Jamaica Defence Force

Last updated

Jamaica Defence Force
Seal of the Jamaica Defence Force.svg
Jamaica Defence Force badge
Founded31 July 1962;62 years ago (1962-07-31)
Service branches
  • The Jamaica Regiment
  • Maritime, Air and Cyber Command
  • Support Brigade
  • Caribbean Military Academy
  • Jamaica National Reserve
Headquarters Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica
Website jdfweb.com
Leadership
Commander-in-chiefKing Charles III
Prime Minister Andrew Holness
Minister of National Security Horace Chang
Chief of Defence Staff Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman
Personnel
Military age16 years of age for selection process, 17 years of age is actual serving age (as of 2007)
Available for
military service
747,043, age 16–49 (2005 est.)
Fit for
military service
523,550, age 16–49 (2005 est.)
Reaching military
age annually
27,729 (2005 est.)
Active personnel5,950 [1]
Reserve personnel 2,580 [1]
Expenditure
Budget $238 million [1]
Related articles
Ranks Military ranks of Jamaica

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is the combined military of Jamaica, consisting of an infantry Regiment and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit. [2] The JDF is based upon the British military model, with similar organisation, training, weapons and traditions. Once chosen, officer candidates are sent to one of several British or Canadian basic officer courses depending upon the arm of service. Enlisted soldiers are given basic training at JDF Training Depot Newcastle. As in the British model, NCOs are given several levels of professional training as they rise up the ranks. Additional military schools are available for speciality training in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Contents

History

West Indian soldiers, c. 1861 Cast-away in Jamaica - West Indian Soldiers.jpg
West Indian soldiers, c. 1861

The JDF is directly descended from the West India Regiments formed during the period of British rule. The regiments were used extensively by the British to garrison the Colony of Jamaica and possessions in the West Indies. Other units in the JDF heritage tree include the early colonial Jamaica Militia, the Kingston Infantry Volunteers of WWI and reorganised into the Jamaican Infantry Volunteers in WWII. The West India Regiments were reformed in 1958 as part of the West Indies Federation. The dissolution of the Federation resulted in the establishment of the JDF.

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) comprises an infantry Regiment and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit. The infantry regiment contains the 1st, 2nd and 3rd (National Reserve) battalions. The JDF Air Wing is divided into three flight units, a training unit, a support unit and the JDF Air Wing (National Reserve). The Coast Guard element is divided between seagoing crews and support crews. It conducts maritime safety and maritime law enforcement as well as defence-related operations. The support battalion contains a Military Police platoon as well as vehicle, armourers and supply units. The 1st Engineer Regiment provides military engineering support to the JDF. The Headquarters JDF contains the JDF commander, command staff as well as intelligence, judge advocate office, administrative and procurement sections.

On 5 January 1978, the JDF carried out a covert operation that came to be known as the Green Bay Massacre, in which five Jamaica Labour Party (JLF) supporters were shot dead after being lured to a military shooting range. A specially selected team of snipers led by Major Ian Robinson laid an ambush outside the range while members of the JDF's Military Intelligence Unit (MIU) drove a group of JLF supporters towards them in an army ambulance. After the supporters exited the ambulance, an MIU soldier killed one member while the sniper team opened fire on the rest. Four supporters were killed and the remainder fled into nearby bushes. [3]

In recent years the JDF has been called upon to assist the nation's police, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in fighting drug smuggling and a rising crime rate which includes one of the highest murder rates in the world.[ citation needed ] JDF units actively conduct armed patrols with the JCF in high-crime areas and known gang neighbourhoods. There has been vocal controversy as well as support of this JDF role. In early 2005, an opposition leader, Edward Seaga, called for the merger of the JDF and JCF. This move did not garner support in either organisation nor among the majority of citizens.

Major units of the Jamaica Defence Force

Bands

The JDF also supports two military bands:

Army equipment

M16 rifle M16A4.png
M16 rifle
FN MAG machine gun FN MAG white background.jpg
FN MAG machine gun
Name [8] [9] OriginTypeIn serviceNotes
Small arms
GP35 United States Pistol
Glock Austria Pistol 17
M16 rifle United States Assault rifle M4
SA80 United Kingdom Assault rifle
FN MAG Belgium Machine gun L7A1
M2 machine gun United States Heavy machine gun
Springfield M79 United States Grenade launcher
Artillery
L16 81mm Mortar United Kingdom Mortar
2-inch mortar United Kingdom Mortar
Transport
Land Rover United Kingdom Patrol vehicle
Toyota Land Cruiser Japan Utility vehicle
Toyota Hiace Japan Minibus
Toyota Coaster Japan Minibus
Ford L Truck United States Heavy-duty truck LN7000/8000
Toyota Dyna JapanVan
Armoured vehicles
Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle [10] Australia Infantry mobility vehicle 18 [10]
Cadillac Gage Commando United States Armoured personnel carrier Retired [11]
Staff cars
Volvo S90 Sweden Executive car 1 for use by the Chief of Staff
Toyota Crown Japan Executive car Used by senior staff and commanding officers
Toyota Corona Japan Executive car Used by senior officers
Toyota Hilux Japan Pickup truck Used for administrative purposes
Toyota Camry Japan Executive car Used for senior officers
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Japan Utility vehicle For administrative purposes

JDF Air Wing

A Super King Air similar to this one is used by the JDF N301HC 1985 Beech B200 Super King Air C-N BB-1219 - Tri-state Care Flight (generic).jpg
A Super King Air similar to this one is used by the JDF
Roundel of Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing Roundel of Jamaica.svg
Roundel of Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing

Current inventory

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Maritime Patrol
Super King Air United States maritime patrol 350 1 [12]
Helicopter
Bell 412 United States utility / SAR 1 on order [12]
Bell 429 United States utility / SAR 8 [12] 1 on order [12]
Trainer Aircraft
Bell 505 United States trainer / utitity [13] 6 [12]
Diamond DA40 Canada trainer DA40 CS 4 [14]
Diamond DA42 Canada multi-engine trainer DA42 NG 2 [12]

Retired

Previous aircraft operated by the JDF Air Wing consisted of the Aero Commander 500 family, BN-2 Islander, Beechcraft Duke, Beechcraft King Air, Cessna Skymaster, Cessna 185 Skywagon, Cessna 210, DHC-6 Twin Otter, Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil 2, Bell UH-1 Iroquois, Bell 47G, Bell 212, Bell 204/205, and the Bell 222UT helicopter. [15] [16] [17]

Incidents

On July 1, 2009, a Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing Bell 412EP helicopter was on its way back to Up Park Camp from a training mission when it began experiencing mechanical issues. The helicopter crashed into the ground at Up Park Camp, injuring the captain, his co-pilot and a crew member. [18]

JDF Coast Guard

Jamaican naval ensign Naval Ensign of Jamaica.svg
Jamaican naval ensign

A year after the JDF was formed in 1962, a naval arm, the Jamaica Sea Squadron was added. The squadron's initial vessels were three 63 ft wooden World War II torpedo recovery boats provided by the United States. They were commissioned “Her Majesty's Jamaican Ship” HMJS Yoruba (P1), HMJS Coromante (P2) and HMJS Mandingo (P3). A training team from the Royal Navy assisted with the unit's early development. In 1966 they changed names from the Jamaica Sea Squadron to the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard. [19]

As of 2016, the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard was staffed by 241 individuals. [2]

Equipment

Jamaican Coast Guard patrol vessels Jamaican Coast Guard patrol vessels built to a Damen Stan design -a.jpg
Jamaican Coast Guard patrol vessels
VesselOriginTypeIn serviceNotes
HMJS Norman Manley Netherlands Patrol Vessel 1 [20] Honour-class
HMJS Nanny of the Maroons Netherlands Fast Crew Supplier1 [21] Honour-class
HMJS Cornwall Netherlands Patrol Vessel 1 [22] County-class
HMJS Middlesex Netherlands Patrol Vessel 1 [22] County-class
HMJS Fort Charles United States Patrol Boat 1Fort-class
HMJS Paul Bogle United States Patrol Boat 1Hero-class
Boston Whaler United States Interceptor 2 [23] 37 foot Justice model

Ranks of the JDF

Commissioned officers

The rank insignia for commissioned officers for the army and Coast Guard respectively.

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Flag of Jamaica.svg Jamaican Army [24]
Jamaica-Army-OF-8 (new).svg Jamaica-Army-OF-7 (new).svg Jamaica-Army-OF-6 (new).svg Jamaica-Army-OF-5 (new).svg Jamaica-Army-OF-4 (new).svg Jamaica-Army-OF-3 (new).svg Jamaica-Army-OF-2.svg Jamaica-Army-OF-1b.svg Jamaica-Army-OF-1a.svg
Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant
Naval ensign of Jamaica.svg  Jamaican Coast Guard [24]
British Royal Navy OF-8.svg Generic-Navy-11.svg British Royal Navy OF-7.svg Generic-Navy-10.svg British Royal Navy OF-6 (new).svg Generic-Navy-9b.svg Generic-Navy-8.svg Generic-Navy-6.svg Generic-Navy-5.svg Generic-Navy-4.svg Generic-Navy-3.svg Generic-Navy-2.svg
Vice admiral Rear admiral Commodore Captain Commander Lieutenant commander Lieutenant Lieutenant (junior grade) Sub-lieutenant
Ensign of the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing.svg  Jamaican Air Wing
Jamaican Air Force OF-4.svg Jamaican Air Force OF-3.svg Jamaican Air Force OF-2.svg Jamaican Air Force OF-1B.svg Jamaican Air Force OF-1A.svg
Lieutenant colonel Major Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant
Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers

Enlisted

The rank insignia for enlisted personnel for the army and Coast Guard respectively.

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of Jamaica.svg Jamaican Army [24]
Jamaica-Army-OR-9d.svg Jamaica-Army-OR-9c.svg Blank.svg Jamaica-Army-OR-9a.svg Jamaica-Army-OR-8b.svg Jamaica-Army-OR-8a.svg Jamaica-Army-OR-7.svg Jamaica-Army-OR-6.png Jamaica-Army-OR-4.png Jamaica-Army-OR-3.png No insignia
Warrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private
(or equivalent)
Naval ensign of Jamaica.svg  Jamaican Coast Guard [24]
Jamaica-Navy-OR-9d.png Jamaica-Navy-OR-9c.png Blank.svg Jamaica-Navy-OR-9a.png Jamaica-Navy-OR-8b.png Jamaica-Navy-OR-8a.png Jamaica-Navy-OR-7.svg Jamaica-Navy-OR-6.svg British Royal Navy OR-4.svg Kenya-AirForce-OR-3.svg No insignia
Master chief petty officer 1 Master chief petty officer Chief petty officer Petty officer Leading seaman Able seaman Ordinary seaman
Ensign of the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing.svg  Jamaican Air Wing
Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Jamaican Air Force OR-7.svg Jamaican Air Force OR-6.svg Jamaican Air Force OR-4.svg Jamaican Air Force OR-3.svg No insignia
Warrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private
(or equivalent)
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted

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References

Citations

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  2. 1 2 Sanjay Badri-Maharaj (2016-12-11). "Jamaica Defence Force: Balancing Priorities With Resources – Analysis". Eurasia Review. Archived from the original on 2016-12-12. Retrieved 2016-12-11. The Jamaica Defence Force is a brigade-sized unit comprising land, sea and air formations and is possibly the largest military establishment within the English-speaking Caribbean.
  3. Gunst, Laurie (2003). Born Fi' Dead: A Journey Through the Yardie Underworld. Canongate Books. ISBN   978-1-8419-5386-1.
  4. Dewaegeneer, Matthew (4/7/2024). "Special Operations Forces (SOF) SMEE: U.S. and Canadian Special Forces Forge Partnerships in Jamaica" Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, US Department of Defense, https://www.dvidshub.net/news/468000/special-operations-forces-sof-smee-us-and-canadian-special-forces-forge-partnerships-jamaica
  5. "Jamaica Military Band". Jamaica Defence Force. Archived from the original on 2016-04-04.
  6. "Jamaica Defense Force Band Archives". Archived from the original on 2018-08-13. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  7. "Jamaica Regiment Band (TU)". Jamaica Defence Force. Archived from the original on 2016-03-08.
  8. "Jamaica". Armies of the World. Archived from the original on 2016-12-26. The military budget is 48 million dollars (2001).
  9. "Equipment". Jamaica Defence Force. Archived from the original on 2016-06-30.
  10. 1 2 "PM Commissions JDF's Protected Mobility Vehicles Squadron". 2016-01-14. Archived from the original on 2018-01-17. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
  11. "JDF to Acquire New Fleet of Armoured Vehicles". 2013-12-03. Archived from the original on 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hoyle, Craig (2023). "World Air Forces 2024". FlightGlobal . Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  13. "Bell 505 delivery to Jamaica Defence Force".
  14. "Ministry of National Security invests over US$90 million in border security | the Ministry of National Security".
  15. "World Air Forces 1975 pg. 303". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  16. "World Air Forces 1987 pg. 66". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  17. "Aerospatiale AS 355 | Jamaican Defence Force".
  18. "3 JDF soldiers injured in helicopter crash". The Jamaica Observer. 2 July 2009. Archived from the original on 5 July 2009.
  19. "MOTTO:Service for the Lives of Others". Jamaica Defense Fund. Archived from the original on 2017-01-18. Retrieved 2017-02-20. The Sea Squadron was renamed the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard (JDF CG) in 1966 and the naval White Ensign, naval rank insignia and Royal Navy - patterned uniforms were adopted.
  20. "The Jamaica Defence Force commissioned His Majesty's Jamaican Ship (HMJS) NORMAN MANLEY | JDF". 29 November 2023.
  21. "JDF welcomes 'HMJS Nanny of the Maroons' to maritime fleet | Buzz". 27 June 2020.
  22. 1 2 "Jamaica Defence Force returns to Damen for fleet renewal Share this page". Damen Group. 2016-11-17. Archived from the original on 2017-02-18. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  23. "JDF Coast Guard gets two new vessels from United States". The Jamaica Observer . 27 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
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Bibliography