Hansen new Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean Region

Commander Walter Hansen is the new Commander of the Navy in the Dutch Caribbean Region.  In this function he also is Director Coast Guard Caribbean Region and Commander Task Force 4.4. Commander Hansen today took over the baton from Brigadier General of the Marines in Curaçao , Frank Boots.

Boots started 3 years ago in turbulent times; as COVID-19 still played a major role.  The role of the Military from Curaçao became increasingly important, partly because of this, resulting in many requests for assistance. Despite the fact that there have been no real hurricanes the last 3 years, Boots in 2021 led the deployment of military aid after the earthquake in Haiti. The Dutch deployment took place within a humanitarian aid mission of the European Union.

The cooperation with the Countries has been central in the past 3 years. For example, agreements were made to set up the Social Training Program on Aruba and Curacao. Collaborations have also been strengthened internationally to put even more focus on information-driven action. Countries in the region such as Colombia, are of great importance in this respect and important steps have been taken in the past 3 years to cooperate more intensively.

In 2022 Defence and Coast Guard Caribbean Region combined for a record year of drug busts, a total of approximately 35.000 kilos of drugs were intercepted.  Besides this operational success this year the Velas Latinoamerica Curacao played a major role; the feature film “Invasie” was shot and the Series with the Coast Guard became an international ratings hit on National Geographics.  The year after that, the Royal Family visited the Caribbean Region, with a first  acquaintance for Princess Amalia. During this special visit Defence in the Caribbean Region played an important role both in the foreground and background.

The new Commander, Commander Hansen is not unknown with the Caribbean Region. During his career Hansen has accumulated a lot of experience with his contribution in Defence as well as with the Coast Guard in the Caribbean Region of the Kingdom. He has held several positions locally, such as commander of the Coast Guard cutter Jaguar, staff Officer  CZMCARIB, in charge of international counter drugs operations, Head of Operations at Coast Guard Caribbean Region, and during deployment of several patrol vessels.  Moreover, he was a policy advisor for Caribbean and Coastguard affairs from the Netherlands.

Hansen will continue the path of his predecessor for the improvement and renewal of the Defense and Coastguard organization. In doing so, he strives to continue the successful collaboration with local and international chain partners.

Together we will continue to strengthen our organization and fulfill the mission of the Commandment of the Navy in the Caribbean and the Caribbean Coast Guard.

Boots leaves Defense. He is going on functional early retirement.