COMMITMENT
11 Caribbean Area
Defence and security of the dependent territories (DTs);
Support for the Caribbean regional security system (RSS), through training, participation in exercises and limited operational support (eg communications);
Assistance following natural disasters, particularly hurricanes and especially in the DTS.
Burdensharing the security of the region with the US.
12 South Atlantic dependencies
St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha.
FORCE DEPLOYMENT
One RN frigate on permanent station (West Indies Guardship - WIGS).
RN Loan Service Personnel (LSP) teams in Regional Security System (RSS) States (running Coast Guards, and RSS HQ in Barbados). Jointly funded by MOD/FCO.
2 x 2-man RAF teams operating drugs surveillance aircraft in Turks and Caicos Islands and British Virgin Islands funded by FCO.
Defence contingency plans involve elements from WIGS and reinforcement from Belize Garrison.
170 RAF personnel on Ascension Island. Primary role is to maintain Airbridge between the UK and Falklands. Island also acts as a Forward Mounting Base (FMB) for contingencies outside the NATO
area.
Joint Theatre Plan (JTP) provides for the internal security reinforcement of the 3 islands.
PROPOSED CHANGES
Following Options for Change WIGS is under review by MOD.
No proposed changes known.
JS4ACA