Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force

Established in 1962 after Trinidad and Tobago's independence from the United Kingdom, the TTDF is one of the largest Military forces in the English-speaking Caribbean. 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 Defence. The TTDF has the world's only Military steelband. 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 Defence's directions as outlined in Section 191(2) of the Defence Act, Chapter 14:01. The CDS leads the Defence Force Headquarters, supported by the VCDS and the Commanding Officers of the TTDF's four formations. The TTDF Headquarters includes administrative and operational units. Administration provides support services such as Human Resource Management, Finance, and Registry. Key roles include: • Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): Responsible for strategic direction, operational control, and overall management. • Vice Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS): Coordinates staff activities and assists the CDS in achieving the Force's operational mandate. • Information Systems: Manages the Force's computer hardware and software. • Public Relations Department: Coordinates public relations and manages public affairs. • Staff Judge Advocate: Handles legal matters for the Force. • Inspector General: Investigates policies and procedures related to the Force's mission. • Force Development Strategy and Management: Develops, maintains, and integrates capabilities and training for Defence Force personnel. • Strategic Logistics: Plans and executes the movement, supply, and maintenance of resources. • Human Resources Department: Manages personnel readiness, monitors human resource management, and provides related policies and services. • Finance Department: Facilitates budget planning, preparation, and manages all financial matters. Operations utilizes a Joint/United Staff System with the following components: • Directors and Military Attachés: Integrate the Force's operational management with national security priorities. • Intelligence Department: Collects data and generates intelligence for Force activities. • Operations Department: Coordinates all operations within the Force. • Unit Command and Administration Services: Coordinates supply, maintenance, transportation, and service functions. • Medical Department: Provides technical medical advice to Command and medical services to Force members. == Regiment (Army)==

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 Commanding Officer of the Regiment is Colonel Dwayne Edwards, effective October 14, 2025. whose appointment as CO Regiment was revoked by the government. 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. == Special Forces==

Trinidad and Tobago has a number of Special Units however the notable units are assets under the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF). The Special Forces Operations Detachment (SFOD) belongs to the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment with the motto "To Find a Way". SF's training mirrors the US Special Forces in training and mission. The Special Naval Unit (SNU) is the Maritime aspect of the Special Operational Forces belonging to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and runs heavily on the US Navy Seals doctrines and training. These units fulfill specific roles and functions however they do work collaboratively at times. Taskings from Jungle Operations (SFOD), Direct Action, Recon, PSD, Maritime Ops (SNU) and internal and foreign consultancy. ==Coast Guard==

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 designated CG. The Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard is Captain Akenathon Isaac, with his promotion to the rank of Captain and appointment as CO effective October 14, 2025. who was appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on October 7, 2025, In April 2007, the Coast Guard contracted for three offshore patrol vessels from VT Shipbuilding (later BAE Systems Surface Ships) in Portsmouth, England. Construction of the s Port of Spain, Scarborough and San Fernando suffered significant delays and, in September 2010, though substantially complete, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago cancelled the order. The Brazilian Navy acquired all three ships as their s. On 29 April 2015, the Ministry of National Security placed orders with the Dutch company Damen Shipbuilders for four coastal patrol vessels, two fast utility boats and six interceptors. In August 2018, the government contracted with Austal to build two s at Henderson, Western Australia, scheduled for delivery in mid-2020. The two vessels, Port of Spain and Scarborough, were delivered to the TTCG in May 2021. in 2010 == Air Guard ==

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 at Piarco International Airport, Crown Point International Airport, and the Heliport at Chaguaramas. 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 is Group 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. Aircraft Current inventory Its former fleet of aircraft included: One Cessna 337 (O-2A) Skymaster (1966–1972), One Cessna 402 Utililiner (1972–1998), four Aérospatiale Gazelle (1973–1995), One Cessna 172 Skyhawk (1991–1998), Two Piper Navajo 2000–2009, One Cessna 310 1985-2011 Four Agusta Westland AW139 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. In December 2020, The Minister of National Security announced that one AW139 is back up in the air. 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. == Defence Force Reserves ==

The Defence Force Reserves, previously called the Volunteer 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 the 5th Summit of the Americas in 2009. The current Commanding Officer (acting) is Major David Benjamin. ==Ranks==