ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait -- The Danish Contingent March has been a tradition with the Danish Defence since 1972. DANCON marches allow participants to demonstrate their physical capabilities and encourage social bonds between partner forces deployed alongside the Danish, and have been completed in numerous countries throughout the world.
The Danish National Support Element hosted a DANCON March at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, May 16, 2021.
“This is my third march, and the one in Kuwait is definitely the warmest,” said Danish Defence Major Jacob Hansen, Danish National Support Element commanding officer. “We planned ahead and scheduled it to start at 4 a.m. to give people the opportunity to get as far into the route as possible before sunrise and the temperatures started warming up.”
This DANCON March reached its maximum capacity with roughly 400 attendees from various units across base, including members from other coalition forces. Participants had eight hours to complete the 25-kilometer ruck march while carrying a total weight of at least 10 kilograms, roughly 22 pounds, to earn the DANCON March medal.
The march goes beyond just showcasing physical strength. It strengthens partnerships and allows the Danish National Support Element to support a good cause while encouraging team morale. Proceeds gathered from the march registrations will be donated to veterans and their families at Denmark, improving their quality of life.
“This march was a great opportunity for an amazing cause. I’m thankful the Danish members gave us the chance to support this cause for their veterans,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Leslie Pape, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing equal opportunities regional director. “It got pretty warm, but I was excited to see everyone’s faces out there supporting our coalition partners.”
Not only was the physical strength and stamina required to complete the march evident, so too was the morale and pride of the attendees as everyone came together to tackle this highly rewarding challenge.