Chief-of-Staff Commodore Gary Best along with other officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) attended the seventh Bi-lateral Staff Conference in Brasilia, Brazil this week.
A GDF release said that the conference, which is held annually, commenced on September 13 and ended yesterday. It brings together the leadership of the Guyanese and Brazilian military who are said to engage in “extensive discourses covering a wide range of military issues.”
Discussions were expected to address issues such as training opportunities for the Coast Guard, Air Corps, 4 Engineer Battalion, 31 Special Forces Squadron and other units of the force.
In addition, the release said, discussions were also expected to focus on the collaboration on exchange-type modules of training between the militaries of the two countries. Also up for discussion were the return of the Brazilian Smoke Squadron in 2010 and the participation of the Brazilian Military in the GDF’s 45th Anniversary celebrations. The delegation was expected to visit the Brazilian Minister of Defence and the Commander of Brazil’s Air Force.
According to the release, similar conferences have in the past provided the mechanisms through which several areas of cooperation and collaboration among the two militaries have been given impetus. They have also enabled much to be achieved in terms of building and sustaining a positive relationship between the two militaries.
Sustained cooperation and friendship between the GDF and the Brazilian Military will no doubt continue for both countries, as they seek a path to maintaining a climate of peace and harmony in this part of the hemisphere.
Best was accompanied by Lieutenant Colonels Enoch Gaskin, Jawalla Persaud, Wilbert Lee, Sydney James and his Aide de Camp Captain David Shamshundeen.
