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Defence personnel participating in the live firing exercise. (S. St. Hill/BGIS)??

Participating nations in Barbados for Exercise Tradewinds, 2012, got an opportunity to demonstrate their live fire capabilities during a naval gunnery (live firing) exercise today.

The live firing which took place five miles off the Arawak Cement Plant, St. Lucy, was geared towards familiarising officers with the use of a variety of deck-mounted weapon systems.

Exercise Tradewinds is a US Southern Command-sponsored annual security training exercise.?? It is an inter-agency multi-national exercise designed to enhance the collective abilities of Caribbean defence forces and constabularies, as they seek to counter transnational organised crime and, to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

The activities continue tomorrow, Thursday, June 21, with a press conference to give details about the Distinguished Visitor Programme at Hilton Barbados, starting at 8:00 a.m.

On Friday, June 22, participants will benefit from a ground training exercise at Paragon, Christ Church, starting at 10:00 a.m.?? As part of the teaching, the officers would benefit from training at the live fire range and in hostage negotiation.

The Tradewinds Exercise climaxes this weekend with a cultural presentation on Saturday, June 23, at the Barbados Coast Guard’s HMBS Pelican Base, Spring Garden, St. Michael, starting at 8:00 p.m.?? The following day, Sunday, June 24, there will be a closing ceremony also at HMBS Pelican, starting at 3:00 p.m.

julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb

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