Guyana: Joint exchange international para trooping training exercise completes

Guyana: Tradewinds 2021 (TW21) Regional Security System (RSS) Joint Exchange International Para trooping Training Exercise concluded on Sunday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), following a tactical display of airborne manoeuvres from more than 100 paratroopers.

The airborne exercise, which began at 10:00 a.m, saw 75 paratroopers from various units of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) teamed with their counterparts from the United States Army, Brazil Defence Force, Belize Defence Force, and the French Defence Force to perform Static Line jumps aboard two UHS Black Hawk helicopters, in chalks of six from 1500 feet.

Experienced GDF Jumpmasters Lieutenant Kaya Dover, Warrant Officer Class One Cleveland O’Brian, and Sergeant Mackeila Armstrong provided guidance and supervision to the jumpers during the exercise. Additionally, two Jumpmasters from the US Army 7th Special Forces Group ably assisted the trio.

Intermittent showers did little to dampen the spirits of the servicemen, who braved constant downpours to put on a thrilling para trooping exercise in unison during Phase Two of TW21.

Company Commander of US Army 3rd Battalion 7th Special Forces Airborne Group, Bravo Company, Major Justin Smith, underlined that the airborne exercise sought to improve interoperability between all partner Forces. “This airborne exercise allows us to maintain proficiency by sharping the paratrooping and tactical effectiveness of our paratroopers in a shared manner while enhancing cooperation among the participating militaries,” he said.

Squadron Commander (ag) of the GDF 31 Special Forces Squadron, Captain Avinash Deonarine, deemed the training beneficial to his ranks since the combined experience will contribute to a positive increase in the capabilities of the squadron in para trooping-required operations.

“The airborne exercise allowed us the opportunity to train with other militaries and have a firsthand experience of the different ways and various techniques on how they conduct their training. We have benefitted by learning from our partners about the ways in which their training is conducted. This helps to provide improvement for our paratroopers, the Squadron and GDF at large,” he affirmed.

Guyana Coast Guard Senior Petty Officer and paratrooper Adesini Benjamin, in the recollection of his experience yesterday, opined that it was his first time jumping from a helicopter, more so a UHS Blackhawk since the GDF conducts para trooping operations and exercises using its Skyvans. He highlighted that much of the training is similar.

However, because of the training and practices in the GDF, exiting the helicopter was simpler than exiting the Skyvan. He also stated that the US-provided parachutes provide better execution of the drills because of their stability and control.

“Jumping today with our counterparts was a very thrilling experience. The discipline and the energy our partners brought to the para trooping exercise were definitely some of the positives. We were able to get different exposure to para trooping. The experience in jumping from a helicopter was an exciting one, and I very much enjoyed it because it has helped me to sharpen my personal para trooping skills,” he shared. Sergeant Timeon McPherson of the Special Forces, a seasoned paratrooper, divulged that he could now incorporate his knowledge gathered from his training with the GDF Special Forces with the exposure he gathered from training with his counterparts to conduct successful jumps in the future as he continues to serve the GDF.

“From the experience that I have collected from this exercise, I can say our tactics are somewhat different. Nevertheless, I was able to execute my navigational drills fully. The incorporation of knowledge and experience will help me to become a better paratrooper,” he said.

Following the conclusion of the exercise, the paratroopers exchanged badges. TW 21 culminates on June 26, 2021.