The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) comprises an infantry Regiment and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit.

On 5 January 1978, the JDF carried out a covert operation that came to be known as the Green Bay Massacre, in which five Jamaica Labour Party (JLF) supporters were shot dead after being lured to a military shooting range.

A specially selected team of snipers led by Major Ian Robinson laid an ambush outside the range while members of the JDF's Military Intelligence Unit (MIU) drove a group of JLF supporters towards them in an army ambulance.

After the supporters exited the ambulance, an MIU soldier killed one member while the sniper team opened fire on the rest.

[citation needed] JDF units actively conduct armed patrols with the JCF in high-crime areas and known gang neighbourhoods.

[16][17][18] On July 1, 2009, a Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing Bell 412EP helicopter was on its way back to Up Park Camp from a training mission when it began experiencing mechanical issues.

The squadron's initial vessels were three 63 ft wooden World War II torpedo recovery boats provided by the United States.

The coast Gurad had 4 additional stations: Discovery Bay, Black River, Pedro Cays, and Port Antonio.