JDF April review highlights engineer anniversary, veterans’ care and digital training

The Jamaica Defence Force reported a busy April 2026, with activities ranging from engineering unit observances and veteran outreach to gender policy recognition, Special Olympics support and workforce training programmes.

The 1 Engineer Regiment, which has been involved in rebuilding work since Hurricane Melissa passed last November, marked its 34th anniversary on April 2. The commemoration included a church service and a route march in St. Elizabeth, led by commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Akim Orton James. The event was used to recognise the regiment’s service to Jamaica and the work of its engineers.

On April 17, the JDF took part in celebrations for RAF veteran LAC 713742 Rexford Owen Thame, who turned 100. Thame joined the JDF in 1944 and served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War as a radar operator.

The force also participated in an April 23 gender mainstreaming certification ceremony at the AC Hotel alongside the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and the Bureau of Gender Affairs. The ceremony recognised organisations working to include gender considerations in policies, programmes and operations. The JDF received a special award linked to its gender optimisation policy, led by Major Audrey Dennis, Force Gen Ad.

JDF personnel joined law enforcement partners for the torch run supporting Special Olympics Jamaica. Commissioner of Police Dr. Kevin Blake and members of the force attended the launch.

Veterans in St. James received medical services through a health fair staged at Burke Barracks by the Department of Veterans Affairs in partnership with Sagicor.

Training was another major focus. On April 29, 94 JDF members graduated from a one-year coding diploma programme at the HEART NSTA Stony Hill campus. The initiative, delivered with HEART NSTA and Amber India, provided training in mobile application and web development.

Also on April 29, the Jamaica National Reserve led the second force study day, where Major Stevens presented planned administrative improvements and a proposed digital database for capturing information. The Chief of Defence Staff was also present to address service members.

Trainees in the JDF and HEART NSTA Trust Skills Training for Workforce Development programmes also moved into the final stage of practical electrical and administrative assistant courses after training at the HEART NSTA Trust Rockfort Vocational Training Centre.