• Unforgettable jouney
• Ranges with a difference
• A Jamaica night with a difference
• International Soprano Abigail Kelly to make her Jamaican debút performance at Military Museum Classical Concert
• Third Battalion Annual Training Camp 12-27 July 2008

‘De plane lan’’, is a line from a popular Jamaican entertainer named Richie Spice. But this time the line was being used in a different context.  Some of the members of the JDF’s contingent, who were travelling to the United Kingdom for the first time, echoed it. They were showing their joy as the Boeing 777 aircraft touched down at Gatwick Airport in London on 22 May 2008.

It was easy to recognize the persons who had travelled before compared to those who had not.    One could see the searching eyes as they tried to come to terms with their surrounding.

The pilot had barely said, “Welcome to London”, when his announcement was greeted with a loud applause from some passengers including members of the contingent who were happy to land safely after nine hours in the air.  For some, it was not easy to overcome the joy that they were feeling, as they sang all the way to the checkpoint.

A representative from the host unit was there to greet the arriving contingent. He made sure that the troops proceeded through customs smoothly. After clearing customs, the contingent made their way on to three buses that were provided for transportation to Liverpool. 

The journey was interesting as the troops were able to see the beautiful British countryside.  The journey from the airport to Liverpool lasted for another nine hours. For many, it was a chance to get some rest after travelling for so many hours.

When the buses reached the ferry station at Liverpool, the troops checked in and waited for the Ferry that was taking them to Belfast.

After waiting for about eight hours, the Ferry finally arrived.    It took another two hours for the ferry to be serviced before boarding commenced. 

The Ferry, named ‘Mersery Viking’ was unique; it was very huge and was able to transport people as well as vehicles to Belfast from Liverpool.

One could not tell from the outside that the ferry was so sophisticated.  It had all the facilities on board that you would find in a hotel.

The ferry-journey from Liverpool to Belfast lasted approximately eight hours. This was to the delight of the troops.  They spent their time drinking, sightseeing and taking pictures.

The last leg of the journey took the troops to Magilligan Training Centre, where they were greeted by the Administrative Officer, who invited them to the dining hall for a light meal.

Soon after, they were shown their respective accommodations; which were welcomed by the troops who had been travelling for almost two days.

The 116-member contingent was about to create another milestone for the JDF.   They were the first group of JDF soldiers to conduct training in Northern Ireland. 

There, they would train alongside the Second Battalion The Mercian Regiment - the Unit in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq.