BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER 10 days of intense training, the curtains came down on the Maritime Phase of this year’s Exercise Tradewinds with all participating countries on show and receiving plaques for their participation.
The event took place this morning (Jun. 9) at the Kim Collins Athletic Stadium in the form of a Closing Ceremony, which included a military parade.
Speaking at the Closing Ceremony, Co-Director of Tradewinds 2015 Major Anthony Comrie gave an overview of what the programme entailed.
“The Exercise, now in its 31st year, aims to assist Caribbean nations to better able to counter land and maritime security threats such as human smuggling, trafficking in illegal weapons and ammunition.
“It also prepares nations of the region to effectively carry out human assistance and disaster relief activity if and when the situation arises.”
He also indicated that there were more than 500 military personnel from 18 countries who graced the shores of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Apart from training, the Tradewinds provided an excellent opportunity for security and disaster response officials to come together, share ideas, to adopt best practices, to build comradery between civilian and military.”
Commander of United States Southern Command John F. Kelly highlighted the strides made by Tradewinds during this year’s activities.
“This year’s Tradewinds is built as they all do on last year’s successes in dividing this year's exercise into two distinct operational Phases. Phase One right here in beautiful St. Kitts and Phase Two which will commence in a week’s time in Belize.
“Phase One provided a dedicated venue that focused on synchronising disaster response and countering organised criminal organisations.”
He stated that the partnerships forged during the exercise are also an essential component of Tradewinds.
“Over the past two weeks over 750 participants from 17 different nations worked together and participated in challenging real life training scenarios that tested the capability of all our service members in our collective crisis response efforts.
“While the tactical skills learned at Tradewinds are important, very, very important, the most valuable outcome of any exercise like Tradewinds is the partnerships forged among all the participants and all the nations.”
In delivering the feature address, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator the Hon. Vincent Byron Jr. indicated that the Closing Ceremony was for reflecting on what was imparted during the exercise.
“Today is a day of reflecting on what you have accomplished; a day on which you ponder on how you can build on your accomplishments so that collectively the region can face the future with confidence.”
Byron urged the security forces to remain one step ahead of those who would wish to commit crime in the region.
“In light of our present security challenges, we need the support of our security agencies, overseas counterparts, the Southern Command of the US Arm forces to be one step ahead of illicit traffickers.
“It is therefore of utmost importance that law enforcement and other security agencies seek to stay ahead and on top of the security challenges and strive relentlessly to practice and perfect their operational skills.”
The Ceremony also featured a parade, where Acting Governor-General His Excellency Tapley Seaton QC took the salute at the march past of the participating security forces.
