Mutual challenges and opportunities have been explored for the Royal Bermuda Regiment and the Jamaica Defence Force.

Andrew Murdoch, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the RBR, was welcomed to Jamaica last week by Vice-Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, the JDF’s Chief of Defence Staff and the first women to serve in the role.

Mr Murdoch was accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan Simons, RBR Commanding Officer, with Honorary Colonel David Gibbons and Major William Madeiros, chairman of the defence board.

Ms Wemyss-Gorman met the Bermudian delegation with senior leadership while the RBR took part in Exercise Rum Runner 2025, its annual overseas exercise.

Talks included security and defence reviews — pledged in the island’s most recent Throne Speech.

Ms Wemyss-Gorman, who led the JDF’s strategic defence review’s update in 2022, shared insights with Mr Murdoch, including new opportunities offered by advanced technology.

Mr Murdoch said: “As work starts on shaping the approach to Bermuda’s security and defence review, over ten years on from the last exercise of this kind, it was invaluable to hear from those involved in the recent Jamaica Defence Force review.

“While the JDF is significantly larger than the RBR, as an island nation there are many lessons we can learn from their experiences.”

He added: “We should look to continue the dialogue we started in this visit.”

The meeting also came with a discussion of gender representation for women to be appropriately considered for training and appointments, and the role of the Jamaica National Service Corps in developing life skills and character during a one-year period of service.

Lieutenant-Colonel Simons said: “The regiment has a long history of exchanges with the JDF and training in Jamaica dating back to the 1960s.

“As we had not trained in Jamaica for nine years, it was important for us to re-engage.”

The talks came with potential for strengthening both forces, including through exchanges of personnel to share experience.

Mr Murdoch’s brief trip included a visit to the RBR Band and Corps of Drums, which trained and performed with the Jamaica Regiment Band and the Jamaican Military Band during the exercise.

The Governor also took part in a patrol alongside infantry soldiers based at Titchfield Camp, and stopped in on members of the RBR Coastguard, attached to the Second District JDF Coastguard.