US honours for Danish elite soldiers
Danish elite soldiers have received one of the highest American honours for their contributions to secret operations in Afghanistan in 2002
Elite soldiers from Denmark's Ranger and Frogman Corps have received one of the highest American honours, the Presidential Unit Citation, for operations in Afghanistan in the first six months of 2002, daily newspaper Politiken reported on Thursday.
The 102 Danish soldiers were part of a multinational elite group, Task Force K-Bar, which in secret missions hunted Taliban militia and Al-Qaeda operatives in the Afghan mountains. The American honour has been given to the entire international unit, which consisted of special forces from eight countries.
The actual award ceremony took place on 7 December last year in the USA under the eyes of president George W. Bush, but the Danish Defence Command did not confirm that the special forces received the honour until yesterday.
The Defence Command Denmark has repeatedly refused to comment about the missions of Danish special forces during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, apart from confirming their participation. Defence Minister Søren Gade has also kept the information to himself.
Nevertheless, Canadian media reported in September 2002 that Danish special forces were involved in the mission to capture the high profile Taliban leader mullah Khairullah Kahirkawa in Afghanistan.