​By Aabigayle McIntosh

During an attestation ceremony, the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) welcomed its first batch of 22 recruits last Friday.

They will be among a group of young men and women who will begin three months of intense training from the end of January in homes of joining the organization’s ranks.

Chief of Defence Staff Colonel Talbot Benjamin told state television the process is geared towards strengthening the military’s operations.

“The country would recognize we would have formed an air wing back in 2022. That in itself needs personnel to continue to develop and support all aviation-related areas. Coupled with that, it’s personal to strengthen our important area of the Coast Guard”, he said.

He said it is important to have not just sailors but also people who can support maritime security or address maritime-related issues.

We’ve been deliberately recruiting to address those issues as well. Coupled with that, we have a mandate to address the competencies of our medical team. We have medics and EMTs who are trained here, both here as well as internationally.

“And those EMTs work along with our doctors to support the national setup here in Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.