Charlotte Wetche reflects on loss of soldier in Afghanistan during Danish deployment

In 2007, Charlotte Wetche was on duty when the first Danish soldier died due to combat in Afghanistan. At that time, she was deployed in the desert area north of Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, leading the soldier, Steen. During an operation against Taliban insurgents, Steen was shot and struck by shrapnel on the right side of his neck. He was later flown to Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, where medical staff determined a few days later that his injuries were fatal.

Reflecting on the experience, Wetche recounted her loneliness upon receiving the devastating news, as it was her responsibility to write a letter to Steen’s parents and to inform her unit the next day. She remembered feeling the weight of the task, having to convey the news of loss to her soldiers while dealing with her grief. Writing the letter took several hours, and she completed it early the next morning.

In the letter, she expressed her sorrow, stating she could not alleviate their grief but wanted them to know how deeply she was affected. She also recalled detailing Steen’s last morning, sharing breakfast with his group, and describing him as well-liked and a skilled soldier.

Wetche aimed to maintain composure when informing her troops, donning dark sunglasses to help hide her tears. Despite her efforts, she ultimately cried during the announcement. The emotional response she displayed allowed her fellow soldiers to openly express their grief and discuss their feelings, which helped them cope in the ensuing days. Reflecting on past missions, Wetche asserted the meaningful impact of Danish operations despite the current situation in Afghanistan causing her pain.