Price Barracks

Price Barracks is located at Ladyville, next to the International Airport in the Belize District. It comprises of Force Headquarters (FHQ), Logistics Company, British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB), Residential area for BDF Officers, Residential Area for British Officers and their families, Navy Army Air Force Store (NAAFI), an infantry Battalion HQ and Barracks, Main Store Room (Stores), Training Company, Army Air Corp Base, Main Fuel Storage, Main Motor Transport Compound (MT), I did three tours of duty at Price Barracks providing support to Logistics Company providing Camp Guard Duty, Police Duties, Parades, Operational Support, Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and support to BATSUB. The first two I hated more than ever. Working with the highest standards possible in OGs (Olive Green hot and tight uniforms that limit movement), properly shaved, and highly shined boots. I didn't like parades either but they were rare. Guard duty was worked at night in 2 3-hour shifts. Starting at 6PM to 6AM rotated between two shifts, three hours each. You were deployed to different sections of the Camp to patrol guard different installations. There was the front gate which had to be more alert than ever because everyone went through those gates every minute. From the highest ranking officers to drunken British soldiers on R&R coming from the Rose Garden. A second section guarded and patrolled the Main Fuel Storage area, stores, mess, and Training Company while the third section was deployed to the residential area. No one was allowed in the British sections of the camp. These were guarded and patrolled by a K9 Unit provided by a private security firm out of Belize City. Each section was commanded by a Junior NCO or NCO while the Guard Commander, or Orderly Officer was a Senior NCO.
I never did like parades but somehow was always deployed to Price Barracks for major parades. I did the Queen's Birthday Parade at the MCC Grounds twice in 3 years. This is the biggest parade with about 3 Companies from the BDF Infantry and Logistics Battalions, members of the Police Department, Fire Service, Ex-Serviceman's League, British Forces, Boy Scouts and just about anyone wearing a government-issued uniform involved. This was done on the Holiday of Commonwealth Day around the 24th of May. The uniform for this was the olive green ceremonial "Number Six" (pictured here) that had gold buttons with the BDF Coat of Arms engraved on them. These were also used at funerals and weddings. The red lanyard of the 1st Infantry Battalion, and highly polished "Number Six" shoes also had to be at the highest standard. Senior NCOs, Warrant Officers, and Officers wore a Tan or slightly grey ceremonial uniform. I think it is called the "Number Nine" but not remember very well. Parades were grueling and tested your endurance very well. The Brits and Police were always the first to faint in the sweltering summer heat. A parade I really hated, also done in Number Six uniforms was the opening day of the Agricultural Show in Belmopan also in the sweltering summer heat but it was only provided by a BDF platoon and as usual I was the lucky one to be in it. The easiest was the Opening of the September Celebrations in San Ignacio done by a BDF Platoon, at that time it was done in the regular Olive Green uniforms, now done in combat fatigues, and looks a lot more relaxed than it did back in my days.
If there was one thing I hated more than parades it was working Police Duties. Jorge Espat, Minister of Defence at the time was impressed with the job we pulled during Operation Mitch and decided to use the BDF on the streets, armed with plastic batons, to assist the police on foot and vehicle patrols. It was annoying and embarrassing because we had to do it in tight Olive Green uniforms that limited mobility and the public used to make fun of us, that is until Chen shot some criminal in the Port Loyola area one night then everyone was afraid of us and demanded the government to remove the BDF from the streets. Nowadays Police Duties are done in combat fatigues that do not limit mobility and everyone is armed with semi-automatic rifles and fragmentation vests. I was also fortunate to participate in a major operation to search the Hattieville Central Prison which yeilded a huge cache of home-made weapons and drugs.
QRF was mounted along with the guards but deployed to the fuel dump area of the camp. You stayed in combat fatigues all day and night with weapons on the ready in case Belmopan sent an emergency call that required the BDF. This included everything from riots to securing drug planes after whoever landed them already took off with the drugs. I was called out once during QRF. A prominent Mennonite businessman had been kidnapped by Guatemalan bandits and we were almost instantly deployed on a search and rescue operation which almost got us all killed.
Price Barracks is one place I would avoid if I could as a soldier.

Photos: Top - Price Barracks as seen on Google Earth; Middle - Me posing in my Number Six Dress Uniform for the Queen's Birthday Parade (Photo by Choc E.). Bottom - BDF Platton at the opening of the September Celebrations 2010 at San Ignacio. (Photo by Aldo Perez)