The Bermuda Regiment's training camp in Jamaica proved to be successful and Public Safety Minister Sen. David Burch told the Senate on Wednesday how proud he was of the soldiers.

Mr. Burch travelled to Jamaica from April 22 to April 25, along with Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, Commissioner of Police George Jackson and others to observe the 215 Regiment soldiers in their training from April 19-May 3.

Sen. Burch said: "This year marks the 40th anniversary of Regiment's first camp in Jamaica and the delegation underscored the longstanding relationship with the Jamaican Defence Force and the people of Jamaica."

The group visited the University of the West Indies where nine Regimental Medics were enrolled in an Emergency Care and Treatment certification course, which was specially designed and conducted by the medical professionals from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

First Engineer Regiment of the Jamaica Defence Force trained with the Regiment's Guns and Assault Pioneers at Up Park Camp, the headquarters of the JDF. Here they received training in bridging skills, explosives handling and the construction of barbed wire entanglements.

The Regimental Police received training with their JDF counterparts in arrest and search and detention procedures while members of the Regiment's Boat Troop were deployed at various Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard bases throughout the Island.

Sen. Burch added: "The party visited members of Alpha Company at Twickenham Park ranges in Spanish Town where troops were engaged in live firing exercises at ranges not available in Bermuda."

The Regiment soldiers that did not take part in any of the above events were, "encamped and engaged in traditional tactics training".

Sen. Burch said The Bermuda Regiment was joined by ten soldiers from The Royal Anglian Regiment and a platoon from the JDF.