The Guyana Defence Force strengthened its air capabilities following the acquisition of two new Bell helicopters. The rotary wing aircraft, bearing registrations 8R KNU (Bell 429) and 8R AKA (Bell 407), received the traditional water cannon salute during a ceremony held at the GDF Air Corps Ogle Hangar at the Eugene F. Correia Airport.
The commissioning of the new air assets was a direct result of the Force’s recapitalization plan and marked their formal entry into service for the GDF.
In attendance were Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, MSS, and Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Hon. Deodat Indar. They were joined by the National Security Advisor, the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, other members of the Defence Board, Heads of Service, representatives from the aviation sector, and Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, along with senior officers, ranks, and special guests.
Speaking on behalf of His Excellency the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, MSS, emphasized that the acquisition of these helicopters represented a strategic investment in national security. He noted that the new aircraft strengthened Guyana’s ability to respond rapidly to emergencies, provided access to remote hinterland and riverain communities, and supported disaster response, medical evacuation, search and rescue, and other civil operations.
Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, during brief remarks, alluded to the fact that the ceremony marked an invitation to extend the Force’s reach, sharpen its vision, and firmly assert the resolve of a Force that understood the strategic value of preparedness. He imparted that the power of these rotors was not about altitude alone but about access, speed, and decisive presence. He noted that what was commissioned that morning was not simply flight capability but the ability to arrive first, see farther, respond faster, and protect more effectively.
With the acquisition coming on the heels of the Force’s 60th anniversary of service to the nation, Commanding Officer of the Air Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Joslyn Assanah, also underlined the magnitude of the acquisition. He highlighted that air capability was a force multiplier and that the occasion represented a deliberate strengthening of the Force’s air capability and a tangible investment in the operational effectiveness of the GDF.
The commissioning of the Bell 407 and Bell 429 helicopters signaled a meaningful step forward in modernizing the GDF Air Corps, reinforcing the Force’s enduring dedication to safeguarding the sovereignty and people of Guyana.
