GDF says helicopters are ‘multi mission’
- alarmed, deeply concerned about criticisms
‘What we need is a truly patriotic approach to combating crime not a partisan one’ – Commodore Gary Best
ARMY chief, Commodore Gary Best, yesterday described the two helicopters acquired for use in the fight against crime as “multi-mission” in function as opposed to their detractors, whom he labelled “acid critics”.
“We now have two helicopters capable of conducting law enforcement operations and search and rescue,” Best told reporters at Army headquarters, Camp Ayangana, Georgetown.
The Army chief said the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was alarmed and deeply concerned about the apparent consternation expressed by so-called experts over the acquisition – experts, he said, who claim to have the nation’s security interests at heart, but at the same time decry the very initiatives aimed at improving security in the nation.
&What we need is a truly patriotic approach to combating crime,” he said, adding that he did not feel that the criticism had hurt the image of the Army, and that the agency is “extremely comfortable” with the acquisition of the two Bell 206 B 3 Jet ranger helicopters.
He, however, outlined a string of additional features that will have to be installed on the helicopters were they to carry out in full the purpose for which they were intended.
The new features which have to be added include modifications to allow them to be fitted with two stretchers so as to enable them to conduct medical evacuations. Best pointed also to the installation of a Skytrax tracking system, a Terrain Alert Global Positioning System, a Nightsun apparatus (which allows for the illumination of a large area at nights), a loud hailer and siren system, and a Forward Looking Infra Red system that allows for information acquisition.
One of the helicopters will also be fitted with a cargo winch, which will allow it to execute search and rescue missions, Best said. He noted that the additional features will take about two to three months to be installed.
The acquisition of the helicopters, he said, forms part of a strategic plan by the GDF to equip its aviation unit with reconnaissance, medium lift, and troop transport capability over a phased period. He said too that the security sector requires reconnaissance and lift capability for both fixed-wing and rotary/helicopter missions.
“The acquisition of these two Bell 206 helicopters is primarily for reconnaissance missions and tactical insertions of forward reconnaissance troops. They were not purchased as medium-lift helicopters,” Best declared.
The major criticisms surrounding the purchase of the helicopters are that one of them, which was bought from Costa Rica, was manufactured in 1980, has chalked up some 10, 000 flying hours, is single-engined and therefore cannot fly at nights in accordance with Guyana’s aviation standards. There is also the criticism that the helicopters have a limited capacity to transport troops and that there was no consultation with local aviation officials in the purchase.
Best however countered these arguments saying that the airtime for the Bell 206 helicopters is unlimited, once the requisite inspections are done, and that both of the helicopters were not just recently inspected by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) but were also issued with certificates of airworthiness by the said FAA.
He made the point that once an aircraft has a limitless airframe time, what assumes importance are the component timings on it and once these components are changed at stipulated timings they can give the aircraft its “newness.”
“Both helicopters have excellent component times, with an average 75 per cent life remaining on their major components,” he said, adding that the GDF’s outlook is for a maintenance free time of within two years.
Regarding night operations, Major Mike Charles, who serves within the Aviation Unit, confirmed that the flight manual of the helicopter indicates that the aircraft can fly at nights under certain conditions. Best said the GDF has over the years been engaging in night flying with the previous 206 helicopter that was in its possession.
Further clearing the air, Best said each of the helicopters has a 100-hour warranty, and was advertised on an “as is, where is,” basis, which is standard in the industry. He said however that the aircrafts were significantly upgraded at FAA-approved repair stations after inspections were conducted by GDF engineers. GDF engineers were present at most of these upgrades conducted in Costa Rica and the United States, and conducted final inspections before recommending closing the purchases.
“To assert that we have not the capacity to make decisions on helicopter acquisitions or that we should have consulted with local aviation officials is not only a misguided attempt to be mischievous, but also a poor attempt to hoodwink the Guyanese nation,” Best declared.
The Army chief posited that consultations were made with the GDF’s own experts, including its Chief Pilot and its rotor craft engineer, who is FAA-certified. Together, they have a combined experience of in excess of 45 years with 412 and 206 helicopters, Best said. Additionally, he said, consultations also took place with Mr. Lex Barker, who is a pilot and operates a Bell 206 helicopter similar to the two that have been acquired by the GDF. Barker was touted to have over 20 years experience in aviation management and sales, and holds post graduate qualifications in aeronautical science.
&What we did not do is consult with persons who had very little or no experience with operating and maintaining helicopters. The degree to which we consult with experts in the helicopter industry or the aviation industry for that matter is the business of the GDF and not the fantasy of acid critics,” Best said, voice dripping sarcasm.
Best said the GDF was contacted by an overseas company headed by a Guyanese which offered Bell and Eurocopter helicopters, but the offers were rejected based on acquisition and upgrade cost, and suitability for operations in Guyana.
The Commodore said the GDF is willing to work with all stakeholders in order to improve the security environment in the country.
&Let us work together,” he pleaded, saying the GDF is not a threat to aviation development, but rather a positive contributor to the industry in the context of its defence mandate.
&#The nation can now judge. The GDF wished to assure the nation that the two helicopters acquired have been thoroughly examined and provides an excellent platform from which we can more effectively conduct law enforcement and rebuild our aviation capability.”
Media workers mull impact of reporting violent crimes
By Neil Marks
AMID concerns that the publication of explicit photos and videos of people injured or killed in violent crimes adversely affect some psychologically, media workers yesterday brainstormed ideas on how better to manage their reporting.
Overseas and local experts conducted the workshop titled, ‘Covering Violent Crime - A Focus on Mental Health’, stirring debate about the impact reporting on violent crimes can have on media workers themselves, on their families, and their communities.
The workshop was organised by the Guyana Press Association (GPA) with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). More than 30 editors and crime reporters from State and privately-owned media houses in Georgetown, Berbice, Bartica and Essequibo attended the workshop which was held at the Hotel Tower in the city.
The facilitators were: Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Mental Health Consultant to Guyana's Health Ministry, Dr Sonia Chehil; President of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), Wesley Gibbings; Head of the Psychiatric Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr Bhiro Harry; and Head of the University of Guyana's Centre for Communication Studies, Dr Paloma Mohamed.
Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy; UNDP Programme Analyst, Mr Trevor Benn; PAHO Adviser, Dr Hedwig Goede; GPA President, Mr Dennis Chabrol; and Mr Gibbings addressed the opening ceremony.
Michael and Shenelly named Guyana’s top models
By Neil Marks
BRADFORD Dillon might have been the stud, and Anthony Snow the hunk – good looks, tattoos, six-pack and all. And they might have both accounted for all the screams emanating from the ladies, but when it came down to the final decision, neither of the two was anywhere in the ratings.
The guy that was left standing was a stunned Michael Young, the 19-year-old television reporter who dared take part in the country’s first Model Search competition.
On the other side of the catwalk, of the three female finalists, only two were left standing… literally. The third simply fainted!
It was a night of drama that no one might have bargained for, and both events, the faint and Young’s unexpected win, left many a tongue wagging – with nothing too pleasant to say about either contestant.
Jenel Cox’s world came crashing down around her when she was named third runner-up. Poor girl’s feet just couldn’t take the tension. The other finalists rushed to her aid, but she had to be taken backstage where she made a quick recovery. With Cox safely out of the running, the toss-up was between Ayana Harris and Shenelly Kendall. As we all know by now, the pendulum eventually swung in the latter’s favour.
And what can we say of the event itself … except that it was one of those stormy affairs which saw shockwaves ripple across the catwalk and sparks fairly fly among patrons over seating accommodation, threatening at one point to develop into a full blown conflagration, all because of poor organising. Such was the level of drama that unfolded in the conference suites of Le Meridien Pegasus last Sunday when the names behind Guyana Fashion Weekend, primarily Sonia Noel, staged ‘Glamorous’.
And for once, we’re able to report that a fashion event actually started on time, but that, one rather suspects, was only because the show was being aired live on television. But, timing might have been the only kudos the NCN crew deserved, as among their many mishaps that night was to inadvertently (come to think of it, was it?) allow the camera to stray backstage and to pick up quite an eyeful which was not so readily discernible when the models took to the catwalk in an explosive lingerie collection.
From a Digicel-inspired creation to one plucked straight out of a fashion house, (Clairans, to be precise, whose ‘In Style’ magazine he incidentally hosts), Michael Young commanded the attention of the judges, walking away with the title of Guyana’s Top Male Model.
The title automatically makes him the Face of Shabeau for Guyana, and he leaves next week for Barbados to compete against other Caribbean models in the Mr. Caribbean Face of Shabeau contest. The following week he wings out to Trinidad and Tobago where he is slated to grace the catwalks during the hosting of that country’s Fashion Week.
When Sunday Chronicle caught up with Michael after the show, he couldn’t help but rub it in that in spite of all the negatives being bandied around about him, he still came out the victor.
I am not concerned about anybody. I worked hard to accomplish what I set out to do. My hard work paid off, despite the entire drama taking place. I have a well-toned body and I am now the Face of Shabeau,” he said.
Actually, it came as quite a surprise to him too that he had won the competition.
Like everyone else, he thought that Dillon Bradford would have won. Instead, Bradford ended up in third place, and Anthony Snow in second.
The winners of Model Search 2008 were chosen after weeks of competition which included several photo-shoots and a variety of challenges.
Landmark embryo transplant spells better quality of sheep
THE government’s continued focus on improving breed in livestock to aid the industry’s growth and the diversification thrust has been fast-tracked with the implant of Texel sheep embryos into local Black Belly sheep. The embryos were imported from the United Kingdom (UK).
The transplantation exercise, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, began Friday at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Breeding Station at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, as part of a project involving the governments of both Guyana and the UK through the British High Commission in Guyana.
The objective of the initiative is to commercially develop Texel sheep, which is well-known in Europe and in the continents of Africa and South America as a high quality meat producer. Artificial insemination (AI) started Friday also at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).
At the official launch of the project at Mon Repos Friday, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, highlighted the advantages of the Texel breed to help farmers utilise the opportunities that exists in the sheep industry.
He made reference to the use of the embryo transplant technology which is being done on a large scale for the first time in Guyana. This enables 100 per cent development of the breed, as against the use of AI, and allows for better adaptation to tropical climate since the animals are developed and bred locally.
It was pointed out that the initiative is part of efforts to expand the livestock industry, and that although many of the initiatives are led by the government, there is yet need for the private sector to come on board.
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Fraser Wheeler and his wife, Sarah, both of whom have been integrally involved in the project, highlighted the use of embryo transplant technology, deeming it an exciting development for Guyana.
Ms Wheeler further noted that the programme, which involves the support of the Texel Sheep Society in the UK, was initiated based on the interest in improved breeding stock expressed by farmers during an assessment by UK officials last October.
According to NARI Director, Dr Oudho Homenauth, the Caribbean currently imports close to six million kilogrammes of mutton, which costs an estimated US$12M annually. He is optimistic that Guyana could become a major player in CARICOM with regards to mutton production in the medium-term.
Approximately 120 Black-Belly sheep are being used in the transplant process, while an additional 200 are being inseminated. The embryo transplant exercise is projected to have a more than 50 per cent success rate, and it is expected that the lambs will be born within the next 145 days. The exercise involves technicians from INNOVIS, NARI and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Previous activities to develop the country’s sheep breeding stock include the successful development of breeds such as the Virgin Island Whites, the Corentyne Whites, and the Barbados Black Bellies. In 2007, another breed, the Dorper, was acquired from the United States and has so far shown good adaptability.
Various interventions have been made over the years to boost the country’s livestock and cattle industry through improved breeds. Successes have been made with the importation and development of Boer goats and Zebo cows while more recent initiatives have been undertaken to develop the Brangus cows.
Additionally, the national pig-breeding programme was recently launched as a joint initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to develop the swine industry as part of the diversification thrust.
These efforts are aimed at ensuring availability of improved breeds for farmers to be able to increase production and support food security in Guyana and the region.
Apart from the importation of improved breeding stock and embryos, focus continues to be placed on continuation of AI, establishment of animal breeding farms and more pastures to cater for advancement of the livestock industry.
