-Brassington disavows any role in copter purchase
says ‘all indications point to a terrible deal’
One of the aviators from whom the government said it received sound advice on purchasing two helicopters valued at $300M yesterday distanced himself from the transaction and said all indications point to a “terrible deal”.
Mike Brassington, a Guyanese pilot residing in the US was one of the persons whom Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon told Stabroek News last week was consulted by the army and the government before the acquisition of the two Bell 206 helicopters.
In a letter to this newspaper yesterday denying any involvement in the deal, Brassington wrote “I categorically would like to state that I was not involved in the acquisition, purchase or transportation of these Bell 206 Jet Rangers for the GDF.”
Brassington said it was sad that at a time when President Bharrat Jagdeo and Chief of Staff of the GDF Commodore Gary Best were doing their best to acquire assets in an expeditious manner to prevent another slaughter that the country with already limited resources might be hurt once again by individuals who have procured substandard equipment.
Controversy has erupted here over the capacity and suitability of the helicopters, the first of which flew into this country last week. Captain Gerry Gouveia was the first to weigh-in on the machines, one of which has chalked up over 10,000 flying hours, calling them “junks”.
However, President Jagdeo defended the purchase, saying that the choppers would be used to conduct surveillance work and slammed Gouveia’s statements as being “silly and unfortunate”.
Setting out the details of his involvement with regard to the helicopters, Brassington wrote in his letter that in early 2008, he requested an audience with Luncheon and Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best. He sought to address the unserviceable Bell 412 helicopter, which the military was incapable of operating due to the high operating cost associated with the 27-year-old helicopter. He said he offered a “trade” for the ill-fated Bell 412 of two Eurocopter helicopters and one fixed-wing Islander aircraft. This trade was rejected by the military, he said, because the Guyana Defence Force was not interested in switching aircraft manufacturers having had a long association with Bell helicopters.
Brassington said his company then submitted two additional Bell helicopters “trade” presentations to replace the Bell 412. These discussions were put on the “back burner” because of the unfortunate massacre in Lusignan, he said.
Brassington said later he was called by Luncheon and was specifically asked to contact Commodore Best to assist in the acquisition of two helicopters. “I immediately contacted Commodore Best who directed me to the Commanding Officer of the Air Corps, Lieutenant Colonel C. Kyte. I was informed that he was in charge of the acquisition process and the Commodore was completely reliant on his expertise since he is also the Chief Engineer for the GDF Air Corps and has maintained this appointment for many years,” Brassington said.
The pilot added that Lt Col Kyte indicated to him that the decision was made to purchase two Bell 206 Jet Rangers and he was more than welcome to submit his proposals. He said his group in the United States researched the best Bell 206 Jet Ranger options that were also within the government’s budgetary guidelines. “Two presentations were submitted that included newer variants for both Bell and Eurocopter. The two Bell helicopters purchased by the Guyana Government were not included in any presentations submitted by my group,” Brassington declared.
Unprecedented
He asserted that his company would not have and did not recommend the two specific rotorcraft bought by the Guyana government. Additionally, Brassington said, the Eurocopter rotorcraft’s superiority to the Bell 206 Jet Ranger is so significant that the United States Military signed a multi-billion US dollar contract in 2007 with a foreign manufacturer (Eurocopter) to replace the Bell light rotorcraft fleet.
“This unprecedented decision to go against a US manufacturer and replace most of their fleet is testimony to the fact that the Eurocopter is the better choice due to proven reliability and demonstrated ability with top military and specialized police units worldwide,” Brassington argued. However, he said after its presentations were submitted, his group was never contacted by the GDF regarding the acquisition of the two rotorcrafts.
According to Brassington, follow up calls were made at which point his group was advised by the Best that a local group was chosen to work with the army and the purchase of two Bell 206 Jet Rangers were in an advanced stage. Brassington said Best further explained that both aircraft were inspected and okayed by the competent staff of the Air Corps.
“Our assistance was still offered once again, however, we never received any call to assist. We subsequently read in the local newspaper that two Helicopters were purchased by the Guyana Government.”
Brassington noted that he researched the proposed sale using local news links and found out the specifications of the Costa Rican Bell 206. He said he then made a phone call to Best to offer further assistance, but was informed by the army chief that this was not necessary since his team had secured the two helicopters. Further, Brassington said, Best told him that Lt Col Kyte and Lex Barker, the other aviator who Luncheon said his government consulted, expressed their success in acquiring two excellent rotorcraft that were not only well equipped but came with extensive spares and accessories. Noting that Lt Col Kyte personally inspected both aircraft at their respective locations in Costa Rica and Texas and gave them both very high evaluations Brassington said regretfully, all indications point to a terrible deal.
”I want to state that I had no contact with Mr Lex Barker and associates, nor was I ever invited to be part of this process with Mr Barker and associates.” Brassington said he was more than happy to assist his country, the people of Guyana and the GDF in future aviation consultations.
Following the two recent massacres, which claimed the lives of 23 people, government said it was purchasing the helicopters to aid in crime fight.
