Nr. 1 2010 - Handelsflådens Velfærdsråd

tHe recreatiOn OF daniSH
FOrceS in aFGHaniStan
It should be an obvious question,
but actually the crucial question is
another; namely: Can we dispense
with recreation – and the answer is No!
People need to relax and concentrate
on something other than the death and
destruction that surrounds them. Or just
to put some distance between them and
the deprivation that arises when living in
such alien surroundings for a long time,
literally far from home and without a beer.
Nowadays recreation can be defined
in many ways, and there is an on-going
debate on whether sport and physical
education are welfare. Recreation for one
person may not necessarily be reaction
to another. But with the increased
attention on bodily and physical activity,
for many recreation is the ability to
participate in sports and strength training
and maintain a shape that has been built
over a long time.
The recreational picture is very
different depending on where you are
in Afghanistan. Generally, if you are in
one of the larger areas such as Kabul,
Kandahar, Camp Bastion or Camp Price,
there are good facilities for participating
in a little of each sport. A little further
out, e.g. PB Budwan (formerly known
Armadillo), the facilities become more
limited and eventually rather sporadic
in the permanent and temporary patrol
bases. But no matter how far out
you get, there is always a telephone
connection, and the Danish soldiers
erect up iron pipes for pull ups, and
organise improvised weights for strength
training. Heavy items can almost always
be found for lifting.
By comparison, Camp Bastion has
a well-equipped exercise tent with air
conditioning. There are exercise bikes,
044° HOriSOnt
is there a place for recreation in a combat zone?
by Former naval priest in Rotterdam, Frank Bjørn Christensen
Frank bjorn Christensen, current pastor at Jesuskirken (Christchurch) in Valby,
and simultaneously a naval priest (military priest). he was a naval priest in
rotterdam during the years 1983-1992, but was already participating in work in
rotterdam in 1974. in spring 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan to serve as
pastor to the Danish forces.
rowing machines, treadmills, cross
trainers and a whole set of dumbbells
and machines for training all muscle
groups. There is a Crossfit track outside
where you can vent any pent-up aggression;
at least in winter. Otherwise, you
must acquaint yourself with the forty
to fifty degree heat of summer. Races
are also organised, such as the Hesco
Half Marathon. The advantage of
Camp Bastian is its size, as you don’t
have to run on an 800m track, but the
disadvantage is that you have to be up
very early to avoid the dust in the desert.
I must also mention the Dancon March.
On each tour a 25km march is organised
on various dates and in different camps
so that as many as possible get the
opportunity to participate.
A mixture of social and sporting
events are arranged for the Viking
Games, named after the small Danish
camp in the large Camp Bastion. Each
unit sends a team, and individuals and
teams compete against each other in
team disciplines such as field hockey,
volleyball and ”hammer the nails in”
(stump), and individual disciplines such
as ‘strong man’, table football, table
tennis, bicycle tilting at the ring and
darts. The day ends with a BBQ and
singsong. Originally the date was set for
5 May, but during the night 11 wounded
Danes came into the field hospital, and
the Viking Games were postponed to a
later date. An example of force majeure
in an extraordinary working day.
In Camp Bastion, there is also room
for a recreational tent. In addition to table
tennis you can watch movies, unleash
your musical talents or play computer
games with and against others. It is also
in this area the containers containing
communal internet and phones can
be found. Contact with home and the
outside world is an important part of the
troops’ welfare, however, this is stopped
if soldiers are wounded or dead. This
is to ensure that relatives are informed
first, and that it is done directly and not
through the press. Another example of
the rather special conditions we live
under. For obvious reasons, such good
conditions are not to be found in the
front line. The internet connection is the
first to go, but no soldiers are unable to
call home. Mail is also of great importance.
A personal letter written by hand on the
right paper or a child’s drawing are
invaluable, not to mention a package
of small gifts from home, such as your
favourite sweets or reading material.
In Camp Bastion we also enjoy the
”Box”, the soldier home run by the
YMCA’s Soldier Mission. Everybody
meets here during the day for fresh
coffee and homemade cake, and we can
play all kinds of board and card games.