| Jamaica Defence Force |
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|---|---|
Badge of the JDF |
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| Headquarters | Up Park Camp, Kingston |
| Leadership | |
| Minister of Defence | Bruce Golding |
| Chief of Defence Staff | Major-General Antony Bertram Anderson |
| Manpower | |
| Military age | 16 years of age for selection process, 17 years of age is actual serving age (As of 2007) |
| Available for military service |
747,043 males, age 16–49 (2005 est.) |
| Fit for military service |
523,550 males, age 16–49 (2005 est.) |
| Reaching military age annually |
27,729 males (2005 est.) |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | $31,170,000 (ranked 141st) |
| Percent of GDP | 0.6%(2007) |
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is the combined military forces of Jamaica, consisting of an Army, Air Wing and Coast Guard. The JDF is based upon the British military model with organisation, training, weapons and traditions closely aligned with Commonwealth Realm countries. Once chosen officer candidates are sent to one of several British or Canadian basic officer courses depending upon which arm of service they are slated for. Enlisted soldiers are given basic training at JDF Training Depot Newcastle. As on the British model NCOs are given several levels of professional training as they rise up the ranks. Additional military schools are available for speciality training in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The JDF is directly descended from the British West India Regiment formed during the colonial era. The West India Regiment was used extensively by the British in policing the empire from 1795 to 1926. Other units in the JDF heritage include the early colonial Jamaica Militia, the Kingston Infantry Volunteers of WWI and reorganised into the Jamaican Infantry Volunteers in WWII. The West India Regiment was reformed in 1958 as part of the West Indies Federation. The dissolution of the Federation resulted in the establishment of the JDF.
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) comprises an infantry Regiment and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit. The infantry regiment contains the 1st, 2nd and 3rd (National Reserve) battalions. The JDF Air Wing is divided into three flight units, a training unit, a support unit and the JDF Air Wing (National Reserve). The Coast Guard element is divided between sea-going crews and support crews. It conducts maritime safety and maritime law enforcement as well as defence-related operations. The support battalion contains a Military Police platoon as well as vehicle, armourers and supply units. The 1st Engineer Regiment provides military engineering support to the JDF. The Headquarters JDF contains the JDF commander, command staff as well as intelligence, judge advocate office, administrative and procurement sections.
In recent years the JDF has been called upon to assist the nation's police, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in fighting drug smuggling and a rising crime rate which includes one of the highest murder rates in the world. JDF units actively conduct armed patrols with the JCF in high-crime areas and known gang neighbourhoods. There has been vocal controversy as well as support of this JDF role. In early 2005, an opposition leader, Edward Seaga, called for the merger of the JDF and JCF. This move has not garnered support in either organisation nor among the majority of citizens.
| 1962–1965 | Brigadier Paul Edwin Crook, CBE, DSO |
| 1965–1973 | Brigadier David Hartman Smith, CVO, OBE, ED |
| 1973 | Brigadier Dunstan Fitzgerald Robinson, CD, OBE, ED |
| 1973–1979 | Major-General Rudolph Edward George Green, CD, OStJ |
| 1979–1990 | Major-General Robert James Neish, CD, AFC |
| 1990–1998 | Rear-Admiral Peter Lorenzo Brady, CD, CVO, MMM |
| 1998–2002 | Major-General John I Simmonds, CVO, OD |
| 2002–2007 | Rear-Admiral Hardley M Lewin, CD, ADC, JP, psc (n) |
| 2007 | Major-General Stewart Emerson St Leonard Saunders, CD, ADC, MSc, JP, psc |
In December 2007 the title of Chief of Staff was replaced by Chief of Defence Staff and filled by incumbent.
| 2008–2010 | Major-General Stewart Emerson St Leonard Saunders, CD, JP, ADC, MSc, psc |
| 2010- | Major-General Antony Bertram Anderson, OD, JP, MDA, BEng (Hons), psc |
The JDF also supports two military bands;
Ships in Active Service
| Name of Ship | Length | Max speed | Crew/Capacity | Class | Builder | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMJS Cornwall | 42.8 m | 26 knots | 12 + 4 | County Class Offshore Patrol Vessel | Damen Group | 2006 |
| HMJS Middlesex | 42.8 m | 26 knots | 12 + 4 | County Class Offshore Patrol Vessel | Damen Group | 2006 |
| HMJS Surrey | 42.8 m | 26 knots | 12 + 4 | County Class Offshore Patrol Vessel | Damen Group | 2007 |
| HMJS Paul Bogle | 32.3 m | 30 knots | 17 | Hero | ||
| HMJS Fort Charles | 35.3 m | 32 knots | 16 | Fort | 1974 |
Other smaller vessels include[5]:
Retired Ships of the JDF Coast Guard
HMJS Yoruba
HMJS Coromante
HMJS Mandingo
HMJS Discovery Bay
HMJS Holland Bay
HMJS Manatee Bay
This is a list of currently-active military aircraft in use[6]:
| Manufacturer | Model | Use | Origin | Number In service | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Wing | ||||||
| Cessna | 210M Centurion | Light Transport | United States | 1 | In service since 1983. 1st Flight | |
| Britten-Norman | Islander BN-2A | Light Transport | United Kingdom | 1 | In service since 1974. 1st Flight | |
| Diamond | DA40-FP | Trainer | Austria | 2 | In service since 2006. Jamaica Military Aviation School | |
| Rotary Wing | ||||||
| Bell | Bell 407 | Support Helicopter | United States | 4 | In service since 2007 | |
| Bell | Bell 206 | Support Helicopter | United States | 2 | In service since 2008. Jamaica Military Aviation School | |
| Bell | 412EP | Support Helicopter | United States | 1 | In service since 1998. 2nd Flight | |
| Eurocopter | AS 355N Ecureuil 2 | Support Helicopter | France | 4 | In service since 1999. 3rd Flight | |
On July 1, 2009 a Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing Bell 412EP helicopter was on its way back to Up Park Camp from a training mission when it began experiencing mechanical issues. The helicopter crashed into the ground at Up Park Camp, injuring the captain, his co-pilot and a crew member.[1]
Commissioned Officers
| JDF Coast Guard | Other Units |
|---|---|
| Rear Admiral | Major General |
| Commodore | Brigadier |
| Captain (N) | Colonel |
| Commander | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Lieutenant Commander | Major |
| Lieutenant (sg) | Captain |
| Lieutenant (jg) | Lieutenant |
| Sub Lieutenant | 2nd Lieutenant |
Enlisted Ranks
| JDF Coast Guard | Other Units |
|---|---|
| Master Chief Petty Officer I | Warrant Officer 1 |
| Master Chief Petty Officer II | Warrant Officer Class 2 |
| Chief Petty Officer | Colour Sergeant / Staff Sergeant |
| Petty Officer | Sergeant |
| Leading Seaman | Corporal |
| Able Seaman | Lance Corporal |
| Ordinary Seaman | Private |
Besides inhouse training, the JDF has been trained by members of the Canadian Forces to deal with special needs.[7]
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