Chief of Staff at the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) Commodore Errington Shurland is today assuring that preventing attacks from extremist groups and transnational crimes that can be committed during the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup are top priorities for military officials executing Exercise TRADEWINDS.
“The focus this year is on foreign military interaction, maritime operations, ground security and field training exercises supporting SouthCom’s (US Southern Command) campaign plan. Some of the scenarios embedded in this year’s exercise focus on countering transnational crime and violent extremist organisations,” Shurland said during the official launch of the exercise at Paragon, Christ Church.
Tradewinds is a SouthCom-sponsored, combined, joint, Caribbean-focused training exercise held annually since 1984.
More than 1 200 troops from 26 countries will be participating in the exercise including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda,Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, France, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, and the United States.
This is Barbados’ fourth time hosting the simulation.
During the opening ceremony some of the troops from the visiting countries participated in a parade.
Several foreign military assets including helicopters, vehicles were brought in preparation for the May 4 to 16 exercise.
The theme is Tailored By The Region, For The Region – Promoting A Secure Caribbean, 2024 and Beyond.
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