Jamaica Defence Force soldiers use the newly acquired firearm simulator machine located in Moneague, St Ann. - Photo by Carl Gilchrist

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) yesterday received a firearm simulator from the British government to assist in its training programme.

The machine was installed at the JDF training camp at Moneague, St Ann, and, according to British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell, is a continuation of collaboration between the United Kingdom and Jamaica in the area of security and justice.

The donation comes just a week after a visit by the British director of public prosecutions, who engaged the legal fraternity in talks about training for prosecutors and clerks of court.

Very important

Both countries have a common interest in ensuring that security and justice in Jamaica make progress, Cresswell explained.

"It's clearly very, very important that, when the JDF and JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) work together to ensure the security of citizens of Jamaica, national and international rules and human-rights standards are fully respected," Cresswell said. "We know there are many challenges and sometimes they are quite difficult. We hope the simulator will help in training both at the beginning of your career, and throughout your career with the JDF."

Colonel Neil Salisbury, the British government's defence attaché for the Caribbean region, said it was good that the JDF and the JCF were introducing a new system to ensure that the standard of training, especially in rules of engagement, was the best it could possibly be.

The simulator allows training in shooting, with the aid of a screen which displays the intended target. Simulator training beats the traditional firing range training in that it saves on the use of bullets, and training can extend for longer periods, and may be done irrespective of the weather.

Improve the marksmanship

After the official opening of the building that houses the machine, an exhibition in the use of the system was done by the soldiers, using various scenarios.

Captain Basil Jarrett, JDF communications officer, said he was happy to have this type of technology at the JDF, which he said would improve the marksmanship of the soldiers and in turn, lessen the possibility of bystanders being injured by stray bullets during shoot-outs involving JDF personnel.

He said it was the second such machine made available to the JDF as one was already at Up Park Camp in St Andrew.