Danish Forces’ helicopter commander discusses requirements

03/14/2013 Defence IQ Press

Colonel Steen Ulrich is the Commander, Danish Helicopter Wing Karup in the Danish Defence Forces. As the commander of Helicopter Wing Karup Col Ulrich has full command of the entire Danish helicopter structure, which is all joined together under single command in the Air Force. He is also base commander for Karup Airbase, which is the biggest military installation in the country with elements from all three branches. Col Ulrich told Defence IQ that his focus is often divided between running a base and commanding a tactical unit - although the tactical role is a very clear priority.

Although the Danish Defence Forces are a relatively small outfit, Col Ulrich explained that “the trick is flexibility and, above all, mindset,” when seeking to maximise effectiveness for training and operations.

Col Ulrich has worked with and experienced a vast range of helicopter platforms throughout his careers – what has he learned?

“My experience with different types of helicopters is that it is right for us to say that "one size does NOT fit all,” Col Ulrich said.

“We are trying, to the maximum extent possible, to use the right platform for the right task and thereby getting much more joint capacity than would have been possible if the platform was used single service.

“The Fennec has performed well for us for over 20 years and we are right now running an upgrade programme for this platform. We need this relatively cheap capacity to solve a number of tasks where a bigger platform would be overkill.

“The Lynx has been a perfect platform for us for over 30 years, but problems with fatigue, obsolesce and limited upgrading options means that we will replace it with the Sea Hawk at the beginning of 2016.We are planning that transition right now and are looking forward to getting a new, modern platform.

“The Merlin has given us some logistical challenges, but we are getting better and better results as we get more experience and more spare parts. It is a very capable platform and we are looking forward to start deployments next year.”

Col Ulrich is set to speak at the upcoming Gulf Military Helicopter conference in the UAE next month where he’s looking forward to hearing from his contemporaries in the field.

“I hope to meet colleagues from other countries and hear about how they do business with their platforms and listen to their approach to the challenges … I have the greatest respect for what the different countries and units are doing,” said Col Ulrich. “I am sure we all can learn from each other and in the operational theatre we always operate with other nations. Therefore mutual understanding of possibilities, limitations and mindset  is extremely important.