Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, accompanied by a team from Defence Headquarters, including Colonel General Staff Colonel Kenlloyd Roberts, MSM, recently engaged with delegations from the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) and the Regional Security System (RSS).
The delegations were in Guyana to support the delivery and conclusion of the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Course (NCOPD), which was hosted by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
The WHINSEC delegation, led by Commandant WHINSEC Colonel Eldridge R. Singleton, included Command Sergeant Major WHINSEC Command Sergeant Major Roberto H. Alvarez, Deputy Commandant, Non-Commissioned Officer Academy First Sergeant James E. Bustamante, and Brigade Command Sergeant Major, Security Assistance Training Management Organization (SATMO) Command Sergeant Major Jones.
Representing the Regional Security System, Director of Training Lieutenant Commander Brian Roberts and Deputy Chief of Staff, Belize Defence Force Captain (Navy) Mark Peterson also participated in the engagement.
Additionally present were representatives from the United States Military Group (US MILGP), including Chief, US MILGP Commander Christopher Bernotavicius and Deputy Chief, US MILGP Lieutenant Colonel David Garcia, along with representatives of the United States Embassy.
During the engagement, discussions focused on opportunities to further strengthen cooperation in professional military education and training, particularly in support of the continued development of Non-Commissioned Officers across the region.
Commandant WHINSEC Colonel Eldridge R. Singleton also indicated that the Guyana Defence Force and the Regional Security System are welcome to engage both WHINSEC and the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies in future security and defence-related initiatives.
The engagement underscored the importance of sustained partnerships in advancing professional military development and strengthening cooperation among regional and international security partners.
