Repairing hurricane-hit homes in Jamaica deepened the sense of pride and responsibility within Royal Bermuda Regiment soldiers as they worked alongside troops from other countries to help restore normality for residents.
Visiting parts of St Elizabeth – one of the worst-affected parishes when Hurricane Melissa struck as a category 5 last October – became a powerful reminder of the lasting impact that can be delivered by boots on the ground.
Operation Olive Branch was undertaken to restore safe, liveable housing and contribute to broader restoration efforts in the country, where the storm claimed dozens of lives and the widespread trail of destruction included losses of housing, livelihoods, power and water access.
Captain Travis Stevens, the RBR Officer in Charge of the two-week deployment, said: “When we arrived in St Elizabeth, seeing in person the devastation we had previously only watched on the news was a sobering experience. It reinforced immediately why we were there and strengthened our resolve to make a meaningful impact.
“The British Overseas Territories contingent – comprising personnel from the Royal Bermuda Regiment, Cayman Islands Regiment and Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment – completely replaced roofs on 14 homes. These were not temporary repairs; they were full restorations, including wall plates, rafters, sheathing and waterproofing.”
Working with the Jamaica Defence Force and drawing on its extensive local knowledge allowed for a tailored approach to provide swift, appropriate support.
Another project partner, the Ghana Armed Forces, provided invaluable expertise in timber construction, alongside its substantial global peacekeeping and infrastructure experience.
Capt Stevens said: “Both forces demonstrated tremendous professionalism and patience, coaching our soldiers with the heart of teachers. That investment paid dividends. Once trained, our troops were able to operate more efficiently and begin working on multiple homes concurrently.”
He added: “Importantly, our soldiers are taking these skills back to Bermuda, strengthening our own disaster-response capability.”
Strong partnership working was a highlight of the deployment.
“Many members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, Cayman Islands Regiment and Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment have worked together before, some for the second, third, or even fourth time,” Capt Stevens said.
“That continuity is a testament to the developing and enduring relationship between our regiments. From the outset, the BOT contingent, the Jamaica Defence Force and the Ghana Armed Forces bonded seamlessly. We share similar values, standards and a common mission: restoring normality for the Jamaican people.
“Rather than operating as separate contingents, we functioned as one cohesive team. Each force brought complementary strengths and that diversity enhanced our overall effectiveness.”
However, the most powerful aspect of the experience was the reception from residents, as teams worked in the St Elizabeth areas of Black River, Middle Quarters and Thornton.
Capt Stevens said: “Many of the homes we worked on belong to families who have lived there for generations, families who have weathered countless storms over the years. Hurricane Melissa uprooted lives in a way that was both sudden and devastating.
“Being able to shake a homeowner’s hand, look them in the eye and tell them their roof is secure again instilled an overwhelming sense of pride and responsibility.
“It sharpened the focus of every soldier on site. Every cut became more precise; every bolt more secure. There was a collective determination not to leave until the job was done properly.
“I am proud and honoured to serve alongside some of Bermuda’s most selfless, driven and committed soldiers in restoring such a beautiful country.
“We are deeply grateful to all partners involved in this momentous restoration effort.”
Among the RBR soldiers deployed was Private Jason Miller, a 45-year-old truck driver who was born and raised in Jamaica but has lived in Bermuda for 11 years.
The Warwick resident, who like his fellow troops volunteered for the operation, said: “The Regiment has been good to me, I’ve learned a lot from the Regiment, and I’m Jamaican so I wanted to be able to give back to my home country when the opportunity arose. It was wonderful.”
Acting Lance Corporal Elleston Taylor, 35, a property maintenance technician from Devonshire, was also pleased to support the effort.
He said: “As a Jamaican, it was important to me to sign up when I knew the RBR would be going to Jamaica. It felt good to be there, I was able to help and also interact with some people, so it was a nice feeling.”
More than 20 Royal Bermuda Regiment soldiers were involved in the deployment and returned to the island on Saturday night.
Upon arrival, Private Camille Chin-Gurret, 26, shared: “Before I went, I wondered how I would be able to help repair roofs – I had not much knowledge or carpentry skills – but I was taught chiselling, sawing, precise cutting.
“It was an amazing experience.”