TROOPS from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) SWAT team recently completed a five-day River Blockade Training with ranks of the ninth Marines Infantry Battalion Engineering Company of the French Military.

The course was conducted at the Colonel Robert Mitchell Jungle and Amphibious Training School at Makouria. The French team left Guyana on Monday.

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West and a corps of senior officers visited the troops to witness a demonstration of the skills acquired.

For the officers and other ranks of the GDF, the objective of the training exercise was to acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge to construct and command a river blockade. The training is also intended to foster continued bilateral relationship for future military cooperation and development between the two militaries.

Modules of the training included construction of barriers, attachment of cable tension, security and safety brief, monitoring and building of demonstration barriers and execution of blockade drills. Practical exercises were conducted at the Delcante/Makouria River junction.

The river blockade training is a new concept to both the GDF and the GPF. The training was well received by the ranks of both organisations.