Bronze Medal for BDF

BDF Media Release| 30 Oct 19

Photography credit: Corporal Maynard D

The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) hosted a Press Conference in recognition of its successes at the 7th International Military Sports Council (CISM) Games held this year in Wuhan China. During the Games, Private Kimberley Gittens won a bronze medal in the first ever installation of Boxing into the Games. Her BDF colleague, Recruit Sade Sealy, while performing out of her track and field season, placed fourth in the Women’s 800 Metre final.

The BDF’s participation and successes at the CISM Games are as a result of the contributions from its many stakeholders, including the Prime Minister’s Office, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and various sporting associations. Unquestionably, the discipline, desire and determination of the athletes themselves to put “Barbados on the map” is most praiseworthy and encouraging.

As a modernizing, multi-dimensional military organization, the BDF has gained some experience as a conduit for producing world-class athletes throughout its history. The BDF will nevertheless strive to make even greater contributions to the sporting landscape of Barbados.

Founded in 1948, CISM is one of the largest multidisciplinary organizations in the world. CISM organises various sporting events for the Armed Forces of its 136 member countries and is one of the global sports organizations in which the largest number of disciplines is represented. Servicepersons from across the globe, who may have previously met on the battlefield, now meet in friendship through sports (CISM’s motto).

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Sea Cadets Join ISCA

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Sea Cadets Join ISCA

BDF Media Release| 25 Oct 19

Photography credit: BDF Media

The Barbados Cadet Corps (BCC) Sea Cadet Corps application to the International Sea Cadet Association (ISCA) was unanimously accepted this month in Sweden following its presentation by Cadet Executive Officer Major Pedro Drakes and the Training Officer of the Sea Cadets Sub-Lieutenant Wayne Beckles. The BCC Sea Cadet Unit joins 20 other countries around the world as a member of the association.

The International Sea Cadet Association (ISCA) is a voluntary association of independent Sea Cadet Corps or similar organizations who are committed to common concepts and goals, information training and benefits of engaging in cadet exchanges. This provides mutual support for the promotion of sea cadet training world-wide.
The ISCA aims at encouraging young people towards high personal standards, teamwork and a sense of responsibility to the community through the medium of disciplined nautical training and development of leadership qualities. Additionally, it further aims at developing young minds to have an appreciation of the importance of the sea to international commerce, defence and the protection of the environment.

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Grenada Day 36th Anniversary

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Grenada Day 36^th Anniversary

BDF Media Release| 25 Oct 19

Photography credit: Corporal Maynard D

The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) recognizes the 36^th Anniversary of Operation Urgent (OUF) Fury. The BDF was a member of the multinational intervention operation initiated from Barbados, to restore democracy in Grenada on the 25^th of October 1983.

The 1983 OUF personnel, since awarded the Regional Security System medal, were amongst the first set of troops to land at the Point Salines Airport (now the Maurice Bishop International Airport) to aid in the security efforts

BDF Field Medical Facility Type 1 Verified

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BDF Field Medical Facility Type 1 Verified

BDF Media Release| 26 Sept 19

Photography credit: BDF Media

The Barbados Defence Force Field Medical Facility (BDF FMF) has attained Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Type 1 certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) verification team.

The verification and assessment visit was conducted over the period 25 – 26 September 2019. The BDF FMF components were assessed based on the EMT Medical Team Global Standards and included reviews of its administration, personnel, logistical and medical requirements needed to be self-sufficient for deployments up to two weeks.

Given the BDF’s experience responding to sudden onset disasters, conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations locally and regionally and, the necessity for medical services surge capacity due to the evolving complexity of the contemporary operations environment, the project to develop the FMF was conceptualized in late 2017.

To this end, after engagement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and in consultation with Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’ d) Florence Gittens, the project to establish a Field Medical Facility that would meet the World Health Organization Emergency Medical Team standards. The development of the Field Medical Facility serves to strengthen Barbados’ disaster response mechanism, specifically in the area of the provision of health services and also strengthens the regional response mechanism activated through the RSS.

The BDF intends to develop a Type 2 EMT which would see the inclusion of an operating theater, X-ray and lab facilities, and in-patient wards. This Type 2 facility would be operational on a 24-hour basis.

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BDF Food and Rum Festival 2019

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BDF Food and Rum Festival 2019

BDF Media Release| 11 Sept 19

Photography credit: BDF Media

As part of its strategic participation in cultural, hospitality and tourism sectors, the Barbados Defence Force in collaboration with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. launched the Food and Rum Festival 2019. Now in its tenth year and enjoying a special place in the BDF’s 40th Anniversary celebrations, the official media launch and pop-up after party was held at the historic Drill Hall, St Ann’s Fort the Garrison. The Chief Executive Officer of the BTMI William “Billy” Griffith announced that the event would be the first of eight such activities for a community-focused 24 – 27 October programme.

Patrons were treated to the best in culinary delights and mixologists’ surprises by the islands best chefs and bartenders, keenly supported by the expertise of the BDF’s culinary teams. The event also came alive with Road Tennis displays and the best of local music, paired beautifully with the view of a breath-taking sunset over the Carlisle Bay horizon.

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BDF Camp Energy 2019 Around The World

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BDF Camp Energy 2019 Around The World

BDF Media Release| 11 Sept 19

Photography credit: BDF Media

This summer, the Barbados Defence Force conducted its annual Camp Energy. The 2019 Camp, under theme “Around the World in 10 Days,” catered to fifty-eight (58) children, ages 5 – 14, sensitizing them to some of the different nationalities who reside in Barbados.

Camp Energy continues to benefit from the philanthropic support of Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, which contributes towards reducing the overall costs of the Camp. The programme provides children with the opportunities to: enhance self-discipline; build individual character; develop an awareness of individual responsibility and appropriate social behaviours.

This year, campers interacted with representatives of the following eight countries; Australia, Argentina, the United Kingdom, China, Ghana, Japan, New Zealand and Venezuela. Campers also met and were hosted by the ambassadors of three of these countries – Argentina, China and Japan.

Camp Energy participants are trained in methods to reduce and alter individual problematic attitudes and to increase their knowledge and awareness of community needs through service projects. Activities also covered areas of interpersonal and conflict resolution skills; household management with the assignment of chores and the promotion of understanding the importance of exercise to overall health and well-being.