HM King masterminded BDF’s progress

Manama, Jan. 27 (BNA): The first nucleus of the defence apparatus in Bahrain was first established prior to the kingdom’s official independence through the launch of what was called the «National Guard» in the late 1960s. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander, was tasked by the late Amir, HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to be in charge of the novice defence entity, being among the first military graduates. HM the King, thanks to his upbringing, studies, accumulated experience and the late Amir’s directives, recognised the country’s need for an armed military force whose duties go beyond the «National Guard», especially after its independence. So, soon after his appointmentt, HM the King embarked on establishing a military force through the recruitment of the first batch of servicemen in the kingdom’s history in the last quarter of 1968. Masses of volunteers wanted to joint the first military batch in the kingdom’s history, out of their desire to serve the nation and defend it, and consequently orders were issued to change the name of the first military entity to the «Bahrain Defence Force» (BDF). Since then, HM the King led the efforts to develop the new force in order to match modern armed forces in terms of personnel and equipment. In 1971, HM King Hamad participated in a Command and Staff session in the U.S.A, and established the first integrated training centre in Bahrain. The centre, the then BDF headquarters, was well-prepared and equipped with the necessary weopons to train the recruits of the first military batch. After the kingdom’s independence, HM the King put forward the required systems regulating military recruitment and service in the country. HM the King also managed, upon directives from the late Amir, to provide the necessary training programmes for the BDF personnel in Bahrain and abroad, as well as the financing sources and laws within the first three years. HM the King allocated special attention to the first batch, whose members graduated on February 5, 1969, which is BDF’s Day, given its importance in the building of a modern force, through the provision of all kinds of support, and personally oversaw its training programmes. After the graduation of the first military batch, the BDF achievments continued and successive training sessions have been held and new batches have graduated over the past five decades. During the 1970s, the first organisational structure of the BDF and its duties were determined. The BDF’s duties included defending the kingdom’s borders, safeguarding the country’s security, independence and sovereigty against any foreign threats, assisting the relevant bodies in maintaining pulic order and rule of the law, providing help in times of disasters and crises and contributing to the nation-building process. The BDF contributes to defending the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Arab countries, along with other GCC and Arab states’ forces, in line with the joint defence treaties signed with GCC and Arab countries. The BDF also cooperates with friendly and allied countries in protecting regional borders, global security, humanitarian operation and anti-terror efforts. During the 1980s and 1980s, the BDF moved to a new phase, as it had become a modern military force, in terms of personnel, advanced equipment and strategic plans and tactics, and therefore, it twas requested to join its GCC and Arab counterparts in the problems they were facing. The BDF’s achievnments were the fruitful outcome of sound approach spearheaded by HM the King, including the constant investment in human resources through the graduation of military, academic and tactical sessions, holding specialised technical meetings and seminars to hone the skills of the servicemen, the establishment of specialised military establishments, colleges and institutes to enhance the force’s competence and sessions abroad. HM the King also instilled in BDF personnel the resolve the defend the nation under all circumstances, and need to acquire military sciences and skills through continuous training, which entitled the BDF to be a modern force with highly professional servicemen who are capable of make sacrifices while assuming their patriotic duties, using the latest military equipment. HM the King, the Supreme Commander, has been keen on providing all kinds of support for the BDF personnel, including psychological comfort and the requirements of decent living. All in all, the BDF has succeeded in attaining multiple achievemments in various fields thanks to HM the King’s constant care and follow-up, hence its success in assuming the tasks assigned to it in Bahrain and abroad to the fullest.