Press Releases 2007

US Assistance to CWC

The U.S. Embassy in Kingston is pleased to announce that the United States has been able to respond to requests to support on-going maritime security operations within the Caribbean region.

The U.S. is providing a surface combat vessel to operate within the region for 60 days.  The vessel will also be conducting port calls at various locations in the region. 

In addition, the United States has placed a Chemical Biological Incident Response Force on alert status to assist any Caribbean nation involved in a Consequence management event, and is providing a command liaison element to assist with the coordination of security issues within the region.

The U.S. Department of Defense has already supported the refueling of a JDF helicopter at Guantanamo Bay as it traveled on to St. Kitts and Nevis.

The U nited States Government has been closely involved in the preparation of the Jamaica Defence Force and the Jamaica Fire Brigade for CWC Security Requirements.  The U.S. Southern Command has conducted 23 training events, seminars conferences and courses directly focused on Jamaica’s CWC security preparation.

Examples of this include the annual TRADEWINDS exercise, which the JDF hosted so professionally in Jamaica last year, numerous courses focused on enhancing Jamaica’s Search and Rescue capability, and several training events devoted to Counter Terrorism actions and responses.  In addition, the USG has successfully expedited the delivery of over US$300,000 in security related items specifically to support the Jamaica Defence Force.