NEW TRENDS: Undocumented migrants using US vessels to smuggle into The Bahamas

Commander King says RBDF forced to spread resources to respond to smuggling NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Undocumented migrants trying to illegally enter the country by sea are utilizing new tactics to conceal themselves in order to evade capture, said Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commander Raymond King yesterday. During the weekly press conference at the Office of […]

OMICRON STRIKES DEFENCE FORCE: RBDF operations impacted by rising cases among personnel

216 COVID cases in RBDF in first week of January 45% of cases from workplace transmission, 30% outside social gatherings, 25% travel-related NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The operations of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) have been significantly impacted in recent weeks due to the increased number of COVID-19 infections on the force, said Commander Dr […]

‘Send them back immediately’: Govt. wants to repatriate irregular migrants at sea

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Immigration Keith Bell advised yesterday that the government is considering amending the Immigration Act to allow law enforcement officers to repatriate migrants at sea. Bell made the revelation to reporters outside the House of Assembly when asked about the recent uptick in interdictions. “We have seen a steady flow,” he […]

RBDF observes 41 years as official entity

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — On March 31, 1980, an act of Parliament was tabled by then-Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, laying the framework for a defense force that would patrol and defend the territorial integrity of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Thus, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) became an official entity. The mandates of the organization […]

RBDF welcomes newest officers trained at US Coast Guard Academy

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) welcomed two of the newest officers after they successfully completed Officers Training at the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), the force announced yesterday. According to the announcement, Lieutenant Angelo Whitfield and Sub Lieutenant Delron Mitchell recently completed conversion courses for naval officers in New London, […]

RBDF commando squadron graduation ceremony

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A graduation ceremony was recently held for 46 Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) marines who completed training courses to “better equip and prepare them to confront today’s security threats”, the force announced yesterday. “In keeping with Commander Defence Force Commodore Raymond King’s vision of professionalism of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, a […]

RBDF observes annual church service

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Minister of National Security Marvin Dames commended the Commander Defence Force, Officers and Marines of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) for a “productive year” and for their continued success in protecting the country’s territorial borders at the force’s annual church service on March 31, 2019. Also in attendance at the service were […]

10 foreign nationals charged with various offenses

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two Colombians and one Haitian were arraigned in the Freeport magistrate’s court #2 before Magistrate Debbye Ferguson on March 29, 2019. Gary Alexander Paez Manotas and Diana Mireya Quintero Briceno were arrested on March 28, 2019 in Freeport, Grand Bahama. The duo was charged with Overstaying and both were fined $3,000 each […]

Dominican poachers fined $413,000 or time in jail

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Three days after they were apprehended by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), seven Dominican fishermen were charged before the courts on Friday for poaching in Bahamian waters. According to the RBDF, patrol craft P-129, coxswained by Petty Officer Edison Rolle, apprehended the seven Dominicans aboard two small go-fast type boats approximately […]

HMBS Flamingo tragedy at sea remembered

Thirty-eight years after the tragic sinking of the HMBS Flamingo, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) held a memorial service in memory of the marines who died in the line of duty on May 10, 1980. The service, which is held annually,  took place at the RBDF Coral Harbor base on Thursday. Governor General of […]

Illegal immigrants captured in South New Providence

Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) marines discovered a wooden sailing sloop packed with 25 Haitian nationals shortly before 4 a.m. this morning. The marines were acting on a tip from police after the officers apprehended three other undocumented Haitian nationals in the Marshall Road area. Immigration officers also joined the search and investigations are ongoing. […]

Training begins for new RBDF recruits

One-hundred twenty (120) new recruits underwent a less than gentle awakening yesterday as they began their transition from civilian to military life in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. As members of New Entry 55/24, these recruits are on their way to making history as part of a newly modernized recruit training program offered by the […]