Friday March 29, 2024, approximately 70 Canadian Armed Forces members deployed to Jamaica. At the request of the Jamaican government, they will provide training to military personnel from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations who are set to deploy to Haiti as part of the United Nations-authorized, Kenyan-led, Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.

On the Canadian mission in Jamaica, known as Operation HELIOS, CAF members will provide training on core peacekeeping skills and combat first aid – and carry out validation and integration exercises for CARICOM troops. This Canadian training will prepare the CARICOM troops to deploy on the Kenyan-led MSS mission.

The Canadian personnel being deployed are drawn primarily from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment from Valcartier, Quebec. Their deployment will last for an initial period of approximately one month. Canadian Armed Forces expects to train approximately 330 CARICOM troops from Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas.

Belize sent 51 members (20 Coast Guard Special Operations Commandos and 31 Belize Defense Force soldiers) for specific readiness training in preparation for the Mission in Haiti in support of the Haitian National Police (PNH) in its fight against armed gangs. In Jamaica, they will join the forces of Jamaica and the Bahamas to form the CARICOM "Caribbean Joint Task Force".

Let's recall that in January 2024, the CAF conducted courses for approximately 300 defense personnel from the Bahamas, Belize and Jamaica. The training covered a wide range of topics, including protection of the civilian population, conduct and discipline, and conflict-related sexual violence. All military personnel must undergo such training before participating in UN-authorized missions.

The CAF’s Operational Support Hub (OSH) in Jamaica will be the location for the training. The OSH, located in Kingston, Jamaica, is one of four hubs the CAF maintains around the globe in partner nations that provide logistical support to operations, and ensure that CAF members and assets can be quickly brought into the region. The OSH in Jamaica was first activated in 2016.

SL/ HaitiLibre