TCI Regiment Participates in Caribbean Military Training Exercise (EXERCISE TRADE WINDS 23)

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, July 27, 2023 – A Troop comprised of Nineteen (19) Marines from the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, departed the Islands for Caribbean Military Training Exercise  (Exercise Trade 23)  in Guyana earlier today.  Exercise Trade Winds is a Caribbean-focused, Foreign Military Interaction, ground security, and interagency Field Training Exercise design to support regional objectives. Twenty-four (24) countries around the Region are expected to participate in the exercise, supporting a number of training tracks, with the culmination of three (3) day confirmatory exercise.

The aim of EXERCISE TRADE WINDS 23 is to exercise elements of the TCI Regiment and supporting personnel in high intensity operations and training over a protracted period of time, as part of a multi-national force, on a scale not possible in TCI, in order to enhance overall operational effectiveness and interoperability. The TCI Regiment will Exercise along with a contingent comprising over one hundred (100) soldiers from Royal Bermuda Regiment, Jamaica Defence Force and the Surinamese Defence Force. The Exercise would cover various areas including:

1. Close Quarter Combat
2. Public Order
3. Casualty evaluation, treatment, and evacuation
4. Ordinance Disposal
5. Radio Communication
6. Specialist Operations
7. Marksmanship
8. Squad, Platoon and Company Patrol Techniques
9. Human Rights Awareness in Combat
10. Helicopter Embarkation and Disembarkation

Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam  and the Commanding Officer of the Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Ennis Grant met with the Troops yesterday to wish them a Successful Exercise. In Her Remarks, Governor Selvaratam encouraged the Marines to maximize the opportunity of the training, while acknowledging their commitment and personal sacrifice. She impressed upon them her confidence and  full support of The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment.  The Contingent is being headed by Lieutenant Earl Henry.

Photo Caption

Our nineteen Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment members are progressing well in Guyana as they participate in Exercise Tradewinds with Regiments from across the Caribbean. The exercise is designed to strengthen partnerships, inoperability and develop capacity and capability to mitigate, plan and respond to crises and security threats.

TCI Regiment member Dalton Daniel: ‘Tradewinds 23 has been tough so far, but I’m really enjoying it. You know, I’m learning a lot, meeting people from other countries and getting the opportunity to improve my training. Hopefully what I’ve learned here I can pass back to the rest of the TCI Regiment. I knew some of the other service members from Bermuda because we worked the Coronation together so it was really cool to see them again. I’m really glad that I had this opportunity to come to Guyana to be a part of Tradewinds so I really appreciate everything.’

Photos courtesy of the Office of the TCI Governor