Antigua and Barbuda is intensifying preparations to host Exercise Tradewinds 2026, a large-scale regional security and disaster response drill set to play a pivotal role in ensuring readiness for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) next year.
According to official planning documents, the exercise will test disaster response capabilities, sharpen national security preparedness, and strengthen regional peace and cooperation.
The government says the operation will bring together the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, police, emergency services and key agencies to rehearse responses to a range of scenarios. These include:
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
- Maritime and urban search and rescue
- Mass casualty and medical emergencies
- Cybersecurity and port security enforcement
The exercise will also “stress-test” mechanisms to respond to maritime threats such as oil spills, migrant interdiction and risks to the blue economy.
The United States Southern Command is playing a central coordinating role, working with regional organisations and international partners. Objectives include improving crisis response capacity across the Caribbean, boosting interagency integration and countering malign influences.
The drill will be directed under a unified command structure coordinated by Antigua and Barbuda’s National Joint Operations Center.
Agencies are required to conduct pre-exercise planning, mandatory personnel training and equipment readiness checks. Officials say emphasis is being placed on secure information sharing and the use of standardised communication channels.
Following the exercise, there will be a comprehensive evaluation to identify lessons learned and refine future procedures.
The government stresses that Tradewinds 2026 is not only a rehearsal for CHOGM but part of a broader push to leave a legacy of stronger coordination, resilience and security readiness across the region.
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COMMONWEALTH SECURITY?!
Look how quick the ABLP react to safeguarding the global elites and the UK’S monarchy (who already have 24hr detailed security).
Wouldn’t it be just great if our government made the same efforts with the ABDF, the police and our other security forces to also safeguard the wellbeing of the citizens of Antigua & Barbuda – something that we’ve been calling out for a decade or so now.
They have to do it you know, haven’t you notice at independence celebration that the governor does all the ceremony proceedings and then our prime minister being infantilized comes out as a little boy to the ovations of party fanaticism?
We are not fully independent, these white people tricked our semiliterate leaders with colonial formalities of been chauffeur driven and plenty colorful insignia just like mirrors while they elongate colonialism in a subtle and benign way.
If the Americans attack us instead of Venezuela the governor general shall be in charge corresponding with the royal family and rule by Marshall law untill it’s over to give back the country to the prime minister. The prime minister will at that time become a messenger boy for the governor general at the time his hands is full, he may perhaps write something on a piece of paper to give Gaston to read or he himself does all communication with the royal family subjects, which are the people.
Wake up and smell the bush tea, as king short shirt sang ” an illusion” the battle is not yet won, or we would have federation and one president and one army, and Trinidad prime minister persad would not be so excited to engage her mouth instead of her brain like the late prime minister of Dominica Eugenia Charles did a long with v.c bird going to the white house on CNN saying they want the USA army to overthrow the late progressive brilliant leader of Grenada Maurice bishop.
History repeating itself by Trinidad prime minister utterances.
“So we’re practicing security drills for outsiders, but what about us who live here every day? Crime is up, burglaries are happening, communities feel unsafe—yet the big focus is on CHOGM and impressing visitors. Security and disaster readiness shouldn’t just be a show for outsiders; it should be for the people of Antigua and Barbuda first.”