BDF DONATES $30,000.00 TO SJPI

BDF DONATES $30,000.00 TO SJPI

The BDF Donates $30,000.00 To The Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of technology

BDF Committed To Youth Development

Media Release BDF Media and Communications|5 May 2022

The Barbados Coast Guard donated $30, 000.00 in equipment to the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) Automotive and Welding Engineering Department. The donation comprised of Caterpillar Marine 3208 engine parts and supplies.

According to Lieutenant (Coast Guard) Jerome Belle, Divisional Officer Engineering, this donation supports the Barbados Defence Force’s mandate to assist in youth development, by way of an investment of this type to support their ambition and careers. Lt (CG) Belle went on to underscore the importance of realistic hands on training for marine technicians and for the need of the SJPIT to become a regional leading institute in maritime courses.

The BDF and the SJPI boasts a positive and productive relationship, spanning over 20years. This relationship has seen the annual training of students enrolled in the Diploma in Marine Diesel Engineering and the Diploma in Maritime Operations programs at the Barbados Coast Guard (BCG). At present, there are 10-second-year students registered for the exchange training.

Mr Ian Drakes, Principal of SJPI during his remarks and appreciation to the Barbados Coast Guard, mentioned that “this opportunity, is the BCG investing heavily in the youth of Barbados and I hope they (the youth) learn to appreciate and also the navigate with the instructions that is delivered to them on a continuous basis.” The technical students are exposed to marine diesel engines, ship science, propulsion systems and health and safety in the maritime environment. Additionally, during the summer for 6 weeks, final-year students conduct their Industrial Attachment with the Barbados Coast Guard’s Engineering Division.

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During this period, students execute practice skills and knowledge gained over their course of study. This on-the-job training, not only focuses on marine engineering, but also seeks to cultivate desirable work ethics. Under the guidance of the Engineering Division’s senior marine technicians, the students are exposed to international industry standards and practices.

These students, like many others, benefit from the structured environment offered by the military and increases their marketability. As such, today, many past student of the program are currently employed with the Barbados Port Inc., Atlantis Submarine Barbados, several local pleasure crafts and the Barbados Coast Guard.

As Barbados continues to fully embrace local, regional and international job opportunities within the Maritime Sectors and the Blue Economy, courses such as the Diploma in Marine Diesel Engineering, offers a suitable foundation for students.

21 NATIONS MEET TO IMPROVE SECURITY AND RESPONSE CAPABILITIES

21 NATIONS MEET TO IMPROVE SECURITY AND RESPONSE CAPABILITIES

21 NATIONS MEET TO IMPROVE SECURITY AND RESPONSE CAPABILITIES

CANSEC 22: Improving Joint Security and Response Capabilities

Media Release: BDF Media and Communications, US Southcom| 7 April 2022

The Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC 22) a two-day conference, co-hosted by the Barbados Defence Force and SOUTHCOM, focused on ways to enhance security cooperation to deal with a host of regional challenges and threats, like the continuing effects of COVID-19, natural disasters, climate change, cyberattacks and competition between authoritarianism and democracy.

“[The Caribbean] is a vitally important region to SOUTHCOM, the U.S. government, and the American people. With authoritarianism on the rise, protecting human rights, and helping our democracies deliver for our people is more important than ever before,” Richardson told attendees during the conference’s opening ceremony.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley spoke during the opening of CANSEC 22 and highlighted the importance of security cooperation.

“Much has been said this morning already with respect to the common threats that we now face. I don’t think any of us needs to be reminded of it, because we live it each and every day,” said Mottley. “But our role is not only cooperation. Our role is also to be able to give confidence to our populations that we have this, or as we say in Barbados and the Caribbean: we got this.”

 

 

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In addition to the United States and Barbados, defense leaders from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago took part in CANSEC 22.

Representatives from Canada, Mexico, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands also took part, along with representatives from regional organizations like the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, the Regional Security System, the Inter-American Defense Board and the Inter-American Defense College.

Regional Threats and Regional Cooperation

During the CANSEC 22 opening ceremony, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere Daniel Erickson spoke about the threats and challenges facing the Caribbean and what the Department of Defense is doing to work with Caribbean partners to keep the region a “zone of peace.”

“The challenges before us are many, but the way forward is through trust and cooperation. Only through building trust and deepening cooperation will we be able to meet these challenges successfully,” said Erickson.

Richardson said transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) pose “one of the most imminent threats” in the region.

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CARIBBEAN NATIONS SECURITY CONFERENCE 2022

CARIBBEAN NATIONS SECURITY CONFERENCE 2022

CARIBBEAN NATIONS SECURITY CONFERENCE 2022 (CANSEC22)

Cohesive Transnational Interagency Collaboration, To Improve Joint Security and Response Capabilities

Media Release BDF Media and Communications| 29 March 2022

The Barbados Defence Force and the United States Southern Command will jointly host CANSEC 22. The conference will be held in Barbados during the period 5 – 7 April 2022 at the Hilton Barbados Resort.

The theme for this year’s conference is: Multinational Cooperation In A Changing Operational Environmentpaying particular attention to Counter-Terrorism initiatives, Counter-illicit flows operations, coordination for Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR), and protecting the Blue Economy with the view to countering transnational threats and enhancing regional security.

Now in its 24th year, the conference has a strong history of promoting regional and hemispheric security cooperation in the Caribbean basin, as well as other important global networks of cooperation.

The conference last occurred in Barbados in 2004 and annually brings together 150 -180 senior defence and security officials with industry representatives to security matters. The conference includes sessions dealing with issues pertinent to hemispheric security as well as sessions and panel discussions that assess region-specific and national case-studies.​

 

 

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Due to the prevailing global pandemic, this year’s conference will adopt a hybrid approach. The Focused attention will be on the following topics:

  1. Regional Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HADR). This will see discussions on established procedures or processes for responding to a HADR scenario across the region and lessons from past HADR events.
  2. Regional Security. Discuss and identify best practices and opportunities in regional coordination to counter transnational threats.

The principal dignitaries in attendance will be:

  1. The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P. – Prime Minister Barbados
  2. General Laura Richardson – Commander, US Southern Command and CANSEC Co-Host
  3. Commodore Errington Shurland – Chief of Staff, Barbados Defence Force

CANSEC 22 aims to promote regional and hemispheric security cooperation through expanding networks and to build enduring partnerships among military, industry and government officials.

For more CANSEC information visit: https://www.southcom.mil/CANSEC2022/

Strategic Synergy Set To Purpose

Strategic Synergy Set To Purpose

Strategic Synergy Set To Purpose

BDF Media Release| 3 November 2021

Photography and Story credit: BDF Media

Chief of Staff, Commodore Errington Shurland paid a Courtesy Call on Commissioner of Police, Mr Richard Boyce at the Headquarters of the Royal Barbados Police Force, Roebuck Street.

This opportunity was used to congratulate Mr Boyce on his promotion to COP and to discuss matters relating to security,  combating transnational organized crime and  safeguarding Barbados’ interests.

Other members at the meeting included,  the Deputy Director of the Regional Security System, Mr Graham Archer, Military and Staff Advisors to the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Lovell and Commander Mark Peterson respectively.

Chief of Staff Commodore Errington Shurland (L) and Commissioner of Police Mr Richard Boyce

Maritime Security Strategy Project Handover

Maritime Security Strategy Project Handover

Maritime Security Strategy Project Handover 2021

BDF Media Release| 25 October 21

Photography and Story credit: BDF Media

Today is a good day.  We are happily bringing to conclusion a very worthy project with the handing over of the national maritime strategies for the seven Member States of the Regional Security System and an overarching regional strategy. 

Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States share not only historical commonalities but also economic and cultural and in several instances familial ties.  The physical and geographical closeness of our islands and shared maritime space also means that we have shared security challenges such as transnational organised crime to include drugs and weapons trafficking.

These shared challenges, dictate that cooperation and information-sharing between the RSS Member States is essential for maximising maritime and port security by essentially multiplying the capabilities and resources of anyone State.

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BDF Stock Footage: BCG Maritime Operation

Another First! First Female Master Chief Petty Officer

Another First! First Female Master Chief Petty Officer

Military Women!  – First Female Master Chief Petty Officer

BDF Media Release| 07 September 21

Photography and Story credit: BDF Media

Master Chief Petty Officer Class 2 (MCPO 2) Sheldene Walrond hails proudly from the Ellerslie Secondary School and has served Barbados selflessly for 21 years. She is the first female to be promoted to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. MCPO 2 Walrond is the Divisional Chief of Engineering of the Barbados Coast Guard (BCG) and holds a Bachelor’s degree of Education, an Associate Degree in Applied Science and the City of Guilds 1 and 2 in Electronics. Throughout her career she has completed various courses such as Rescue Diver, Coxswain and Advanced Drill Instructor. In addition to her military and academic accomplishments, MCPO 2 Walrond has dominated the local Road Tennis courts. Some her achievements include attaining the following championships:

  1.    3 x Touch of Class A-Class,
  2.    2 x The Clash of the Titans,
  3.    2 x The Monarch A-Class and the
  4.    Carlton & A1 A-Class

 

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MCPO 2 Walrond endeavours to be an inspiration and role model for all members of the Force, with a focus on the development of its females. She aims to encourage the young women to persistently strive for excellence, through hard work, determination and self-value, despite any challenges which may occur. MCPO 2 Walrond envisages the BDF developing towards a modern multidisciplinary military, while improving its service rendered to the people and Government of Barbados.

MCPO 2 believes and seeks to be humble and place God first in everything she pursues. She believes firmly in applying oneself to assigned tasks, to avoid the need to repeat them a second time.