Colonel Mark A Phillips of the Guyana Defence Force attended and successfully completed the 50thAdvanced Course in Hemispheric Defense and Security at the Inter-American Defense College during the academic year 2010-2011. The Inter-American Defense College at Fort McNair, Washington,D.C., is an international educational institution operating under the aegis of the Organization of American States. It provides a multidisciplinary, graduate-level course of study for senior military and civilian officers. This rigorous one-year course provides a comprehensive understanding of governmental systems, the current international environment, the Inter-American system, and security issues affecting the Western Hemisphere and the world.  The Advanced Course in Hemispheric Defense and Security preparessenior military officers and civilian government officials from the OAS member states to assume strategic advisory positions related to hemispheric defense and security, and to work in security and defense strategy and policy development at the highest levels of decision-making.

Four Guyana Defence Force Officers and an Other Rank recently returned from China where they successfully completed a number of Military courses.

Major Lloyd Souvenir, Captains Anson Weekes and James Fraser, Lieutenant Jermaine White and Staff Sergeant Selwyn Douglas completed the Army Battalion Commander Course, the Air Force Command and Staff Course, the Army Basic Staff Course, the Special Operations Platoon Leaders Course and the Wired Communication Engineers Course, respectively.

It was the first time that personnel from the GDF participated in the Air Force Command and Staff course and the Wired Communication Engineers Course. Captain Weekes, who completed the former at the Air Force Command College of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force in Beijing, was recognised for excellent performance as he achieved five A+ and nine A grade in the 14 subject areas.   

The Course covered a number of areas including National Security Strategy, Air Force Strategy, Air Force Combat Operation and Air Force Operational Organisation.

Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best and Colonel General Staff Colonel Bruce Lovell were today conferred with the Gold Medal of National Defence and the Silver Medal of National Defence, respectively, from the French Armed Forces.

France’s outgoing non-resident Military Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Kopecky decorated the officers with the medals on behalf of his country’s Minister of Defence , Gerard Longuet.

The medal has three levels ; Gold , Silver and Bronze, and is awarded to active military personnel or reserves who are distinguished by the quality of services rendered , or , to French civilians and foreign military of civilians who have rendered honorable services particularly to the Defence of France.

Base Camp Ayanganna became a learning environment for 208 pupils from Albion Front’s Cropper Primary School and Berbice’s Number Eight Primary School, when they visited, on February 25, and March 3, respectively. Seven teachers, including the Headmaster, accompanied the Grade Six Cropper Primary School students while the Headmistress, six teachers and 16 parents guided the pupils of the Number Eight Primary School who were drawn from the school’s Grades 1-6.

The eager pupils visited the Force’s Military Reference Library and viewed video presentations which provided insights to the various Units of the Force. In addition, they visited the Dental Clinic at Medical Corps and were also treated to musical renditions by members of the Band Corps.