–five long-standing servicemen die; two ranks survive after tragic helicopter crash
–efforts still underway to rescue, extract personnel from crash site; team providing necessary support to survivors on the ground
–condolences pour in; all flags to be flown half-staff until further notice

THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Thursday confirmed that five of seven occupants who were on board an army aircraft perished following a crash at an interior location on Wednesday.
The deceased, long-standing servicemen have been identified as Brigadier Gary Beaton- Project Engineer, GOG; Colonel Michael Shahoud, Commander 1st Infantry Battalion; Lt Col Michael Charles, Pilot; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, Commanding Officer Reserve Battalion and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan- 31 Special Forces Squadron.

The Bell 412 Army helicopter occupied by the men and piloted by Lt Col Charles, lost signal some 30 miles from Guyana’s borders near Venezuela. Lieutenant Andio Crawford and Corporal Wayne Jackson, who were also onboard, survived the tragic crash.
Around midday on Wednesday, news broke that the Bell 412 Army helicopter had gone missing. The team, led by Colonel Shahoud, was visiting troops in the western area of the country’s borders.

Over the past few weeks, the army’s presence has multiplied to sections of the country’s borders because of Venezuela’s escalated aggression in the ongoing border controversy with Guyana.
The GDF, in a statement on Thursday, revealed that a Special Forces team was inserted into the area and arrived at the crash site at approximately 14:30 hrs after battling adverse weather conditions. It was later reported that only two survivors were found at the site.

In its most recent statement, the GDF said that efforts are still underway to rescue and recover the personnel who were on board the ill-fated Bell 412 aircraft.
Two search and rescue-capable helicopters provided by Omni made three attempts to extract those at the crash site, with priority given to the two survivors. These efforts were, however, thwarted by the persistent, severe weather over the site.

The rescue team inserted earlier Thursday, including medical personnel, remains at the site, providing the necessary support to Lieutenant Crawford and Corporal Jackson. The rescue and recovery operation will resume at the earliest opportunity today.

TIRELESS SEARCH EFFORTS
Search efforts for the aircraft and the men on board had begun shortly after an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was received on Wednesday.
At a news conference Wednesday night, Army Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan told reporters that an ELT could be triggered by an impact or manually.

A sky van and members of Special Forces were deployed. Initially, it was the hope that troops who were a part of the search-and-rescue operation would descend to the heavily forested area to intensify the search further.
However, thick fog and other elements of nature narrowed this option. The area where the aircraft was located is heavily forested and mountainous. The search was called off when night fell and continued on Thursday morning. Additional resources and manpower were deployed.

Messages of condolences and sympathy have begun to pour in for the fallen soldiers.
“My heart pains and drowns in sorrow at the tragic loss of some of our finest men in uniform. The scale of this loss to the families, our country, the GDF and to me personally is immeasurable… I observe with so much honour, the pride you took in putting on your uniform. We became a family bonded in service and brotherhood. I have experienced the love of all of you and it is ripping me apart,” Commander-in-chief of Guyana’s armed forces, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said in a post on his official Facebook page.

In its message to the public, the GDF said: “The Chief of Staff, officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force extend sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished.
“The Guyana Defence Force is committed to providing unwavering support to these families during this unprecedented and challenging period of mourning. These officers have served and given excellent service in the defence of our country and will be duly recognised.”
Flags across the country will be flown at half-staff until further notice.