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News Release

Military Training Assistance Program : Canadian Air Force helps enable Jamaican military pilot training to take off

NR–06.087 - December 7, 2006

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Dignitaries from Jamaica, Canada and other Caribbean nations today attended official opening ceremonies for the Jamaica Military Aviation School (JMAS). JMAS, the only such facility in the Caribbean, was created in part thanks to the Canadian Forces’ Military Training Assistance Program (MTAP), a highly effective defence diplomacy tool.

“The Canadian Air Force has trained Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) pilots and aircraft maintainers in Canada for more than 35 years,” Maj.-Gen. Charlie Bouchard, Commander, 1 Canadian Air Division, explained during the opening ceremonies. “Jamaicans are clearly more than ready to help a new generation of military pilots earn their wings at home. Indeed, JMAS Commandant-designate Capt. Brian Creary just completed a three-year exchange with the Canadian Air Force in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, training Canadian military pilots.”

“This would not have been possible without MTAP assistance,” JDF Air Wing Commanding Officer Lt.‑Col. Geoffrey Roper observed. “Canada has nurtured a centre of technological and military excellence in Jamaica. This is a turning point that will ultimately benefit the entire Caribbean.”

“JMAS will use Canadian standards to train military pilots from their primary flying training to Wing standards on helicopter and multi-engine aircraft. Canada’s decision to contribute pilot training curriculum, computer equipment, and to refurbish the school building—which had been ravaged by Hurricane Ivan—helped us to get this project off the ground.”

JDF Air Wing pilots play a vital role in Jamaican counter-narcotics operations and small-arms smuggling interdiction, and they have also flown numerous search and rescue, disaster relief and environmental protection missions.

“It’s a close relationship,” added Maj.-Gen. Bouchard. “Besides imparting Air Force skills second to none, Canada has—through MTAP—long supported the professional education of the region’s military officers at the Caribbean Junior Command and Staff College in Jamaica.”

Canada’s Military Assistance Training Program, which is active in 61 countries, pays rich dividends whenever these nations’ forces work together. It also helps to improve joint international peace support operations and promotes Canadian values, such as democracy, the rule of law, international stability and human rights.

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For further information, please read the Jamaica Defence Force, 35 years of partnership backgrounder.

Information: (613) 996-2353/54
After hours: (613) 792-2973

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