Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 30, 2026

Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point

Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point is a base of the Royal Netherlands Navy that is located on Sint Maarten. Since 2014 a detachment of the Netherlands Marine Corps is permanently stationed at the base. The marines of this detachment are nicknamed Green Angels by the locals. They provide military support to Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius.

Last revised
Jul 30, 2026
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≈ 3 min
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Citations
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Wikipedia ↗
Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point
Marinesteunpunt Pointe Blanche
Pointe Blanche, Sint Maarten
Site information
Operator Royal Netherlands Navy
Controlled byKingdom of the Netherlands
ConditionOperational
Location
Map
Site history
In use2013 - present
Garrison information
GarrisonSint Maarten Marine Detachment1

Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point (Dutch: Marinesteunpunt Pointe Blanche; MSTPPB) is a base of the Royal Netherlands Navy that is located on Sint Maarten.23 Since 2014 a detachment of the Netherlands Marine Corps is permanently stationed at the base.456 The marines of this detachment are nicknamed Green Angels by the locals.4 They provide military support to Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius.7

History

Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point was established in 2013 at Pointe Blanche, Sint Maarten.8 The base was established to meet the local government's desire for a military presence on Sint Maarten.8 While the base was established in 2013, the first twenty marines arrived a year later on 4 March 2014.4 In total there are 29 persons stationed at the base, which includes a staff consisting of 9 persons.5 Together they form the Sint Maarten Marine Detachment (Dutch: Detachment Mariniers Sint-Maarten; DETSXM).79 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.410 At the base the marines have access to two FRISC's and near the base there are several training facilities.5 These facilities have been improved and expanded over the years.8

In 2015, because of the 400th anniversary of the Dutch Marine Corps, the support point started organizing the "Beat The Marines Challenge". Intended as a one time event, this multidisciplinary endurance contest grew into a yearly tradition on the St. Maarten events calendar.11

The marines stationed at Pointe Blanche Naval Support Point frequently take part in exercises, such as the Hurricane Relief Exercise (HUREX).2 They also work together with the local police, fire department, emergency medical services and the Sint Maarten Volunteer Corps.12

In February 2026 the definitive design of a new four-story building was unveiled.13 It will replace the current building and will be built near the Great Bay in the coming years.13

Notes

Notes

Citations

  1. Arno Marchand (5 June 2020). "Mariniers klaar op Sint Maarten". Defensiekrant (in Dutch). Defensie.nl.
  2. "'Mooiste locatie van Defensie ter wereld'". Curacao.nu (in Dutch). 16 July 2023.
  3. "Navy's highest chief visits the Caribbean". Curaçao Chronicle. 20 September 2019.
  4. "Green Angels winnen terrein op Sint-Maarten" (in Dutch). Defensie.nl. 2 February 2024.
  5. "Tien jaar mariniers op Bovenwindse eilanden". Defensie.nl (in Dutch). 2 February 2024.
  6. Gerritsen-Schutmaat, Enklaar and Kramer (2023), pp. 225-226.
  7. "Units and locations". Defensie.nl.
  8. van den Bulk, Saminna (12 July 2023). "'Mooiste locatie van Defensie ter wereld'". Alle Hens (in Dutch). Koninklijke Marine.
  9. Middelwijk et al. (2024), pp. 145-146.
  10. Mulders, Gerritsen-Schutmaat and Kramer (2023), pp. 210-211.
  11. "St. Maarten / St. Martin Events Calendar".
  12. Potters et al. (2024), p. 210.
  13. Djenna Perreijn (10 February 2026). "Van portacabins naar operationeel steunpunt". Alle Hens (in Dutch). Defensie Dichtbij.

Bibliography

Further reading

Further reading