In keeping with Commander Defence Force’s strategic intent to promote professional development and personal readiness of organizational members, Captain Glenn McPhee traveled to Belize City, Belize to participate in the Tradewinds 2022 (TW22) Distinguished Visitor Day, 19-20 May 2022. The objective of the visit was to provide senior military and naval leaders of participating nations with a general overview of the exercise, witness firsthand various training tracks, and engage host nation leadership on mutual topics of interest.The host of the TW22 Distinguished Visitor Day was Mr. Kevin Bostick, Director of Exercises and Coalition Affairs at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) who was representing General Laura Richardson, Commander, U.S. (SOUTHCOM). Also in attendance were The Hon. Oscar Mira, Minister of State in the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, The Hon. Eamon Courtenay Minister of Foreign Affairs, BG Loria, Commander of Belize Defence Force, Adm Bennett, Commandant of Belize Coast Guard, Commodore Ricky Shurland, Executive Director of Regional Security System (RSS) / Chief of Defence Staff of Barbados Defence Force, Mr. Nick Gurr, United Kingdom Director International Security for Ministry of Defence, MG Waddell, The Adjutant General (TAG) of Louisiana, and BG Larkin, Assistant TAG of Kentucky.This year marks the 37th TRADEWINDS Exercise and the fourth year that Belize was the host nation and the first year that Mexico was a co-host.Tradewinds 22 (Belize) culminated with a closing ceremony at the Price Barracks Parade grounds where five members from twenty-three participating nations stood proudly behind their country’s flag. Captain Glenn McPhee who has charge of the Defence Force Southern Command was in attendance and posed as the distinguished visitor from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Captain McPhee presented Rear Admiral Elton Bennett with the RBDF plaque and Commander Defence Force’s coin on behalf of Commodore Dr. Raymond King.
