Caribbean Defense Leaders Take Part in Distinguished Visitors Program

Defense, security and disaster response leaders from across the Caribbean gathered in Barbados to observe the ongoing Tradewinds 2012 exercise.

Attorneys General, army chiefs of staff and police commissioners were among the officials who participated in the Distinguished Visitors’ Program portion of Tradewinds.

The day-long program allowed the visitors to observe various aspects of training and to discuss and network with each other on security and defense issues, underscoring the collaborative and cooperative nature of Tradewinds.

United States Ambassador Larry Palmer highlighted the networking aspect of the distinguished visitors program, noting:”I’ve been here about a month….This exercise has given me a chance to meet the major players with whom I’ll be dealing for the time that I’m here – from the Commissioner of police, to the head of the military to many of the ministers.

“Tradewinds is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored annual security training exercise. It is an inter-agency, multi-national exercise designed to enhance the collective abilities of Caribbean defense forces and constabularies to counter transnational organized crime and conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Tradewinds 2012 is focused on strengthening existing regional partnerships and encouraging the establishment of new relationships through the exchange of mission-focused knowledge and expertise so each participating country will improve capabilities in what it considers key security mission areas.