place so we can all have fun and have a good day.” The DANCON is a Danish Army tradition that began in 1972 and is continued wherever the Danish Army is
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deployed. The terrain varies for each march based on location. Camp Novo Selo’s march took participants across farm land and through small villages. Participants had six hours to complete the 25 km (15.5 mile) course carrying a minimum load of 10 kg (22 lbs). It is a tradition to invite all foreign troops working with the Danish armed forces to participate. “Working with multinational partners has been the greatest thing,” said Danish Armed Forces Sgt. Jonas Riddersborg, who was ?rst to cross the ?nish line with a ?nal time of two hours and eight minutes.
“The greatest part has been when I was at the turning point to run back,” Riddersborg said. “All the nationalities were cheering, high-?ving, and giving me thumbs up. That was the best feeling.” This was the ?rst DANCON March held for Kosovo Forces 17. “It’s a fun thing to do,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Austin Miller, who works in the engineer section for MNBG-E. “I got to do something you don’t get to do back home.” U.S. Army Pfc. Andres Montenegro, a soldier with Company C, 1st Squadron,
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