Security Units to ‘Graduate’ in Caribbean

U.S. and eastern Caribbean military forces will hold a joint “graduation” exercise in September to test the new skills of American-trained paramilitary units, a top U.S. officer said.

Rear Adm. Ralph Hedges, commander of the U.S. military forces in the Caribbean, said last week that the exercise will involve U.S. troops and the special services units whose training should end by the fall.

Seven eastern Caribbean islands and Barbados are members of a security system designed to ward off threats from inside and outside the area. According to a 1982 treaty, each island would contribute a special services unit in a military emergency.