NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Government of The Bahamas is engaged in consultations regarding the use of Royal Bahamas Defence Force troops to assist in providing on the ground security in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Minister of National Security the Hon OAT “Tommy” Turnquest said Thursday.  

The presence of Royal Bahamas Defence Force troops on the ground in Port-au-Prince will not mark the first time that Bahamian Defence Force Troops have conducted security operations in Haiti as they were part of a United Nation’s Peacekeeping Operation there from 1994-1996 and also had an “Exploratory Presence” in Haiti following the January 12 earthquake.  

This time, the Bahamian troops are expected to be part of a joint Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Regional Force that will provide security support for a CARICOM Medical Team scheduled to assist in the recovery efforts.  

The move comes as the Defence Force commemorates the 30^th anniversary of its launch on March 31, 1980, after an Act of Parliament established the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and gave it a wide range of responsibilities including the responsibility to guard and defend the country; to protect its territory and marine resources; to assist in disaster relief and emergencies and, together with other Bahamian law enforcement agencies, to maintain law and order in The Bahamas.  

The Force also has a mandate to conduct search and rescue operations utilizing its air and sea assets.  

Minister Turnquest said the proposed deployment to Haiti, as part of the CARICOM Force is one of a number of highlights the Force has achieved with regard to ensuring regional, and indeed global, security over the past 30 years.  

“Increasingly, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force has adopted a more regional and global outlook in support of The Bahamas’ active participation in regional and international organizations including the United Nations and the Organization of American States,” Mr Turnquest said.  

“Defence Force personnel have also recently served side-by-side with troops from other CARICOM Countries to provide security for the Fifth Summit of the Americas and the 50^th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Trinidad and Tobago,” Mr Turnquest added.  

The National Security Minister said Defence Force Officers are also currently serving on “Secondment” in the Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre (RIFC) of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) in Trinidad and Tobago.  

Mr Turnquest said three decades of operations have brought about profound changes in the Defence Force.  

“Today it is an active and flexible organization taking noteworthy action over a broad range of areas both at home and abroad,” The National Security Minister said.  

“At home, the Defence Force continues to guard and protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity from transnational crimes of all kinds, including drugs and arms trafficking and human smuggling, and to challenge those who are intent on plundering our valuable fisheries resources.  

“Even as we celebrate this 30^th anniversary, we are reminded that the defence Force’s history has not been without its tragedy, namely the sinking of HMBS Flamingo by Cuban MIG Fighters on May 10, 1980 (less than two months after the Force was established).  

“The trauma we experienced as a young nation may have faded, but we will always hold fast the memories of the four brave, young Marines who perished on that day,” Mr Turnquest added.  

The seagoing personnel of the Defence Force still face tremendous risks when they go to sea. He said that is why the Government of The Bahamas is doing all it can to ensure that they receive the necessary assets to do their job at air and sea, and return home safely, he said.  

“Our Defence Force patrols are constantly on the lookout for drug traffickers, illegal migrants and arms traffickers and those poaching in our fishing grounds,” he said.  

“Drugs and arms traffickers, migrant smugglers and others engaged in transnational criminal activities will obviously do all they can to avoid detection, capture, trial or imprisonment.