Soldiers come home
Published:Thursday | March 18, 2010 | 12:00 AM
A Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) contingent of soldiers that has been providing assistance to the people of Haiti is returning home.
One group arrived yesterday while the others are to return today to the Jamaica Military Aviation School, Alpha 1 Base, Norman Manley International Airport, in Kingston.
The JDF group conducted humanitarian and disaster relief operations, under Operation Restore Comfort in Haiti, following a magnitude-7 earthquake that devastated the country.
Major Ricardo Blackwood, civil/military cooperation officer, told The Gleaner that the JDF has in place plans for counselling for members of the team who request the service. He also said soldiers who request time off from their duties for personal reasons will be granted the opportunity.
The JDF first deployed 194 troops to Haiti on January 15.
The first contingent was relieved by another 162 troops between February 11 and 16.
The second JDF contingent, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Desmond Edwards, comprised doctors, medics, engineers, infantry soldiers and logistics personnel.
The JDF has in place plans for counselling for members of the team ... and time off from their duties for personal reasons.