Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force
The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It consists of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard and the Defence Force Reserves.
Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force
1 June 1962
Ground Forces
Coast Guard
Air Guard
Defence Force Reserves
Air Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel
18 (17 with parental consent)
4600
600
0.3%
Organisation[edit]
Established in 1962 after Trinidad and Tobago's independence from Great Britain, 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 National Security. The TTDF has the world's only Military steelband.
The Commander in Chief of the Defence Force is the country's President, Christine Kangaloo. 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.
Special Forces[edit]
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 the United States or the United 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).
This article incorporates from The World Factbook (2024 ed.). CIA. (Archived 2003 edition.)
