Jamaica Defence Force

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is the combined military of Jamaica, consisting of an Army, Air Wing and Coast Guard. The JDF is based upon the British military model, with similar organisation, training, weapons and traditions. Once chosen, officer candidates are sent to one of several British or Canadian basic officer courses depending upon the arm of service. 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.

History

West Indian soldiers, c. 1861

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 seagoing 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.

Jamaican soldiers in 2010

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.

Major units of the Jamaica Defence Force

• Headquarters, Jamaica Defence Force (HQ JDF) - divided into the Operations Branch and Adjutant Quartermaster's Branch, this is the main command of the entire JDF.
• Headquarters, Jamaica Defence Force Intelligence Unit (HQ JDF Int)- provides intelligence to the JDF and The Jamaica Constabulary Force. (Despite its name this is not a sub-unit of JDF HQ, as it was given full unit status in 1983 and is headed by a Lt. Colonel.)
• 1st Battalion, The Jamaica Regiment (1JR) - raised in 1962, one of the two light infantry battalions comprising the main formation of the JDF.
• 2nd Battalion, The Jamaica Regiment (2JR) - raised in 1979, second of the two light infantry battalions comprising the main formation of the JDF.
• 3rd Battalion, The Jamaica Regiment (National Reserve) (3JR) (NR) - this is a volunteer infantry battalion.
• 1 Engineer Regiment (JDF) - this unit provides engineering support to all units of the JDF.
• Support and Services Battalion (Sp Svcs Bn)- this unit provides logistic and administrative support, and is divided into the following units:
  • Administration Unit (AU)
  • Supply Unit (JDF SD)
  • Training Depot (JDF Trg Depot)
  • Workshop (JDF W)
  • Transport Unit (TU)
  • Provost Unit (PU)
• JDF Air Wing (JDF AW) - this provides air support for the infantry, and surveillance and maritime patrol, which is used in anti-drug missions.
• JDF Coast Guard (JDF CG) - this is the naval arm of the JDF, and has responsibility for maritime law enforcement and maritime safety.
• JDF Combat Support Battalion (JDF Cbt Sp Bn) - this unit will perform an essential role as a force multiplier and it will ensure the operational readiness of the Force by facilitating essential competence training.

Army Equipment

Jamaican army equipment^[1][2]

Manufacturer	Model	Type	Number/Use/Comment	Image
Small arms
Colt	M16 Rifle	Assault Rifle
BAE	SA80	Assault Rifle
Armalite	M4 Carbine	Assault Rifle
Browning	GP35	Pistol
FN	L7A1	General purpose machine gun
Springfield Armory	M79	Grenade Launcher
Browning	M2 machine gun	Heavy machine gun
Artillery
Royal Ordnance	L16	Mortar	12
Royal Ordnance	SBML 2-inch mortar	Mortar
Transport
Land Rover	Land Rover	Patrol Vehicle
Toyota	Land Cruiser	SUV/Utility Vehicle	Armored
Toyota	Hiace	Minibus
Toyota	Coaster	Minibus
Ford	LN7000	Truck
Ford	LN8501	Truck
Toyota Dyna	Toyota Dyna	Truck	Lugagge Van
Armored vehicles
Cadillac Gage Commando	V-150	Armoured personnel carrier	3
Thales Australia	Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle	Armored personnel carrier	12 on order[3]
Staff cars
Toyota	Toyota Prado	Executive car	1 for use by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Force
BMW	BMW 5 Series	Executive car	Used by commanding and senior officers
Toyota	Camry	Sedan	Used by senior officers
Toyota	Hilux	Pickup truck	Used for administrative purposes
Toyota	Toyota Land Cruiser Prado	Mid-sized SUV	For administrative purposes

Past Chiefs of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (1962–2007)

In December 2007 the title of Chief of Staff was replaced by Chief of Defence Staff and filled by incumbent.

Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (2008 onwards)

Bands

The JDF also supports two military bands;

• Jamaica Military Band - this is the band that is descended from the band of the West India Regiment, and was formed in February 1927. It is one of only two units in the world (the other being the Band of the Barbados Regiment) that wears the uniform of the zouaves.^[4]

• Jamaica Regiment Band - this band was originally formed as the Band of the West India Regiment formed in 1959 as the military force of the Federation of the West Indies. With the Federation's break up and the independence of Jamaica, it became the Band of the 1st Battalion, Jamaica Regiment. It gained its current name with the formation of the 2nd Battalion in 1979.^[5]

JDF Coast Guard

Ships in Active Service

Other smaller vessels include:^[6]

• 37ft Boston Whaler ^[7]
• 9m Boston Whaler
• 6m Boston Whaler
• RHIB
• 12m Fast Patrol Craft (CG 121 - 124)
• 13m Fast Coast Interceptors

Retired Ships of the JDF Coast Guard

HMJS Yoruba (P 1)
HMJS Coromante (P 2)
HMJS Mandingo (P 3)
HMJS Discovery Bay (P 4)
HMJS Holland Bay (P 5)
HMJS Manatee Bay (P 6)

JDF Air Wing

Roundel of Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing

Current inventory

Retired aircraft

• Bell 47G Sioux - Two helicopters used by the 2nd Flight, for utility transport and support duties. In service from 1963 to 1964.
• Bell 212 Twin Huey - Three helicopters used by the 2nd Flight, for utility transport and support duties. In service from 1973 to 1999.
• Bell 222UT - One helicopter used by the 2nd Flight, for utility transport and support duties. In service from 1986 to 1988.
• Bell UH-1H Iroquois - Four helicopters used by the 2nd Flight, for utility transport and support duties. In service from 1989 to 1998.
• Beech B60 Duke - One aircraft used by the 1st Flight, for fisheries protection, search and rescue, anti-narcotics duties. In service from 1975 to 2003.
• Beechcraft King Air A100 - One aircraft used by the 1st Flight, for fisheries protection, search and rescue, anti-narcotics duties. In service from 1975 to 2003.
• Eurocopter AS355N Ecureuil 2 - Four helicopters used by the 3rd Flight, for utility transport and support duties. In service from 1999 to 2009.
• Cessna 185 Skywagon - Four aircraft used by the 1st Flight, for fisheries protection, search and rescue, anti-narcotics duties. In service from 1963 to 1985.
• de Havilland Canada Twin Otter - Two aircraft used by the 1st Flight, for fisheries protection, search and rescue, anti-narcotics duties. In service from 1967 to 1980.

Incidents

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.

Ranks of the Jamaica Defence Force

Commissioned Officers

Enlisted Ranks

Additional training

Besides inhouse training, the JDF has been trained by members of the Canadian Forces to deal with special needs.^[11]

See also

• The Jamaica Regiment
• Green Bay massacre
• Darren Jordon

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military of Jamaica.

• Jamaica Defence Force website

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