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Last Updated: Feb 14, 2018 - 12:17:09 PM |
Commander Defence Force, Commodore Tellis Bethel and Lieutenant Edward Fritz leading a routine inspection of one of the platoons during the Commander Defence Force Divisions on February 9, 2018 at HMBS Coral Harbour. (RBDF Photo by Marine Seaman Kyle Smith)
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Coral Harbour Base,(RBDF): The Commander Defence Force,
Commodore Tellis Bethel, encouraged members of the Royal Bahamas Defence
Force to 'hold the line' in his first Commander Defence Force's
Divisions held on Friday 9th February, 2018.
The ceremonial
Divisions provided Commodore Bethel the opportunity to inform his
Officers and Marines of his intent for the year, and to address
challenges and concerns of the Force with solutions to overcome them.
This military tradition also allowed Commodore Bethel to thank his
troops for their service and accomplishments during the past year.
The
timely address came on the heels of three wooden Haitian sloops landing
on the southern coast of New Providence over a three - month stretch.
Commander Defence Force, Commodore Tellis Bethel and Lieutenant Edward Fritz leading a routine inspection of one of the platoons during the Commander Defence Force Divisions on February 9, 2018 at HMBS Coral Harbour. (RBDF Photo by Marine Seaman Kyle Smith)
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Notwithstanding
these landings the Defence Force had apprehended or assisted with the
apprehensions of some 1,300 migrants last year, including the disruption
of a suspected international migrant smuggling operation two months
ago, which resulted in the apprehension of 14 people from five nations
aboard an unsuspecting motor yacht. The Defence Force also apprehended a
Haitian sloop earlier this year.
In the weeks leading up to the
parade, Commodore Bethel met with Defence Force Officers and Marines a t
all levels highlighting the short and long term solutions for the
challenges that lie ahead. During his Friday address, Commodore Bethel
encouraged his troops to remain focused, and not to allow themselves to
be distracted from the task at hand while th ey 'hold the line' in
performing their duties.
During the sectioned meetings prior to
his Divisions, Commodore Bethel reminded members that the Defence Force
was at a critical stage of transition where it recently entered a new
era of modernization to re solve problems of inadequate bases, port
facilities, maritime assets (including ships and aircraft) and
personnel, while simultaneously dealing with the constantly changing
tactics of poachers, as well as migrant and drug smugglers.
As a
result, the De fence Force is unfolding plans for the expansion and
construction of bases in Inagua and Ragged Island, respectively, to
sustain long term deployments of its ships and aircraft to provide
immediate response to poaching, as well as illicit smuggling activities
originating in the Southern Bahamas. Though limited in capacity, the
Defence Force has already began reconnaissance flight operations out of
the southern Bahamas.
Commodore Tellis Bethel conducting an inspection of the Officer Platoon during the Commander Defence Force Divisions on February 9, 2018 at HMBS Coral Harbour. (RBDF Photo by Marine Seaman Kyle Smith)
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Other short term goals shared by Commodore
Bethel included the Prime Minister's, Dr. the Honourable Hubert Minnis.
and the Minister of National Security's, the Honourable Marvin Dames
intent for the Defence Force to develop and coordinate a national multi -
law enforcement agency drone program, as well as a national multi - law
enforcement agency Coastal Security program to address the problem of
changing modes of operations by those engaged in criminal activities on
and offshore.
High on the list of priorities is the accelerated
recruitment of personnel as an initial human capital audit has revealed
that the Defence Force is currently operating at a shortfall of over 500
persons, thus highlighting the added responsibilities borne by each
member of the Force. In January of this year, 120 persons had commenced
recruit training.
The Defence Force is also moving forward with
plans to enhance its communications, detection, tracking and
interdiction capabilities . Initial work has commenced on the
installation of a coastal radar system. Additionally, plans are already
underway for the acquisition of an island - wide 'Motor b r o' radio
communication system, along with an Automated Identification System for
identifying vessels in Bahamian waters. These programs are being funded
by the US State Department under its Foreign Military Sales program
While
expressing concern for the recent landing of a Haitian sloop for which a
Board of Inquiry will be convened to investigate, Commodore Bethel
applauded his men and women for the successes they did achieve in
exercising their powers as Peace Officers, Customs Officers, Immigration
Officers, Fisheries Inspectors, Port Security Officers, National
Emergency Managers and much more.
Earlier this year, the Defence
Force divers had assisted with recovery of remains of Bahamian occupants
of an aircraft that had crashed in waters off North Andros. More
recently, the Defence Force has provided support for Police operations
on the streets of New Providence with significant success. In addition
to capturing a go fast vessel with an estimated one and a half mil lion
dollars’ worth of marijuana, last year made the third consecutive year
that the Defence Force deployed troops, ships and its Containerized
Mobile Base to bring disaster relief assistance to thousands of
Bahamians combined in New Providence and the Family Islands during
Hurricanes Joaquin, Matthew and Irma. The Defence Force also provided
relief assistance to the Commonwealth of Dominica on behalf of the
Governments of The Bahamas and Jamaica.
In thanking the men and
women for their dedicated service and encouraging them to hold the
line, Commodore Bethel also informed them of specific goals that would
be achieved to improve their conditions of service at all levels.
(For further information please contact the RBDF Public Relations
Department or visit our website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow us on Facebook,
Twitter and view our Youtube channel)
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