Jamaica Defence Force March 2026 roundup highlights women in security, allied support, and new coast guard craft

March 2026 was observed as Women’s History Month, and the Jamaica Defence Force used the period to put a stronger public focus on women who are opening doors inside the organisation and across the wider security sector.

Between 2 and 4 March the force, together with Canada’s Directorate of Military Training and Cooperation, convened a three-day regional symposium on women, peace, and security at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. Organisers described the gathering as the first of its kind for the region. Delegates from government, the armed forces, academia, and civil society, as well as from North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean, took part in talks aimed at pushing the women, peace, and security agenda forward through defence cooperation and shared regional conversation.

Chief of Defence Staff Vice Admiral Antoinette Weems-Gorman flew to the Turks and Caicos Islands to give the keynote at the Women in Uniform Brunch on 6 March, held as part of International Women’s Day observances. Turks and Caicos Islands Governor Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel Salvaratnam had extended the invitation. Later in the month, on 20 March, the governor also paid an office call on the chief of defence staff during a visit to Jamaica.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie led a National Blood Transfusion Service team to the JDF Health Services Corps for an opening look at a possible National Blood Transfusion Service annex. She met Lieutenant Colonel Gale Ranglin-Edwards, who directs the corps, Major Edward Campbell, the force medical officer, and other JDF medical staff.

Engineering detachments lent by the Rwanda Defence Force, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the Guyana Defence Force left Jamaica during March after months of help with rebuilding in western parishes where Hurricane Melissa had wrecked housing. Their contribution, officials said, moved recovery work on damaged homes markedly ahead.

Outgoing United Kingdom Defence Attaché to the Caribbean Lieutenant Colonel Keith Brewster, in post since 2022 as a main point of contact between British forces and Caribbean partners, made a farewell office call to the chief of defence staff and the wider JDF on 17 March.

On 18 March the JDF Coast Guard held a blessing ceremony at HMJS Cagway for eight new service interceptor vessels built by United States firm Metal Shark. The craft are the opening batch from an order that will grow to twenty-two boats for the force.