The final flight of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Shorts Skyvan 8R-GGK (Eight Romeo-Gulf Gulf Kilo), landed at Air Station London to a traditional water cannon salute, followed by a final salute from the Officers and Ranks of Air Corps during a ceremony to officially retire the aircraft, a release from the GDF said.
The ceremony held yesterday, was the first of its kind held by the GDF. Skyvan 8R-GGK served the GDF for the last 21 years and has been in service to Guyana for 35 years. It was manufactured in 1984 by Shorts Brothers Limited in Belfast, Ireland and was registered G-BLLI (Gulf-Bravo Lima Lima India). The Barbadian Government purchased it on September 3, 1984 and registered it 8P-ASG (Eight Papa-Alpha Sierra Gulf).
The Guyana Civil Aviation Department (CAD) purchased it from Barbados and it was flown to Guyana on July 25, 1987, under the command of Captain Gerry Gouveia, who is currently the National Security Advisor. It was later transferred to Guyana Airways Corporation until May 2001, when it was again transferred this time to the GDF.
During its time in operation, the 8R-GGK made numerous flights, most notable being its deployment in 1989, to the Lesser Antilles for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Operations following Hurricane Hugo. The release said that in 1990 it transported a Company of GDF soldiers to Trinidad to aid in peace restoration following the Jamaat al Muslimeen coup. The release said that it flew almost continually for 24 hours making four round trips to the Twin Island Republic in excess of 2424 nautical miles.
In 2007, during the Cricket World Cup, it transported the teams’ equipment around the Caribbean for the matches. Excluding Presidents Arthur Chung, L.F.S.Burnham and Janet Jagan, every other President of Guyana has flown on the 8R-GGK and also a few Head of States from other countries with the last being, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, the release added.
Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, in his remarks announced that the 8R-GGK will be mounted in a prominent place at Air Station London and its history and contribution to the development of Guyana, displayed for future generations.
The 8R-GGK has served the GDF and Guyana in numerous ways and has flown a total of 25,408:36 hours and completed a total of 26,937 take-offs and landings, according to the GDF.