Port of Spain: The one hundred (100) Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) personnel who were deployed on September 08, 2019 to provide Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief to the Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, returned to Trinidad and Tobago last night on October 07, 2019.
The TTDF troops arrived at the Piarco International Airport aboard a Caribbean Airlines Limited flight at 7:30 p.m. and were welcomed home by Chief of Defence Staff Air Commodore Darryl Daniel. Addressing the returning contingent, the Chief of Defence Staff applauded them on being excellent ambassadors of Trinidad and Tobago during their deployment. He congratulated the team on their quick mobilization during their thirty (30) days on the ground in the Bahamas and the dedicated assistance they provided in coordinating relief operations alongside the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Air Commodore Daniel was thankful for the troop’s safe return to Trinidad and Tobago and the reunion with their families. He welcomed the reintegration of the troops into their respective TTDF formations.
TTDF Task Force Commander to the Bahamas Major Derron McClean expressed gratitude to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago for their overwhelming support during the team’s deployment to render assistance to the people of the Bahamas. Major McClean described the troops’ experience in the Bahamas as humbling, as the level of devastation witnessed on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama was extensive.
While in the Bahamas the TTDF troops performed specific duties in the Grand Bahama area, including:
- Conducting Damage Assessments in Freeport, High Rock, Pelican Point and McLeans Town on the Grand Bahama Island;
- Security assistance along with the RBDF at critical locations;
- Clearing of fallen trees;
- Packaging and distribution of hurricane relief items.
Minister of National Security the Honourable Stuart R. Young M.P. commends the one hundred (100) TTDF personnel for the strategic support provided to the people of the Bahamas, as well as for their efforts to aid that country’s return to normalcy.
The Ministry of National Security expresses its appreciation to the troops for representing Trinidad and Tobago with pride and professionalism during their deployment in the Bahamas.