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Role of the Engineer Regiment
5.26.
There was a major role to be played by the Engineer Regiment (the
Engineers) in meeting the challenges presented by the gunmen. Lt. Col. David
Cummings was Commander of the Engineers. Since March 2010, he had been
preparing the Engineers for the operation. They were trained to deal with all
types of explosives and disarm them. In the light of Intelligence he was
receiving about the fortification of Tivoli Gardens, Lt. Col. Cummings determined
that it was obligatory to use a FEL to break down some of the barricades and
create avenues of access for the JDF and JCF operatives on the ground. He
needed specialist equipment to deal with the special manner of fortification of
the Tivoli Gardens community.
L/Cpl. McLennon
5.27.
On 24 May, L/Cpl. Marvin McLennon drove a 9289 FEL, weighing
approximately 27 tons, to the area of operation. As previously indicated, the FEL
had been specially reinforced and protected in anticipation of the operation.
When L/Cpl. McLennon got to a part of Industrial Terrace near the train line, he
encountered a blockade with gas cylinders, old appliances and other debris. He
attempted to clear the blockade but was met with intense gunfire. He said –
“It came from an open lot to my right on the right hand side
of Tivoli Gardens. In the lot was a group of about 20 men
with high-powered weapons. They had knapsacks on their
backs and were wearing jeans and T-shirts and three-
quarter length pants. I saw them with M16s and AK47s.
When they started to fire, they hit the bucket of the FEL and
the vertical muffler by the driver’s cabin. Bullets were hitting
the FEL on its right hand side. I continued and cleared the
blockage.”
5.28.
L/Cpl. McLennon proceeded to an area “near the school” and came
upon another road block. He said that –