Brigadier General Thomas C. Hannon, recently paid a courtesy call on Deputy Commander Defence Force, Captain Shonedel Pinder and selected RBDF Leaders, at Coral Harbour Base. His inaugural visit coincided with the commemoration of the 44th Anniversary of the HMBS Flamingo Memorial, which he attended and paid homage.
Brigadier General Hannon serves as the Chief of Staff – Air Rhode Island Air National Guard. He is responsible for the coordination and direction of Joint Force Headquarters staff activities in support of over 1,000 members of the Rhode Island Air National Guard.
During the courtesy call, Captain Pinder and Brigadier General Hannon discussed matters of mutual interest and exchanged pleasantries. The courtesy call was followed by frank discussions. The RBDF delegation comprised Captain of Coral Harbour Captain Glenn McPhee, Commander Operations Senior Commander William Sturrup, AirWing Commanding Officer, Commander Reno Major, Military Police & Force Protection Commanding Officer, Commander Andrew Bowe, Commander Administration, Commander Judy McDonald, Base Executive Officer, Commander Origin Deleveaux, Acting Staff Intelligence Officer, Senior Lieutenant Julian Smith. The US delegation comprised Brigadier General Hannon, Senior Defense Official/ Defence Attaché Captain Gregg Gellman, Major Brian Chianese and Bilateral Affairs Officer Captain Jonathan Griffith.
Discussions focused on potential opportunities for collaboration on operations, activities, and investments (OAIs) in The Bahamas with the Rhode Island National Guard in the areas of: Aviation, Defense Support to Civil Authorities, Military Police and Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Operations Centres, Information and Intelligence sharing and Force Protection.
The discussions were followed by brief tours of the Operations Command Center, and the RBDF Air Wing.
In keeping with the Commander Defence Force’s intent of strengthening Security Cooperation relationships particularly with regional and international partners, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force continues to embrace opportunities that enhance the organization’s strategic posture that ensures the RBDF is well manned, trained and equipped to accomplish its missions successfully. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains committed to the pursuit of excellence in guarding our heritage.
