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The Cayman Islands Regiment was deployed to the Sister Islands for the first time, ahead of Hurricane Rafael battering Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Troopers from the regiment remain on both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which suffered the greatest impact from the storm, in support of the civil authorities, with more on standby if needed.
Regiment commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Roger Carter noted on Tuesday that they were there to support the Cayman Islands Fire Service and District Administration.
“They will be clearing blocked roads and assisting with crowd management when people start to come out after the storm,” he said.
“This is the first time operationally deploying to the Sister Islands for a storm…
“But it’s about adapting. Our motto is ‘prepared in adversity’. We are ready to send more troops to the Brac and Little Cayman if required.”
The troops also set up an emergency centre for members of the public.
Carter said morale among the 40-plus reservists called up for the emergency was high and they were trained and ready to help if needed.
“It’s our normal set of skills – clearing roads and first aid – which we do in support of the fire service,” he added.
Carter said 10 troopers were sent to the Brac on Monday and reinforced with four more on Tuesday. They have set up a regional headquarters in the Aston Rutty Centre.
Another eight troopers were sent to Little Cayman, based in the Public Works Department building.
“The rest of us are [in Grand Cayman] at John Gray High School and we are going to send some people to Clifton Hunter High School in the east,” he said.
Troopers were called up on Monday, but those still on Grand Cayman were allowed to go home on Monday night to make sure their families were safe and prepared.
“Our guys are excited at the possibility of being able to help their fellow Caymanians in a crisis. Their morale is high every time they are called out on an operation,” Carter said.
“They are raring to go and they have freedom of operation to deal with whatever they are presented with at the time.
“This is what they are trained for. Although we never hope for it, we’re are always prepared for it.”
The Governor’s Office told the Cayman Compass that HMS Medway, the Royal Navy patrol ship stationed in the region, was “in the vicinity of Puerto Rico and remains ready to offer support, if requested”.
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