Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point (Dutch: Marinesteunpunt Pointe Blanche; MSTPPB) is a base of the Royal Netherlands Navy that is located on Sint Maarten.[2][3] Since 2014 a detachment of the Netherlands Marine Corps is permanently stationed at the base.[4][5][6] The marines of this detachment are nicknamed Green Angels by the locals.[4] They provide military support to Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius.[7]
Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point | |
|---|---|
Marinesteunpunt Pointe Blanche | |
| Pointe Blanche, Sint Maarten | |
 | |
| Site information | |
| Operator |  Royal Netherlands Navy |
| Controlled by | Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| Condition | Operational |
| Site history | |
| In use | 2013 - present |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | Sint Maarten Marine Detachment[1] |
History
editPointe Blanche Naval Support Point was established in 2013 at Pointe Blanche, Sint Maarten.[8] The base was established to meet the local government's desire for a military presence on Sint Maarten.[8] While the base was established in 2013, the first twenty marines arrived a year later on 4 March 2014.[4] In total there are 29 persons stationed at the base, which includes a staff consisting of 9 persons.[5] Together they form the Sint Maarten Marine Detachment (Dutch: Detachment Mariniers Sint-Maarten; DETSXM).[7][9] The Netherlands Marine Corps detachment can provide support for various matters, ranging from search and rescue operations to assisting the local police with prison searches.[4][10] At the base the marines have access to two FRISC's and near the base there are several training facilities.[5] These facilities have been improved and expanded over the years.[8]
The marines stationed at Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point frequently take part in exercises, such as the Hurricane Relief Exercise (HUREX).[2] They also work together with the local police, fire department, emergency medical services and the Sint Maarten Volunteer Corps.[11]
Notes
editCitations
edit- ^ Arno Marchand (5 June 2020). "Mariniers klaar op Sint Maarten". Defensiekrant (in Dutch). Defensie.nl.
- ^ a b "'Mooiste locatie van Defensie ter wereld'". Curacao.nu (in Dutch). 16 July 2023.
- ^ "Navy's highest chief visits the Caribbean". Curaçao Chronicle. 20 September 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Green Angels winnen terrein op Sint-Maarten" (in Dutch). Defensie.nl. 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b c "Tien jaar mariniers op Bovenwindse eilanden". Defensie.nl (in Dutch). 2 February 2024.
- ^ Gerritsen-Schutmaat, Enklaar and Kramer (2023), pp. 225-226.
- ^ a b "Units and locations". Defensie.nl.
- ^ a b c van den Bulk, Saminna (12 July 2023). "'Mooiste locatie van Defensie ter wereld'". Alle Hens (in Dutch). Koninklijke Marine.
- ^ Middelwijk et al. (2024), pp. 145-146.
- ^ Mulders, Gerritsen-Schutmaat and Kramer (2023), pp. 210-211.
- ^ Potters et al. (2024), p. 210.
Bibliography
edit- Gerritsen-Schutmaat, J.; Enklaar, M.E.A.; Kramer, W.A., eds. (15 June 2023). Jaarboek Koninklijke Marine 2014 (in Dutch). The Hague: Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie.
- Middelwijk, M.; Potters, M.C.; van der Peet, A.J.; Kramer, W.A., eds. (8 March 2024). Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Marine 2018 (in Dutch). Den Helder: Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie. ISBN 9789070677596.
- Mulders, T.; Gerritsen-Schutmaat, J.; Kramer, W.A., eds. (14 June 2023). Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Marine 2015 (in Dutch). The Hague: Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie.
- Potters, M.C.; Middelwijk, M.; van der Peet, A.J.; Kramer, W.A., eds. (8 March 2024). Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Marine 2017 (in Dutch). Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie. ISBN 9789070677572.