Gambia Armed Forces defence and security in The Gambia was the responsibility of the Field Force. The Field Force was a paramilitary unit of the police, consisting of roughly 140 men at independence and rising to around 500 in 1980. It has been formed in 1958 following the disbandment of the Gambia Regiment, part of the British Army. There was little concern about security in The Gambia due to its small size and the safety provided by being totally surrounded by Senegal, with which it had signed a mutual defence pact in 1965. This lax attitude to defence changed following the 1981 coup
Transport in the Gambia Merchant marine:<br> "total:"'5<br> "country comparison to the world:" 133 "by type:" passenger/cargo: 4, petroleum tanker 1 (2008) The country's only international airport is at Yundum, 26 km from Banjul. Air Gambia, 60% state owned, acts as an agent only. Foreign air carriers provide international service. Airports: 1 (2008): Banjul International Airport Yundum. <br>"country comparison to the world:" 133 Airports - with paved runways:<br> "total:" 1<br> "over 3,047 m:" 1 (2008) Transport in the Gambia The system of transportation in the Gambia mixes both public and private operations and consists of a system of roads (both paved and unpaved), water and