Premier Alex Scott has returned from his trip to Jamaica where he saw Regiment troops in action and met with officials of the Jamaica Defence Force.

Mr. Scott , along with Governor Sir John Vereker and Minister of Labour Home Affairs and Public Safety Randy Horton, saw first hand the intense training members of the Bermuda Regiment have undergone in what was described as ?the scorching heat and rugged terrain of Jamaica?.

Two hundred troops have been in Jamaica for a week involved in military training and participating in community service projects.

The military training is intended to hone their survival skills and adaptability. Survival training is seen as a key element in the development and success of a recruit?s growth in the Regiment.

The Premier said he was ?very impressed? with the energy and dedication shown by the members of the Regiment.

He also had an opportunity to see various community service projects the Regiment has undertaken in the Port Antonio community, such as the repairs to the Port Antonio Infirmary and the Port Antonio Hospital.

The soldiers repaired the infirmary?s floors, roofs and walls in order to ensure the 60 elderly patients were safe and comfortable.

?Tasks such as these promote a discipline and a dedication to getting the job done.? Premier Scott said. ?I applaud Col. Edward Lamb and his officers for their focus in incorporating an element of community service to the training regime. It?s clear that the people of the Port Antonio Infirmary appreciate the service that the Bermuda Regiment has provided. And that measure of goodwill will benefit our soldiers for a long time to come.?

Col. Lamb, who is set to retire from the Regiment in May, believes that this year?s expedition was beneficial for the Island.

?From the military perspective, Bermuda does not have the terrain for us to move around and it?s very difficult to achieve in Bermuda what we achieve with our soldiers here,? he said. ?Jamaica allows us to think outside the box, and at the completion of these manoeuvres, there is no doubt that we are taking back better men, better women and overall, a better soldier because of these exercises.?

The Premier also met with senior members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). The Bermuda Regiment has worked with the JDF for over 30 years. The visit, which took place on Monday, included a meeting with the JDF Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin.

He got to visit the Caribbean Search Centre, where the Premier had an opportunity to observe members of the Bermuda Regiment?s Regimental Police section receive training on powers of search.

He also learned about the JDF?s Helicopter Air programme and toured the JDF?s Coast Guard Fleet . ?I cannot underscore enough the partnership that Bermuda has enjoyed with the JDF, and my visits on Monday with Vice Admiral Lewin, the Coast Guard, the Caribbean Search Centre and the Helicopter programme, gave me great insight into the many facets of Jamaica?s security services,? he said. ?It is a very impressive operation and a very well oiled machine that works in unison to preserve and protect all areas of Jamaica ? land, air and sea.?

The Regiment soldiers are expected to return over the weekend.

The Defence Board?s review of the Bermuda Regiment is available to the public. It can be accessed on the Government House section of the Government portal (www.gov.bm).