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Colonel??Ricardo Vickers, shows gratitude and welcomes, Vessel Master, Chief Warrant Officer 2, Paula Buckley (both shaking hands) and Mate on Ship, Sargeant??First Class, Benjamin Threatt from the US Military while Captain Wesley Beckles watches; today, at the??Harbour, upon receipt of equipment for Exercise Tradewinds 2012. (A.Miller/BGIS)??

Preparations for Exercise Tradewinds 2012 are moving into high gear with the arrival of equipment which will play a critical role in the success of the event which runs from June 15 to 24.

United States army vessel, Brandy Station, arrived in Barbados earlier today carrying supplies and equipment which are crucial to the execution of the Exercise.

This was stated today by Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo Vickers, of the Barbados Defence Force, during a Press briefing at the Bridgetown Port where the Landing Craft Unit is presently docked.

The equipment on board includes military ambulances, trucks, generator sets, portable showers and field kitchens that will be used to support this year’s exercise.

Noting that a second vessel, the Mission Ridge, was yet to arrive, the Lieutenant Colonel said residents would not be seeing a lot of trucks "rolling around" on the road this year.

He explained this year’s exercise which comes under the theme: Promoting Regional and Hemispheric Security and Stability will be primarily conducted at the Defence Force’s bases at Paragon and at the HMBS Pelican.

He said the training would build the capacity of CARICOM security forces, and strengthen their ability to collectively deal with the many threats to regional security.

Lieutenant Colonel Vickers added that at the end of the exercise the CARICOM forces would be in a better position to train others from within their ranks. Those to receive training will range in rank from police constables to station sergeants, and from the Military, privates to captains.

This year’s exercise will see over 500 military personnel drawn from 17 countries in attendance, including Regional Security System member states, and the United States and Canada.

Exercise Tradewinds 2012 will consist of three separate independent tracks: Land-Ground Force Tactical Military/Law Enforcement; Maritime Combating Transnational Organised Crime; Command and Control via Command Post/Table Exercise; and Command and Intelligence Training.

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

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