Georgetown: The United States, via its Embassy’s Security Cooperation Office, recently donated the second of two shipments of communication equipment to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
In a short ceremony held at Camp Ayanganna, US Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires Bryan Hunt presented Army chief, Brigadier Mark Phillips with the communications package.
The package, consisting of hundreds of car-mounted and handheld Motorola radios and accessories, was donated to the Defence Force and the Government of Guyana. The value of the first shipment donated in September was US$250,000 and this donation was triple that value at US$750,000, bringing the total value to US$1 million.
In brief remarks, Hunt expressed his strong desire to continue building on the excellent bilateral security relationship the US shares with Guyana, and he hoped that the communication equipment could be used in a wide variety of ways, including in the battle against drug trafficking.
Brigadier Phillips graciously accepted the equipment, thanking the US Government for its continued support to the country and the GDF as they continue to improve and enhance their capabilities. He cited the possible use of the equipment in next year’s elections and was confident it would help the communication process.
This presentation is one in a long list of activities demonstrating the strong relationship between the GDF, the US Embassy’s Security Cooperation Office, and the Florida National Guard State Partnership Programme. This particular equipment was donated by the St Augustine Police Department and St John’s County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. The past year has featured multiple engagements between the Florida National Guard State Partnership Programme and the GDF on a number of areas.
US Army Captain Lawrence Fischer, the State Partnership Programme Manager for Guyana, was highly instrumental in securing the communications equipment. He stated that the Florida National Guard continued to support efforts in Guyana and looked forward to more opportunities in the near future.
The US and Guyana continue to seek ways to enhance bilateral security and create a partnership that develops strong security institutions in Guyana, and advances the safety and security of the citizens of Guyana.
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