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| Home > Info Centre > Publications > Alert 1998 > The JDF and US Military | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The long and cordial security relationship between the United States and Jamaica is a practical example for many of the strategic components which comprise the National Military Strategy of the United States. One of the principal elements of this strategy is that of Shaping the International Environment whereby the United States seeks to encourage and develop the capability for multinational responses to various security challenges. We seek to develop this capability through a combination of deterrence, peacetime military engagement, and active participation in alliances. Definition and purpose Peacetime military engagement is defined as "all military activities involving other nations intended to shape the security environment in peacetime." These activities cover a vast spectrum of military programmes which include such things as combined training exercises, professional exchanges, military equipment sales and leases, institutional training symposiums and conferences, informational visits, etc. The underlying purpose of peacetime military engagement is to "demonstrate our commitment; improve interoperability; reassure allies, friends and coalition partners; promote transparency; convey democratic ideals; deter aggression; and help relieve sources of instability before they become military crises." Why the US Conducts Peacetime Military Engagement in Jamaica? Under the command and control of the United States Southern Command, all branches of the US military conduct the full range of these engagement programmes in conjunction with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). It is recognized throughout the US Military that the Jamaica Defence Force is the most professional, best trained and disciplined security force in the Caribbean. These facts, coupled with the JDF’s capability and willingness to respond to regional security threats, make Jamaica, and the JDF, the major contributor to the overall security of the Caribbean. This capability and willingness of Jamaica and the JDF to operate multilaterally, complements US strategic security interests and helps to develop the mutual confidence that encourages regional peace and stability, economic growth and development, and strengthens democracy. Peacetime Military Engagement Programmes Let us look at some specifics of these engagements programmes. One of our longest running and most important engagement programmes is Foreign Military Sales. Under this programme, the JDF uses grant funds to purchase military equipment, spare parts and services from US Military sources. In the past, the JDF has used this programme to buy military items ranging from patrol boats to vehicles, small arms and ammunition to uniforms and other troop support items. Currently, the focus of the programme is on providing repair parts, uniforms and other similar items. Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Programme Under EDA, the JDF has received several helicopters, a tugboat and a variety of other equipment. Other agencies in Jamaica have been beneficiaries of the EDA programme as well, notably the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). Both of these agencies have received multiple shipments of excess US Military supplies and materials ranging from operating room equipment to bandages, tents, generators, cots, clothing and emergency rations. Institutional Training Another peacetime military engagement programme extensively used, is institutional training at US Military service schools. Under the auspices of the International Military Education and Training (IMET) Programme, JDF personnel undertake technical and professional military education courses at US Military training centres and schools. These courses run the gamut from technical repair courses for aircraft, vehicles and ship engine and electrical systems repair, computer and information systems, operator courses for heavy engineering equipment, infantry and intelligence officer basic and advanced courses, to naval and ground forces command and staff college for mid-level officers. In addition, the JDF has used the IMET programme to attend specialized courses such as instructor and maintenance test pilot, scuba divers and ranger school. Regional Combined Training
The JDF also participates in a number of US sponsored, regionally oriented , combined military training exercises. The largest of these exercises is the annual joint and combined regional exercise Tradewinds, which brings together ground and maritime security and defence forces from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, the RSS nations, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. For 1998, Tradewinds was held in Belize and incorporated ground tactical and weapons training, a disaster relief and oil spill exercise, and coast guard training that focused on patrol boat and maritime law enforcement operations. While the US provides strategic lift and logistical support, the training objectives and other exercise and training seminars is conducted by a multinational staff of the participating nations to facilitate mutual trust, confidence and interoperability. The US Southern Command sponsors a number of regionally oriented command post exercises and training seminars. The largest of these is the Fuerzas Aliadas series of command post exercise which brings together Caribbean and Central American security forces and provides training on regional responses and procedures for peacekeeping and disaster relief operations. Bilateral Training
The US and JDF also conduct a number of bilateral training exercises. The largest of these is the Joint Overseas Training (JOT) programme. This exercise (which dates back to 1989), sees a US military engineering unit, supported by civil affairs, medical, and JDF engineers, being deployed to Jamaica for a two to three month period. During the deployment, the US unit will complete a military and civilian related construction project. Concurrently, the supporting medical personnel conduct training in a variety of medical areas which have included such items as vector control, public health, trauma and mass casualty techniques and procedures. The JOT programme provides an excellent training opportunity for the participating US unit because it allows them to deploy from the US to an overseas location and train in their various military skills. Another bilateral exercise is the Joint Combined Exercise Training (JCET) programme. Under this programme, a US Special Operations Force (SOF) unit deploys to Jamaica for a month. The US unit conducts training in light infantry tactics, weapons live firing, patrolling, land navigation, airmobile and maritime operations with JDF and JCF narcotics personnel. The JCET programme provides another unique training opportunity for the US SOF units to develop and hone their critically required skills in foreign internal defence. In return, the JDF and JCF participants receive superb individual and small unit skills training which is not normally available. The last major JDF-US bilateral training programme is the quarterly unit exchange between the Puerto Rico Army National Guard and the 3rd Battalion, Jamaica Regiment (National Reserve). Under this exchange programme, platoon-sized elements from each unit "trade places" for a four-day period and participate in weapons familiarization and other small unit training. Conclusion Because Jamaica is a regional leader, the United States often looks to it to help thwart any security challenge that might arise. And, as has happened so often in the past, the JDF would undoubtedly lead any regional security response. One result of the various peacetime military engagement programmes is that both the US military and the JDF have been able to develop and maintain a requisite level of interoperability and training to fulfil the above goal. Of more importance though, it is through these various activities that both organizations have developed the respect, trust and confidence in each other’s skills and capabilities to successfully meet any future security challenges.
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