Regional forces set to begin military exercise

If you have been woken up by the sound of helicopters flying overhead these last few nights, don’t worry, it’s not the result of any enemy invasion. The movement of men and machines is preparation for the annual CARICOM military exercise, TRADEWINDS ’98. The exercise, scheduled to take place for the entire month of April, will involve over a thousand troops who will be coordinating their skills in coping with natural disaster. The forces are made up of both police and military personnel from ten Caribbean countries plus the United States, Canada and Great Britain. While Belize has been sending troops abroad for the past seven years to participate in the operation, it’s the first time the country will be hosting the event. According to B.D.F. Colonel Hugh Cain, TRADEWINDS ’98 will be coordinated by the Caribbean Regional Security System based in Barbados and is being funded by the governments of the participating countries. Most of the troops involved are expected to arrive in the country on Friday aboard military aircraft that will also be flying frequently over Belize as part of the exercise. Once the troops are settled in, they will be traveling to various parts of the country including Corozal, the Mountain Pine Ridge and Toledo, where a live firing exercise will take place. No doubt the troops will be firing at enemy hurricanes. Just for the record, a release from the U.S. embassy states that the exercise is being sponsored by the United States Southern Command.