FORT STEWART, Ga. – Nearly 1,300 participants carried 23 pound rucksacks across 12.4 miles during the Danish Flyver March, or Flyvermarchen, a Danish military ruck march hosted at Fort Stewart on Aug. 28, 2026. The event marked the first time Flyvermarchen was held in the United States and established a new record as the largest Flyvermarchen to date.
“It is a privilege to be here as we kick off the first ever, and now largest Danish Flyver Ruck March at Fort Stewart.” said Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Durgin, senior enlisted leader of the 3rd Infantry Division. “I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Rock of the Marne Chapter of the Adjutant Generals Corp Regimental Association for their outstanding support in hosting this historic event.”
Flyvermarchen originates from Denmark's broader Danish Cognigent March, or DANCON March tradition, which began during a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cyprus in 1972. The Danish Air Force later adapted the long distance rucking tradition into Flyvermarchen, maintaining its focus on physical fitness, morale and camaraderie while providing aviation and support elements an opportunity to participate in the challenge.
“I can't believe the amount of participation we ended up with tonight.” said 1st. Lt. John McGuire, the strength manager for 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team. “We are the largest event in the world for the Danish Flyver Ruck, there's no other event by far as large as we are, and the output that the 3rd ID puts into this really speaks to the Dogface Soldier.”
The event brought the Danish military tradition to American soil more than five decades after the original DANCON March began. Soldiers assigned to 3rd ID that joined the Flyvermarchen would earn a medal for uniform wear upon completion.
“Your hard work, collaboration, and commitment to our Soldiers, Families and community helped make this possible,” said Durgin. “Nearly 1,300 Soldiers and community members are taking part tonight, and that is an incredible testament to the strength of our team, this represents the largest Flyver to date in the Army.”
For participants, the march tested both physical and mental endurance long before they reached the starting line. Kicking off at approximately 1:30 a.m. the challenge in the early morning hours added another layer of difficulty, requiring participants to push through fatigue and physical exhaustion as they continued toward the finish line.
“This event is particularly special, my grandparents actually immigrated here from Denmark, and my grandfather served in the Danish Army, so this is kind of a lineage I can continue from Denmark to the United States,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Vihelmsen, a member of the 313th U.S. Army Band. “I think this is a fantastic opportunity to train alongside Soldiers I've never met before and have different experiences than me. I can learn from them, they can learn from me. I love events like this.”
The 3rd ID hosted the historic event, providing Soldiers an opportunity to participate in a longstanding Danish military tradition while strengthening connections through a shared test of endurance. The event demonstrated how military traditions can bring together service members from different organizations and nations through common challenges.
“The Danish Flyver Ruck March is more than an endurance event.” said Durgin, “Rooted in Denmark’s military tradition, it challenges participants physically and mentally while reinforcing resilience, discipline, teamwork, and readiness.”
Flyvermarchen continues the tradition established more than 50 years ago, challenging participants to test their endurance while building morale and camaraderie. With its arrival at Fort Stewart, the event expanded its legacy beyond Denmark.
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