Dear Editor,
I refer to the article published in the Stabroek News on the 5th April 2008 regarding the purchase of two Bell 206 helicopters by the Government of Guyana for the Guyana Defence Force.
In early 2007, I requested an audience with the HPS Dr. Roger Luncheon and Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best to address the unserviceable Bell 412 helicopter which the military was incapable of operating due to the unbelievably high operating cost associated with the 27-year-old helicopter. I presented a “Trade” for the ill fated Bell 412 and offered two Eurocopter helicopters and one Fixed- wing Islander aircraft. This trade was rejected by the military because the Guyana Defence Force was not interested in switching aircraft manufacturers due to their long association with Bell helicopters. My company then submitted two additional Bell helicopter “Trade” presentations to replace the Bell 412. These discussions were put on the “back burner” because of the unfortunate massacre in Lusignan.
