Over the next few weeks, a variety of joint exercises involving specific training in communications and planning of joint multinational operations will take place in and around Guyana, according to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The training started here on February 26 and comes to an end on March 25.

"The aim of these exercises is to improve the UK's ability to work overseas and gain from the mutual training that the Guyana Defence Force and the Trinidad Defence Force can give to the United Kingdom", Lieutenant Commander Gary Lydiate of the Royal Navy told reporters here yesterday.

The element of sea training is taking place in the GDF vessel, the GDFS Essequibo.

According to Lt. Commander Lydiate, a team of 10 sailors from the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) organisation in the UK will assist in preparing the GDFS Essequibo to carry out her role in policing Guyana's Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial waters. The UK training in this area will also prepare the GDFS Essequibo in its mission to contribute to the war against the illicit trafficking of drugs.

The joint training will take place both in harbour and at sea.

The FOST team will then travel to Trinidad to help prepare the Trinidad vessel NELSON.

Both ships will then meet at sea for mutual training in a series of graduated exercises to test both ships and their sailors, Lydiate said.

He pointed out that this mutual training will culminate in Exercise Tradewinds off Barbados in May when vessels from many nations will meet for the largest naval exercise in the region.

According to GDF Lieutenant Commander Godfrey George, the Coast Guard has participated in this type of naval exercise before, but this year will be different since Guyana will have its own vessel.

"At the end of this, your ship, the GDFS Essequibo will be fully ready in all respects for your war against drugs which includes many other nations, including the UK", Lydiate told reporters.

He said that this assistance will further help Guyana to play its part in the regional anti-narcotics strategy, as stated by British High Commissioner, Mr. Edward Glover, at the presentation of the International Narcotics Board Report last week.

Meanwhile, at the Stephenson Barracks on the Linden Highway, mutual training in signals procedures is under way.

According to Lydiate, a small team from the UK is working there with the signals staff from the GDF.

"This training will show the UK the procedures used here in Guyana and expose the UK's procedures too. These two elements will ensure that the armed forces from both countries will benefit and learn from each other.

"This ensures that we are mutually compatible and can work together throughout the world if required," he said at the GDF Camp Ayanganna headquarters in Georgetown.

The other area of training is the joint and combined programme taking place in Guyana, as well as in Trinidad and the UK.

"This involves the ability of the UK to deploy a headquarters staff overseas, set up a temporary base and integrate with regional forces", Lydiate explained.

"Elements of this process are taking place here in Guyana and we, the UK, have servicemen and women in Guyana who are learning from the (GDF).

"Eventually they will move to Trinidad where officers from the GDF and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force will co-locate with the British Headquarters to carry out planning for an exercise," he added.

Lydiate pointed out that the scenario for this exercise does not reflect real world events but is merely a training vehicle to carry the correct procedures.

"These exercises are a unique way to show our mutual heritage and a way to continue to strengthen our longstanding ties, not just in the military field, but in every way. By this we gain a greater mutual understanding and ability to work together under any circumstances", he said.