TCI discussing DART with Jamaica as countries prepare for hurricane readiness 

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, May 10, 2023 – Members of the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) are in the Turks and Caicos this week as the two countries solidify new partnerships in training and disaster response. The team, led by Brigadier Markland Lloyd, JDF Force Executive Officer has already met with Acting Governor Anya Williams, Acting Premier E Jay Saunders, and senior leadership of the TCI Regiment.

With the hurricane season on the Horizon, the security leaders are in-country to discuss disaster management and how they can  partner to strengthen regional response in relation to DART. – the Disaster Assistance Response Team.

DART teams are found in military organisations all over the world and consist of specially trained operatives who are skilled in responding to the needs of residents in the immediate aftermath of disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. The JDF DART team is made up of divers; medical personnel (doctors, nurses); combat engineers; drivers; military police;  and other military personnel.  The team which flew into the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian to render aid in 2019, indicated in April that they are ready and equipped to deploy assets locally should a major disaster occur.

The two security forces are also actively discussing opportunities for TCI Marines to train at the Caribbean Military Academy and other institutions in neighbouring Jamaica.  Along with Lloyd, the JDF delegation consists of Colonel Rohan Johnson – Colonel General Staff and Lt Col Eldon Morgan, Commanding Officer 1 Engineer Regiment.

The TCI Regiment has been rapidly expanding its regional and international partnerships since its inception and now has a working relationship with military forces in the UK, Bahamas, Bermuda, and now Jamaica.