The Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper visited the Jamaica Military Aviation School (JMAS) at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on 20 April 2009, as part of his two-day Working Visit to the island. The Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Honourable Bruce Golding, along with the Chief of Defence Staff Major General Stewart Saunders, led the tour. The Prime Ministers were accompanied by senior military and government officials who came out to witness the momentous occasion.

The visit presented a unique photo opportunity for journalists. The fixed and rotary wing aircraft, used for the training of pilots, piqued the interest of the Prime Minister. As part of the package, Stephen Harper was treated to a demonstration of the newly acquired Aircraft Simulator, which is used primarily for multi-engine fixed wing training.

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper culminated his visit to the military institution with a ‘Meet and Greet’ of Canadian soldiers temporarily deployed to JMAS. This contingent of soldiers has been in the island for almost a month and the engineer troops have been working assiduously to complete the various construction projects. The newly constructed Technicians’ School at JMAS is one of such and will, upon completion, facilitate the training of technicians, locally.

The Canadian Government was very instrumental in the establishment and construction of the Jamaica Military Aviation School. The visit serves to solidify the longstanding relationship between the Jamaica Defence Force and the Canadian Forces.

Prime Minister Harper’s Working Visit to Jamaica ended on 21 April 2009.

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