United States and Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) commanders met on Andros Island at the U.S. Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) in late July 2025 as the countries strengthen their longstanding partnership. The U.S. naval underwater testing facility is used for training and testing of submarines, and the visit was designed to more closely integrate the U.S. base’s capabilities with the RBDF’s mission to defend The Bahamas.
RBDF Commodore Floyd Moxey made the courtesy call to Cmdr. Jeremy Reed at the AUTEC facility, which allows the U.S. Navy to use the 20-mile-wide and 150-mile-long flat-bottomed trench known as the “tongue of the ocean.” The trench’s shape and protective shoals and reefs surrounding it help reduce sea noise, making its acoustics ideal for testing submarine operating and weapons systems. AUTEC has three testing grounds — for weapons, acoustics and sonar — and has been operational since 1967, four years after the U.S. and United Kingdom signed the original treaty. After The Bahamas achieved independence in 1973, the U.S. entered negotiations with Nassau on a new treaty, signed in 1984.
Moxey’s visit “focused on strengthening cooperation in joint operations, maritime security, emergency response, and transportation support,” according to the Nassau Guardian, a Bahamian newspaper. Moxey raised potential opportunities for natural disaster preparation, including storm shelter assistance and collaborative exercises to improve readiness, the newspaper reported. Also attending the event was Andros Island Administrator Audrey Charlton to discuss the RBDF’s coordination with AUTEC and support for the surrounding communities. “As a symbol of respect and shared commitment, Commodore Moxey and Commander Reed exchanged challenge coins, expressing optimism about the continued collaboration between the RBDF, AUTEC, and local authorities in ensuring the security and resilience of The Bahamas,” the newspaper reported.
With its Caribbean location, The Bahamas has suffered numerous hurricanes. In 2019, AUTEC was transformed into a relief hub after Dorian, a Category 5 storm, hit. The U.S. Coast Guard deployed 13 helicopters to AUTEC, and subsequent search and rescue operations resulted in more than 200 lives saved, according to wearethemighty.com, a military affairs website. AUTEC also has a logistics and administrative support center in West Palm Beach, Florida.