In the run-up to the upcoming hurricane season, the Marine detachment from Sint Maarten participated in Caraïbes ‘26 last week. This is a large-scale, biennial exercise in the Caribbean. The exercise, organized by France, focuses on humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.
During the second phase of Caraïbes, the Marines from Sint Maarten actively participated. The training was based on a realistic scenario: a devastating hurricane had struck the French side of Sint Maarten. In cooperation with French and Colombian troops, the Marines from Sint Maarten located the (simulated) residents and evacuated them to a safe area; both the fast FRISC boats and a French helicopter were deployed to transport the injured quickly and safely.
Thanks to the good cooperation between the Marines, the French armed forces, the Colombian unit, and the other international partners, the exercise evacuations were successfully carried out. During the training, all participants shared information, supported each other during transport, and jointly cared for the (simulated) casualties.
Every two years, Caraïbes brings together various countries and local Caribbean partners to strengthen preparedness for humanitarian aid and disaster response in the region. The exercise provides a realistic environment in which knowledge and skills are exchanged and further developed.
