SUSTAINING RELATIONSHIPS FOR REGIONAL SECURITY AND COOPERATION
Barbados Defence Force Sustaining Partnerships For Lasting Cooperation
Barbados Defence Force Communications, Civil Military Affairs and Media publication Friday 8 November 2024
In a pivotal illustration of international and regional military collaboration and solidarity, Brigadier Carlos Lovell, Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), participated in the Change of Command Ceremony for United States Southern Command. This event, conducted at the SOUTHCOM headquarters in Doral, Florida, underscored the lasting partnership between the United States and its Caribbean allies in the pursuit of regional security and stability. The ceremony signified the leadership transition from General Laura Richardson to Vice Admiral Alvin Holsey.
Barbados and the United States (US) have enjoyed friendly bilateral relations since Barbados gained independence in 1966. Since establishing this relationship, the Government of Barbados has received support from the US to promote economic development and improve the standard of living. This collaboration, mainly through the United States Southern Command (US SOUTHCOM), has been positive, with both countries working closely together to combat transnational crime and enhance hemispheric security.
Over the past four decades, the relationship between the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and the US military has strengthened through various professional development programs delivered primarily by the US Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, as well as other supportive departments and agencies. This partnership has also included participation in numerous operational and military exercise initiatives.
During the Change of Command events, Brigadier Lovell underscored the critical importance of unity and cooperation in addressing the complex security challenges that the region faces. He reiterated the commitment of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), on behalf of the Government of Barbados, to collaborate closely with the United States and other regional partners to foster a safer and more prosperous Caribbean. Brigadier Lovell's attendance served as a significant highlight, illustrating the interconnectedness of the region's security dynamics and emphasizing that regional security is a collective responsibility requiring the concerted efforts of all involved nations. The U.S. Southern Command, under its new leadership, remains steadfast in its dedication to nurturing these vital partnerships and advancing the mission of peace and stability throughout the Caribbean and beyond.
The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) places a strong emphasis on collaborating within an interagency and regional partner framework to enhance security in the hemisphere. They recognize that threats such as violent transnational criminal organizations, severe weather events, malicious activities in the cyber domain, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing are undermining democratic institutions in significant ways.
SOUTHCOM's support for Barbados and the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) can be categorized into three main components: professional development through training, foreign military financing, and field team visits which include operations and participation in conferences and meetings. An overview of these components includes:
a) International Military Education and Training (IMET).
b) Mobile Training Teams and Joint Combined Exchange Training.
c) Operations to Counter Transnational Threats.
d) State Partnership Programme (SPP)/Small Unit Exchanges.
e) Exercises.
g) Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT).
(h) Conferences and meetings.
The Change of Command ceremony for U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) was not
only a significant military event but also a representation of the strong friendship and collaboration between the United States and its Caribbean allies. The support provided by SOUTHCOM has greatly benefited the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) by enhancing its leadership, technical, tactical, and specialized capabilities.
The BDF's presence at the ceremony emphasized the mutual respect and shared objectives that strengthen this relationship, paving the way for continued cooperation in addressing security challenges in the pursuit of peace.