KINGSTON, Jamaica, Jul. 23, CMC — The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has begun planning for Exercise Event Horizon 2027, bringing together regional security partners and government agencies as part of efforts to strengthen regional security cooperation and disaster preparedness.
The three-day Initial Planning Conference, held earlier this month, marked the first stage of preparations for the fourth staging of the multinational exercise, which Jamaica will host.
Exercise Event Horizon is a multinational, multi-agency and multi-domain exercise that simulates real-world security threats and disaster scenarios. It is designed to improve coordination, strengthen interoperability and enhance regional readiness to respond to maritime, cyber and humanitarian emergencies.
Exercise Director Lieutenant Commander Leonard Wynter of the JDF’s Maritime, Air and Cyber Command (MACC) said the conference provides an opportunity for participating countries and agencies to begin collaborative planning for the exercise.
He said the initiative aims to strengthen maritime law enforcement, improve maritime safety in line with international standards, enhance regional disaster response capabilities and boost preparedness against cybercrime.
Wynter said the planning process is a critical component of the exercise, allowing participating organisations to develop common operating procedures and coordinated responses to shared regional challenges.
Representatives from regional partner nations, ministries, departments and agencies attended the conference.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which has supported Exercise Event Horizon since its launch in 2022, also reaffirmed its commitment to the initiative.
Associate Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer with the UNODC’s Caribbean Maritime Team, Joshua Arteta, said the organisation continues to support the exercise as part of wider efforts to improve regional cooperation and interoperability in maritime security.
Arteta said the UNODC’s assistance, funded by the Government of Canada, includes technical expertise in the design, coordination and execution of multinational security exercises.
Exercise Event Horizon is intended to enhance cooperation among regional partners and ensure they are better prepared to respond collectively to security threats, natural disasters and other regional emergencies.
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