An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 22, 2012

Florida and Barbados exchange aviation practices

By Master Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa, Air National Guard Florida National Guard

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A recent international exchange between Barbados and the Florida National Guard here, through the National Guard's State Partnership Program, could yield future benefits to the security of both the Caribbean and the U.S.

Three aviators from the Regional Security System - an international agreement for the defense and security of the eastern Caribbean region - met with members of the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing at the Jacksonville International Airport, March 13-15. The three-day informational exchange was part of Florida's ongoing State Partnership with the RSS, and centered around repairs, upgrades and training on the RC-26B Metroliner fixed wing aircraft.

The three representatives from the RSS's Air Wing in Barbados met with their Florida National Guard counterparts to not only share "best practices" associated with the small aircraft, but to help strengthen an ongoing professional relationship.

"Having a healthy RSS Air Wing in the Caribbean provides security and stabilization for not only the American citizens who visit that area, but for the people who live there," said Air Force Lt. Col. Kenneth Johnson, a National Guard RC-26 pilot.

Johnson, who was assigned to the U.S. Embassy's military liaison office in Barbados, said the RSS Air Wing's counterdrug and drug interdiction mission helps keep illegal drugs and weapons from passing through the Eastern Caribbean into the United States. He said the drug trade brings violence and regional destabilization along with it, so curtailing that trafficking is important to keeping everyone safe.

Even if the RC-26 crews meeting in Jacksonville only discuss the best ways to maintain an aircraft or the most cost-effective method to order engine parts, anything that helps the RSS's counterdrug mission will be beneficial, Johnson said.

"If we can pass on lessons-learned from the Florida Air National Guard, hopefully we can help decrease violence in the region," he said.

Johnson said the recent State Partnership Program exchange aligns perfectly with the U.S. State Department's Caribbean Basin Security Initiative to focus on citizen safety throughout the hemisphere, especially through its ability to combat narcotics trafficking.

Eastern Caribbean nations represented in the Regional Security System include: Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Dominica; Grenada; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and St. Kitts and Nevis. The Regional Security System is a "hybrid" organization that is comprised of both military and police personnel who remain under the command of their respective forces.

While meeting with Johnson and his team of Florida Guard members, Barbados' Francis Eno said the exchange has given his crew reassurance that many of their procedures for the RC-26 are in line with what the crews from the 125th Fighter Wing are doing.

"This allows us to appreciate that our tactics and [procedures] are pretty much on par with what goes on outside of the region as far as our Air Wing is concerned," Eno said. "And we also see it as a morale booster. Our guys look forward to these visits and see how other people operate.

"They realize that we are pretty much on the ball when it comes to this type of operation."

Johnson said the real appeal of the SPP exchanges is showing the Caribbean nations that the Florida National Guard is truly committed to the relationships, and they plan to work together into the future.

"It lets them know that not only are we partnered in word, but truly in deed as well," Johnson said. "…When you look into their eyes and have conversations with them you really get the sense that you are sitting across from a friend. I hope that working throughout the SPP we get more opportunities for more of our Florida Guardsmen to engage and exchange with our partners in the Caribbean. They are professional, they are highly motivated, and with the kind of assistance that we can provide, they can be even more capable in terms of securing the area."

 

 

Related Articles
Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, discusses briefing details with Col. Augusto Villalaz, director of the Joint Staff for the Louisiana National Guard, during the annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 21, 2025. The drill helps synchronize plans and strengthen coordination across LANG’s senior leadership ahead of hurricane season.
Louisiana Guard Rehearses Emergency Plans for Hurricane Season
By Capt. Peter Drasutis, | May 28, 2025
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard conducted its annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge May 21, uniting key personnel across multiple commands to refine...

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, sling load a reduced range practice rocket to a Moroccan CH-47 Chinook during a multinational sling load operation at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations - preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.
New Hampshire Guard Teams with Morocco for Sling Load Training at African Lion 2025
By Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester, | May 28, 2025
TAN TAN, Morocco – Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company (744TH FSC), 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard partnered with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), for...

From left, Sgt. Edward Acda, Lt. Col. Vern Perez, Sgt. 1st Class Celine Taitano, Capt. Ryan Arellano, Staff Sgt. Jovencio Mortera, and Sgt. Avery Tyquiengco of the Guam National Guard participate in Balikatan Cyber Defense Exercise, Manila, April 27, 2025. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the U.S. and Philippine armed forces designed to strengthen the alliance, showcase the capable combined force, and demonstrate the commitment to regional security and stability. (Courtesy asset)
Guam Guard Participates in Balikatan 2025 Cyber Defense Exercise
By Mark Scott, | May 28, 2025
MANILA, Philippines – A team of cyber professionals and an intelligence analyst from the Guam National Guard attended Balikatan 2025, participating in the three-week Cyber Defense Exercise alongside teams from various...