Major military exercise begins in the Caribbean tomorrow

Exercise Tradewinds 2017, a multi-national maritime security and disaster response exercise in the Caribbean, begins tomorrow.

The annual event kicks off with an opening ceremony in Barbados to welcome 18 partner nations and nearly 2,500 participants.

The Caribbean-focused exercise includes executive level leadership and provides an opportunity for participating nations to collaborate on challenges and ensure regional security.

Admiral Kurt W Tidd, US Southern Command commander, said America truly values the strong relationships forged during Tradewinds.

“The exercise helps ensure a seamless partnership, and, by cross training with service members from all over the globe, ensures a better response to natural disasters, and land and maritime threats, including illicit trafficking in the critical region,” he said.

Enhanced collective abilities

Two phases of the exercise will be conducted in the region.

Tradewinds Phase I is in Barbados between 6 and 12 June, Phase II will be conducted in Trinidad and Tobago from 13 to 17 June.

Tradewinds, sponsored by the United States Southern Command, is a joint, combined exercise, conducted in conjunction with partner nations to enhance the collective abilities of defence forces and constabularies to counter transnational organised crime and terrorism, and to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Partner nations participating in the exercise include Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Military personnel from the United States, Canada, France, Mexico, and the United Kingdom will also be involved.