One of the two Bell 206 helicopters, specifically acquired by the government to augment the security forces’ air capacity to fight crime arrived here yesterday afternoon, an official of the Guyana Defence Force confirmed.
It is not clear when the other helicopter will arrive. President Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed at a press conference two weeks ago that his administration had already made payments on the two helicopters which were sourced from Costa Rica and the United States to aid in aerial surveillance.
Jagdeo had also said that a private engineer had been recruited to assess the craft to ensure they were quality choppers. Government had also approved training for members of the Disciplined Forces on the use of the choppers. During the recent upsurge in crime here the Trinidad and Tobago government had loaned one of its helicopters to this country.
Stabroek News was told that the helicopter is still in the country. Government had allocated nearly $1B for the purchasing of the two choppers.
Meanwhile, Chief of Staff of the GDF Commodore Gary Best told the Government Information Agency that the helicopter will begin air surveillance from today.
