GOVERNMENT has been boosting the capacity of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) through the acquisition of technology and training sessions and workshops. The army has been able to enhance its techniques through Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) which have been occurring for more than five years at the request of the GDF.

GDF Logistics Experts are currently participating in a four-day Strategic Logistics Conference with their counterparts from the United States Southern Command headed by the US Southern Command Strategic Planner, Wayne Henry at the Grand Coastal Inn, the GDF stated in a press release.

The conference will facilitate the exchange of perspectives and a comparison of logistics systems used by both teams.

The release stated that the Colonel for Administering and Quartering, Captain John Flores highlighted the timeliness of the conference. He presented an overview of the GDF’s current logistics and sustainment practices and noted that the area was one of crucial importance to the Force particularly in the context of its re-engineering.

An SMEE is essentially a process involving interaction between personnel from both sides where they compare different procedures, tactics and standing orders as it relates to various issues.
As such both teams become familiar with each other’s practices and come out of the mutually beneficial sessions with new ideas which each could use to better their systems.

The release stated that Staff Officer One, Operations and Training Lieutenant Colonel Clement Baird explained that the exchange of information between the two militaries has brought the GDF in compliance with 21st Century military procedures.

“We derive maximum benefits from the SMEEs. In the past we sent one person to be trained but now we have the in-country interactions between our team and the team from the US, so a larger pool of persons benefit,” he said.
“They also learn from us, our peculiar conditions and our way of doing things. So the SMEEs bring benefit for both sides,” Baird added.
He noted that the Air Corps, the Coast Guard and the Special Forces Squadron are some units that have benefitted from these interactions.
SMEEs have also been conducted on Intelligence, Motor Life Boat Engine Operations, and Small Arms maintenance. Two such interactions are also slated for next month, a vehicle maintenance professional exchange and a leadership seminar for Senior Non- Commissioned Officers, the release stated.
The GDF will continue to make full use of this partnership with the US Southern Command to ensure that its operations are enhanced at all levels. (GINA)