REAR Admiral Hardley Lewin, will month-end, be leaving the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), which he served as chief of staff for just over five years, the security ministry announced yesterday.

Lewin, who will be proceeding on privilege/retirement leave, will, on October 27, hand over command to Colonel Stewart Emerson St Leonard Saunders, who currently serves on the staff of the Chief of Staff, JDF Headquarters, as the staff officer, general staff. Saunders will, however, be elevated to the rank of Major General upon being conferred with the JDF’s highest post.

The Ministry of National Security, in a statement yesterday, said Lewin’s retirement was approved by the Defence Board, chaired by Prime Minister Bruce Golding and held at Jamaica House yesterday.

“In granting the approval for Rear Admiral Lewin to retire from his commission and proceed on leave, the Board placed on record its appreciation for his outstanding record of service to the Government and people of Jamaica, spanning over 35 years, and the able leadership he has provided to the Jamaica Defence Force during his tenure,” the ministry statement said.

Lewin took up the rank of Chief of Staff in 2002, succeeding Major General John Simmonds.

Yesterday, the Defence Board also approved the promotion of Major Euken Mills to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, which formally took effect on September 30.

This promotion, the statement said, has put Lieutenant Colonel Mills in command of the Third Battalion, Jamaica Regiment (National Reserve).