Military history of the Cayman Islands

Last updated

The defence of the Cayman Islands has been and currently remains the responsibility of the United Kingdom.

Contents

Before the independence of Jamaica in 1962, the Cayman Islands were under the same administration as Jamaica. As such, the responsibility of the defence of the Cayman Islands and Jamaica was provided by the United Kingdom and the British Garrison in Jamaica, now known as the Jamaica Defence Force. Since Jamaica's Independence, the Cayman Islands remain strongly with the United Kingdom and the defence of Cayman was retained solely by the United Kingdom.

Colonial era

In 1662, the governor to Jamaica, Lord Windsor, was given royal instructions to take charge of the Cayman Islands by means of planning and raising fortifications in Cayman. Eventually, Fort George was built up around 1790. This is one of the earliest known military undertakings in the Cayman Islands. [1]

World War II

During World War II, a company of the Jamaican Home Guard was established in Grand Cayman in 1942. The Home Guard consisted of 44 officers and men. [2]

Dobson Hall, the main barracks for the Home Guard in Cayman, was located in the capital George Town. [3]

The Cayman Company Home Guard was disbanded in 1945 after the war ended. [4] [5]

During World War II, the United States Government made agreements with the United Kingdom Government to establish a United States Naval Station in Grand Cayman. As German U-Boat activity decreased during the war, the naval base was handed over to the United States Coast Guard in 1945. The United States Coast Guard Station in Cayman was also eventually disbanded sometime after World War II. [1]

Present day

Many Caymanians served in the British Forces, as well as the United States Forces, and partook in many major conflicts around the world including the Falklands War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. There are still a number of Caymanians serving in the UK and US Forces. [6]

The United Kingdom regularly sends Royal Navy or Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships as a part of Atlantic Patrol (NORTH) tasking. These ships' main mission in the region is to maintain British Sovereignty for the Overseas Territories, humanitarian aid and disaster relief during disasters such as hurricanes, which are common in the area, and for counter-narcotic operations. [7]

Also, the United States sometimes makes Cayman a port of call for Coast Guard cutters. On multiple occasions, the United States flies their military aircraft over the Caribbean, stopping at Grand Cayman's Owen Roberts International Airport and mostly continuing onwards back and forth to either USSOUTHCOM Joint Task Force Bravo base in Honduras or to Naval Air Station Key West. [8] [9] [10]

On a couple of occasions, USSOUTHCOM Joint Task Force Bravo has deployed to the Caribbean during hurricane disaster relief operations using Grand Cayman as a forward operating base or staging area. [11] [12]

Establishment of the Cayman Islands Coast Guard

For many years, the Cayman Islands Government had been discussing, internally and with the British Government, the development of a Coast Guard to improve border control, counter-narcotic operations, and search-and-rescue capabilities. This became more urgent after a major incident with a boat missing at sea with children on board, which led to a major maritime search. This search, which was spearheaded by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Marine Unit along with the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard, ended with the boat found, one found dead all other persons lost and presumed drowned. [13]

This led to a major inquiry on Cayman's capabilities in maritime search and rescue and border control. The inquiry led to a major push to get the Cayman Islands Coast Guard off the ground. In mid-2018, the Commander and Second in Command of the Coast Guard were appointed, with the first Coast Guard ship commissioned in late 2019, and operational in 2020. [14] [15] [16]

The Coast Guard Commander and Second in Command took part in a joint operation with the United States Coast Guard and the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard known as Operation Riptide, making it the first Operation for the Cayman Islands Coast Guard. [17]

Establishment of the Cayman Islands Regiment

For several years, talks in Cayman took place about the development of an auxiliary force to assist Cayman in major crises or times of disasters, like hurricanes. These talks increased and included the United Kingdom. In 2016–2019, the Atlantic hurricane seasons were disastrous for the region. The development of the Cayman Islands Regiment was finalized by 2019 with a visit from the UK Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster. Recruitment began in late 2019 and the Regiment became operational in 2020. [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cayman Islands</span> British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean

The CaymanIslands is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, and the largest by population. The 264-square-kilometre (102-square-mile) territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located south of Cuba and north-east of Honduras, between Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The capital city is George Town on Grand Cayman, which is the most populous of the three islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Ivan</span> Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in 2004

Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Bermuda Regiment</span> Infantry regiment of the British Army

The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is a single territorial infantry battalion that was formed on the amalgamation in 1965 of two originally voluntary units, the mostly black Bermuda Militia Artillery (BMA) and the almost entirely white Bermuda Rifles, and the only remaining component of the Bermuda Garrison since the 1957 withdrawal of regular units and detachments from Bermuda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamaica Defence Force</span> Combined military forces 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. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Kitts and Nevis Defence Force</span> Military of Saint Kitts and Navis

The Saint Kitts and Nevis Defence Force is the military of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It currently consists of an infantry unit and a maritime unit. Both units have regular and reserve elements, all of which fall under the command Force Headquarters. The current Commander of the SKNDF is Lt. Col. J. Anthony Comrie. The SKNDF has an active force of 300 personnel with a corps of 150 cadets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Southern Command</span> Command responsible for South American area

The United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), located in Doral in Greater Miami, Florida, is one of the eleven unified combatant commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation for Central and South America, the Caribbean, their territorial waters, and for the force protection of U.S. military resources at these locations. USSOUTHCOM is also responsible for ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal and the canal area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Emily (2005)</span> Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in 2005

Hurricane Emily was a powerful early season Atlantic hurricane that caused significant damage across the Caribbean to Mexico. At the time, Emily was the earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record and the only one to develop before August, until Hurricane Beryl in 2024 surpassed it. It was also the earliest fifth named storm in the basin. After forming on July 10, 2005, the storm moved through the central Atlantic Ocean before passing through the Windward Islands on July 14. Tracking generally towards the west-northwest, the storm gradually intensified as it traversed the Caribbean, peaking as a Category 5 hurricane on July 16. The system subsequently made landfall in the Yucatán Peninsula as a Category 4. Quickly crossing the peninsula, Emily emerged into the Gulf of Mexico and reorganized. On July 20, the storm struck Tamaulipas as a major hurricane and rapidly dissipated within 24 hours. The storm caused significant damage along its path, with up to $1.01 billion in damages recorded, primarily in Mexico. 5 people died in each of Jamaica, Haiti, and Mexico; 2 people died elsewhere, for a total of 17 fatalities. Even so, the name Emily was not retired following the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Cayman Islands Police Service</span> Law enforcement agency

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) is the standing police force of the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands. The police force was formed in 1907 and currently (2009) stands at 343 enlisted officers, tasked with tackling Crime in the Cayman Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Security System</span> International agreement for the defence and security of the eastern Caribbean region

The Regional Security System (RSS) is an international agreement for the defence and security of the eastern Caribbean region with future expansion planned with South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Task Force Bravo</span> Military unit

Joint Task Force-Bravo is a forward-based expeditionary joint task force operating as U.S. Southern Command's (USSOUTHCOM) lead forward element in the Central America (CENTAM) region to promote stability and security and counter transnational and transregional threat networks (C-T3N). JTF-Bravo operates out of Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, located 10 miles south of the city of Comayagua and 50 miles north of the capital city of Tegucigalpa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of Hurricane Dean in the Greater Antilles</span>

The effects of Hurricane Dean in the Greater Antilles were spread over six countries and included 20 deaths. Hurricane Dean formed in the Atlantic Ocean west of Cape Verde on August 14 as part of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season. The Cape Verde-type hurricane tracked steadily westward into the Caribbean, where it rapidly intensified. Its outer bands swept over the Greater Antilles; the storm surge was felt from the eastern side of Puerto Rico to the western tip of Cuba. It brushed the island of Jamaica as a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale before striking Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula at Category 5 strength.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Colonial Auxiliary Forces</span>

The British Colonial Auxiliary Forces were the various military forces of Britain's colonial empire which were not considered part of the British military proper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Paloma</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 2008

Hurricane Paloma was a strong late-season Atlantic hurricane that set several records for its intensity and formation. It was the sixteenth tropical storm, eighth hurricane and fifth major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Paloma was, at the time, the third most powerful November hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin, behind only the 1932 Cuba hurricane, 2020's hurricanes Iota and Eta, and a tie of 1999's Hurricane Lenny, and 2001's Hurricane Michelle. Paloma also marked the first time that at least one major hurricane formed in every month of the hurricane season from July to November, with only June not having a major hurricane in the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of Hurricane Ivan in the Greater Antilles</span>

From September 8 to 14, 2004, Hurricane Ivan moved through the Caribbean Sea, affecting all of the Greater Antilles. Reaching peak winds of 165 mph (266 km/h), Ivan attained Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, the strongest possible category, on three times in the Caribbean. It first lashed the southern coasts of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola with high waves, killing five people in the Dominican Republic and Haiti; in the latter country, two others drowned due to storm flooding. The effects in Jamaica were among the worst from a tropical cyclone in the island's recorded history. The storm caused severe damage which left 18,000 people homeless. An estimated 17 people on the island were killed by Ivan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cayman Islands Regiment</span> Infantry regiment of the British Army

The Cayman Islands Regiment is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands. It is a single territorial infantry and engineer reserve unit of the British Armed Forces that was formed in 2020. The regiment has an authorized strength level objective of 175 personnel, akin to that of a company-sized unit.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is a single territorial infantry and engineer reserve unit of the British Armed Forces that was formed in 2020. The Regiment has an authorized strength level objective of 46 personnel, akin to that of a platoon-sized unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Grace</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 2021

Hurricane Grace was the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Grace impacted much of the Leeward Islands and Greater Antilles as a tropical storm, before causing more substantial impacts in the Yucatán Peninsula and Veracruz as a hurricane. It was the seventh named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Originating from a tropical wave in the Main Development Region, the primitive system tracked west-northwest across the Atlantic Ocean towards the Antilles, becoming a tropical depression on August 14. It strengthened into Tropical Storm Grace later the same day, but weakened back to a depression due to an unfavorable environment. After moving near Haiti as a tropical depression, it strengthened back to a tropical storm and became a hurricane on August 18, reaching an initial peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a pressure of 986 mbar (29.12 inHg). It weakened back to a tropical storm after its landfall in the Yucatán Peninsula and emerged into the Bay of Campeche, entering a very favorable environment for intensification hours later. Grace then rapidly intensified into a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h) in about 24 hours. The storm made its final landfall in the state of Veracruz at peak intensity and quickly degenerated into a remnant low over mainland Mexico on August 21; however, its remnants later regenerated into Tropical Storm Marty in the Eastern Pacific on August 23.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cayman Islands Coast Guard</span> Maritime rescue service covering the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands Coast Guard is the maritime security and search and rescue agency of the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands. It was formed in late 2018 under the umbrella of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and was officially made as its own entity in 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 "know your islands Fort George has history of serving Grand Cayman | Cayman Compass". www.caymancompass.com. August 2011.
  2. ↑ "The Caymans and the British presence in the Caribbean". UK Defence Journal. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "Know your islands Fort George has history of serving Grand Cayman". Cayman Compass. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  4. ↑ "Home Guard Recognised".
  5. ↑ "The Home Guard - George Town, Cayman Islands Image". www.waymarking.com.
  6. ↑ "Cayman veterans honor fallen comrades on Remembrance Day | Cayman Compass". www.caymancompass.com. 14 November 2017.
  7. ↑ "Atlantic Patrol Tasking North | Royal Navy". www.royalnavy.mod.uk.
  8. ↑ "US Coast Guard vessel Seneca visits Cayman | Cayman Compass". www.caymancompass.com. 22 February 2018.
  9. ↑ "USCGC Bear for Cayman". www.gov.ky.
  10. ↑ "US Cutter Calls". www.gov.ky.
  11. ↑ "SOUTHCOM stages relief at Grand Cayman". www.southcom.mil.
  12. ↑ "Southcom Stages Disaster Relief Team at Grand Cayman Island". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
  13. ↑ "Children lost at sea in boat tragedy | Cayman Compass". www.caymancompass.com.
  14. ↑ "UK Coastguard reviewing Cayman's search and rescue capabilities | Cayman Compass". www.caymancompass.com. 7 December 2016.
  15. ↑ "Cayman's Coast Guard chiefs announced | Cayman Compass". www.caymancompass.com. 29 August 2018.
  16. ↑ "Coastguard to manage Stingray City - Cayman Islands Headline News". November 28, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Error". www.gov.ky.
  18. ↑ "Cayman regiment would provide disaster relief | Cayman Compass". www.caymancompass.com. 14 October 2019.
  19. ↑ "Cayman to set up its own regiment | Cayman Compass". www.caymancompass.com. 11 October 2019.
  20. ↑ "Cayman to create military regiment - Cayman Islands Headline News". October 11, 2019.
  21. ↑ Johnston-Barnes, Owain (16 October 2019). "Regiment ready to help Cayman Islands | The Royal Gazette:Bermuda News". The Royal Gazette.
  22. ↑ "MoD team working on CI military - Cayman Islands Headline News". November 24, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Regiment senior officers appointed | Cayman Compass". www.caymancompass.com. 30 January 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.