The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

THE United States Embassy donated $941,000 worth of critical equipment to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force yesterday to help the fight against drug smuggling and people trafficking.

The equipment includes three 50-foot performance jet docks, six 315-horse power Yanmar diesel stern-drive engines, 18 Brave Stern drives, six Raystar GPS antennas, 18 Engine Turbochargers, 30 Odyssey boat batteries and two shipping containers full of replacement and spare parts for the vessels. Minister of National Security, Dr Bernard Nottage, took part in the handover of the equipment, during a ceremony at the RBDF’s base in Coral Harbour, along with General Charles Jacoby Jr, Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) - United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and John Lowell Armstrong, US Charge d’ Affairs.

The Defence Force also received equipment from the United States in August 2008 when the US Department of Defense donated four interceptor class vessels and equipment to it. Another two vessels were donated in March 2010.

In his remarks, General Jacoby highlighted USNORTHCOM’s strong partnership with the RBDF in the collective fight against transnational crime and the shared commitment to broader maritime security efforts.

He also emphasised that USNORTHCOM will continue to invest in the vital partnership despite the many fiscal pressures facing the US.

“We hope that this equipment will serve to bolster your capabilities and capacity to address the many existing and emerging challenges to regional safety, security and defence,” General Jacoby said.

“Today’s event reaffirms the strength of our bonds and serves as a reminder of our ongoing efforts to promote security throughout the region.”

Minister Nottage thanked USNORTHCOM for the donation on behalf of The Bahamas government and its citizens.

He highlighted that while the US government’s multi-million dollar investments to the RBDF over the years has yielded major long-term security progress, there is still much more to be done.

“Today, transnational crime activities such as narcotics smuggling, human smuggling and trafficking and small arms trafficking continue to occur in the Bahamian maritime domain,” Minister Nottage said.

“If left unchecked, these illicit activities can destabilize the peace and security that The Bahamas and its neighbours seek to enjoy.”

The handover of critical equipment was part of the US Department of Defense’s ‘Enduring Friendship Program,’ a regional maritime security assistance initiative designed to synchronise and align maritime security activities between the United States and partner nations.

The ultimate goal of the Enduring Freedom Program is to protect common maritime interests, prevent terrorist and criminal exploitation of transit routes, and prevail against transnational maritime threats.