Text and photo: Major Michael Christiansen, SPAO DATG
This year logistics has had a prominent role in the exercise. The logistics cell in Danish Task Group consists of Commander John M. Nielsen, Lieutenant Commander Morten L. Overgaard and Senior Chief Petty Officer Hans Wassard Larsen. For them the exercise has been a long, busy period with many small and big challenges.
The primary task of the logistics people is to keep Commander Danish Task Group, Commodore Palle Cortes, informed about the equipment status and capability of the force. Sinde Danish Task Group is directing the exercise, it gives the taks of the logistics cell an extra dimension.
– It’s all about keeping the ships sailing, so that all paricipants get the most out of the relatively limited time that is available, explaines Senior Chief Petty Officer Hans Wassard Larsen. He is on his fifth DANEX exercise in the logistics cell.
Several of the Danish ships are at sea after a longer period in dockyard, while the support ship ABSALON has conducted a very intensive test programme, during DANEX 07. This has required quite a lot of logistic support. Mostly in the first phase of the exercise. As the exercise has proceeded, the need for support for the ships has fallen in intensity.
– Is’s a normal sequence of events. After a short time at sea, things stabilize, when all systems are up and running, says Commander John M. Nielsen. He is on his third year in command of the logistics cell in Danish Task Group.
The logistics cell can require a lot of support from ashore. Here the so-called FLS – Forward Logistics Site – can provide technicians, spare parts and transportation. FLS is manned aound the clock.
– This works exactly in the same way as the support for a naval force during an international operation. The co-operation we have had with FLS during DANEX 07 has been really good, it sounds from logistics officer, Lieutenant Commander Morten L. Overgaard. It is his first DANEX exerscise as a member of Danish Task Group.
The exercise has just entered its third week. Therefore it is relevant to ask the logistics people if they are getting tired. There is, however, no hesitation to trace.
– We are always ready for new challenges. The DANEX exercise is the best way to train for a possible coming international mission, it sounds unanimously from the three.