BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A platoon of French soldiers winged out of St. Kitts yesterday afternoon (Dec. 10) for Martinique after completion of a five-day Training Exchange Programme with their counterparts and hosts from the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF).
The French contingent, under the command of Captain Guillaume Bruck, arrived Monday morning (Dec. 6) at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport aboard a French Air Force aircraft and was welcomed to the Federation by SKNDF’s Public Affairs Officer Captain Kayode Sutton and Director of the Alliance Français Rita Schneider.
According to Captain Sutton, training began on the first day of the French troops’ arrival, which included familiarisation with the AK47 Assault Rifle prior to hours spent on the Conaree Rifle Range.
He noted that this was followed by an Orienteering Exercise that lasted for two days in the mountainous areas of the island, while Thursday saw the troops participating in a Coast Guard-organised Water Operation that included a survival swim.
They were taken on conducted tours around St. Kitts yesterday and many of them were seen in downtown Basseterre. Unfortunately, the planned tour of sister isle Nevis did not materalise due to the late arrival of the aircraft that took them to Martinique. He stated that the programme was a success and both forces had benefitted significantly.
Sutton declared that it was not the first time French soldiers had come to the Federation to train with their local counterparts, noting the Federation has bilateral agreement with many countries around the world and military exchange programmes are included in the package.
“Training Exchange Programme is one of the many alliances the SKNDF has with armies and defence forces around the world, including the USA, England, Guyana, Antigua-Barbuda and Grenada.
“We always look forward to these programmes in which we exchange tactics and strategies. Exchange programmes with our counterparts produce very good practices, create harmony in relationships and the breaking down of cultural barriers,” Sutton said.
He said a contingent was here on similar training in 2007 and shortly after that the Defence Force Band reciprocated with a visit to Martinique, where they shared different ceremonies and other items for military evolutions and arrangements of patriotic songs.
Captain Sutton also indicated that another contingent may be travelling early next year to one of the French territories in the Caribbean.
