On October 20th, four Avionics Systems Technicians from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) received their advanced level qualification certificate during a ceremony held at the Air Annex of the Base Borden Military Museum. What makes this graduation unique is that the students, who began their training here at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE) in February, will be the last of over 250 technicians from the JDF to get their training in Canada.
Under the umbrella of the Military Training Assistance Program, the JDF has been training its aircraft technicians in Canada since 1982. The training started in Chatham, N.B., and later on moved to Bagotville before coming to CFSATE in Borden in 1994. Lieutenant-Colonel Terry Wood, 16 Wing Commander, in his address to the students said: “Throughout this time Canada has benefited greatly from the addition of JDF students into our courses. The unique aviation experience, culture and individual talents brought to our school have enriched the learning experiences for students and have provided instructional opportunities for our training staff.”
In the future, the JDF will be instructing aircraft technicians at their own school at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica.
