Commodore Gary Best, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt at a press briefing held at Camp Ayanganna to launch “Fused Response 2012”
The U. S. military and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Tuesday launched a one week joint training session codenamed “Fused Response” aimed at equipping both forces to fight organised crime.
Approximately 125 local and 350 U.S. personnel are part of the training exercise, geared at improving the capacity of both forces in confronting several organised crime and illicit trafficking. This year’s exercise is part of annual military activities that are conducted between the two countries to keep participants updated on the advances in the areas of military operations, readiness as well as mutual interaction between both militaries.
U.S. ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt at the launch of the exercise said that it is important as it aids in the strengthening of military capacities. He noted that such cooperation is critical as threats to security and stability in the hemisphere persist despite positive influences such as economics, political and social gains. “Trafficking and smuggling routes in the region have led to increased levels of crime, violence and corruption. Natural disasters can disrupt normal transportation and commerce and destroy infrastructure. We therefore encourage our partners and allies to work together with us to counter transnational organised crime and join in building a framework for international cooperation to protect all our citizens from the violence, harm and exploitation wrought by these networks.”
The participants are being trained in two core areas the ambassador told the media: the military tactical level and the senior military staff level. As it relates to the tactical level, the forces will be able to train together on room-clearing procedures, close-quarters battle training, personnel recovery operations, as well as water and air operations, in order to hone and increase military skills set in these important areas. On the other hand, senior military staff will gain “valuable experience and training on how to work together as part of a joint task force and how best to coordinate in a crises with civilian leadership”. They will also have an opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences.
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