Defence Headquarters, 2 September, ’24: (RBDF) – The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) successfully concluded its third multi-agency drone pilot training course on August 30, 2024. Thirteen personnel from various national security agencies, including the RBDF, Bahamas Department of Corrections, Bahamas Department of Immigration, and Bahamas Customs Department, participated in the seven-week program.
Captain Carlton Bethel, the Ministry of National Security’s national unmanned systems program director, presided over the graduation ceremony. He highlighted the significance of the program in developing a skilled workforce of drone pilots within the Bahamas. “The BAHNUS program has been instrumental in establishing the Bahamas as a regional center of excellence for unmanned systems,” Captain Bethel stated. “By providing training to personnel from multiple agencies, we are enhancing our collective capabilities and strengthening national security.”
The training curriculum focused on operating the Skydio multi-copter and the Deep Trekker underwater tethered drone. Upon completion, the participants are now certified drone pilots. Since its inception five years ago, the BAHNUS program has graduated five classes domestically and conducted two regional mobile training initiatives, one in Guyana and another in Barbados. This demonstrates the program’s commitment to sharing expertise and supporting the development of unmanned systems capabilities throughout the Caribbean region.
The graduation ceremony featured a live demonstration of the Deep Trekker’s capabilities, showcasing its potential applications in various sectors, including search and rescue, environmental monitoring, and law enforcement.
Commodore Raymond E. King is steadfast in his commitment to fostering enhanced collaboration between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and local law enforcement agencies, as well as regional partners. Through joint operations and proactive information sharing, these strategic alliances serve as force multipliers, effectively addressing both existing and potential challenges.
