Barbados Defence Force
| Barbados Defence Force | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Manpower | |
| Military age | 16 years of age for selection process, 17 years of age is actual serving age |
| Expenditures | |
| Percent of GDP | % (2007) |
The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) is the name given to the combined armed forces of Barbados. The BDF was established August 15, 1979, and has responsibility for the territorial defence and internal security of the island. The headquarters for the Barbados Defence Force is located at St. Ann's Fort base at The Garrison, Saint Michael.
The Barbados Defence Force is commanded by the Chief Of Staff: Colonel Glyne Grannum and Deputy Chief of Staff: Commander Aquinas Clarke
- The Force Headquarters – The Headquarters, St. Anns Fort provides administrative and logistical support for the entire Defence force.
There are three main components of the BDF:
- The Barbados Regiment – This branch is commanded by the Commanding Officer Of The Barbados Regiment Major Wendy Yearwood and is based at St Anns Fort and Paragon Base. This is the main land force component, and encompasses both regular and reserve units.
- Barbados Coast Guard – This branch is commanded by the Commanding Officer Of The Barbados Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Peterson and is based at HMBS Pelican.
This is the maritime element, with responsibility for patrolling Barbados' territorial waters as well as drug interdiction and humanitarian and life-saving exercises. It too encompasses both regular and reserve units.
The Barbados Defence Force Band is directed by Captain Taylor and is made up of members of The Barbados Regiment and Coast Guard and is also an element of the reserve units.
- Barbados Cadet Corps – This branch is commanded by the Commanding Officer Of The Barbados Cadet Corps Lieutenant Colonel Errol Brathwaite.
This is the Military youth organisation of The Defence Force. Includes Infantry and Sea Cadets. This organisation was started in 1904. The first females joined the cadet corps in the 1970s to 1980s. The Cadet Corps has a pledge and also a song. It started with 3 normal units but today has expanded to 22. These units are grouped into Zones. There are also a band, sea cadet and medical units along with a shooting programme.
- In 1981 a Cessna 402C entered service as part of the air wing.
The former Commander of The Barbados Coast Guard, the late lieutenant Commander Reeves, meets two US Chiefs of Staff during a visit to the island
A US Marine participates in a BDF training exercise concerning crowd control
Members of the BDF disassemble a boat engine during training exercises with the US Navy
See also
References
- World Aircraft information files Brightstar publishing London File 342 Sheet 1