Finally, the Belize Defense Force will have its own helicopter. Since the pullout of the British Military Training unit in 2012, government has been going around cap in hand begging their partners in the US, the UK and Taiwan for assistance in getting a helicopter. But at eight to 12 million US dollars for one helicopter, there have been no takers, so now the Barrow Administration has found a multi-million dollar deal, for not one, but two helicopters - and they announced today that they are taking it. National Security Minister John Saldivar was the first to speak at a press conference this afternoon where it was called a glorious day for Belize:..
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"Our desire for a helicopter is about to become a reality. We were in discussions with the British, the US, the Canadians and the Taiwanese, however, none of these have borne fruit."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Now, what we are looking at is a cost of 4.1 million dollars for two refurbished helicopters; a smaller one and a bigger one."
Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander, Belize Defence Force
"This is welcome news for the Belize Defence Force when it comes to fruition. It has been a vision for us for a few years now and the decision by Cabinet to make this a reality is going to be most welcome to the men and women of the Belize Defence Force. These two helicopters are Bell 206; a small one is the Jet Ranger; a bit larger one is the Long Ranger. These two platforms will assist and aid us in regards to troop transport to the various observations posts along the border, insertion and extraction of our troops because as you are aware our soldiers have to walk for days into the Chiquibul and other parts of our jungle to reach the conservation posts and having the helicopter will be able to insert them in a matter of two hours instead of 3-4 days. We will be able to do search and rescue missions. We will be able to do reconnaissance missions after a hurricane. When in times of natural disasters we will be able to assist NEMO and any other organization which includes the Coast Guard out at sea to do further reconnaissance and troop extraction."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"I am satisfied that subject to one final effort that will complete our comprehensive review of the air worthiness if you will, of these assets. I am satisfied that subject to that this is in fact a good deal."
Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander, Belize Defence Force
"We intend to actually go and physically check the platforms. A mechanic and also a pilot, perhaps myself may go on this journey to physically look at these platforms and have the technical experts look at them and verify if it is worth the investment which means we will have physical inspection of the airframe, checks on the engine and check on the serviceability of these two platforms."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"In the event that the physical inspection doesn't completely satisfy us, we would not proceed with the purchase of the two refurbished helicopters, but in that case government would buy one absolutely brand new helicopter at a cost of 5.68 million dollars."
To repeat what was said at the press conference, the Helicopters that are being looked at are BELL 206's - one a Jetranger and the second a Long Ranger.
They are being sourced from a Bell authorized agent in Miami, Florida. So, who's going to fly these things? General Jones says training is already underway:..
Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander, Belize Defence Force
"We've already had 3 pilots that have gone through the Jamaica training course. They acquired 100 hours flying these helicopters already, so it's a matter of getting them the extra hours that they need to completely be able to fly it on their own. So within a 3 month period we will be able to have 3 pilots that are fully functional and capable of flying these aircrafts on their own."
Jules Vasquez
"And then you would have to train the mechanics as well."
Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander, Belize Defence Force
"Yes, the mechanics, the training primarily we would be able to get it from our Caricom friend in Jamaica as well. We have other options in Canada and the US to provide mechanical training for them to repair these helicopters."
According to Jones, the annual cost of maintenance for the two helicopters is 280 thousand Belize dollars. He says two hundred thousand of that will come out of the annual budget that is currently set aside for renting Astrum Helicopters.
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