The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Rhode Island National Guard have renewed their partnership under the United States National Guard State Partnership Program, extending a security relationship that has been in place since 2005.

The renewal was formalised last Friday at the US Embassay Headquarters in Nassau with the signing of a renewed commitment by RBDF Commander Commodore Floyd Moxey and Rhode Island Adjutant General Major General Andrew Chevalier.

The partnership focuses on joint training, operational exchanges and capacity building in areas including border security, disaster response, cyber security, intelligence, engineering and logistics.

Major General Chevalier said the relationship was deliberately structured to deliver long-term results.

“Our successful partnership isn’t an accident. It was by design,” he said. “We’ve stood shoulder to shoulder, sharing knowledge and experience and pushing one another to be better.”

He said continuity within the National Guard allowed relationships to develop over decades, noting, “You don’t build that kind of relationship through memos. You build it through years and years of friendship.”

Commodore Moxey said the partnership had significantly strengthened the RBDF’s operational capacity.

“This collaboration was built in service to our respective countries, pursuing a course greater than ourselves,” he said. “It has always been about the greater good.”

He said The Bahamas’ geographic position made cooperation essential, adding, “The Bahamas has long been recognised as the gateway to the United States. Activities within our waters directly affect the United States, both positively and negatively.”

US Ambassador to The Bahamas Herschel Walker said the partnership directly supports shared security objectives.

“The bottom line is that Bahamian security is American security,” he said. “By working together, we are better equipped to confront whatever challenges come our way.”

Officials said the partnership has expanded beyond military engagement to include disaster response and public health, including joint efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.