US military donates 45 radios to Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force

THE US Southern Command (Southcom) donated 45 Harris radios to the TT Defence Force to help with operations and to underlie co-operation between the two countries' military forces.

Southcom's Major General Julian Cheater did the handover at a function at Coast Guard headquarters at Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas, where Ministry of National Security permanent secretary Natasha Barrow was formally presented with a radio set.

Also present were Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshall Darryl Daniel, and TT Coast Guard commanding officer Capt Don Polo, whom Cheater hailed as a fellow graduate of the Inter American Defense College.

Cheater said the radios were "a significant contribution."

"These radios represent US$653,000 worth of cutting-edge military radios to the TT Defence Force."

He said the donation was made via the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), a security collaboration between the US and Caribbean nations.

"This contribution embodies our unwavering support for your dedication to safeguarding our shared values of peace, stability, and security."

Cheater said the radios were a critical investment in the Defence Force.

The radios would "improve communications, boost situational awareness, and enhance interoperability."

He said secure and reliable communications were critical for any military force.

"These Harris Radios will provide the Defence Force with crystal-clear and dependable communications channels, ensuring seamless coordination during operations and exercises."

Advocating real-time information sharing, he said the radios will allow a fuller understanding of developing situations, so enabling faster decision-making that was better-informed.

"These radios will also facilitate smoother communications, not only within the Defence Force, but also with regional and international partners.

"This enhanced interoperability will strengthen co-operation and collective security efforts throughout the Caribbean."

Cheater reflected on his earlier days as a combat pilot.

"I recall many times while flying combat mission when I had to rely on secure communications to locate enemy forces attacking friendlies. The importance of passing critical information quickly across long distances cannot be overstated.

"I am confident that these Harris Radios will serve the Defence Force well for years to come, and I look forward to visiting again later this year."

Cheater is Southcom's director of strategy, policy and plans and former assistant deputy under secretary of the Air Force, at Arlington, Virginia. He has commanded at the squadron, group, wing and headquarters levels and is a command pilot with 3,700 hours of flying time.

His resume, distributed to reporters, showed he had combat experience in Iraq (Operation Southern Watch), Libya (Operation Jukebox Lotus) and Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) among other operations.

US Ambassador Candace Bond had been due to be present but was announced as being absent. Embassy staff told reporters questions would not be taken.

Barrow, representing National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, thanked the absent Bond saying TT and the US had 20 years of such partnership which remains robust.

"Our engagement with and through the US Southern Command (Southcom), anchors our bilateral defence relations, which continues to develop and adapt to the changing defence and security landscape of our region, hemisphere and the world.

"Personally, I am comforted and thankful to Southcom for its work in maintaining activity in the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea and keeping tonnes of dangerous drugs out of the region." This co-operation was extensive and included joint military exercises/operations, conferences, subject-matter exchange, humanitarian operations and donations.

"The Military Liaison Office of the US Embassy has also consistently been a steadfast partner in our efforts to safeguard the well-being of all citizens of TT."

She hailed their unwavering support and collaboration towards bolstering TT's national defence capabilities.

Barrow said the radios will upgrade the long-range element of the tactical communication capability of the Defence Force and was critical to the success of military operations.

"These radios will allow our Defence Force personnel to have efficient and effective ‘over-the-horizon’ wireless communications, during the execution of operational tasks, off-shore, on-land in remote areas and regionally when aiding in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts."

She recalled recent help from the US military via the USNS Burlington bringing medical care to TT plus joint training with the Delaware National Guard.

Barrow acknowledged help to develop the Defence Force's Military Legal Corps and Inspector General Office. She was grateful for help with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assessment; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; maritime operation centre operations and cyber defence.

Saying cyber security was a burgeoning problem globally, she said the ministry welcomed the latest US-run National Cyber Strategic Planning and Implementation Workshop.

"This bilateral cyber security initiative brought together policy-makers, cyber experts, and stakeholders from within and external to the Government, inclusive the Ministry of Digital Transformation, iGovTT, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs and various telecommunication agencies, to chart a path toward protecting critical infrastructure networks in Trinidad and Tobago, through enhanced cyber security measures."

She again thanked Bond for making the donation possible and for helping the Defence Force to be fully equipped.

"Your dedication and hard work have made a tangible difference in our national security efforts. To the personnel from TT and the US who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, your commitment to this partnership is truly commendable."