Glamoc - Shots are ringing out. A reconnaissance infantry platoon goes down the hill through scattered bushes, progressing in bounds. The Lithuanian soldiers from E Squadron, who belong to the NORDPOL Battle Group, take position and retaliate.
Bullets fall from the sky and onto the wet grass, still steaming. The 84mm anti-tank rocket-launchers hit their targets with a startling flash and deafening sound. Exercise Baltic Resolve has begun Oct. 25.

On Oct. 19, 220 Danish, Polish and Lithuanians, and about 30 Americans set up their tent camp in the plains of Glamoc after a 250 kilometre drive from Camp Dannevirke near Doboj in MND-N.
The week-long Exercise Baltic Resolve scenario saw troops from the NORDPOL Battle Group deployed on the ground to contain anti-Dayton elements in MND-SW. Canadians provided support in their Area of Responsibility.

The continuity of the Battle Group is assured through Danish soldiers conducting joint patrols with Canadians in the area of Doboj. The exercise also allowed testing of the NORDPOL deployment capability.

"We've been preparing for three days for the exercise, firing on the Hussard Range to zero in our guns. We also used our 7.62mm machine guns which are on the tanks," said Maj. Kenneth Pedersen, commanding the Danish Leopard Tanks of C Squadron. In Denmark, they belong to the 2nd Tank Squadron of the 1st Battalion, Dragoon Regiment based in Holstebro.

An Apache helicopter appears above Miclic Range and opens fire. Another one follows, engaging the enemy with its rockets. They quickly withdraw. A third one arrives, almost scraping the ground, rises up, stabilizes, aims and sends a rocket that destroys an enemy tank.

The helicopters follow in waves, constantly firing. Meanwhile, the infantry, hidden behind a white smoke screen moves back. Echos reverberate on the hills.
Black smoke comes out from the top of a hill. Seven Leopard 1 Main Battle Tanks appear and rush down the hill to their positions.

Maj. Kenneth Pedersen gives his orders by a crackling radio, "Fire!" The 105mm guns pour shells into the opposing enemy positions located almost four kilometres away.
"During the last three days, at the first rehearsals, we all hit the targets at the same time. It was great," said Pvt. Dan Konradsen, gunner.

"It's great driving that tank. Every boy dreams to drive, but only a few do. The top speed is 70 km/h, but on bumpy ground like this, we can only drive at 30 km/h," explained Lance Cpl. Ronnie Schmidt, who's been driving a Leopard for three years now.

"They're doing a good job. Almost every shot is a hit," noted Pedersen. But one of the Danish tanks is hit. It emits white smoke. The crew evacuates as a Berge Panzer comes down for recovery.

Five Apaches reappear in the cloudy sky and illuminate the last targets with their lasers. They line up to fire. A missile lights up, disappears behind a hill then explodes in a flash. Others come at an infernal rate. A few minutes later, the enemy surrenders.

Related links:
Training and Exercises
Nations of SFOR: Denmark, Lithuania