Paige LeClairThe Canadian Armed Forces wrapped up its annual participation in Exercise TRADEWINDS, a U.S.-led multinational land and maritime exercise focused on strengthening safety and security in the Caribbean region last week.
CAF members were in the Dominican Republic May 30 to June 8 and in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from June 14 to 21.
CAF members served as instructors and mentors to assist in the planning and execution of maritime and land security operations, the establishment and proper functioning of a Caribbean Task Force (CTF) headquarters, and effective response to humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.
For its 35th iteration, Exercise TRADEWINDS 2019 brought 22 partner nations together to conduct joint, combined and interagency capacity building activities with the aim to increase and enhance regional co-operation in complex security operations as well as to prepare for humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.
“It is a privilege for the Canadian Armed Forces to work alongside our Caribbean partners and allies to hone our collective ability to operate in a complex security environment and rapidly respond to natural disasters. We have an incredible opportunity to learn from our Caribbean partners during TRADEWINDS 19, and likewise are proud of the expertise and knowledge we can share with them,” says Lieutenant-General Mike Rouleau, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command.
The primary focus of the exercise is to forge strong bonds with all participating nations through an active exchange of information and expertise.
