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Press Releases
February
“The First Responders Return Home ” By Corporal Joseph Lewis After spending one month in Haiti on “Operation Restore Comfort”, the first set of Jamaica Defence Force soldiers returned home on Tuesday 16 February 2010. They were deployed to Haiti to assist with relief and restoration work after the devastating Earthquake on Tuesday  Members of the second detachment of Jamaica Defence Force Soldiers entering
a Canadian C-130 Aircraft to be transported to Haiti on Operation Restore Comfort. It was a joyous occasion as the soldiers stepped off the Canadian C-130 aircraft at the Norman Manley International Airport. A couple of the soldiers knelt on the tarmac to signal their delight to be home. Whilst the soldiers were happy to be home, they expressed honour to have been a part of the contingent that went in first to help the Haitian people.  Major Jaimie Ogilvie Contingent Commander the first set of JDF soldiers
deployed to Haiti observing them filling out their immigration forms at the Toussaint Louveture International Airport. “I have been in Haiti since 16 January 2010; I was so enthusiastic about the trip because the Haitians are our neighbours and they needed our help,” said Corporal Joshua Knight of “When I reached Haiti I couldn’t imagine that there was so much damage there,” he continued. Knight went on to say that his high point of the trip was to see a little girl singing, “because he loves me I can see tomorrow” this was after she had her leg amputated. “This showed me that even though she was going through a hard time she had hope.” Another soldier, Private Andrew Griffiths said that although the work was strenuous it was fulfilling because he got to help a lot of people.  Members of the JDF Contingent retuning from Haiti in the General Aviation
department at the Norman Manley International Airport. In a briefing prior to leaving Haiti, the outgoing Contingent Commander, Major Jaimie Ogilvie thanked the soldiers for their support over the period. The rotation took place among the Second Battalion The Jamaica Regiment, the Support and Services Battalion and 1 Engineer Regiment (JDF). The new contingent in Haiti is headed by Lieutenant Colonel Desmond Edwards who is in-charge of 162 troops including doctors, medics, engineers and infantrymen.
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