Troops in the Royal Bermuda Regiment patrol during Exercise Rum Runner 2025 in Jamaica. The regiment trained with Soldiers from the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. ROYAL BERMUDA REGIMENT
The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) traveled to Jamaica in May 2025 for two weeks of training with troops from other British Overseas Territories (BOT) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) in Exercise Rum Runner 2025. The annual exercise promotes interoperability and training opportunities unavailable in Bermuda. More than 100 RBR Soldiers took part in long-range rifle practice, battlefield medical training and jungle patrols.
This was the first time in nine years that the RBR had deployed to Jamaica, a larger island nation with more space for complex training regimens. Also participating were smaller contingents from the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Nearly three dozen JDF Soldiers joined the exercise in the second week, allowing them to offer knowledge of the terrain and culture and share best practices.
The high-intensity drills were designed to promote unit cohesion and the acquisition of skills not readily available in Bermuda, a densely populated island of just 53 square kilometers. RBR 2nd Lt. Tajae Lowe, a platoon commander, said his Soldiers benefited from access to larger training facilities. “It means we can utilize the rifles at longer distances, which brings a different perspective and more of a challenge,” Lowe said. “It allows us to better assess strengths and weaknesses and ensure proper marksmanship principles are applied.”
The RBR sent 116 troops to Jamaica, about one-third of its force. Many RBR members are reservists, so the extended training time together fostered tighter cohesion in the ranks, Lowe said. “This time allows the troops to build unity and camaraderie. They’re all here in one place, not going off base like after a weekend at Warwick Camp (the primary RBR training facility in Bermuda). They’ve really got to develop coherence and work as a team,” he said.
The regiment also interacted with Soldiers from other BOTs. The Cayman Islands Regiment (CIR) contributed 10 Soldiers, the Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) sent two Soldiers while the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment (TCIR) deployed eight. The JDF provided 33 Soldiers for the second week of training, according to an RBR news release.
Soldiers from several nations praised the opportunity to train together and experience different combat terrain, including jungle and mountains. “We had a range day; we got soaked in rain,” FIDF Pvt. Eimear Smith, 24, said. “That was character building.” She added that the overseas training was valuable. “This is a great opportunity,” she said. “Just meeting people from other territories and learning how they do things slightly differently is fantastic.”
RBR Private Trakinna Anderson, 32, acquired new skills and more self-confidence. “We’ve done a weighted march. I had to push to keep up, but I did it. It’s helping with personal development and keeping me focused,” Anderson said.
Rum Runner culminated in a jungle patrol competition between the forces. While in Jamaica, the troops also completed community service projects.