- Jamaica Defence Force
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Jamaica Defence Force 
Badge of the JDFHeadquarters 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 service747,043 males, age 16–49 (2005 est.) Fit for
military service523,550 males, age 16–49 (2005 est.) Reaching military
age annually27,729 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.
History
Personnel of the Jamaica Defence Force in dress uniform, during a light rain, at Palisadeos Air Port, Kingston.
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.
Major units of the Jamaica Defence Force
Soldiers from the JDF during the Tradewinds 2002 Field Training Exercise, on the island of Antigua.- 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:
- 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 (JDFCG) - 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 Royal Small Arms Factories L1A1 Assault Rifle 
BAE SA80 Assault Rifle 
Sterling Armaments Company L2A3 Submachine Gun Being replaced by the SA80 
Browning GP35 Pistol 
FN L7A1 General purpose machine gun 
Springfield Armory M79 Grenade Launcher 
Browning M2 Heavy machine gun Artillery Royal Ordnance L16 Mortar 12 
Royal Ordnance SBML 2-inch mortar Mortar 
Transport Land Rover Rover Defender 110 Mini SUV/Utility vehicle 
Toyota Land Cruiser SUV/Utility Vehicle Long body version 
Toyota Hiace (fourth generation) Minibus 
Toyota Coaster Minibus 
Ford LN7000 Truck Ford LN8501 Truck Toyota Dyna lU100/Y100 Truck Troop carrier 
Armored Cadillac Gage Commando V-150 Armoured Personnel Carriers 13 
Staff Cars Volvo S90 Executive car 1 for use by the Chief of Staff of the Defense Force 
Toyota Crown Executive car Used by commanding and senior officers 
Toyota Corona Sedan Used by senior officers 
Toyota Hilux (Sixth Generation) Pickup truck Used for administrative purposes 
Toyota Prado 90 series Mid-sized SUV For administrative purposes 
Past Chiefs of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (1962–2007)
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.
Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (2008 onwards)
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 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.[3]
- 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.[4]
JDF Coast Guard
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 Offshore Patrol Vessel Damen Group 2006 HMJS Middlesex 42.8 m 26 knots 12 + 4 County Offshore Patrol Vessel Damen Group 2006 HMJS Surrey 42.8 m 26 knots 12 + 4 County 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]:
- 9m Boston Whaler
- 6m Boston Whaler
- RHIB
- Fast Patrol Craft
- 13m Fast Coast Interceptors
Retired Ships of the JDF Coast Guard
HMJS Yoruba
HMJS Coromante
HMJS Mandingo
HMJS Discovery Bay
HMJS Holland Bay
HMJS Manatee BayJDF Air Wing
Roundel of Jamaica Defence Force Air WingThis 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 States1 In service since 1983. 1st Flight 
Britten-Norman Islander BN-2A Light Transport 
United Kingdom1 In service since 1974. 1st Flight 
Diamond DA40-FP Trainer 
Austria2 In service since 2006. Jamaica Military Aviation School 
Rotary Wing Bell Bell 407 Support Helicopter United States4 In service since 2007 
Bell Bell 206 Support Helicopter United States2 In service since 2008. Jamaica Military Aviation School Bell 412EP Support Helicopter United States1 In service since 1998. 2nd Flight 
Eurocopter AS 355N Ecureuil 2 Support Helicopter 
France4 In service since 1999. 3rd Flight 
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.
- 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.[1]
Ranks of the Jamaica Defence Force
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 Additional Training
Besides inhouse training, the JDF has been trained by members of the Canadian Forces to deal with special needs.[7]
Notes
- ^ http://topgun.rin.ru/cgi-bin/texts.pl?category=state&mode=show&unit=6011&lng=eng
- ^ http://www.jdfmil.org/equipment/equip_home.php
- ^ Jamaica Military Band
- ^ Jamaica Regiment Band (TU)
- ^ http://www.jdfmil.org/equipment/ships/ships_home.php#P7
- ^ http://www.jdfmil.org/equipment/aircraft/aircraft_home.php
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/08/10/pol-jamaica-hurricane-forces-mackay.html
References
External links
Military of North America Sovereign states Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Canada · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · El Salvador · Grenada · Guatemala · Haiti · Honduras · Jamaica · Mexico · Nicaragua · Panama · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Trinidad and Tobago · United States
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