Photos: Regiment Return From Turks & Caicos
Members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment returned home last night [Sept 28] after spending two weeks assisting the hurricane relief effort in the Turks & Caicos.
The original mission was to assist after Hurricane Irma, however the island then sustained another hit by Hurricane Maria, with the Bermuda Regiment on scene to help after both storms.
While abroad, the soldiers performed numerous tasks including helping to clear roads to key emergency service centres, delivering supplies and food, and more.
Bermuda’s soldiers, who flew on a RAF transport plane, spent time living in the main airport on Grand Turk, sleeping on the terminal floor without running water or air conditioning and existing on bottled water and field rations.
RBR Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel David Curley said, “Others services on the ground have been impressed by the RBR’s professionalism, absolute competence and experience in dealing with major events of this kind.
“We have huge experience of dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes – and that shines through in everything we’ve done in Turks & Caicos.”
The Turks & Caicos Islands Government extended their thanks, saying they have “welcomed the very considerable level of advice and direct help provided by the UK, Canada, Cayman Islands, Bermuda and other governments and by regional and other international bodies and organisations.”
In addition to the assistance from our soldiers, Bermuda also has sent police officers, a BELCO lineman crew and a physician to assist in the British Virgin Islands, and there have been numerous community efforts to raise money for the hurricane relief efforts, with schools holding grub days, businesses collecting and matching donations, and fundraising events being held.
Nice little junket. How long were they there for? One week? Maybe two?
Nice RAF Hercules.
Actually I believe it is an Airbus A400M
Junket? One shower in two weeks. No running water or electricity and having to defecate in plastic bags in buckets. Working 18 hour days in almost 100 degree heat while enduring a mosquito infestation. Guys helped make two schools safe and rode out a Cat 3 Hurricane in Red Cross shelters reassuring those seeking shelter. And that is not even the half of it. Two weeks is fine given most of these guys have jobs and do this on the side. Let’s keep it positive. These guys (and girls) did Bermuda proud!
@DS Well said! Worth saluting for sure.
But you didn’t help at all! (making educated assumption)
Wow. So cynical. Get some love in your life.
It’s an Airbus A400M. Newest plane in the RAF. Bigger than a C130 Hercules. Smaller than a Boeing C17.
No matter how long they were there; they should be commended for their efforts in helping those who needed it!! I wouldn’t call staying in an airport without airconditioning or running water a “nice little junket”.
Haters that wanna be Bermudians