The GDF preparedness is not only for traditional warfare

Feb 12, 2010 Letters

---

Dear Editor,
The Editorial of Sunday, January 31st, 2010 titled, “Treading carefully with the Army’s role,” is very thought-provoking, and certainly a useful opportunity for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and every concerned citizen to consider, after all, the role of the Army and our security is everyone’s business.
The article focused on President Jagdeo and Chief-of-Staff, Commodore Gary Best call for the Army to reconsider its role in national development.
The Editorial noted, “Perplexingly, some of their comments seem to suggest the Army is at a crossroad. In fact, the shift in focus of the army, mentioned by the President, is perturbing. This comment was expressed after it was realised that we have an Army that is not likely to go to war at any time.”
This was, in part, a reaction to President Jagdeo’s argument that we cannot afford a ‘Standing Army’ (my words) when going to war was not a likelihood. Then this telling contention, to the effect we reed make full use of our financial and human resources.
Every patriot must share such a view point. I therefore compliment His Excellency for that statement – I too, feel that way and congratulate him for his perspicacity. The first caution, our Army must neither be seen nor treated in splendid isolation. We need be reminded of this; when we became a Republic, President Forbes Burnham made the same point made by President Jagdeo, almost the exact words. However that old figurative expression holds solid and true, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” or as some say, “wa mout na load.”
Today, there is a big difference. Burnham went further; he caused to be established the Guyana National Service and the Guyana People’s Militia, both to complement our Army as part of a total Security, Educational National Development Strategy. Details are not necessary at this moment, save to say the GDF was then referred to as ‘The People’s Army.’
Within the then limited resources, the government ensured that this trinity along with the Polite Force received relevant training at home and abroad and well staffed with competent and committed personnel.
Mobility is an essential of any Army or Security Unit, no matter what their role. Only by way of example, let us look at the Army Air and Water capabilities. Facts during 70’s and 80’s, the G.D.F had:
i. Three – MI-8 – Russian built helicopters, each capable of transporting 16 fully equipped troops, with powerful lifting and hovering capabilities.
ii. Two US built– Bell-212 helicopters – each capable of taking 12 persons.
iii. One – Bell–412 – also capable of taking 12 persons with four rotor blades and faster.
NB: both capable of taking 15 persons without a long range fuel tank which the Army had installed.
iv. Two – French built (Aloette) ‘choppers’ capable of carrying five persons each.
Two – Bell–206 – capable of taking four persons each.
Similar to the two this administration has recently bought. The difference then, we acquired vintage equipment. These recent acquisition had 10,000 hours and 8,000 hours respectively on their airframes
v. Two Sky van fixed wing aircraft, available to the Army. Each capable of taking a stripped down jeep, cargo and personnel – taking off and landing on not perfect airstrips real work horses
vi. Six Norman Briton Islander planes and
vii. One executive configured King Air Beach craft
I recall during the period when Major General (Retired), Norman McLean was Chief-of- Staff telling a Caribbean colleague that we proudly boasted a GDF Air Corps with 17 aircrafts maintained by competent engineers and manned by skilled and courageous pilots.
I, recall one of them, Captain Larry London landing a helicopter in the compound of the. New Amsterdam Hospital to the amazement of the entire community.
As I write this letter, our Army only has one helicopter that can take to the air.
It was the GNS vessel that was dispatched by Burnham with materials and GDP personnel to help Dominica after hurricane ‘David’. This was the case in other disasters, Jamaica, Grenada etc. Our ships could then catch both fish and felons.
The GDF pilots and soldiers made us proud when they put down the Rupununi uprising and expelled the Dutch adventurism off the New River Triangle.
The Marine Wing by comparison was better equipped. This was only one aspect of an Army that could move – along with the People’s Militia, Guyana National Service and Police, we enjoyed real Security.
The Engineer Corps then was far superior to what we have today.
To foist the Army as we did in recent times on, or in selected communities to perform a task that ought to be left to the police and social workers has courted disaffection, disgust and anger as we have witnessed.
This narrow view of the Army doing all things while securing the integrity of our borders without adequate support is foolhardy and unworkable.
We need, as we had then, an Army with Specialist Units, such as the Agri Corps at Land of Canaan and the hatchery at Camp Ayanganna, which along with the GNS supplied both services with their basic needs of eggs, pork, beef and chicken. Unlike these days, where the Army has a huge food bill bought from private merchants. At the same time, we maintained a viable quick responsive capability over our difficult, terrain and borders.
Today, what with a vibrant narcotic industry, the Army/Police seem, to nibble at the core product. The Army preparedness is not only for traditional warfare, we have other wars to fight, enemies we need to wage war against, such as the Drug Barons – that is, if we truly wish to curb their activities.
I hope that the drug lords are in no way influencing a policy to keep the Army in Buxton, Albouystown, Agricola and not where drug related airstrips am being constructed.
No matter what, unless we really set out to equip the Army with adequate men, women, materials and motivation, we are blowing hot air and using a well equipped propaganda machine to fool the people and the soldiers.
My plea is for the President and Defence Board to seek the help of those who know and care, irrespective of their perceived political connections.
It would have been unthinkable in the 70s and 80s for airstrips to be constructed and no one can to this day tell us by who, or when.
It would have been unthinkable for the Army to be involved torture and now being named as ‘roughing up.’
It would never have been impossible for the large influx of aliens who with impunity now violate our borders and plunder our God given natural resources. Our patrimony is in peril.
It is the Army to protect our borders, but with what?
I again compliment the Chief-of-Staff and the President for their splendid ideas but, if they are really concerned and serious, I suggest the following:
1. Harmonize the experience of some of the ‘other people’ who know and are willing to help.
2. Re-establish the GNS and People’s Militia; call it by any other name if the use of GPM or GNS will make them uncomfortable.
3. Give the Police and Army the kind of training and equipment that really fits them for their respective roles in this 21st Century.
4. Stop lowering entry requirements to bring in certain folks in the Security Services.
5. Encourage those trained to stay. Most of the pilots have in one way or the other been made exiles.
6. Buy equipment that is not by special arrangement with middle men, or associates.
7. When members of the Army catch folks with heavy weapons and spy equipment, the system must not set these criminals free.
Finally, locking up people who speak up and offer to help, terrorizing selected communities, and rushing to judgment are all counterproductive.
The confidence and involvement of citizens are at the end of the day vital.
Because of clumsy and crude operational procedures, citizens along most of the East Coast and East Bank Demerara corridors are unlikely to help or cooperate with the Police and Army personnel.
Hamilton Green J.P.

---

---