Guyana, U.S. conducting joint exercise to strengthen ties
– and to respond to organised crime and narco trafficking
PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds announced, at a press conference yesterday, a joint military exercise between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the United States (U.S.) militaries.
Speaking in the Officers’ Mess, at the Army’s Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown, he said ‘Fused Response 2012’ is aimed at forging closer relations between the militaries.
Mr. Hinds added that the joint effort is also to address crises action planning, as well as, enhance training and readiness for special operations in support of regional contingencies.
He said the U.S. Army and the GDF will also get accustomed to working with each other and, so, if the need arises as it relates to security issues, they can also respond jointly in humanitarian and relief efforts.
“We know that security of the State and citizens are most important and it is necessary for prosperity and ensuring democracy and, this year, the annual exercise attracts a large number of ranks from the GDF and the U.S. to be a part of the Special Operations training exercise,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the police and other arms of the local security services will also be a part of the training, which will see some renovations of some GDF facilities, elsewhere, required.
U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, D. Brent Hardt said ‘Fused Response 2012’ reflects the continuing strong security partnership between the two countries.
He said it aims to improve the capabilities of both countries to plan and conduct joint operations while allowing them to forge closer military and civilian relationships.
The diplomat said Fused Response will build on other joint military undertakings, training and humanitarian activities that have been conducted in Guyana in recent years.
The envoy said: “Fused Response is the largest annual exercise of its type in the hemisphere and I am pleased to note that it is the first time it has been conducted in the English-speaking Caribbean. As I mentioned, this exercise is designed to improve the inter-operability of the United States and Guyanese military forces, enhance law enforcement cooperation through FBI-conducted training and increase the capacity of our military and law enforcement authorities to respond to crises, confront common threats – such as organised crime and illicit trafficking and provide assistance for natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies.”

CORE AREAS
Hardt said, specifically, Fused Response will allow the militaries to train in two core areas, the military tactical level and the senior military staff level. From a tactical perspective, the forces will be able to train together on room-clearing procedures, close-quarters battle training, personnel recovery as well as water and air operations, in order to hone and increase military skills sets in these important areas.
“From a senior military staff level, our top military officers will gain valuable experience and training in how to work together as part of a joint task force and how best to coordinate in a crisis with civilian leadership.”
The ambassador said, by cross-training at the staff level, the military leaders will have an opportunity to learn from each other and, at the same time, build friendships that can last a lifetime.
He said approximately 125 Guyanese and 350 U.S. personnel will participate in Fused Response and, in preparation for it, U.S. construction teams have been in the country over the course of the past few months working with the GDF to completely refurbish the rifle range at Camp Stephenson, entirely renovate three barracks at Camp Stephenson and construct a floating dock and the extension of boat ramps at the GDF’s Jungle and Amphibious Training School.
“Exercise Fused Response 2012 offers us an opportunity to reinforce our close bilateral partnership with Guyana by building upon our already strong military-to-military relationship. The United States and Guyana share a history of military partnership that includes joint exercises, training, information sharing and education,” Hardt said.
He noted that the U.S. Embassy’s humanitarian assistance programme (HAP) also funds projects that enhance the capacity of host nations to respond to the needs of their citizens.
“Humanitarian assistance exercises have involved the construction of schools, clinics and water wells in Guyana and other countries in the region,”
Hardt recalled, noting, at the same time, that medical readiness exercises involving teams of doctors, nurses and dentists have provided general and specialised health services to Guyanese citizens requiring care.
He said these humanitarian assistance exercises, which can last several months each, provide much needed services and infrastructure, while providing critical training for deployed U.S. military forces.
Hardt said such cooperation is vital because threats to security and stability in the hemisphere persist despite positive economic, social and political gains.
He admitted that transnational criminal organisations (TCOs) and illicit trafficking are the largest threats to regional and hemispheric security and trafficking and smuggling routes in the region have led to increased levels of crime, violence and corruption.
For the joint undertaking, training events will be held in the Timehri and Makouria areas and involve 500 personnel, including 350 U.S. military.
During the conduct, the public is asked not to be alarmed at the sounds of simulated explosives, gunfire and low-flying aircraft as training activities will be conducted with strict adherence to security procedures that will prevent harm or injury to people.