Editing Bahrain Defence Force (section)

==History ==
The Bahrain Defence Force was established in 1968 by Sheikh [[Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa]] for safeguarding the nation's primary interests and was initially named the National Guard. In November 1, 1969 the National Guard was renamed to the Bahrain Defence Force. The first batch of recruits started basic training in 28 October 1968 with the first recurits of the force graduating in 5th of February 1969.<ref name=alwatan>{{cite web|url=https://alwatannews.net/Bahrain/article/757118/%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A9-%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%AE%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%A1|title=قوة دفاع البحرين.. خمسون عاماً من الفداء والعطاء|publisher=Al Watan|lang=ar|date=4 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://militarysphere.com/bahrain-defence-force-history/|title=Decoding the Fascinating Bahrain Defence Force History|publisher=Militarysphere.com|date=29 June 2024}}</ref>

In 1977 Isa ibn Salman appointed his eldest son and heir apparent, [[Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa]], to be minister of defense and commander in chief of the Bahrain Defense Force. Sheikh Hamad, a recent graduate of [[Mons Officer Cadet School]] in 1969, was tasked with restructuring the Bahrain Defence Force.<ref name=alwatan></ref> 

The Bahrain Defence Force participated in the [[Gulf War]], [[War on terror]], and [[Saudi-led intervention in Yemen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/bahrain-mil.htm|publisher=globalsecurity.org|title=Bahrain Defence Force (BDF)|access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref><ref name=alwatan></ref>