Erstellt am: 25. 3. 2011 - 17:03 Uhr

Ode on the 6th Mountain Infantry Brigade

Discovering what it is that makes "elite" troops, "elite"

by Elizabeth Alcock

I've had dealings with the Austrian army in the past; usually in Kosovo where they are part of the peace-keeping mission. It has always been an exceptional experience, and each time I've come back to Austria proud of the fact that we have such an efficient army, well trained not just in military, but also in social skills.

Militärkommando TIROL/Pressestelle

Elizabeth Alcock following Commander Johann Gaiswinkler in Kosovo (2010).

Edelweiss Raid

So, I was delighted to accept when I was invited to watch the 6th mountain infantry brigade compete against other armies from around Europe at the "Edelweiss Raid" in Tyrol. What I didn't know was that I would be put through my paces too. However, it didn't take long for them to realize that I am not "elite troop" material, and after a short and breathless hike through the snow I was left to enjoy the competition from the sidelines.

Militärkommando TIROL/Pressestelle

Elizabeth Alcock checks out the Edelweiß Raid course.

A 40 km trek, and more...

The core of the event is a 40 km trek through the mountains over two days and a night, and the snow was deep and soft which made the going particularly difficult. The 18 teams, each made up of 8 soldiers, had to complete some hair-raising tasks along the way, including lowering themselves 30m down the side of the mountain with ropes, rescuing an avalanche victim, shooting targets from a distance of 150m, and orienteering ... not to mention the hike itself, across some of the most difficult mountain terrain in Europe, while loaded up with a rucksack weighing around 11 kilos.

Militärkommando TIROL/Pressestelle

Lieutenant Colonel Klaus Zweiker explains the ropes to Elizabeth Alcock.

Cool, calm and collected

So, guess who won the competition? Yes, Austria! With the Swiss finishing in second place, just 1 minute behind. But apart from the sheer excitement of watching the competition, I managed to get an insight into the goings on of the 6th brigade: what it takes to be an elite solider, and what motivates them to carry on under the toughest of conditions. They are an incredible bunch of men who can remain cool, calm and collected in times of enormous stress and duress. One soldier told me you need to be like this especially when you are called out to the scene of some horrific disaster.

... then time to let off steam!

I also discovered they know how to celebrate and let off steam as well - so keep up the good work lads! And Peter Haag, Peter Horngacher, Günter Kranebitter, Herbert Knabl, Jürgen Eckhart and Thomas Preissler - keep singing!