Google Web JIS
Search
 

Skype download latest version.

About JIS
Access to Information
Addresses-GOJ
Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates
Cabinet Ministers
Citizenship
Civil Servants
Long Service Awardees
CARICOM
Cultural Videos
Education
Executive Agencies
The Economy
Govt. Contacts
Govt. Documents
Government of Jamaica
Help Desk
The IMF & Jamaica’s Experience with the IMF
International Agencies
Jamaican History
Jamaican Justice System Reform
Links
Members of Parliament
Ministers of State & Parliamentary Secretaries
Ministries
National Honours and Awards 2009
National Security Policy
National Library of Jamaica
Non Governmental Agencies
Office of the PM
Office of the Services Commissions
Photo Gallery
Private Sector Organisations
Profiles
Returning Residents
Senators
Social Services
Sports
Tax Admin Dept
National Commission on Ganja Report
Vision 2030
Work Permit
Enter your e-mail address below to subscribe to the JIS weekly newsletter.
Inside Parliament
Cabinet, Permanent Secretaries and Ministry List
Councillors
Government of Jamaica
Laws of Jamaica
Mayors
Members of Parliament
Ministers of State & Parliamentary Secretaries
MOU for Public Sector
National Committee on Crime and Violence
Profiles of Ministers
Senators
For Your Information
About JIS
CARICOM
Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
CARICOM Single Market & Economy
HIV/AIDS
Miss Lou
National Anthem & Pledge
National Awards
National Heroes
National Honours & Awards 2009
National Symbols
Protocol
Public Holidays
Returning Residents
Sir Alexander Bustamante
Special Events
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Ministry of National Security

 

JDF Contributing to National Development


TRACEY THOMPSON
Friday, May 10, 2002

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the arm of Government charged with defending the country's borders, has been making a significant contribution to national development since its establishment in 1962.

Over the years, the JDF has aided the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in maintaining law and order; assisted in the maintenance of essential services; provided law enforcement, safety and environmental protection in Jamaica's marine zone; supported Government sponsored programmes; assisted in search and rescue operations, and participated in ceremonial functions.

Since its inception, the Force has been commanded by seven Chiefs of Staff. Major General John Simmonds who has served as Chief of Staff from 1998 demits office this week. He will pass the baton to Captain (N) Hardley Lewin, who will officially take up office on Saturday, May 11, in the largest ever Change of Command Parade to be staged by the JDF. The event will take place at Up Park Camp, Kingston.

The JDF has provided assistance to the Police Narcotics Department in ganja eradication operations, provided troops for security duties at the Tower Street and St. Catherine Adult Correctional centres and the Kingston Public Hospital, where prisoners are admitted.

Apart from its involvement in security operations, the JDF has also been involved in civic operations by providing engineers and technicians to man and operate the Jamaica Public Service Company power barge at Rockfort, provided instructors for the National Youth Service, and the JDF Air Wing has carried out a total of 145 emergency casualty evacuations for the Ministry of Health.

Its involvement in Government programmes has resulted in the JDF's Engineering Division helping in the relocation of squatters to National Housing Trust constructed homes under Relocation 2000; assisting with the construction and renovation of public facilities such as schools, parks, sidewalks, community centres, markets and sanitary conveniences; building of the new Remand Centre on Spanish Town Road; and providing site management for the extension of the port facilities at Gordon Cay.

A number of Government agencies have received officers on secondment from the JDF. These include the Maritime Authority, Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of National Security and Justice, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Department of Corrections, National Firearm and Drug Intelligence Centre and the National Youth Service.

The JDF has also played a full role on ceremonial occasions, and in the numerous State visits that have taken place since Independence, including the visit of Her Majesty the Queen last February, to commemorate her Golden Jubilee.

The force has been very active in environmental protection and disaster relief internationally. The Coast Guard is trained and equipped to deal with marine oil spills, and in 1990 officers were sent to Alaska to assist with the clean-up of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Members of the JDF were a part of the regional forces that restored democracy to Grenada between 1983 and 1985, part of a United States led force which entered Haiti in 1994 to assist in the restoration of democracy to that country and subsequently provided a contingent for peace-keeping duties there, serving for the first time under the flag of the United Nations.

Formed in July 1962, just a few days before the country gained Independence on August 6, the JDF's original predecessor was the Jamaica Militia of 1662, which was disbanded in 1906.

On the onset of World War II, a Troop called the Jamaica Infantry Volunteers (JIV) was formed and towards the end of the war in 1944, the JIV was renamed the Jamaica Battalion. Eleven years later, the Jamaica Battalion was renamed the Jamaica Regiment.

The JDF comprises eight major units - the First Battalion the Jamaica Regiment (1JR); the Second Battalion (2JR); Support and Services Battalion, which is basically the administrative and logistic unit; JDF Air Wing; Coast Guard; the Engineering Division, which comprises field, construction, support and maintenance squadrons and a power plant troop; Intelligence Unit, and The Third Battalion, which is made up of the National Reserve.


 
PMI Provides School Supplies for Students in St. James
SRIT Commits to Overhaul Level of Professionalism of JCF in Three Years
ACP Felice Aims at Honest JCF in Three Years
Companies Donate $6m to Restore Darling Street Police Station
Rules of Engagement to Save Lives
Mobile Police Post and Increased Patrols for Tredegar Park
Revised Rules Of Engagement will make JDF More Effective - Colonel Meade
Inner City Communities to Benefit from GOJ/EU Summer CAMPS
ACP Alarmed at Number of JCF Members Booted
SRIT Graduates First Batch of Police Trainers
See more stories...
 
 
 
Significant Oil Find a Possibility
Mavis Bank Seeks Canadian Markets for Blue Mountain Coffee
Ja's International Synchronised Swimming Champs, October 7-9
Jamaican Canadian Association Honours York Police Chief
Ackee and Salt Fish Celebrated at Notting Hill Carnival
Exhibition on the Life of Jamaican Musician in the UK
Outreach Concert Series to Showcase Jamaican Talent
South Florida Annual JIS Independence Essay Competition Winners
Jamaicans Urged to Use Resources to Develop Country
Jamaica Welcomes One Millionth Visitor
Marketing Drive Paying Off - Minister Bartlett
 
 
 
Ministry of Labour to Introduce Employment Registry
COJ Improving Customer Accessibility
Parents Urged to Get Children Excited about their New Schools
Inflation is Going Down - PM Golding
Govt. Committed to Ensuring that Athletes Remain Clean
PM to Meet With Private Sector Heads on Thursday
Child Health and Development Passport Implemented
Parents Urged to Support their Children
PIOJ Reports Improvements in Four Key Areas Pivotal to Advancing Vision 2030
SRIT Commits to Overhaul Level of Professionalism of JCF in Three Years
 
 
 
Marigold Harding, says she is Prepared for Job of Custos of St. Andrew
St Elizabeth's Emergency Training Workshop
Anti Doping Seminar Set for UWI, September 18
PM Launches St. Elizabeth Leg of Massive Roads Programme
PMI Provides School Supplies for Students in St. James
Heavy Rains Claim one Life in St. James
Minister and MP discuss Road Works
New Cardiac Unit to be Built at Bustamante Hospital for Children
Students from 14 Clarendon Communities in Receive Book Vouchers
Gayle Health Clinic gets Help from Solomonic Philanthropists
UDC Working with Falmouth Community on Tourism Development
 
 
     
CSJP NEWS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 1996 -2007, Jamaica Information Service, All rights reserved.
Tel: (876) 926-3590-8/926-3740-8 Fax: (876) 926-6715 e-mail: jis@jis.gov.jm