Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force
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| Military of Trinidad and Tobago |
|
|---|---|
| Service branches | Army, Air Guard, Coast Guard, Defence Force Reserves |
| Military age | NA |
| Available for military service |
342,980, age 15–49 (2000 est.) |
| Fit for military service |
245,253, age 15–49 (2000 est.) |
| Reaching military age annually |
NA (2000 est.) |
| Active personnel | 4,000 |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | $83 million (FY94) |
| Percent of GDP | NA% |
Military branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (includes Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, Coast Guard, Air Guard and Defence Force Reserves).
Commander-in-Chief: President George Maxwell Richards, T.C., CMT, Ph.D.
Chief of Defence Staff: Brigadier Edmund Dillon
Mission Statement: Our Mission is to defend the sovereign good of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, contribute to the development of the national community and support the State in the fulfillment of its national and international objectives.
Contents |
[edit] Regiment (Army)
Mission Statement To contribute to the maintenance of a safe and secure environment for the well being of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and to assist in the promotion of hemispheric and international security and development, with a well equipped force, trained in a broad range of disciplines and actively involved in community development.
Commanding Officer: Col. Roland Maundy
The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is the main ground force element of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. It has approximately 2000 men organized into a Regiment Headquarters and four battalions:
- 1st Battalion (Infantry), Trinidad and Tobago Regiment: This is the regular infantry battalion. It is located at Camp Ogden, Long Circular Road, St James.
- 2nd Battalion (Infantry), Trinidad and Tobago Regiment: This is also a regular infantry battalion. Formerly located at Camp Mausica, since then it has been relocated to the Chaguaramas Heliport and is due to be relocated to a new camp in Caroni.
- 3rd Battalion (Engineers): This provides engineering support. It is located at Camp Cumuto, Wallerfield.
- 4th battalion (Service and Support): This provides logistic and administrative support. It is located at the Teteron Barracks, Teteron Bay, Chagaramas.
The regiment has two primary roles:
- Maintaining the internal security of Trinidad and Tobago
- Assistance of local law enforcement
The Regiment also maintains a Camp Omega, also at Chagaramas.
There is also a Volunteer Defence Force that has been renamed the Defence Force Reserves
As one of the larger military forces in the region, the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is also one of the main units used in peacekeeping and humanitarian situations from the Caribbean region, most recently in Grenada after Hurricane Ivan.
The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment also provides the bulk of the musicians assigned to the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra, the world's only military steel band.
History of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment has its origins the late 19th century, though it was directly spawned from the break-up of the Federation of the West Indies in 1962. At that time, the two battalions of the West India Regiment were split and came under the control of the main nations formed by the split. The 1st Battalion became the 1st Battalion, Jamaica Regiment, while the 2nd Battalion was transferred to Trinidad and Tobago to become the 1st Battalion, Trinidad and Tobago Regiment. A second battalion was raised in 1965, but was disbanded in 1972.
The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment has been involved in two significant actions.
- On April 21, 1970, 750 members of the regiment mutinied, under the leadership of Raffique Shah and Rex Lassalle. After a five-day stand-off, the mutineers surrendered. The leadership was court-martialed and Shah, Lasalle and others were jailed.
- On July 27, 1990, the Jamaat al Muslimeen, an Islamist group with ties to Libya, attempted a coup d'état. They seized control of the Red House (the seat of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago) and held the Prime Minister and much of his Cabinet hostage. The Regiment surrounded the insurgents and were able to force them to surrender on August 1.
[edit] Air Guard
The Air Guard of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence force was formed in 1966. It was a part of the Coast Guard and was called the Air Wing of the Coast Guard or the Air Wing. In 1977, it was separated as its own wing. In 2005 it was renamed the Air Guard. Its bases are at Piarco International Airport, Crown Point International Airport, and the Camden Heliport at Chaguaramas. Its purposes are to protect and patrol Trinidad and Tobago's airspace, and is also used for transport, rescue, and liaison.
The current commander of the Air Guard is Group Captain Kent Moore.
The current fleet of the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard consists of one Cessna 310 (1985-present), two Piper PA-31 Navajo (2000 - Present), and two Swearingen C-26A Metro (2000 - Present).
The fleet used to have the following aircraft: One Cessna 337 (O-2A) Skymaster (1966 - 1972), One Cessna 402 Utililiner (1972 - 1998), 1/2 SNIAS Aérospatiale Gazelle (1973 - 1995), One Cessna 172 Skyhawk (1991 - 1998). The fleet now consists of five aeroplanes and a few helicopters. The Air Guards jobs are Patrol, Anti-Crime, Transport, Rescue, Liaison.
The Minister of National Security announced that the establishment of a military airfield, construction of an operations/administrative building at the Piarco Air Station and new helicopters would be winging their way to the Air Guard. The minister also promised training from various international bodies including British, American and Colombian. The ministry is also ensuring that the Air Guard is adequately staffed and earlier this year, Cabinet agreed to the change of rank designations from naval to the corresponding aviation designations and the creation of 66 ranks on the establishment of the Air Guard.
[edit] Coast Guard
Mission Statement: To Defend the Sovereign Good of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and to provide on a continuous basis, quality service for security and safety within the Maritime Boundaries, and in any other area of responsibility agreed to by the State to fulfil its International Obligations.
Commanding Officer: Capt.(N) Jeewah Ramoutar
Vessels
TTS CASCADURA (CG6) CG 40 (Large Patrol Craft)
TTS MORIAH (CG32) Coastal Patrol Craft
TTS MATELOT (CG33) Sword Class (Coastal Patrol Craft)
TTS CROWN POINT (CG8) Point Class (Coastal Patrol Craft)
CG 001 Bowen Class
TTS NELSON (CG20) Island Class (OPV)
TTS MORUGA (CG30) Coastal Patrol Craft
TTS SOLADADO (CG38) Dauntless Class (PB)
[edit] Defence Force Reserves
Mission Statement To be a highly professional, well trained combat ready force that will respond effectively in support of our regular forces and the national community.
[edit] Trivia
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Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
The Trinidad and Tobago Defence force has the world's only military steelpan band.
[edit] References and links
- Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force official web site
- This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook (2003 edition) which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain.
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