The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) welcomed Brig. Gen. Mark W. Siekman from United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) during an official visit to the Harbour Patrol Unit on May 26, 2026, and the Coral Harbour Base on May 27. Siekman met with RBDF commanders, department heads and unit leaders, and he praised the RBDF for its professionalism, dedication and commitment to service. Capt. Stephen U. Rolle and Cmdr. Valentino Rolle, Harbour Patrol commanding officer, formally welcomed Siekman and his delegation to the RBDF Harbour Patrol Unit. Rolle briefed Siekman, who serves as director for logistics and engineering (J-4) for both…
The Watch
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are conducting Operation Latitude, a recurring continental defense mission that demonstrates Canada’s ability to operate effectively alongside allied forces in northern waters, including the Bering Sea, and in a complex Arctic environment. “Through regular, professional and coordinated activities, we reinforce Arctic sovereignty, protect Canada’s northern approaches and defend North American territory against evolving security threats,” said Lt. Gen. Steve Boivin, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command. The operation supports the CAF’s expansive approach to enhanced Arctic and northern operations, safeguarding its permanent presence and sustained activities across the region while reinforcing core missions…
The United States Coast Guard seized a cache of drugs during operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean worth more than $63 million in June 2026. The seizures are the latest evidence of historic Coast Guard interdiction successes that have prevented narcotics from entering the U.S. About 3,502 kilograms of cocaine and 1,814 kilograms of marijuana were netted during three operations between June 11-13. The operations took place under Operation Pacific Viper, which has shown demonstrable success in stopping the flow of narcotics to the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security announced in June that 102,058 kilograms of cocaine has been…
The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment was one of six regional militaries that participated in the Caribbean Reserve Training Camp in Jamaica in July 2026, a two-week exercise designed to strengthen tactical skills, leadership, regional cooperation and interoperability. Soldiers from other British Overseas Territories (BOT), including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and the Cayman Islands, also practiced combined operations with the Jamaican Defence Force and the nation’s reserve and junior cadet forces. Brig. Gen. Ricardo Blidgen, brigade commander of the Jamaica National Reserve, said the training camp represents the cornerstone of the reserve’s operational readiness. “Soldiers and officers remain prepared to…
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have launched Operation Nanook-Takuniq 2026, planning exercises throughout summer, fall and winter across the Canadian North and Arctic. The operation focuses on land-based awareness and surveillance in remote, austere environments. Nanook-Takuniq demands specialized Arctic skills, including long‑range patrolling, navigation and survival in extreme conditions, and in-depth regional knowledge. Activities will be held in key locations such as Banks Island, Akpatok Island in Nunavut, and the coastlines of Hudson Bay and Labrador. “Operation Nanook-Takuniq advances our enhanced Arctic operations by reinforcing the Canadian Armed Forces’ permanent presence and ability to operate in our North,” Maj. Gen. Tim Arsenault, acting commander…
In two separate operations led by the Mexican Navy, authorities confiscated about 4 metric tons of suspected cocaine and two vessels, and four arrests were made, the Secretariat of the Navy (MARINA) announced in news releases in early July. Combined, the seizures cost criminal organizations about $52 million, MARINA said. In the first operation, the Mexican Navy seized about 3 metric tons of suspected cocaine and two small boats in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, a MARINA news release said July 4. Four suspects were arrested. The interdiction occurred after Navy personnel carrying out a maritime…
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) welcomed 104 new Marine recruits in July 2026, marking a historically high level of defense readiness. The RBDF ranks now number more than 2,000 for the first time since its founding nearly a half century ago. The July 17 graduation ceremony included 62 men and 42 women, clad in their dress whites, who executed complex drills on the Coral Harbour Base’s parade grounds. Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper, the guest of honor at the Passing Out Parade, praised the recruits’ tenacity during the 20-week training camp. “You have earned the privilege of serving…
The Canadian government will invest $21 million in the next two years to set up a defense innovation center designed to accelerate the development, testing and integration of military drones and other uncrewed systems. Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub (UxS DISH) as part of the government’s Borealis production program. “Drones are changing the way modern militaries operate, and Canada must be ready to develop, test and adopt these technologies at speed,” McGuinty said in a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) news release on July 14, 2026. “This new Defence Innovation Secure Hub will bring government, Canadian industry, academia,…
Mexican National Guard units arrived in Ciudad Juarez in June 2026 to collaborate with the United States on surveillance and crime-prevention efforts along the Mexico-U.S. border. The specialized units conducted concurrent patrols, also known as “mirrored patrols,” with U.S. Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) units. The Mexican forces patrolled on their side of the border while CBP agents did the same on the U.S. side, reported KTSM, an El Paso television broadcaster. The June 18 patrols took place along the border between the Anapra-Sunland Park area to the Zaragoza International Bridge, the station reported. Since the beginning…
Australia has formalized a landmark agreement with Canada to provide state-of-the-art radar capabilities for the Arctic, strengthening continental defense and bolstering the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). In June 2026, the allies signed a pact that ensures delivery of an Arctic over-the-horizon-radar (A-OTHR) system to Canada. It is expected to be operational by December 2029. The cost of the $4.2 billion system, which includes related infrastructure and logistics, represents a major downpayment in Canada’s commitment to contribute to NORAD’s modernization. A-OTHR will give Canada long-surveillance capability to detect and track airborne threats approaching North America through the Arctic. The…