Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point
| native_name = Marinesteunpunt Pointe Blanche
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| location = Pointe Blanche, Sint Maarten
| ensign = Km-marine-steunpunt-point-blanche.svg
| image = Marinesteunpunt Point Blanche closeup.jpg
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| used = 2013 - present
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| condition = Operational
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| operator = {{Navy|Netherlands}}
| open_to_public =
| controlledby = Kingdom of the Netherlands
| garrison = Sint Maarten Marine Detachment{{Cite web |url= https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2020/22/01_update-carib_22
|title= Mariniers klaar op Sint Maarten |author= Arno Marchand |date=5 June 2020|website= Defensiekrant |publisher= Defensie.nl |language=Dutch}}
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Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point (Dutch: Marinesteunpunt Pointe Blanche; MSTPPB) is a base of the Royal Netherlands Navy that is located on Sint Maarten.{{cite web |url= https://curacao.nu/mooiste-locatie-van-defensie-ter-wereld/ |title= ‘Mooiste locatie van Defensie ter wereld’ |author= |date=16 July 2023 |website= Curacao.nu |language=Dutch}}{{cite web |url= https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/main/navys-highest-chief-visits-the-caribbean/ |title= Navy’s highest chief visits the Caribbean |author= |date=20 September 2019|website= Curaçao Chronicle}} Since 2014 a detachment of the Netherlands Marine Corps is permanently stationed at the base.{{cite news |author= |date=2 February 2024 |title=Green Angels winnen terrein op Sint-Maarten |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2024/04/01_mariniers-sint-maarten_04 |publisher=Defensie.nl |language=Dutch}}{{cite web |url= https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/02/02/tien-jaar-mariniers-op-bovenwindse-eilanden |title= Tien jaar mariniers op Bovenwindse eilanden |author= |date=2 February 2024|website= Defensie.nl|language=Dutch}}Gerritsen-Schutmaat, Enklaar and Kramer (2023), pp. 225-226. The marines of this detachment are nicknamed Green Angels by the locals. They provide military support to Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius.{{cite web |url= https://english.defensie.nl/topics/caribbean/units-and-locations |title= Units and locations |author= |date= |website= Defensie.nl}}
History
Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point was established in 2013 at Pointe Blanche, Sint Maarten.{{cite magazine |last=van den Bulk |first=Saminna |date=12 July 2023 |title=‘Mooiste locatie van Defensie ter wereld’ |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2023/06/07_sint-maarten |magazine=Alle Hens |publisher=Koninklijke Marine |language=Dutch}} The base was established to meet the local government's desire for a military presence on Sint Maarten. While the base was established in 2013, the first twenty marines arrived a year later on 4 March 2014. In total there are 29 persons stationed at the base, which includes a staff consisting of 9 persons. Together they form the Sint Maarten Marine Detachment (Dutch: Detachment Mariniers Sint-Maarten; DETSXM).Middelwijk et al. (2024), pp. 145-146. The Netherlands Marine Corps detachment can provide support for various matters, ranging from search and rescue operations to assisting the local police with prison searches.Mulders, Gerritsen-Schutmaat and Kramer (2023), pp. 210-211. At the base the marines have access to two FRISC's and near the base there are several training facilities. These facilities have been improved and expanded over the years.
The marines stationed at Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point frequently take part in exercises, such as the Hurricane Relief Exercise (HUREX). They also work together with the local police, fire department, emergency medical services and the Sint Maarten Volunteer Corps.Potters et al. (2024), p. 210.
Notes
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=Citations=
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite book |editor-last1= Gerritsen-Schutmaat |editor-first1=J. |editor-last2=Enklaar |editor-first2=M.E.A. |editor-last3=Kramer |editor-first3=W.A. |date=15 June 2023 |title=Jaarboek Koninklijke Marine 2014 |url=https://www.nimh.nl/downloads/publicaties/2014/31/01/jaarboek-koninklijke-marine-2014 |location=The Hague |publisher= Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie |language=Dutch}}
- {{cite book |editor-last1=Middelwijk |editor-first1=M. |editor-last2=Potters |editor-first2=M.C. |editor-last3=van der Peet |editor-first3=A.J. |editor-last4=Kramer |editor-first4=W.A. |date=8 March 2024 |title=Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Marine 2018 |url=https://www.nimh.nl/themas/tijdlijn-militaire-geschiedenis-van-nederland/downloads/publicaties/2018/12/31/index |location=Den Helder |publisher= Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie |language=Dutch |isbn=9789070677596}}
- {{cite book |editor-last1=Mulders |editor-first1=T. |editor-last2=Gerritsen-Schutmaat|editor-first2=J. |editor-last3=Kramer |editor-first3=W.A. |date=14 June 2023 |title=Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Marine 2015 |url=https://www.nimh.nl/downloads/publicaties/2015/12/31/jaarboek-koninklijke-marine-2015|location=The Hague |publisher=Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie |language=Dutch}}
- {{cite book |editor-last1=Potters |editor-first1=M.C. |editor-last2=Middelwijk |editor-first2=M. |editor-last3=van der Peet |editor-first3=A.J. |editor-last4=Kramer |editor-first4=W.A. |date=8 March 2024 |title=Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Marine 2017 |url=https://www.nimh.nl/themas/tijdlijn-militaire-geschiedenis-van-nederland/downloads/publicaties/2017/12/31/index |publisher= Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie |language=Dutch |isbn=9789070677572}}
{{refend}}
{{Bases of the Royal Netherlands Navy}}
{{coord missing|Netherlands}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Sint Maarten