Jamaica Defence Force
The Jamaica Air Force, officially known as the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing, is the air arm of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). Established on March 24, 1963, it operates as a subsidiary of the JDF and is headquartered at Up Park Camp in Kingston, Jamaica. The primary role of the Air Wing is to provide support to ground and maritime forces, contributing to national security and internal defense operations. The Air Wing operates a small fleet of aircraft, which includes fixed-wing planes and helicopters. These aircraft are used for various tasks such as transport, reconnaissance, maritime patrol, and search and rescue missions. In addition to its operational role, the Air Wing also assists in disaster relief operations, both domestically and regionally. The Jamaica Air Force maintains close partnerships with international counterparts and participates in joint exercises and training programs. The force remains committed to fulfilling its mission of defending Jamaica's territorial integrity and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
Key facts
| Official Name | Jamaica Defence Force |
| Local Name | Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing |
| Country | 🇯🇲 Jamaica |
| World rank | #118 |
| Active aircrafts | 20 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 2 |
| Roundel |
|
Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 11 | |
| Training | 8 | |
| Special missions | 1 | |
Aircrafts most used by Jamaican air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 429 GlobalRanger | 8 | Canadian light utility helicopter, recognized for emergency medical, law enforcement, and corporate transport services since 2009. | |
| 505 Jet Ranger X | 6 | Canadian light helicopter, introduced in 2017, renowned for use in training, utility, and corporate transportation. | |
| DA42 Twin Star | 2 | Austrian twin-engine propeller-driven airplane, notable for its utility in civil aviation and pilot training post-2004. | |
| UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" | 2 | American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations. | |
| 206 JetRanger | 1 | American light helicopter, well known for civilian, military, emergency medical services, and offshore oil support roles since the 1960s. | |
| King Air 90 | 1 | American twin-turboprop aircraft, prominently deployed for utility, corporate, and military purposes from the 1960s onward. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Jamaica Defence Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | Bell 429 | ||
| Bell 412 | |||
| Bell 206 | |||
| Special missions | King Air 350 (MPA) | ||
| Training | Bell 505 | ||
| DA42 |