Maritime Security Plan 2021

Decentralized & Intelligence Driven Joint Maritime Interdiction Operations Royal Bahamas Defence Force Maritime Security Plan 2021 Table of Contents Context ...........................................................................................................................................................................................4 Organizational Campaigns ..............................................................................................................................................5 Organizational Decentralization ..................................................................................................................................5 Organizational Agility ...........................................................................................................................................................5 Organizational Transformation .....................................................................................................................................6 Organizational Sustainment ...........................................................................................................................................7 Vision ...............................................................................................................................................................................................8 Mission Statement .................................................................................................................................................................8 Core Values ..................................................................................................................................................................................8 National Security Goals .......................................................................................................................................................9 Lines of Effort ............................................................................................................................................................................10 Strategic Concept .................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Air and Surface Patrols ....................................................................................................................................................... 13 Surveillance and Reconnaissance .............................................................................................................................. 13 Intelligence and Information Operations ............................................................................................................. 13 Communications and Computers ............................................................................................................................. 13 Command and Control ...................................................................................................................................................... 13 Multilayered Security Components ........................................................................................................................... 13 Maritime Security Strategy ..............................................................................................................................................14 Maritime Domain Awareness ........................................................................................................................................14 Maritime Domain Dominance (Activities) ............................................................................................................14 Maritime Domain Control ................................................................................................................................................14 COVID-19 Impacts .................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Total Number of COVID-19 Cases ................................................................................................................................ 18 RBDF COVID-19 Ca se Stats by Month 2020 ....................................................................................................... 19 Operational Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 21 Number of Patrols ........................................................................................................................................................ 21 Number of Days At Sea ............................................................................................................................................. 21 Number of Vessel Boardings ................................................................................................................................22 Joint Drug Interdictions ...........................................................................................................................................23 Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated Fishing Interdictions ..................................................................23 Joint Weapon Interdictions ................................................................................................................................... 24 Search & Rescue Cases ............................................................................................................................................. 24 Curfew Enforcement Operations Summary (New Providence) ...........................................................25 Curfew Enforcement Compliment ...................................................................................................................25 Curfew Operations Conducted............................................................................................................................25 Patrol Zones/Vehicle Checkpoints....................................................................................................................26 Illicit Drug Arrests .........................................................................................................................................................27 Currency Confiscated .................................................................................................................................................27 Joint Security Operations Abaco & Cays ............................................................................................................... 28 Total Citations Issued ................................................................................................................................................ 28 Total Personnel .............................................................................................................................................................. 28 Security Operations Conducted .........................................................................................................................29 Security Operation Arrests......................................................................................................................................29 Total Citations Issued ................................................................................................................................................ 30 Maritime Security Plan Enablers ................................................................................................................................. 31 THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 2 “The Pursuit of Excellence in Guarding Our Heritage” Royal Bahamas Defence Force Maritime Security Plan 2021 Presented by Commodore Raymond E. King, EdD Commander Defence Force Strategic Goal Pursuit of excellence in guarding our heritage. Operational Goal Decentralized & Intelligence Driven, and Joint Maritime Interdiction Operations. THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 4 Organizational Campaigns With the implementation of the Sandy Bottom Project, our strategy over the next five years is to conduct four major campaigns with corresponding goals. These campaigns are as follows: The decentralization of Defence Force op erations through the establishment of bas es in the North, South and Central Bahamas equipped with patrol vessels, aircraft, logis tical support and communications network to maximize the use of minimal resources in patrolling the territorial boundaries of our islands. Additionally, it is intended to work more closely with local law enforcement agencies and regional partners through joint operations as well as information sharing as a force multiplier to address current and po tential challenges. The Defence Force will also ensure that its men and women are equipped, trained and prepared to provide maritime security training as well as disaster relief and peacekeeping assistance both at home and within the region as a part of the Defence Force’s mobilization program. Today, the security environment that we live in given the prospects of terror related ac tivities has become increasingly dynamic with the emergence of non-state actors and surrogates. That is, the security environment has become extremely volatile, uncertain, ambiguous, and complex hence demand ing militaries and other law enforcement agencies to become more agile (flexible and adaptable) to its environment to be success ful. Therefore, to acquire the necessary agil ity, the Defence Force is poised to enhance its security posture by means of strategic re cruitment exercises, continuous profession al training and development, and resource acquisition [Advanced technology] as scien tifically proven by Dr. Raymond E. King, 2015 “The effects of Organizational Agility on Transnational Threats in Jamaica.”. The Bahama Islands extend from approximately 50 miles east of the southern Florida coast in the north to some 90 miles off of the island of His paniola (The Dominican Republic and the Re public of Haiti) in the south. The Defence Force has responsibility for patrolling some 100,000 square miles of territorial waters that consist of more than 700 islands, rocks and cays sprawled over a distance of some 600 miles. Our territorial boundaries cover a distance roughly equivalent to the distance between Puerto Rico in the north ern Caribbean Chain to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the south. When added together, the combined distance of The Bahamas' coast line is approximately 2,200 miles, second only to that of the Republic of Cuba, creating a porous border that is difficult to monitor. The islands of The Bahamas are located at the crossroads of an international maritime high way that has been traveled by ships since the dawn of modern history. Located at this trans atlantic crossroads, The Bahamas is nestled be tween the hemisphere's highest drug producing and drug consuming nations, Columbia and the United States, respectively. Over the years, this transit zone has evolved from a breeding ground for pirates in the late 17th century to a major nar cotics smuggling thoroughfare with an expand ing number of other transnational illicit activities. These illegal activities now include migrant and arms smuggling, as well as serious foreign poaching of fisheries resources within the terri torial waters of The Bahamas. Also looming over the horizon is the potential threat of maritime or urban terrorism, as well as an expected increase in trafficking in persons. Compounding this cur rent predicament is the growing demand for search and rescue operations, and the annual threat of natural disasters caused by hurricanes as The Bahamas' chain of islands straddles the region's hurricane belt. Finally, there is a new and growing threat to the stability and strengthening of The Bahamas' peace and security that is emerging from within. This threat is being created by the lack of guid ance and disenfranchisement of our nation's youth, which is resulting in crime and violence. It is against this backdrop of illicit transnation al and national activities, natural disasters, and the need to provide humanitarian assistance in conjunction with local and regional partners. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force is mandated to safeguard the borders of The Bahamas, as well as the lives of people at home and abroad. In view of existing and potential threats, the De fence Force has embarked upon a five-pronged strategy to design a force that is profession al, high performance, agile, innovative, results based, and researched focused much of which is espoused by James R. Evans and William M. Lindsay “Managing for Quality and Performance Excellence.” ContextContext Organizational Agility Organizational Decentralization Organizational Campaigns Organizational Decentralization Organizational Agility THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 6 The transformation of the quality and capabilities of Defence Force personnel to demonstrate ex cellence in leadership through professionalism thus becoming a High Performance Work force focused on Performance Excellence; that is be ing research-focused, results oriented, and con tinuous improvements. Moreover, the degree of transformation required encompasses realization of the following variables: • Cultivating an Inclusive Working Environ ment where members service-wide are involved genuinely and meaningfully in the management and-execution of the Defence Force's operations to enhance the levels of camaraderie, team spir it, and synergy between the functional units. • Workforce Engagement delegation of authority to the lowest levels possible consistent with the tenets of account ability, authority, and responsibility. • Workforce Empowerment meaning ful involvement of service members to achieve shared responsibility for accom plishing the Defence Force's missions. • Application of contemporary leadership style in consideration of the degree of organizational diversity and generational differences. • Continued pursuit of advanced technol ogy, and innovation in order to release the passion within the organization's hu man capital. In order to remain as an ongoing concern in the delivery of defence and security services with in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas requires sustainable approaches to its viability on the De fence Force's part. In lieu of these requirements, the organization is poised to sustain itself or stra tegically maintain its relevance (capabilities and capacity) through deliberate emphasis on Talent Management, Succession Planning, further de velopment of the Defence Force Reserve Unit, and Defence Force Rangers program as a form of (National Service and formal Cadet Program for the Defence Force). The program will be expanded to all high schools throughout The Bahamas and will focus on in stilling leadership, character and employable skills among our nation's youth. Consequently, youth will be prepared to qualify for entrance into the Defence Force or the commercial maritime sector or at the entry level of any other public or private sector agency. Additionally, youth will be trained and positioned to set the standard of excellence for other youth in the nation. Organizational Sustainment Organizational Transformation Organizational Transformation Organizational Sustainment 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 8 The goal of the Government of The Bahamas is to secure our maritime boundaries and prevent poaching of our marine resources, the influx of illegal immigrants, and entry or transit of illegal drugs and other contraband, including firearms. The government has pledged its commitment to ensuring that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force is manned, trained, and equipped to fully meet its mandate to protect our national borders. Vision "To develop a Professional and High Performance Workforce focused on Performance excellence in guarding our heritage." The men and women of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force are required to keep watch on the terri torial borders of our nation to ensure that the peace, security and prosperity of our nation are main tained. Consequently, members of the Defence Force are called upon to make sacrifices beyond the ordinary in protecting the sovereignty of The Bahamas. It is interesting to note that a nation is very much like a ship, and may be referred to as a 'ship of state.' Officers and Marines of the Defence Force are therefore extraordinary people who have been called upon to set the standard of excel lence in leadership, integrity and achievement in guarding our heritage as our ship of state moves forward, upward, onward, together. Mission Statement "Our strategic mission is to defend the sovereignty of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, assist with maintaining law and order and perform humanitarian tasks in conjunction with local and inter national partners." Royal Bahamas Defence Force Mandate: 1. Defence of The Bahamas. 2. Protection of the territorial integrity of The Bahamas. 3. Patrol of the waters of The Bahamas. 4. Assistance and relief in times of disasters. 5. Maintenance of order in conjunction with law enforcement agencies. 6. Such other duties as determined by the Security Council Core Values: “Fair play, Accountability, Integrity, Transparency, Hard work, Fortitude, Unity, Leadership & Loyalty” Border protection (increased detection and interception capabilities, and improved operational guidance capacity). Decentralized operations (land, sea and air assets). Multi-layered security posture. Security cooperation relationships (collaboration and cooperation at the national, regional and international levels via multilateral and bilateral maritime agreements). Maritime Domain Awareness (ISR, Drones, Coastal Radars, aircrafts, vessels, AIS etc.). Strategic recruitment exercises. Resource acquisition/advanced technology. Integrated satellite communications. Joint maritime interdiction operations. Intelligence driven operations. National Security Goals Royal Bahamas Defence Force Royal Bahamas Defence Force Guard Our Heritage Vision Mission Statement Core Values National Security Goals 01 # 02 # 03 # THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 10 Domain Awareness – Integrate near real-time operational picture of sovereign territory and approaches to detect, identify, track, and share information and intelli gence on potential threats. Institutional Capacity Building Establish institutional capability to identify, pri oritize, and resource sustained strategic security and defence capabilities. Domain Control Strengthen operational interoperability to con duct joint and combined operations. • Enhance intelligence capabilities and improve inter-agency and regional information sharing. • Improve sensor coverage for maritime domain awareness. • Integrate and share common operating picture between disparate com mand and local/regional partners. • Improve cybersecurity capabilities and practices to protect mission net works, systems, and information. • Enhance operational communications capabilities. • Decentralize the organization to the Northern and Southern Bahamas to enable sustained operations. • Improve all weather maritime intercept capability. • Enhance search and rescue capability. • Develop and implement a capabilities-based national security framework. • Develop a human resource institutional capability to improve force design and enable more efficient and equitable human resource processes. • Establish a holistic logistics, maintenance, and supply capability that includes obsoles cence management. • Enhance capabilities to rapidly respond to natural disasters throughout the archipelago. Lines of Effort Lines of Effort 04 LAYER 05 LAYER 03 LAYER 02 LAYER 01 LAYER THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 12 “Multi-layered Security” “C4ISR” This concept makes clear that Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) contributes to a broad array of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s missions and appeals to a wide variety of stake- holders, internal and external to the organization. Successful implementation of this concept re quires marshalling a complex set of activities, pro cesses, systems, and agencies to deliver effective maritime domain awareness to decision-makers. However, the magnitude of this effort exceeds the capacity or expertise of any single RBDF Branch or Department. Therefore, employing MDA to accel erate the Defence Force’s decision-making pro cesses involves dedicated efforts to technological growth and increased partnerships. Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR): • C4ISR – Integrating decentralized units and functions into coordinated operation al capabilities. • Information Dominance – Providing our assets with adequate and timely informa tion and associated tools to plan and ex ecute effectively while denying - through active and passive means – the enemy adequate information on which to plan and executive effectively. Strategic Concept Surveillance and Reconnaissance The acquisition of the Drone technology under the Bahamas Unmanned Surveillance System (BUAS) coupled with the installation of the Maritime Surveillance System (Coastal Radars) strategically situated throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas along with the newly installed Satellite Communications System (Nano) will assist tremendously with enhancing the Defence Force’s Maritime Domain Awareness. Air and Surface Patrols The integration of the newly acquired Damen built SPA 4207, SPA 3007 and an auxiliary vessel complements the existing RBDF fleet. These ac quisitions greatly increases interception capability. The Airwing, consist ing of a king Air 350, a Cessna Caravan 208 and a Vulcan Air p68 further enhances the surveillance and reconnaissance component, therefore exerting complete dominance of the nations Maritime Domain. Intelligence and Information Operations Through the fused operations of the Intelligence Unit, Information Technology, and Operations Departments; intelligence will be made available for intelligence driven operations. Communications and Computers Hardening networks through robust Cyber Security, embracing new technology in communications, and providing communication redundancy over several platforms pragmatically tackles the challenges of communications and computers in the RBDF. Command and Control Is achieved through establishing microcosms of the Operations Command Center throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, where communications and intelligence inputs are collated, summarized, and disseminated providing leaders with a common operating picture that enhances decision making in maritime interdiction operations. Multi-layered Security Components Strategic Concept Multilayered Security Components THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 14 Strategic Goals Conduct routine operations along with more increased and focused activities to: 1. Deny; Make it very difficult for offenders to exploit our territorial integrity. 2. Interdict; Disrupt enemy operations before they are executed. 3. Incapacitate; Neutralize or Capture offenders or potential offenders. 4. Deter future Criminal/Terrorist activities. Annual Objectives 1. Maintain statistical information regarding the arrest of poachers and apprehension of mi grants, i.e. information to create a chart to show migrant apprehensions and poachers ar rest. And information in relation to the time a call was placed to notify of poaching activity and response time and credibility of information from calls for diagram purpose. 2. Establish a resource center where navigators and operations officers can go to find infor mation about local harbours, especially in the more treacherous regions of our archipela go, as well as in the region. 3. Ensure Local and International Training for personnel. 4. Conduct Joint Operations with local, regional, and international partners. 5. Execute operations which encompass patrol vessels along with jet skis, enduring friend ship, dauntless, and Harbour Patrol Unit assets; aerial support by Air Wing or the Bahamas Unmanned Aerial System (BUAS), and logistical and transport support and sustainment by HMBS LAWRENCE MAJOR. 6. Maintain intelligence-based operations planning and conduct periodic operations, in con junction with systematic efforts, to guard our heritage during key periods throughout the year in order to deter, deny, and defeat Illegal, Unreported and Un- regulated (IUU) Fishing, Illegal Immigrants and potential Terrorist or Terrorist Materials, Illicit Drug/Weapons & am munition Trafficking and Vessel Theft. Maritime Security Strategy Maritime Domain Awareness Establishing comprehensive domain awareness to create the desired effect of positively detecting, identifying, tracking, and intercepting all vessels within our sovereign waters if required. Maritime Domain Control Effectively dominating the access to and control over the sovereign waters of The Bahamas (Space) to diminish use of desired patrol lanes within our domain inclusive of information dominance while diminishing communication capabilities to adversaries. Maritime Domain Dominance (Activities) Effectively dominating the sovereign waters of The Bahamas by means of strategic positioning within, comprehensive patrol of, and conduct of overlapping patrols to dissuade transnational criminal networks from traversing our domain to facilitate organized criminal activities. Maritime Security Strategy Operational Goal: Decentralized, Intelligence Driven, and Joint Maritime Inter diction Operations. THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 16 Operational Strategies Illegal, Unreported, And Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: Increased craft patrols in the southern and northern Bahamas respectively. Migant Smuggling and Human Trafficking 1. Focused craft patrols throughout The Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Illicit Drugs, Arms & Ammunition Trafficking 1. Focused patrols and interdiction efforts on Haitian Boats and Intrepid, Jupiter, and Con tender type vessels coming from the Caribbean, Central and South America. Despite the challenges associated with hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force remained Reso lute resourceful and determined to accomplish its Mandate of Border Pro tection of The Sovereign Waters of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, uti lizing 1/3 of its force compliment. In addition to Border Protection by means of persistent and overlapping vessel and aircraft patrols and Joint maritime law enforcement ac tivities with national and regional partners. The force was able to expertly manage its scarce hu man capital to successfully execute the follow ing roles and functions; 1. Security operations, alongside the Roy al Bahamas Police Force in Abaco and Grand Bahama following the devas tating impacts of hurricane Dorian to counter rising crime concerns. 2. Covid-19 pandemic requirements that is Joint Curfew Enforcement Detail, Sentry Detail at Quarantine Facilities, National Food Distribution Centers, Es cort Duties with the Ministry of Health Field Service Surveillance Team and at the various National Insurance Check Distribution Outlets. Moreover, the security cooperation relationship with national law enforcement agencies (Police, Immigration and Customs) and regional part ners, (OPBAT, United States Coast Guard, and the Republic of Cuba) has proven to be invalu able to the success realized by the Royal Baha mas Defence Force. In short, these relationships have proven to be the Defence Force’s greatest organizational strength. Our maritime security strategy encompass three overarching operational goals, Decentralized, Intelligence-driven Joint Maritime interdic tion operations to successfully achieve and exercise its strategy, that is Maritime Domain Awareness, Maritime Domain Control and Maritime Dominance within its sovereign wa ters. (Activities) Operational successes include; 1. Effectively dissuading Migrant smuggling from entering the Bahamas. Instead trending towards a Turks and Caicos Islands. 2. Deterring illegal fishing vessels from poaching in the Bahamas evidenced by reduced sightings of poaching vessels, untampered fishing traps and higher fishery yield experi ence by local fishermen. 3. Increased its involvement in response to intelligence related to illegal drug smuggling vessels in the Southeastern Bahamas alongside the Police Marine Unit, OPBAT, United States Coast Guard and the Republic of Cuba Operational Summary DEATHS 1 TOTAL TESTED 1200RECOVEREDCASES 280 CONFIRMED CASES 281 ACTIVE CASES 0 HOSPITALIZED CASES 0 DEATHS UNDERINVESTIGATION 0 QUARANTINED 4 7887 6177 170 CONFIRMED CASES RECOVERED CASES THE BAHAMAS MARCH - DECEMBER 2020 COVID-19 RBDF DASHBOARD DEATHS RBDF BASES NEW PROVIDENCE GRAND BAHAMA ABACO BIMINI INAGUA RAGGED ISLAND0 8 1 0 2 221 RECRUITS49 THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 18 COVID-19 Impacts Total Number of COVID-19 Cases RBDF COVID-19 Ca se Stats by Month 2020 COVID-19 Impacts RBDF COVID-19 Case Stats by Month 2020 Month Positive Covid Cases March 1 April-June 0 July 7 August 94 September 79 October 87 November 12 December 1 Uninfected Personnel 1248 THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 20 Maritime Interdiction Operations Statistics Operational Summary Number of Patrols Number of Patrols Number of Days at Sea Number of Days At Sea Maritime Interdiction Operations Statistics THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 22 Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated Fishing InterdictionsNumber of Vessel Boardings Joint Drug Interdictions Number of Vessel Boardings Number of Migrant Arrests Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated Fishing Interdictions Joint Drug Interdictions THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 24 Curfew Enforcement Operations Summary (New Providence) Curfew Enforcement Compliment Joint Weapon Interdictions Curfew Operations Conducted L2Search & Rescue Cases Joint Weapon Interdictions Search & Rescue Cases Curfew Enforcement Compliment Curfew Operations Conducted THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 26 Patrol Zones/Vehicle Checkpoints Illicit Drug Arrests Currency Confiscated Patrol Zones/Vehicle Checkpoints Curfew Enforcement Arrests Illicit Drug Arrests Currency Confiscated THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 28 Total Citations Issued Joint Security Operations Abaco & Cays Joint Security Operations Abaco & Cays Total Citations Issued Total PersonnelTotal Personnel Security Operations Conducted Security Operation Arrests Security Operations Conducted Security Operation Arrests THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 30 Total Citations Issued Total Citations Issued Increased Detection and Tracking Capabilities–Communications Architecture: • Fully networked capabilities to maintain positive command and control while rapidly de ploying anywhere within the archipelago. • A redundant system capable of leveraging fielded communications assets while incre mentally adding new capabilities. • Seamless integration of air, land, and sea forces into a common operational picture of which can also be leveraged by forces deployed throughout the archipelago. • A highly trained force of command, control, and communications experts who directly support command authority. • Capability to interoperate with United States and CARICOM Nations on a secure common network while maintaining Bahamas’ sovereign communications. Maritime Security Plan Enablers #1 Maritime Security Plan Enablers THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 32 #2 Increased Detection and Tracking Capabili ties–Communications Capabilities: • Utilization of Over the Horizon Tactical Tracking System for vessel tracking and interdiction coordination between the operations center and patrol vessels and aircraft. • Deployment of Vector Tracking and Communications Systems between land bases and patrol vessels. • Use of Satellite Communications sup port (imagery of our sovereign waters) courtesy of our Canadian partners with ongoing collaboration with the Baha mas Maritime Authority regarding the similar capabilities. • Ongoing installations of Maritime Sur veillance Systems (Coastal Radars) strategically throughout The Bahamas (Great Inagua–completed, New Prov idence–ongoing, with future installa tions in Exuma and Andros in 2022, and Ragged Island in 2023). • Utilization of Drones from strategic lo cations in The Bahamas such as New Providence, Inagua, Ragged Island, Ex uma, and Andros. Additionally, drones will be deployed from patrol vessels at sea to increase the craft’s detection and tracking capabilities. #3 Maritime Security Partnerships – Regional Agreements and Ongoing Discussions: • United States of America – Bilateral Se curity Cooperation Framework for coor dinating bilateral military security assis tance between United States Northern Command Campaign Plan and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s Strate gic Plan (Maritime Domain Awareness, Maritime Domain Control, and Institu tional Capacity Building) with respect to developing the following organization’s capabilities and capacities: • Intelligence, cybersecurity, and operational communications ca pabilities. • All weather maritime intercept capability, decentralized oper ations, and Search and Rescue capabilities. • Capabilities based security framework, logistical capacity, and disaster management (rap id) response mechanisms. • United States of America – Letter of Intent (Information Sharing) between United States Northern Command and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force with emphasis on developing the organiza tion’s intelligence capability and capac ity. • United States of America – Biometrics Memorandum of Cooperation which focuses on the exchange of biometric identification information of individu als to prevent, deter, and respond to threats against national security. • Republic of Cuba–Memorandum of Understanding with respect to the ex change of information and intelligence related to illicit drug and weapons smuggling, illegal fishing, and search and rescue within the respective juris dictions. • United Kingdom/Turks and Caicos Is land – Ship Rider and Comprehensive Maritime Agreements to effectively counter transnational threats such as trafficking in persons; illicit drug traffick ing; weapons smuggling; illegal, unre ported, and unregulated fishing; and the unsafe transport and smuggling of migrants. • Republic of Haiti – Ship Rider Agree ment to facilitate the exchange of per sonnel and expand jurisdictional autho rization in the execution of maritime law enforcement exercise against transna tional threats common to both nations. • Dominican Republic – Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate fully against illegal fishing, illicit drug traf ficking, illicit trafficking in firearms, and illegal immigration. #4 Maritime Security Partnerships – National Agreements and Ongoing Discussions: • Aircraft Accident Investigation Author ity – Memorandum of Understanding to guide the professional conduct of search and rescue incidents and inves tigation of aircraft causalities within the maritime domain between the AAIA and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. • Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority – Search and Rescue Policy and Manual for coordinated search and rescue re sponses involving maritime and aerial incidents within the Commonwealth of The Bahamas inclusive of the AAIA as partners of a Joint Rescue Coordina tion Center to ensure compliances with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 12 requirements and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) obligations. • National Fisheries Association – Mem orandum of Cooperation to assist with information sharing and technical ad vice on matters related to illegal, un reported, and unregulated fishing throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. #5 Acquisition of Advanced Technologies: • Maritime Surveillance Systems cour tesy of the United States Office of De fence Cooperation in The Bahamas for the continued delivery of Coastal Radar Systems with infra-red, video recording, vessel automatic identifi cation system, detection and tracking capabilities among others strategical ly placed throughout The Bahamas to achieve maximum overlapping detec tion and tracking coverage. • Satellite Based Communications (OTTHS and V-TACS among others) courtesy of the United States Office of Defence Cooperation onboard all pa trol craft and service aircraft for detec tion, tracking, and vessel intercept ca pabilities. • Drone Technology to be strategically sited throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas particularly the South ern Bahamas and onboard Defence Force Patrol Craft for expanded detec tion and tracking capabilities. • Nano Satellite Imagery of the Com monwealth (sovereign waters) courte sy of the Canadian Government to fa cilitate the detection of AIS (Automatic Identification System) and non-AIS tar gets of interest traversing The Baha mas. #6 Decentralized Operations – aided by the dredging of harbours, development of docks/ jetties, and erection/refurbishment of lodg ing facilities at HMBS Coral Harbour, Gunn Point Ragged Island, and Great Inagua. • Staging or permanent/continuous De fence Force presence at Ragged Island is 97% completed. • Staging or permanent/continuous De fence Force presence at HMBS Mat thew Town and the Maritime Facility in Great Inagua are 97% and 100% com pleted respectively. • Funding approvals secured for the de velopment of fuel farms in Great Ina gua and Ragged Island and expanded THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 34 capacity at Coral Harbour Base, New Providence. • Sustained deployment of Service Air craft will proceed following avionic up grades, replacement of critical parts/ systems and repairs in the near and medium terms. • Continued overlapping and persistent vessel patrols of the Northern, Cen tral, and Southern Bahamas to achieve Maritime Domain Awareness, Maritime Domain Control, and Maritime Domain Dominance of our sovereign waters. #7 Strategic Concept/Maritime Domain Aware ness and Control – (Multilayered security approach using C4ISR framework to achieve maximum maritime do main awareness, control and dominance): • Intelligence and Information Operations – further development of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance ca pabilities including the conduct of ISR missions using persistent aircraft and patrol crafts, coastal radar systems, joint maritime interdiction operations with regional partners and national law enforcement agencies, and eventu al use of drones to achieve maximum maritime domain awareness, control, and dominance. • Command and Control – continued construction of Operations Command Centers strategically placed throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to achieve common and integrated oper ating pictures to maximize detection, identification, tracking, and interception opportunities/capabilities. • Communications and Computers – en hanced use of portable and fixed short, medium, and long ranged communica tion radios with secured voice, data and email capabilities which includes Harris Radios, Satellite Push To Talk phones, Motorola Land Marine Radios among others to ensure continuous communi cations with operating units. #8 Joint Maritime Interdiction Operations: Perhaps the organization’s greatest strength is its relationship with local, national, regional and international maritime security partners noted below: • OPBAT (Operations Bahamas and Turks and Caicos) – United States, United Kingdom/Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas. • United States Coast Guard • Republic of Cuba (Cuban Border Control) • Royal Bahamas Police Force Ma rine Unit • Royal Bahamas Police Force Air wing Unit • Department of Immigration • Customs Department • Port Department • National Fisheries Association #9 Fleet Maintenance The Royal Bahamas Defence Force is poised to engage Damen Group (builder of the entity’s newest fleet of vessels) in a three-year Integrat ed Logistics Support System to ensure the ex tension of the useful life of its vessels by means of proactive maintenance programs and the other services below: • Training and development with all equipment, machinery, and systems onboard the fleet of Damen vessels inclusive of the refitted Bahama Class vessels. • Planned maintenance • Breakdown and corrective mainte nance • Access to spares and equipment • Warehousing and Supply Management Inventory Control System • Technical support with vessels dry-docking Steps have also been taken to acquire a 150 ton travel lift to affect maintenance and dry-docking requirements to its fleet of vessels (30 meters and smaller) at Coral Harbour Base within the next budget period. #10 Search and Rescue (SAR) Development – Several initiatives have been taken to enhance the organization’s SAR response and case man agement during aerial and maritime incidents at sea: • Establishment of a SAR Department • Appointment of a SAR Coordinator • MOU signed with the AAIA for coordi nated aerial incidents at sea. • Ongoing discussions with BCAA refer ence the development of an official SAR Policy and Manual for The Bahamas. • SAR MOU signed between the United States of America and The Bahamas • Anticipated institutional capacity build ing (SAR training and development, ac cess to SAR Modelling software, and access to SAR related equipment to outfit the SAR Department). #11 Commander’s Intent – Operation Transforma tion • In keeping with this strategic pillar it is intended that the Training Branch evolve to set the national standard of excellence in leadership, integrity and achievement for the peace, security and prosperity of The Bahamas. • To become the Caribbean’s Premier Maritime Defence Training Institution through the development and imple mentation of Defence and Maritime Law Enforcement academic and com petency based training programs that inspires the highest standards of pro fessionalism, integrity and excellence. • This process will adopt and attain inter national standards in order to develop an accredited Maritime Training Acad emy for officer and enlistment-training specializing in professional develop ment programs as well as Naval Infan try School. • Establish a Centre of Excellence for Leadership for Defence personnel. • This goal outlines the Acquisition of qualifications in order approv al to become a City and Guilds Institute of Leadership and Man agement (ILM) Centre. All pre liminary ground work have been completed including course work and subject. • Obtain international accreditation for RBDF training programmes. • This process is ongoing. Course curriculum is under review with the aim to be adjusted to meet international training standards. • Establish and execute RBDF Officer Training • This process is ongoing. DFIs are complete, Course curriculum is complete, and Officer Training manual is being finalized. THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN GUARDING OUR HERITAGE 36 This page was intentionally left blank