A senior British Army officer responsible for the UK’s military disaster response has praised the Cayman Islands Regiment as its annual training camp ended.
Troopers spent nearly two weeks training for disaster relief, including time in the field, while their efforts were watched for several days by Brigadier Dan Duff, the commander of Joint Force Operations.
Duff told soldiers on Wednesday, “What I have seen this week is a modern reserve force that punches above its weight.
“The commitment you show is remarkable. You balance service alongside careers, family responsibilities and busy lives, yet continue to demonstrate professionalism, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to serve your community.”
The commander of the Joint Force Operations is responsible for Britain’s high-alert Joint Force Headquarters, which leads emergency deployments for disaster relief, international crises and non-combatant evacuation operations.
Duff was speaking as he presented awards to troops on the last day of the training event, headquartered at the Agricultural Grounds in Lower Valley, with training held across Grand Cayman, including Barefoot Beach in the east.
He said, “The awards presented today recognise outstanding individual achievement, but they also reflect the strength of the team around you.
“You should be proud of what you have accomplished.”
Lance Corporal Malaqui Awe, a regiment medic, who works in financial services at law firm Maples, won one of several awards for “outstanding commitment, dedication and exemplary performance” during the 2026 camp.
Awe lead a team of medics in the rescue and emergency treatment of casualties with simulated serious injuries from a storm-damaged house.
Cutting edge
Soldiers broke through the concrete wall of a disused home in East End’s Barefoot Beach area with circular saws and sledgehammers to rescue and treat casualties – one a mannequin with crushed legs and severe bleeding, the other a soldier acting as a casualty injured by flying glass.
Major Gabe Rabess, the regiment’s training and operations officer, added, “As we head into hurricane season, what really stands out is how well the troops have performed in training and on exercise.
“It speaks to a regiment that is professional, well-prepared and genuinely ready to step up when it matters most.”
Rabess added, “The regiment only works if there are enough trained people to call upon when the pressure comes so that capability can be sustained over time.
“It is also worth remembering that reservists receive a stipend for their attendance, which reflects the value of that commitment and helps ensure people can continue to give the time needed to stay ready.”
Other recipients of a Commanding Officer’s Commendation were Rabess, Corporal Annando Salmond, Lance Corporal Crystal Ayton, troopers Adrian Bowen, Shannon Arteaga, Mildalina Ortiz and Anthony Folkes.
Chief of Joint Force Operations awards were given to Sergeant Major Jamie Martinez, Staff Sergeant Andrew Strand and Lance Corporal Gavin Baxendale.
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