U.S. Brig. Gen. Maurizio Calabrese, who directs intelligence operations for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Northern Command, visited Royal Bahamas Defence Force officials at the Coral Harbour headquarters in July 2024. Capt. Glenn McPhee, right, gave Calabrese a tour of the facility. ROYAL BAHAMAS DEFENCE FORCE
THE WATCH STAFF
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Maurizio Calabrese, director of intelligence and information for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), met with senior members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) in July 2024.
Calabrese toured Coral Harbour Base, meeting with Capt. Glenn McPhee to discuss “matters of mutual interest and exchange pleasantries,” according to an RBDF news release. The RBDF delegation included McPhee; Force Inspectorate Officer Capt. Natasha Miller; Strategy and Operations Planning Officer Senior Cmdr. Milton Munroe; Base Executive Officer Cmdr. Origin Deleveaux; Human Resources Officer Lt. Cmdr. Thora Gardiner; Harbour Patrol Unit Commanding Officer Lt. Cmdr. Rupethera Symonette; and Senior Lt. Julian Smith, who is acting staff intelligence officer; the release stated. Accompanying Calabrese in the U.S. delegation were Defense Attache Capt. Gregg Gellman; Bilateral Affairs Officer Capt. Jonathan Griffith; Defense Attache Cmdr. Victor Lang; Bilateral Affairs Officer Capt. Charles McCurdy; and Maj. Kyle Rich.
Calabrese and RBDF officials also explored possible avenues for future collaboration and greater interoperability, according to the release. “Discussions focused on potential opportunities for collaboration on operations, activities, and investments (OAIs) in the Bahamas. The discussions were followed by brief tours of the Operations Command Center,” the release stated.
The Bahamas and the U.S., along with the Turks and Caicos Islands, have collaborated in a joint drug interdiction program known as OPBAT since the early 1980s. The RBDF and the U.S. Coast Guard have also cooperated closely in recent years on search and rescue operations and interdictions of migrants, most recently from unrest in Haiti.
The RBDF release said Calabrese’s visit was another signal demonstrating the deepening relationship with the U.S. military. Such partnerships are a cornerstone of the Bahamas’ defense strategy, the release stated, adding that the exchange aligned with RBDF Commander Commodore Raymond E. King’s stated objectives. “In keeping with the Commander Defence Force’s intent of strengthening Security Cooperation relationships particularly with regional and international partners, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force continues to embrace opportunities that enhance the organization’s strategic posture that ensures the RBDF is well manned, trained and equipped to accomplish its missions successfully. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains committed to the pursuit of excellence in guarding our heritage.”