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Twenty-Six volunteers from the Bermuda Regiment have mounted Operation Wicket Keeper in Bridgetown, Barbados as part of the international security detail for Cricket World Cup 2007 (CWC).Under Contingent Commander Captain Chris Wheddon, with Captain Arnold Todd as Platoon Commander, 24 other ranks have volunteered for this operational tour.  The Contingent departed Bermuda on Saturday 07 April and are due to return on Tuesday 24 April 2007.  They have been deployed to cover the CWC Second Round of the Super Eight series of games held in Barbados. 

 

Bermuda Troops are operating alongside the BDF, Royal Barbados Police Force, Guyanese Defence Force, Guyanese Police Force, and other specialist security personnel from South Africa, Colombia and India.

 

The Contingent arrived later than expected on Sunday morning due to the scheduled Saturday evening flight being delayed flight from Miami.  Settling into the Barbados Defence Force's (BDF) Special Operations Company base by 0300hrs, the Contingent had little rest before their early wake up at 0600hrs.  Following breakfast, the BDF conducted an orientation brief and this was followed by a tour of the 166-square mile island.

 

The troops had an early night on Sunday to catch up on lost sleep before reveille at 0530hrs.  After administration and equipment preparation, the Contingent conducted training drills at Paragon Base, Christ Church for the balance of Monday.  (SEE PHOTO – TRAINING) In addition, officers received further operational briefings while NCOs participated in signals communication training. The day’s hard work was rewarded by a visit to the famous Oistins Fish Festival in the evening.

 

Contingent Commander Capt Chris Wheddon reported that everyone is in high spirits and looking forward to contributing to the multinational security effort.  “The officers and soldiers have quickly acclimatised and are looking forward to getting on the ground and putting our training and skills to work.”

 

Before joining other units on the ground, an important formal and final step was required:  the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  Early on Monday, the MOU was signed in a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office where Captains Wheddon and Todd received a signed copy from Rev The Hon Joseph Atherley JP MP, the Minister of State, on behalf of the Government of Barbados.  Also in attendance were the Chief of Staff of the BDF, Col Alvin Quintyne and the Solicitor General, Capt Small.

On Tuesday, soldiers’ weapons brought from Bermuda were re-zeroed and tested and the Contingent conducted joint training for operations with the Special Operations Company of the Barbados Regiment, a component BDF.  The Contingent has deployed with Mini-Ruger rifles and 5.56mm ball rounds along with Federal Riot Guns (FRGs) with rubber bullets and CS gas rounds.  Soldiers are deployed with a standard issue of four magazines in line with their Barbadian counterparts.  Rules of Engagement for Bermuda Regiment personnel in Barbados are identical to those applicable within Bermuda’s Internal Security environment. The Contingent went operational at 0800hrs Wednesday for the match between Bangladesh and England at Kensington Oval.  The Bermuda Regiment soldiers were stationed forward at St Anne’s Port as Quick Reaction Force (QRF) for public order duties.  The day passed smoothly with no incidents reported.

 

On Thursday the soldiers did a detailed tour of Kensington Oval and its environs in advance of the next scheduled match (SEE PHOTO -  RECCE).  In the afternoon, Bermuda’s Minister of Public Safety, Sen Lt Col David Burch, Lt Col Paris (CO, Barbados Regiment) and Lt Col White (CO, Bermuda Regiment) visited the troops at Paragon Base.  Cols Burch and Paris thanked the troops for their excellent service to date on behalf of their respective countries. (SEE PHOTO – CONTINGENT)
Lt Col White made a presentation to Col Paris and said he looked forward to developing the relationship between the two units through future joint initiatives.

 

The Bermuda Regiment Contingent is back on task at 0800hrs Friday for the game between Ireland and Australia.