Belize Defense Force (BDF)

The Belize Defence Force is charged with the Defence of Belize; the support of the Civil Authorities in the Maintenance of Order in Belize; and such other duties as may from time to time be defined by the Governor-General. The Belize Defense Force (BDF), established in January 1978, is comprised of a light infantry force of regulars and reservists along with small air and maritime wings. The Belize Defence Force (BDF) was formed on 1 January 1978 on the disbandment of the Belize Volunteer Guard and the Police Special Force. The BDF assumed total defense responsibility from British Forces Belize (BFB) on January 1, 1994.

The Belize Volunteer Guard, with roots back to 1814, was a battalion size unit that operated along the lines of the U.K Territory Army. The Police Special Force was a Regular paramilitary unit of company size strength. This unit was formed 10 years prior to 1978 to maintain law and order in remote and rural areas. Members of both units formed the nucleus of the BDF. The BDF evolved into a Brigade size unit over the years, with land, sea and air elements.

Neither the Belize Defense Force nor the government owned a helicopter and its air force consisted of two dilapidated 12 passenger aircraft donated by Britain a couple decades ago.

In late 2010, the British Ministry of Defense announced plans to reduce its presence in Belize as part of cost-saving measures and reduced its troops from 70 soldiers to a skeleton staff of fewer than 10 soldiers. The BDF also receives military assistance from the United States.

In June 2010, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced changes to his cabinet. The Ministry of National Security was split into the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Police and Public Security. This included the addition of one new cabinet position and the division of one ministry.

Ground was broken for the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at the Sarstoon River in early December 2015. There are plans for bases in Sebada and Caballo in the West, dependent on a road being constructed there and future ones in Consejo, Corozal, and one in Blue Creek, Orange Walk, giving the BDF tight control over what is happening along the western border, along the northern border with Mexico and along the southern border along the Sarstoon with Guatemala.

Diálogo talked with Brigadier General David Jones, commander of Belize Defence Force, during the XIII Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC), held in Nassau, Bahamas, from 20-23 January 2015. "The biggest challenge is our lack of resources. There is also a need for more training for our troops, but most of all I think we need to increase the size of our Force. We know what the problem is. We’re aware of it and are sure where the narcotrafficking is passing through, but we don’t really have the resources, in particular, air support. Air support is critical to curbing the issues that we have because sometimes we have the aircraft that come in from Venezuela, Colombia, or somewhere else in South America. It goes directly to Belize and lands here. We don’t have the air capability to pursue any aircraft at all, so they come in and they leave almost as they please because we don’t have that air capability to interdict these aircraft when they come in."

The First Infantry Battalion came into existence in 1993. This was as a direct result of the British Government decision to withdraw British Forces from Belize and handing over the Defence of Belize to Belizeans. Since that time, the battalion participated in extensive military exercises in Belize as well a selected part of its staff going aboard to participate in United Nations Peace Operations in Haiti.

The battalion has been commanded by Lt Col Earl Arthurs now retired Brig Gen, Lt Col Robert Garcia also now Brig Gen retired, Lt Col Hugh Cain retired, Lt Col Stephen Huesner, Lt Col George Lovell retired, Lt Col Reuel Black, MVO, psc(j), MA, Lt Col Roberto Ramirez and later commanded by Major David Jones.

The battalion consists of three infantry companies and a small HQ staff. It operates in the entire country alternating from the South to the North of the country. Presently, it is stationed at Fairweather Camp, Punta Gorda in the Toledo District with its two companies and in Belize City marinating a presence to accomplish its task as stipulated in the Defence Act. Every February, the battalions alternate between Ladyville and Punta Gorda.

The Battalion is equipped with small arms, a fleet of transportation, its integral logistics slice, and its own signalers. Other support is received from the Logistics unit in Price Barracks. Recruiting for the unit is done by the BDF Headquarters and its leaders are trained by the Logistics Company’s sub-unit, Training Company. The leaders then train their subordinates to maintain its training standards. The companies also conduct live firing in the Mountain Pine Ridge Training Area periodically.

Second Infantry Battalion, a combination of men and women soldiers, was formed on 01 October, 1994. It was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Arthurs, the Battalion at that time had three Infantry Companies Sierra, Alpha and Echo Company. Lieutenant Colonel Arthurs relinquished command on 25 June, 1997. The other commanders over the period 1997 to the year 2000 were Lieutenant Colonel Peter Parchue, Lieutenant Colonel Cedric Borland, Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Gillett in that order.

For the period 31 October, 2000 to 31 August, 2002, the Battalion nomenclature was revoked and redesignated a Land Command. Becoming either Land Command South (LNS) or Land Command North (LCN) depending on the rotation. LCN was comprised of the Cayo District, a partition of the Hummingbird Highway, Belize, Orange Walk and Corozal Districts. LCS comprises of the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts and a portion of the Hummingbird Highway. These are now presently designated Battalion Tactical Areas of Responsibility (Bn TAOR) and Command HQs were based on rotation between Price Barracks and Fairweather Camp in Punta Gorda.

On the 31 August, 2002, LCS and LCN was reverted back to being Second Infantry Battalion. This was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds Lewis. However, this time the Coys were Hotel, Gulf and Sierra Companies. During the tenure of Lieutenant Colonel R J Lewis, the idea of a Battalion Logo and Flag were originated. The idea was presented out within the Battalion and as a result produced the logo and Bn Emblem. The finished product was the result of the combined efforts of RSM 2 Bn, WO1 D O Castillo then a WO2, Pte August G, Pte Coc J and the artist Pte Cho D, not to overlook the efforts of Sgt L Sho and Sgt A Sho (Button) then Cpl for final graphics.

The Battalion Logo depicts all the colors of the Companies in the Battalion. Red and Green for Hotel Company, Red and Orange for Gulf Company and Black and White for Sierra Company. The grey background was the original Battalion color, which was changed to blue as seen on the Bn Flag. The Cross Rifles signifies that we are Infantry personnel. The Jabiru was chosen as the Battalion Bird. The versatility of the Jabiru is what Second Battalion stands for. She nests high above the others both male and female incubate eggs thereby having an overview of all situations. She has one of the widest wing spans which produces ease in her soaring and a quick and graceful stream line for the attack. Her long legs support her and enable her to work in any terrain and conditions.

In 1745, the settlers and their workmen stood shoulder to shoulder and defeated the Spanish invaders at the battle of Labouring Creek. In 1866, the detachment of the 4th West Indian Regiment was defeated in battle by the Indians near Orange Walk. Volunteers were enrolled at Belize and sent to the Hondo to deal with Indian raids locally. In January 1881, the volunteers were formed into four companies, A, B, C and D. In 1885, “British Honduras Constabulary Force” detachment were stationed at Corozal, Orange Walk and El Cayo. The West Indian Regiment stations in the colony since 1804 were withdrawn in 1894.

In 1897, the Belize Light Infantry Volunteers was formed. On the 25th November, 1904, a mounted Infantry Company was formed. This Company justified very early its existence by providing the volunteers with a valuable mobile force during the Indian disturbances in the Western District. In 1911, Brigadier Dalrymple Hay Inspector General, in his report on the local forces in the west Indies stated“the British Honduras Volunteer Force was the most efficient in the area.”

On the 4th August, 1914, the astounding news reached Belize that Great Britain had declared war on Germany in defence of Belgium. The force was immediately called out for active service. Later when another offer of men was accepted, 100 men under Lieutenant R. H. Furness was dispatched to England. These men made so good an impression that more men were asked for and a second contingent of over 400 men was sent over. Men eager to serve but debarred from going overseas for one reason or another joined the volunteers and swelled the strength to over 1000. Companies were formed in Corozal, Stann Creek, El Cayo and Orange Walk, and detachments at Benque Viejo and Hill Bank.

In August 1928, this force was disbanded and a new force of four platoons renamed the British Honduras Defence Force was formed. This force made its first public appearance on the 4th February 1929, immediately after the great hurricane of 1931 which destroyed the City of Belize. The defence force rendered most valuable services. Some of the finest examples of discipline, loyalty and esprit de corps were demonstrated when men had lost their homes and in some cases their families quickly made their way to the drill hall before the fury of the devastating winds had abated in answer to the “Fall in” call of the bugle. The force was organized into rescue squads and all sorts of services were performed, from rescuing trapped persons, collecting the injured and the dead, to caring and feeding of babies. Men of all walks of life in Belize, members of the legislature, Heads of Government, department clerks and the ordinary laborer, seeing what organization and discipline could do, joined the defence force.