Denmark commits a submarine

[Consultant]

This is noteworthy.

I saw on the news last night that Denmark has committed the use of a submarine to the war in Iraq.

Yes, the same Iraq that has virtually no navy and is almost completely landlocked.

Far be it for me to question the "coalition of the willing", but I really don't think you should be counted unless you're offering either cash or soldiers. Regardless of your position on the war, etc, doesn't it seem just a bit dishonest for us to count countries as "supporting" us when they have made no committment?

[Denise]

Actually, I think it's pretty brave of the Danish to commit even a submarine seeing the current political climate in Europe.

[Jon_in_london]

Will they keep it in a straight-jacket? :p

[FFed]

Canada has a few ships in the area, has troops in Afghanistan, which the US admits has freed up troops for Iraq, and apparently there are even up to 30 Canadian troops on the ground in Iraq that were on exchange programs with the US and Britain. And Canada is not considered part of the "coalition of the willing". I think any help would be appreciated. Didn't Iran just capture an Iraqi boat full of explosives or weapons? And aren't there alerts for suicide boats? So to me, even Naval help is good.

[Seismosaurus]

Some submarines can fire cruise missiles. But Denmark only has two types of sub, and neither of those can do that. So it is pretty pointless from a purely practical viewpoint.

But it's value as a symbol is not trivial. Anti-war protestors make a point of saying that the SU does not have support, so any show of support is important.

[Leif Roar]

I'm not particularly well versed in the Danish military, but as far as I know they don't have any formations of soldiers that would be suitable for dessert warfare. (Not many countries besides the US and UK have contigents of infantry or cavalry that can be deployed to foreign theaters quickly.)

I would suppose that the Danish contribution (one sub and one other naval vessel, I believe) would be used for patrolling the shipping in the Persian Gulf. While not a direct combat task, it's still something that needs to be done to let the coalition's fleet operate effectively.

[ZeeGerman]

Originally posted by Leif Roar
I'm not particularly well versed in the Danish military, but as far as I know they don't have any formations of soldiers that would be suitable for dessert warfare ...

Hehehe, I guess that is precisly what they are suitable for
:D :D :D

Sorry Leif, I had to spike that one.

Zee

[DanishDynamite]

Denmark's contribution consists of the sub Sælen (the Seal) (http://www.sok.dk/pr/irak/sael/dataskib.htm), the warship Olfert Fischer. (http://www.sok.dk/pr/irak/olfi/dataskib.htm) and medical teams. It is my understanding that it was originally the intention to commit Special Operations forces, but that great opposition from the...eh...opposition meant that forces of a more supportive/symbolic role were authorized.

Edited to add: I've got a cousin serving on the sub. :)

[mbp]

The Danish Government wanted to commit special forces to the Gulf, but they believed that they could get most of the opposition in the Parliament to vote for sending forces to the Gulf if they made sure that this didn't include any ground forces (the guys we sent to fight in Afghanistan). That is why they proposed to send the ship "Olfert Fischer" instead.
As it turned out, the opposition voted against anyway,but the decision had already been made, so here we are with two ships and no ground force...
In any case it would only have been about 50 people - not something that could have a real impact. Still, I believe we are the only EU country other than Britain to provide "real" assistance.

I'm going to pass on the French Fries and order a Danish pastry tomorrow in their honor.

[DanishDynamite]

Thanks for clearing things up, mbp.

Luke, how often do you have to be told! It isn't called French Fries, but Freedom Fries. Get with the program. ;)

Edited to add: I of course appreciate your sentiment.

[mbp]

I'm also going to to eat a "Danish" tomorrow (in honour of myself). "Pommes Frites" are all right, but not really suitable for breakfast, imo.
The thing that I've really missed when I've been in the US hasn't been a proper Danish "Danish", but rather "rundstykker" which are far superior to your boring bagels. :)

[DanishDynamite]

mbp, I have a feeling that no one here will understand a word you said. ;)

BTW, I never understood why the bakery disaster known as a Danish (in the US) is known by this name. I feel somewhat affronted.

Luckily, these things don't exist in Denmark. :)

[Checkmite]

I'm sure the Danish submarine and warship will have good practical use patrolling the harbor at Um Qasr to help ensure the safety of the humanitarian aid ships. Come on, people...it's the thought that counts.

I'm with Luke T...tomorrow I will by one of those round blue tins of Danish butter cookies and celebrate.

[Troll]

I'm staying out of the pastry debate here as I'm dieting and admit to have little to no knowledge of the origins of many if not all pastries. But what Joshua Korosi said about the use of the ship and sub, even though I do not know what particular type or model of either is in play, is what my initial thoughts were. I for one have to admit that I admire the French for the balls they showed in going against the norm and against the US.

But I'm a bigger fan of loyalty and friendship than I am of balls so I welcome the support of the Danes and their balls for showing it.

[DrBenway]

Go Vikings!

I shall dust off my copy of "Fear and Trembling," in celebration.

[The Fool]

Originally posted by DrBenway
Go Vikings!

I shall dust off my copy of "Fear and Trembling," in celebration.
I found a pic of the Danish warship patrolling the shipping lanes off Iraq..

[DanishDynamite]

Thanks, folks.

Fool: LOL! Excellent picture. My links upstream have pictures of the real thing, though.

I found this picture of the Aussie Special Forces....
http://aboriginalart.com.au/images/man2.gif