Willemstad – Last Wednesday 28 June 2017 at 18.00, commander Hans Lodder transferred his position of Commander of the Seagull in the Caribbean, also Director of Coastal Guard for the Caribbean, to Commander Task Group 4.4 (CTG 4.4) to Brigadier General of the Marines Peter Jan de Fin. The command transfer took place at the Navarre Marine Parera in Willemstad, Curaçao.
Despite the rushing rain, the ceremony on the so-called RIMA scaffold ran flawlessly. Brigadier of the Marines Peter Jan de Vin, in a speech, thanked his predecessor for his efforts over the last three years. He himself announced that he wanted to use his period of contact with all internal and external partners in the Caribbean. In an increasingly uncertain and certainly unsafe world with cross-border threats due to new technologies or destabilizing networks, we need each other more than ever. Connection with the countries within the Kingdom, and countries in and around the Caribbean. But also connect with partners in the region with which they work, from local security partners to relief agencies. He expressed the ambition that Defense in the Caribbean could grow into the indispensable and reliable security partner in the region.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries and invitees from the Caribbean and beyond. For example, the governors of Aruba, Juan Alfonso Boekhoudt, and Curacao, Mrs Lucille Andrea George-Wout, were present. In addition, the Commander of the Military Force from the Netherlands, Lieutenant General of the Navy Rob Verkerk, was a guest.
From the United States, director of the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS) was visiting, back admiral Christopher J. Tomney.
JIATFS is an American organization that carries out anti-drug operations in the Caribbean with personnel and equipment from different countries in the region. Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean supplies a contribution to this goal on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the Royal Navy stations. The recruited staff consisted of representatives of all units that fall under the command of the Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean. The 32rd Navy Naval Naval Squadron on Aruba, 11th Airmobile Brigade Army, Curaçao and Aruban Militia, Coast Guard staff, Royal Marechaussee, civilian personnel and, of course, Royal Navy personnel.
From the United States, director of the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS) was visiting, back admiral Christopher J. Tomney.
JIATFS is an American organization that carries out anti-drug operations in the Caribbean with personnel and equipment from different countries in the region. Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean supplies a contribution to this goal on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the Royal Navy stations. The recruited staff consisted of representatives of all units that fall under the command of the Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean. The 32rd Navy Naval Naval Squadron on Aruba, 11th Airmobile Brigade Army, Curaçao and Aruban Militia, Coast Guard staff, Royal Marechaussee, civilian personnel and, of course, Royal Navy personnel.