GDF ranks engage in tactical training at Exercise Tradewinds 2025 in T&T

Over 40 members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) are currently participating in Exercise Tradewinds and have been engaged in a range of tactical training.

The GDF ranks have joined participants from 26 partner nations and organisations at Teteron Barracks, Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago, for Exercise Tradewinds 2025, which officially commenced on April 26. The exercise will conclude on May 8.

This 13-day multinational exercise, sponsored by the United States Southern Command, focuses on enhancing regional readiness through joint training across land, air, sea, and cyber domains.

It places strong emphasis on interoperability, inter-agency coordination, and strengthening regional partnerships. Naval units from participating countries are also taking part in the exercise, contributing to combined maritime operations and fostering cooperation among regional Coast Guards.

A total of 10 officers and 37 other ranks are representing the Guyana Defence Force at the exercise.

According to the GDF, its Coast Guard ranks are currently engaged in watermanship training to sharpen their maritime operational skills. Additionally, GDF personnel have participated in a range of tactical exercises, including a PHOTOEX and GUNNEX, as well as joint MEDEVAC and Search and Rescue/Man Overboard (SAR/MOB) training alongside the U.S. military.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold Fraser, the contingent commander, is serving as the Commander of the Combined Task Force. The GDFS Shahoud, which transported some of the troops, is captained by Lieutenant Commander Ronald McIntyre, while Lieutenant Commander Kendrick Rodney serves as the Executive Officer of the ship.

Prior to the team’s departure last month, GDF’s Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, had noted that the exercise offers a critical platform for sharing expertise and aligning regional response strategies.

“As a region, we rely on partnership, because no one nation could exclusively address the challenges and threats that this region faces,” he told the participating ranks, while emphasising that partnership is not optional, but essential.

The Army Chief stated that Guyana’s active involvement in Exercise Tradewinds reinforces a collective defence posture that benefits all participating nations.

Brigadier Khan also reminded the troops of the need for exemplary conduct and discipline, stressing that they will be operating in an environment with its own complex dynamics. He urged ranks to remain vigilant, culturally aware, and mission-focused throughout the deployment.

Exercise Tradewinds, which is the Caribbean region’s premier multinational military training event, is a key platform for building the capacity of regional forces in crisis response, contingency planning, and cooperative security efforts.

Guyana had previously hosted over 1000 troops at Exercise Tradewinds 2023.