The defence of the British Virgin Islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom. The history of the islands is relatively free from armed conflict, and people of the British Virgin Islands have served in foreign militaries with great distinction. Foremost amongst these is Samuel Hodge (grandson of notorious historical figure, Arthur William Hodge), who won the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military honour, whilst serving in the Gambia Campaign for the British Army.
There are neither British Forces nor any military installations based on the islands. The Royal Navy may visit the islands from time to time during defence engagement in the region. Since 2020, the Royal Navy has deployed the offshore patrol vessel HMS Medway in the Caribbean for general patrol duties and for sovereignty protection missions for all British territories in the region.
In October 2023, the destroyer HMS Dauntless (which had temporarily replaced Medway on her Caribbean tasking when the latter deployed to the Falkland Islands), visited the territory in order to assist local authorities in preparing for the climax of the hurricane season. In August 2024, the offshore patrol vessel HMS Trent (which had replaced Medway during her 2024 refit at Gibraltar), was deployed to the islands to provide assistance in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Virgin Islands Cadet Corps
The island has Army Cadet Corps since 2009, but they are not members of the British Army, but rather a youth organization with ties to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and neighbouring Caribbean military and/or cadet organizations.
References
- "HMS Lancaster to visit the British Virgin Islands".
- "HMS Medway Sets Sail for the Caribbean". Royal Navy. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- "HMS Dauntless visits trio of Caribbean Islands in disaster relief preparation mission". Royal Navy. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- @NavyLookout (16 August 2024). "@NavyLookout. @HMSTrent arrived in Tortola, 🇻🇬British Virgin Islands yesterday ready to provide practical help following Tropical Storm #Ernesto" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 August 2024 – via Twitter.
- "Vicadets".
- "Double celebration for HMS Mersey in British Virgin Islands | Royal Navy".
- "Vicadets".
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