By Corporal Joseph Lewis
Headquarters, Jamaica Defence Force

“Regional challenges require co-operative solutions and co-operative solutions are achieved through developing and maintaining long lasting partnership.” These are the words of the Honourable Isiah Parnell, Charge’d’ Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, who was speaking at the conclusion of Exercise Tradewinds 2010. The sentiments expressed by the Hon Parnell encapsulate exactly what Exercise Tradewinds is about.

The annual exercise, held from the 12 – 23 April 2010, brought together over 159 security personnel from the United States, United Kingdom, Jamaica and 13 other Caribbean nations. The countries co-operated through training and the sharing of ideas in the area of maritime security in order that combined and common strategies may be developed to combat the regional challenges experienced through the illicit drug trade which traverse the high seas.

The participants, which included soldiers and police officers, were given various scenarios at sea to test their readiness and how the training has impacted them. This was in the form of drills on how to properly board and search drug vessels at sea.  This training, if properly applied, will certainly put a dent in the illegal activities that take place in the maritime environment.

Exercise Tradewinds 2010 was very worthwhile for the participants. After two weeks of gruelling training, the students were pleased with the training that they received.

Sergeant Dennis Haylock of the Belize Defence Force, who was participating in the exercise for the first time, said that it has given him a better understanding of how to conduct searches when boarding vessels believing to be transporting contraband. He said that the exercise was very interesting and that he enjoyed it tremendously.

 “What was very fascinating to me was the Over the Horizon Target Tracking System which was able to track vessels at sea on a computer,” said Petty Officer Donald Redwood of the JDF Coast Guard.

In speaking at the closing ceremony, Commanding Officer of JDF Coast Guard, Commander Kenneth Douglas thanked the United States Southern Command, United States Coast Guard and all the participating nations for conceptualizing and supporting the exercise.

“Putting together an exercise of this magnitude was no small feat. This effort took tremendous and meticulous planning and briefing, many meetings and conferences were held in support of these two weeks of activities,” he said.

The Honourable Isiah Parnell thanked the Government of Jamaica, the Ministry of National Security, and the Jamaica Defence Force for co-hosting the exercise, expressing that
 “Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States share common interests and over the years have collectively realized that security is a necessary condition for prosperity and lasting democratic institution.”  

Mr Vivian Brown who represented the Minister of National Security, Senator the Honourable Dwight Nelson said that with criminals running rampant in the country, it was a good time to conduct such an exercise. He went on to say that the Government of Jamaica has made tremendous strides in the fight against illicit drugs.

• Co-operative Solution Through Training
• Exercise Tradewinds 2010 Underway
• Mayor McKenzie Endorses Move to Restore Site
• More than Issuing Relief Items