Members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Disaster Assistance Relief Team (DART) deployed to the Bahamas on Saturday September 7 to assist with Hurricane recovery and relief efforts there. The DART is comprised of Doctors, Nurses, Infanteers, Drivers, Combat Engineers, Logisticians, Military Police, Divers and other military personnel. Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, The Most Honourable Andrew Holness addressed the departing troops, outlining the importance of their mission. He was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Rocky Meade and Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Laurie Peters. Lt Gen Meade expressed that althou gh the team is set to deploy for an initial 30 days, they are prepared to stay for as long as the Bahamian Government requires their assistance. The DART deployed via a Royal Canadian Air Force’s C130 Hercules aircraft.