THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA DEFENCE FORCE

BRIEF HISTORY OF ABDF

The regular military of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) evolved out of its volunteer predecessors the Antigua Defence Force (ABDF), and the even earlier Leeward Island Regiment that was a contingent of its parent Unit, the British West India Regiment, under which banner soldiers from Antigua and Barbuda fought in both world wars. After the disbandment of the West India and Leeward Island Regiments, the Antigua Defence Force was activated; and in 1981 at the time of the Nation’s Independence, a law was enacted in Parliament establishing the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force as the Nation’s permanent military.

Mission

To defend Antigua and Barbuda’s territorial integrity and sovereignty to include, aid to the civil authority, Fisheries Protection, drug interdiction, and humanitarian relief operations, and to promote regional peace

Vision

A professional Defence Force capable of addressing threats to the national peace and stability, participating in community development, protecting national interests and contributing to hemispheric stability.

Revised Laws of Antigua and Barbuda

ROLES AND FUNCTION OF THE ABDF

The roles and function of the ABDF have remained consistent since omitted in 1981, and have witnessed only one amendment in early 1996 when the Force was given the responsibility of the Coast Guard. Hence the primary functions of the ABDF as enshrined in the 1995 Revised Laws of Antigua and Barbuda are as follows:

The defence of the twin island nation from external and internal aggression;
The assistance to the civil authorities in the maintenance of law and order;
Provide support to the civil authorities in times of disaster (natural or manmade);
Maritime safety, search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement;
Provide security and disaster relief assistance to other member states of the Regional Security System (RSS) in times of crisis;
Any other task that may be issued by the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda.

The Units and their primary roles are defined as follows

ABDF'S ORBAT

The organization of the ABDF has been specifically tailored in recent years to more efficiently and effectively achieve its mandate as delineated above. The Force has four Units, each utilizing the structure of a battalion, although the strength of the Force remains below 300 men. In addition to achieving the Force’s mission, it was envisaged that the current structure would further enhance productivity, discipline, and command and control, while providing an organization to facilitate future growth. The Units and their primary roles are defined as follows

Antigua and Barbuda Regiment (1ABR)

Be prepared to execute the Defence Force Mission,
To support the ABDF CG in its Drug Interdiction Mission,
Conduct internal security operations,
To develop the Battalion and cross train personnel to satisfy the immediate needs of the Unit,
To develop the Volunteer Element within the Unit to satisfy the given requirement.

Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard (ABDF CG)

1. Maritime safety,
2. Search and Rescue,
3. Nation Building,
4. Maritime law enforcement, and
5. Assistance to other military duties as directed by the Commander of the ABDF.

There exists an urgent security and safety requirement for the ABDF CG to establish Satellite Bases in the sister island of Barbuda and on the south coast of Antigua. Initial site surveys have been done, however the current financial constraints on the Government have placed these projects on hold given the projected requirements of a building, additional personnel, vessels and equipment.

Airwing

1. To provide the necessary Services and Support to all Units within the ABDF; and other Government and Non-Governmental Organizations as directed, inclusive of:
  - Catering services,
  - Transport,
  - Construction, Electrical, Maintenance, Engineers,
  - Medical and

The SSU like its sister Unit the ABDF CG interacts with the civil society on a daily basis. SSU provides a vital avenue for the ABDF to make regular contributions towards the development of the Nation by its various civil projects on behalf of the ABDF. This is even more evident in times of disaster, where the Unit plays a critical role in reconstruction, medical services, transportation and communications.

The Unit however, is handicapped due to the limited resources available to support the said essential services not only to the Force, but even more so to the general public.

Antigua and Barbuda National Cadet Corp (ABNCC)

1. To promote Nation and Character Building through the Youth (12 – 19 yrs) of today to meet the challenges of tomorrow via:
  - Imparting basic military subjects,
  - First aid,
  - Academic and technical training,
  - Leadership and team effort toward problem solving,
  - Adventure Training (Locally, Regionally and Extra Regional), and
  - Lectures on career opportunities, morality/ethics and national service.

The ABNCC is the ABDF’s focal point for its contribution to the young people of Antigua and Barbuda. The Corp offers a sterling opportunity for the Nation’s Youth to improve themselves while preparing for the challenges of the future.

The ABNCC analogous to its Parent Unit the ABDF, remains dependant on the ABDF’s limited budget for basic requirements such as transportation, uniform, access to computers, funding for overseas travel, an established Headquarters and the relevant furniture and office equipment. Hence the efforts of the Force in recruiting the young people in the schools have been retarded given the constraints.

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