Government is considering expanding the duties and role of the Bermuda Regiment to include more overseas security deployments.

Public Safety and Housing Minister Senator David Burch made the announcement yesterday in the Senate as he reported on the Regiment’s recent activities. Sen. Burch suggested Bermuda’s associate membership through CARICOM would allow for unique training opportunities with some of the best-armed contingents in the Caribbean.

“Through Bermuda’s involvement as an associate member of CARICOM, the Regiment was invited to assist with the security infrastructure during the cricket World Cup,” Sen. Burch said.

Operation Wicket Keeper saw 26 Bermudian soldiers deployed to Bridgetown, Barbados — alongside the Barbados Defence Forces as well as factions from Guyana, South Africa, Columbia and India.

“I am delighted to report that the Bermuda contingent distinguished themselves with their level of professionalism and execution of military training.

“Our troops operated with soldiers from full-time Regiments and held their own and were not required to discharge their weapons during operations,” added Sen. Burch.

Regiment Commanding Officer Lt. Col. William White held talks on the expansion of future joint operations with top security officials in Barbados, he added. Sen. Burch also praised the Regiment’s Band and Corps of Drums which travelled to Norfolk, Virginia, for the Virginia International Tattoo, at the 12,000-seat Scope Arena, for four days.

Congratulations also went to the 135 Regiment soldiers that participated in its first overseas training camp in Kent, Southeast England, receiving hands-on training in internal security and public order command and support.

Troops used the same facilities as the British forces deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

The soldiers also visited the Naval Memorial at Chatham, which lists among the soldiers lost the name of Officer’s Cook 1st-Class W. Edmund Smith — the first Bermudian casualty of the First World War.