United States To Intensify Military Training Exercises With T&T In Coming Days
Pictured Above: Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Brandon Wilson Adda, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4, directs a light armored vehicle, assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), off Landing Craft Air Cushion 83, assigned to ACU 4, in Morehead City, N.C., Oct. 8, 2022. Photo Credit: U.S. Navy.
The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) and the United States Marine Corps 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed to the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), will engage in training exercises together from 16th - 21st November, 2025.
In a Media Release today (Friday 14th November, 2025), the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs said this upcoming activity “forms part of our longstanding history of collaboration between the TTDF and U.S. Military. Trinidad and Tobago continues to be burdened by the scourge of gun-related crimes and gang violence. These intensified exercises form part of our coordinated strategy to ensure that our personnel are optimally trained and equipped to address these issues in our domestic environment which have taken a tremendous toll on our society. These actions give effect to a key Manifesto commitment by the Government to restore order in Trinidad and Tobago.”
According to the Ministry, “The focus of the upcoming exercise is military-to military engagement, allowing personnel from both countries to become familiar with each other's equipment, tactics and techniques. The exercise will challenge the participants, offering them opportunities to expand their expertise and professional development. Training will take place across Trinidad and Tobago in both urban and rural environments, with operations scheduled during dusk and after dark. Several of these exercises will incorporate 22nd MEU helicopters. This is one of the many side-by-side exercises that the U.S. military has long conducted in partnership with the TTDF. It demonstrates the strong partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States based on mutual respect and is part of our long, fruitful, ongoing partnership with USSOUTHCOM.”
The Media Release concluded by saying, “During this period, the U.S. Embassy will also be engaging in outreach activities with various schools in Trinidad and Tobago. These visits follow the donation, in September 2025, of computer equipment, office furniture and educational resources by USSOUTHCOM through the U.S. Embassy, as well as infrastructure improvements carried out by USSOUTHCOM's U.S. Naval Construction Battalion sailors, or Navy Seabees, at the Lochmaben Roman Catholic School.”
The ramp-up of military exercises by the United States in Trinidad and Tobago is part of a wider campaign targeting narco-trafficking in the Caribbean, according to T&T Attorney General, John Jeremie. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Jeremie confirmed the involvement of the 22nd U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), which he said would increase its activity “in the coming days.” Jeremie added, “We are engaged with our friends in the North in a series of exercises.”
The planned escalation comes amid a major U.S. Military build-up in the region. Around 14,000 U.S. troops, twelve (12) warships and a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine have been deployed across the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. These resources are tied to Operation Southern Spear, a mission formally announced on Thursday (13th November, 2025) by U.S Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, who said this mission “defends our Homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secures our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people. The Western Hemisphere is America’s neighborhood – and we will protect it.”
More on this as it becomes available.
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