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The BDF Christens Choppers
Wed, April 27, 2016

Ever since the British Army Training Support Unit, BATSUB pulled put of Belize in 2011, the BDF has been without helicopter support.  IT’s a major vacuum in operations – and it has meant many man hours lost to arduous and dangerous jungle treks to get to remote border outposts such as Rio Blanco.  But, in 2014, the BDF set out on a search for its own helicopters, and today that dream was realized with the support of the Taiwanese Government.  7News was at the Price Barracks Headquarters to witness it, and to take the first flight:..

Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander - BDF
"The sky will indeed be the limit with our new acquired assets."

Hon. John Saldivar - National Security Minister
"It is a historical moment for us as a nation and as minister of national security – I am humbled by the of history in the making."

The two UH-1H helicopters were airborne today but they can best be appreciated on the ground. They are gifts from the Government of Taiwan and after a photo-op for posterity, the security minister gave the thumbs up and after that, the choppers were aloft for a quick circle around the Belize District and while this was just a quick circle, there are big plans for these choppers:

Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander - BDF
"This is now a game changer for the BDF as these assets will make our deployment to our operational areas much faster and with improved efficiency in achieving our assigned tasks. The most important function that the BDF will be using them for is for causality evacuation of our troops, or sick or injured in remote areas or injured while operations. We operate in some very challenging terrain and having these assets can be the difference between life and death."

Hon. John Saldivar - National Security Minister
"It is timely that as the Hurricane season approaches us we are receiving these helicopters."

The pilots at the BDF Airwing were trained to fly the helicopters by the Jamaica Defence Force, but the real muscle and expertise in getting these birds up and running in Belize came from the 17 member team of Taiwanese engineers, technicians, mechanics and pilots who came to Belize to assemble the choppers.

Now they aren’t exactly new, but Belize was never in the market for a new pair of helicopters, and there’s nothing that a little spot of WD-40 won’t fix. But, to keep these birds in the air, will cost a lot more than a can of lubricant.

Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander - BDF
"It is going to be a challenge to keep them operational but we made the right decision to take up the challenge as the benefits are overwhelming. We’re also going to work with our close partners the US and other militaries that work with us to assist us in maintaining these helicopters because I know it's going to be a challenge for the government and the services of these helicopters will not just be for the Belize Defence Force, it will be for all the militaries that operate in Belize that may require their assistance."

But today wasn’t so much about future planning as it was about the celebration of realizing rotary wing independence for Belize, a dream long deferred.

Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander - BDF
"Our dream and vision of acquiring helicopters have now become a reality and we will relish and embrace it with pride."

The helicopters have been fully assembled and in testing mode for the past 10 days.  The helicopters are used – and no present value was given.

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