Dear Editor,

It is with some interest that I have followed the intense debate in the media regarding the Government’s plans to relocate the headquarters of the JDF from Up Park Camp to lands in Caymanas, St Catherine.

When a similar relocation plan was broached in September 2008 by the Government, the plan then was for the headquarters of the JDF to be removed from Up Park Camp to Vernamfield in Clarendon. The reason given for this plan was to make room for needed land space for housing. In addition, security would be provided by the sheer presence of the JDF at Vernamfield for the development plans of that area.

It was also reported then that the JDF Air Wing was finding it difficult to operate out of Up Park Camp and that Vernamfield offered better facilities for aircraft operations. I argued in opposition to that plan, because the reasoning was illogical — that is, surely there were other suitable pieces of land for relocation; security is not provided in an area simply because of the sheer presence of a military base; and fixed wing operations of the Air Wing were already operating out of the Normal Manley Airport.

It was also reported then that the JDF Air Wing was finding it difficult to operate out of Up Park Camp and that Vernamfield offered better facilities for aircraft operations. I argued in opposition to that plan, because the reasoning was illogical — that is, surely there were other suitable pieces of land for relocation; security is not provided in an area simply because of the sheer presence of a military base; and fixed wing operations of the Air Wing were already operating out of the Normal Manley Airport.

The reasons now being divulged by the Government for the relocation is that the JDF has now outgrown the 300 acres at Up Park Camp and needs more space and, therefore, a move to a 4,000-acre piece of land at Caymanas would be more advantageous.

In addition, it was said that lands at Up Park Camp were needed for a development complex, while at the same time preserving the military museum and Briggs Park Cemetery, among other significant landmarks within Up Park Camp.

The opponents of this plan point to the need to preserve our heritage, the strategic security considerations that Up Park Camp provides from its present location and, of course, the costs involved in any such move. Before considering those points, one must admit that Up Park Camp is in a rundown and dilapidated state. Given its present state, it is hardly a military base that any self-respecting person would feel proud of and, consequently, it must bear down heavily on the morale of the troops there.

It has suffered the neglect of many years. It is my suspicion that the users of that camp would, therefore, like to see the back of it used for a more suitable working and living environment. After all, Up Park Camp is not just an office complex, but an entire community where people live and work.

However, the strategic security considerations reported for not moving are nonsensical. If ever there were good reasons for the JDF to move its base from Up Park Camp, security is probably the single-most significant justification. A military base that is totally surrounded with a sieve-like perimeter and overlooked by high grounds is difficult to get into and out of in a hurry, and would definitely fail the selection test if we were in search of a new site for a military base.

The cost for the move must be compared with the cost for the complete renovation and rebuilding of Up Park Camp. In any event, what about the future? Up Park Camp has shrunken from its original size despite the fact that the community has grown — instead of a single battalion-type base, it now accommodates a brigade size unit.

I completely understand and respect the need to preserve these places of heritage, but it may just be that, if properly planned, much of its historical buildings or sites can be retained/preserved.

Up Park Camp means everything to me. I lived there, raised my children there, and worked there for 32 years of my life. But that’s all emotion rather than what is pragmatic and best for the JDF, Jamaica and the future.

That having been said, what is the present position of the JDF officer corps and the rank and file on this move? Was this a JDF-initiated plan? Shouldn’t we be hearing from the leadership of the JDF? May I also invite the political parties to drop their cheap political point-scoring on this issue and let us have a worthwhile and objective debate, free of partisan, political positions, so that the best decision can be made in the interest of our country.

Colonel Allan Douglas

alldouglas@aol.com