A defence attaché at the British Embassy in Washington visited the island to explore how the Royal Bermuda Regiment can be further supported by the United Kingdom.

Rear Admiral Tim Woods, the head of British Defence Staff in the US, was on the island last month when he was hosted by Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, with whom he has an official role as defence adviser.

As defence attaché, Rear Admiral Woods is responsible for bilateral military and defence relations.

During his visit, he attended formal meetings with the Governor and the regiment’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan Simons.

It presented opportunities for the regiment to update Rear Admiral Woods on progress over the past year and discuss how British Defence Staff in the US and Britain’s Ministry of Defence can support the battalion’s training and procurement.

The visit also allowed the regiment to explore ways in which capacity can be created within the organisation to prepare for the security and defence review announced in the 2025 Throne Speech.

Colonel Simons said: “These visits are an important opportunity to strengthen ties with the UK Ministry of Defence and to talk through the challenges and opportunities the regiment faces as a small unit.

“We have made real progress to create a mechanism for logistical support and we are working to expand the provision of training available to Royal Bermuda Regiment soldiers in the UK.

“The upcoming security and defence review is a fantastic opportunity for the Royal Bermuda Regiment and Bermuda to take a holistic approach to security and defence, and the visit highlighted ways the UK can support the regiment in this exercise.”

The attache and accompanying staff visited Warwick Camp as well as the RBR Coastguard base at Scenic House, Watford Island, Sandys.

Mr Murdoch said: “The British Defence Staff in the US received excellent briefings, and the surrounding discussions were wide-ranging and identified concrete ways the UK can support the regiment’s activities.

“This will include its preparation for, and engagement with, the refresh of the 2014 security and defence review.”

• For more information about the Royal Bermuda Regiment, visitwww.rbr.bmor call 238-1045