A series of United States military aircraft movements between the U.S. and Tobago coincided with the recent visit of top U.S. military officer General Dan Caine and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s confirmation that the U.S. military is assisting with the installation of a new radar system on the island.
At least five military flights were detected between November 25 and 29. On Friday, a Lockheed Martin C130J Super Hercules traveled from the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico to Scarborough, Tobago. The aircraft later departed Tobago for Vieques, Puerto Rico. Tracking data suggests the plane originated at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
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This was the second appearance of a C130J in Tobago that week. Another aircraft of the same type made the identical trip on November 26, also flying back to Vieques.
Between November 25 and 27, three U.S. Air Force Boeing C17A Globemaster III aircraft were also detected arriving in and departing from ANR Robinson International Airport. All three flights were traced back to the Marine Corps Air Station. One C17 left Tobago early on November 26 and continued on to the United States. According to open-source intelligence analyst @LatAmMilMVMTs, two of these C17s transited through Scarborough’s airport within this period.
A third C17 was spotted on November 27 after landing from the Marine Corps Air Station. It departed Tobago around 4 a.m. and landed at New York Stewart International Airport shortly before 8 a.m.
Friday’s C130J was the final U.S. military aircraft detected.
The U.S. Air Force describes the C17 Globemaster III as its most versatile cargo aircraft, capable of transporting troops and equipment to forward operating bases and performing tactical airlift, airdrops and aeromedical evacuations. The C130 Hercules is known for its ability to operate from unpaved runways and execute missions ranging from airdrops to disaster relief, weather reconnaissance and firefighting.
Amid the wave of military flights, observers noted the presence of what appears to be a long-range, high-performance pulse Doppler radar system at ANR Robinson International Airport. The radar, believed to be an AN TPS80 GATOR system, provides 360 degree air surveillance and target acquisition capabilities.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar initially stated that U.S. Marines were in Tobago to assist with roadway work. One day later, she confirmed that they were also helping install the radar system, noting that Trinidad and Tobago’s existing radar capabilities were insufficient. She said the new equipment will allow real-time monitoring of the country’s air and maritime space and described it as a critical asset in the fight against crime and narcotrafficking.
The prime minister added that she requested the radar months ago through the U.S. Embassy.
