US Navy to conduct maritime training

The Belize Defense force will be taking advantage of a training opportunity in the form of a visiting United States Naval vessel the U.S.S. Firebolt. Members of the BDF Maritime Wing under the command of Major Teck will undergo training in a number of areas including patrol techniques in Belizean waters. Colonel Hugh Cain says the BDF will allow as many members of the maritime wing as possible to benefit from the training exercise which will last until June 28th. In related news, the Project Management Office Team for Regional Maritime Cooperation will be in Belize over the next few days. The team, which is based in Barbados, is composed of members of the British Royal Navy, the Navy of the Netherlands, French and Barbados customs, and the Spanish National police. They are working to upgrade regional maritime counter-narcotics and Maritime Law enforcement and will meet with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Allan Usher as well as the Commissioner of Police, Commandant of the BDF, Fisheries Administrator, Comptroller of Customs and the Director of Immigration and Nationality.