• Canadians Test Combat Readiness at JDF
• JDF Officer Among National Awardees

A Canadian Force Engineer contingent conducted readiness training (dubbed ‘Exercise Tropical Hammer’) over the period 22 Aug –23 Oct 08 at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) as they prepared for deployment in Afghanistan.

According to the Canadians, Jamaica was chosen as it was felt that its climatic conditions and topography are similar to that of Afghanistan and would therefore present a realistic experience for the group.         

The Exercise was conducted in two parts. The Canadians carried out several field training exercises (to include range practices) and also constructed several buildings which sharpened their trade skills as they prepared for deployment. They assisted the JDF primarily with the construction of a well-needed Headquarters and accommodation for JDF’s special operational group, the building of a Tyre House at Green Bay Firing Range and the completion of the Jamaica Military Aviation School (JMAS).

Commander of the Canadian Forces Operational Support Command, Major General Daniel Benjamin, visited the JDF over the period 22 – 24 Sep 08 to track the progress of the Canadian engineers. Major General Benjamin visited all the areas that training and construction took place.

When All Arms visited the troops in training at the Soho Range in Moneague, they were in high spirit and from all indications, the training was going well.

“The training that we are doing now will allow us to be more comfortable with our weapons,” said Captain Kristy Mathisen, Construction Engineer with the Canadian Force.

The Canadians introduced a new way of building living accommodations and training facilities, utilizing metal containers, which is far more cost effective than having permanent, concrete structure. They took all the advantage of this well-needed experience as they would be expected to construct similar accommodations on their deployment

This was not a one-way street, 1 Engineer Regiment (JDF) also benefited from this tremendous exposure to different skills introduced by the Canadians. The JDF engineers worked alongside the Canadians on each project done across the Force.

Having established a good working partnership with the JDF engineers the Canadians are hoping to have JDF soldiers as part of the team on their next deployment.

“We are trying to get members of the JDF Engineer Regiment to be deployed with us on our next assignment,’ said Major Fera James, Second-In-Command, Canadian General Engineer Squad.

He went on to say that he hopes that this exercise continues for a long time.

The Canadians have had a longstanding relationship with the JDF, having been very instrumental in the construction of the Caribbean Junior Command and Staff College at the Moneague Training Camp, St Ann. This facility will be fully completed and operational by January 2009.