The Barbados Regiment is the land force component of the Barbados Defence Force. Its main tasks are the defence of Barbados from external threats, internal security and assisting the local police in maintaining law and order. The regiment also provides Barbados' contribution to international peacekeeping and other missions. In its present form, the regiment was formed in 1979 along with the BDF, replacing the old Barbados Regiment. The Barbados Regiment is affiliated to the Royal Anglian Regiment. The Barbados Defence Force is the name given to the combined armed forces of Barbados. ... Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace. ... 1979 is a common year starting on Monday. ... The Royal Anglian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the British Army. ...

History

The Barbados Regiment was founded in 1902 as the Barbados Volunteer Force, a volunteer unit raised to provide for the local defence of the island following the withdrawal of the closure of the British garrison. Soldiers of the BVF was involved in both the First and Second World Wars as part of both the South Caribbean Force and the Caribbean Regiment. 1902 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...

In 1948, the BVF was re-established and re-named the Barbados Regiment. The regiment received its first stand of colours in 1953. Between 1959 and 1962, Barbados was part of the Federation of the West Indies, and thus contributed to the 3rd Battalion, West India Regiment. On the break-up of the Federation, Barbados regained its independence and saw the Barbados Regiment returned to service. 1948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... In the days when battle was conducted at close quarters, it was necessary for soldiers to be able to determine where, during the heat of battle, their regiment was. ... 1953 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1962 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... National motto: Official language English Capital Chaguaramas Capitals coordinates Largest city {{{largestcity}}} {{{head_of_state}}} {{{current_head_of_state}}} {{{head_of_government}}} {{{current_head_of_government}}} Political system Constitutional monarchy Area  - Total   - % water Ranked % Population   - Total (1960)   - Density Ranked approx. ... The West India Regiment was a British colonial infantry regiment. ...

Although the regiment's primary role is to defend Barbados, it also provides the country's commitment to UN peacekeeping forces, predominantly in the Caribbean region. The regiment also participated, along with the Jamaica Regiment and the Rifle Company, Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, in the United States led invasion of Grenada in 1983. Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace. ... ... The Jamaica Regiment is the main formation of land troops in the Jamaican Defence Forces. ... The Antigua and Barbuda Regiment is the infantry unit and main fighting arm of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force. ... The Invasion of Grenada, known to U.S. forces as Operation Urgent Fury, was an invasion of the island nation of Grenada by the military forces of the United States and several Caribbean nations. ... 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Current Organisation

The Barbados Regiment today is divided into regular and reserve forces, essentially making up two 'battalions', though they are not described as such:

Regular

The regular force consists of three companies: A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 100-200 soldiers. ...

• Headquarters Company: This provides the logistic and administrative support for the entire regiment.
• Special Operations Company: This is the main fighting unit. Its primary task is to provide a quick reaction force, but it also works closely with both the Royal Barbados Police Force, and with the Barbados Coast Guard in the anti-drugs mission.
• Technical Support Company: This provides the engineering and mechanical support.

Reserve

It is the reserve element of the BDF that maintains the traditions of the old Barbados Regiment, and is responsible for the regiment's colours. The reserve element also consists of three companies:

• Headquarters Company (which includes the Band of the Barbados Regiment)
• 2 Rifle Companies