British Army Training and Support Unit Belize facts for kids
Quick facts for kids British Army Training Unit and Support Unit Belize |
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| Price Barracks, Ladyville, Belize | |
Royal Marines in the jungle of Belize in January 2017.
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 British Army Training Unit and Support Unit Belize
Location within Belize
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| Coordinates | 17°32′37″N 88°18′22″W / 17.54361°N 88.30611°W |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator |  British Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1994 |
| In use | 1994–present |
The British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) is a special place where the British Army trains. It is located in the country of Belize. This base is mostly used for training soldiers in jungle warfare. The government of Belize lets the British Army use over 5,000 square miles of jungle for these important exercises.
BATSUB is found near the Belize International Airport, at a place called Price Barracks in Ladyville.
A Look Back: BATSUB's History
In 2010, the UK government decided to put BATSUB on hold. This was part of a big review of their defense plans. But by 2015, reports showed that BATSUB was being used more and more.
So, in November 2015, the UK government announced they would fully reopen the facility. Some people in Belize thought this decision might be connected to some disagreements between Belize and its neighbor, Guatemala, about their shared border.
More recently, in March 2021, the UK government made new plans. They decided that Belize would become a "land hub." This means more British soldiers might be sent to Belize. They could stay there for longer periods to train. A lieutenant colonel currently leads the unit.
British Forces Belize: What Came Before
BATSUB is the newer version of an older group called British Forces Belize. In 1989, this group had different parts:
- British Army Forces in Belize:
- A battalion (a large group of soldiers) from the Welsh Guards. These teams would rotate every six months.
- A small group of armored vehicles for scouting. These also rotated every six months.
- A field battery from the Royal Artillery (soldiers who use big guns). They rotated every six months.
- A field squadron from the Royal Engineers (soldiers who build and fix things). They rotated every six months.
- Other support units for transport and supplies.
- A flight of helicopters from the Army Air Corps.
- Royal Navy Forces – Belize:
- A West Indies Guard Ship (a navy ship) would visit when needed.
- Royal Air Force – Belize:
- Two special flights of aircraft: No. 1417 Flight RAF and No. 1563 Flight RAF.
- A group of RAF Regiment soldiers for air defense. They rotated every six months.
See also
- Belize–United Kingdom relations
- Overseas military bases of the United Kingdom
