Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force
Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force emblem
Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force flag
Founded	1 June 1962; 63 years ago (1962-06-01)
Service branches	Regiment, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defence Force Reserves
Headquarters	Chaguaramas
Website	Official website
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	Christine Kangaloo
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago	Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Minister Of Defence	Wayne Sturge
Chief Of Defence Staff	Air Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel
Personnel
Military age	18 (17 with parental consent)
Active personnel	5,622
Reserve personnel	600
Expenditure
Percent of GDP	0.3%
Related articles
Ranks	Military ranks of Trinidad and Tobago

TheTrinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) is themilitary organisation responsible for the defence of the twin-island Republic ofTrinidad and Tobago. It consists of theTrinidad and Tobago Regiment, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard and the Defence Force Reserves.

Each of the three component services of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is responsible for a different role and domain. The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is responsible for land operations, the Air Guard is responsible for air operations, and the Coast Guard is responsible for maritime operations. It simultaneously acts as alaw enforcement agency.

Established in 1962 after Trinidad and Tobago's independence from theUnited Kingdom, the TTDF is one of the largest Military forces in the English-speakingCaribbean. Its mission statement is to "defend the sovereign good of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, contribute to the development of the national community and support the State in the fulfillment of its national and international objectives". The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is made up of four distinct arms; The Regiment/"Army" (TTR), the Coast Guard (TTCG), the Air Guard (TTAG) and the Defence Force Reserves (TTDFR), which all fall under the authority of the Ministry of National Security. The TTDF has the world's only Militarysteelband.

The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) comprises 5,622 uniformed personnel, 1 permanent, 35 contracted, and 156 daily paid civilian staff. The President of Trinidad and Tobago is the Commander-in-Chief, while the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is responsible for the TTDF's operational use, subject to the Minister of National Security's directions as outlined in Section 191(2) of the Defence Act, Chapter 14:01.^[1]

TheCommander in Chief of the Defence Force is the country'sPresident,Christine Kangaloo. The current Minister of Defence is Wayne Sturge.^[2] The current Chief of Defence Staff is Air Vice Marshall Darryl Daniel, who replaced Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard upon his retirement on 25 March 2019.

The CDS leads the Defence Force Headquarters, supported by the VCDS and the Commanding Officers of the TTDF's four formations.^[1] The TTDF Headquarters includes administrative and operational units.

Administration provides support services such as Human Resource Management, Finance, and Registry. Key roles include:

1. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): Responsible for strategic direction, operational control, and overall management.
2. Vice Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS): Coordinates staff activities and assists the CDS in achieving the Force's operational mandate.
3. Information Systems: Manages the Force's computer hardware and software.
4. Public Relations Department: Coordinates public relations and manages public affairs.
5. Staff Judge Advocate: Handles legal matters for the Force.
6. Inspector General: Investigates policies and procedures related to the Force's mission.
7. Force Development Strategy and Management: Develops, maintains, and integrates capabilities and training for Defence Force personnel.
8. Strategic Logistics: Plans and executes the movement, supply, and maintenance of resources.
9. Human Resources Department: Manages personnel readiness, monitors human resource management, and provides related policies and services.
10. Finance Department: Facilitates budget planning, preparation, and manages all financial matters.

Operations utilizes a Joint/United Staff System with the following components:

1. Directors and Military Attachés: Integrate the Force's operational management with national security priorities.
2. Intelligence Department: Collects data and generates intelligence for Force activities.
3. Operations Department: Coordinates all operations within the Force.
4. Unit Command and Administration Services: Coordinates supply, maintenance, transportation, and service functions.
5. Medical Department: Provides technical medical advice to Command and medical services to Force members.

The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment (TTR) is the main ground force element of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. It has approximately 3000 men and women, organized into four battalions and a Regiment Headquarters. The regiment has two primary roles: maintaining the internal security of Trinidad and Tobago and support to civil law enforcement. The current Commanding Officer is Colonel Keston Charles.

Also, as one of the larger military forces in the region, the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is also one of the main units used in peacekeeping and humanitarian situations from the Caribbean region.

Although it is called the Trinidad & Tobago Regiment, the TTR is in fact structured more like a light infantry brigade, with a pair of infantry battalions, plus engineering and logistic support units:

1st Battalion (Infantry), Trinidad and Tobago Regiment: This is a light infantry battalion. It is located at Camp Ogden, Long Circular Road, St James.

2nd Battalion (Infantry), Trinidad and Tobago Regiment: This is also a light infantry battalion. Formerly located at Camp Mausica, since then it has been relocated to the Chaguaramas Heliport and La Romain.

3rd Battalion (1st Engineer Battalion): This provides engineering support, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. It is located at Camp Cumuto, Wallerfield.

4th Battalion (Support and Service Battalion): This provides logistic and administrative support for the regiment. It is located at the Teteron Barracks, Teteron Bay, Chaguaramas.

The Regiment also maintains a Camp Omega, at Chaguaramas, which is used primarily for infantry training.

Trinidad and Tobago has a unique and highly trained group of special forces that is tasked to fulfill counter narcotics and counter terrorism operations. Soldiers are sent to theUnited States or theUnited Kingdom for their training. Their motto is "To Find a Way."There is also a secret elite branch of the TTCG, their name is Special Naval Unit (SNU).

The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard is the seagoing branch of the TTDF which was established on 1 June 1962 and commissioned into service less than 3 months later on 27 August 1962. The Coast Guard consists of a number of vessels designatedCG<number>. The current Commanding Officer is Captain Don Polo.

Its mission statements is "To Defend the Sovereign Good of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and to provide on a continuous basis, quality service for security and safety within the Maritime Boundaries, and in any other area of responsibility agreed to by the State to fulfill its International Obligations".

Its motto is "Service Before Self".

The Coast Guard is primarily involved with Drug Trade interdiction as well as Search and Rescue within the waters of Trinidad and Tobago and neighbouring Islands.^[3] However, the Coast Guard has been involved in major incidents. During the 1970 Army Mutiny in Trinidad and Tobago, the Coast Guard prevented the mutineers from convoying toPort of Spain by firing on an access road from the Regiment base at Teteron Barracks inChaguaramas. The Coast Guard also played a role during the 1990Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt, providing logistical and naval support to the ground forces of the Regiment, posted outside the besieged city limits.

National Roles of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard include:

• Surveillance of the Waters under T & T Jurisdiction
• Logistical Support to T & T Land Forces
• Port Security (ISPS Code)
• Assistance in Scientific Research
• Aid to Civil Law Enforcement
• Anti-Smuggling / Counter-Narcotic Operations (MOF)
• Fisheries Protection and Enforcement (MAL&MR)
• Pollution Surveillance and Enforcement (MPU&E)
• Safety of Shipping (MOW&T)

Operational Tasks

• Keeping surveillance of the nation's off-shore installations
• Environmental protection, minor salvage and local maritime surveys
• Cooperating with other naval forces.

Between 2001 and 2016 the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard fleet includedTTSNelson, anIsland-classpatrol vessel purchased from theRoyal Navy.^[4]

In April 2007, the Coast Guard contracted for three offshore patrol vessels fromVT Shipbuilding (laterBAE Systems Surface Ships) inPortsmouth, England. Construction of thePort of Spain-class corvettesPort of Spain,Scarborough andSan Fernando suffered significant delays and, in September 2010, though substantially complete, theGovernment of Trinidad and Tobago cancelled the order.^[5] TheBrazilian Navy acquired all three ships as theirAmazonas-class corvettes.

On 29 April 2015 the Ministry of National Security placed orders with the Dutch companyDamen Shipbuilders for four 51-metre (167 ft) 28-knot (52 km/h; 32 mph) coastal patrol vessels, two 54-metre (177 ft) fast utility boats and six 11-metre (36 ft) 53-knot (98 km/h; 61 mph) interceptors.^[6][7][8]

In August 2018, the government contracted withAustal to build twoCape-class patrol boats atHenderson, Western Australia, scheduled for delivery in mid-2020.^[9] The two vessels,Port of Spain andScarborough were delivered to the TTCG in May 2021.^[10]

The Air Wing of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence force was formed on 15 February 1966, and was initially part of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and was called the Air Wing of the Coast Guard or the Air Wing. In 1977, it was separated as its own entity. In 2005 it was renamed the Trinidad & Tobago Air Guard (TTAG). Its bases are atPiarco International Airport,Crown Point International Airport, and the Heliport atChaguaramas. Its purposes are to protect and patrol Trinidad and Tobago's airspace, and is also used for transport, search and rescue, and liaison. The current commander of the Air Guard isGroup Captain Kemba Hannays, who took over from Kester Weekes, in a promotion and appointment ceremony on July 10, 2023. Group Captain Weekes took command of the unit in 2019, succeeding then-Air Commodore Daryl Daniel upon his promotion to Chief of Defence Staff in March 2019.^[16]

Its former fleet of aircraft included:OneCessna 337 (O-2A) Skymaster (1966–1972), OneCessna 402 Utililiner (1972–1998), fourAérospatiale Gazelle (1973–1995), OneCessna 172 Skyhawk (1991–1998), TwoPiper Navajo 2000–2009, OneCessna 310 1985-2011

Four Agusta WestlandAW139 helicopters were intended to be used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions related to search and rescue, border patrol and drug interdiction. Due to lack of funding for maintenance, all helicopters were grounded since 2017.^[18] In December 2020, The Minister of National Security announced that one AW139 is back up in the air.^[19]

The Minister of National Security announced that the establishment of a military airfield, construction of an operations/administrative building at the Piarco Air Station and new helicopters would be purchased to equip the Air Guard. The minister also promised training from various international bodies. Cabinet agreed to the change of rank designations from naval to the corresponding aviation designations and the creation of 66 ranks on the establishment of the Air Guard.

The Defence Force Reserves, previously called theVolunteer Defence Force, are the non-active duty arm of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. Its mission statement is "To be a highly professional, well-trained combat-ready force that will respond effectively in support of our regular forces and the national community". The Defence Force Reserves are capable of providing reinforcement and be a force multiplier in the event that the Defence Force is called upon to carry out its roles of aid to the civil power. Established in September 1963, its primary purpose at that time was to provide essential reinforcements to the regular force. Today, those roles have grown to include assisting in the promotion of hemispheric and international security and development, with a well-equipped force, trained in a broad range of disciplines and actively involved in community development. In recent years, the Reserves have been called out to assist with law enforcement and most recently to assist with the security in Trinidad's hosting of the5th Summit of the Americas in 2009.

See also:Orders, decorations, and medals of Trinidad and Tobago

• Chief of Defence Staff (Trinidad and Tobago)
• Naval Base Trinidad
• Waller Air Force Base
• Carlsen Air Force Base
• Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
• Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago

• Ministry of National Security TTDF page Ministry of National Security TTDF page
• Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Official site
• TTDF Facebook
• Ministry of National Security: special publications
•  This article incorporatespublic domain material fromThe World Factbook (2025 ed.).CIA. (Archived 2003 edition.)

• Military of Trinidad and Tobago
• 1962 establishments in Trinidad and Tobago
• Military units and formations established in 1962

• CS1 errors: periodical ignored
• Articles with short description
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• Use dmy dates from May 2021
• Official website not in Wikidata
• Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the World Factbook