Army to receive US trucks
Stabroek News
January 29, 2003
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will on Friday take part-delivery of 35 trucks from the United States Government.
A release from the US Embassy yesterday stated that Ambassador Ronald Godard would officially hand over 30 of the heavy tactical troop transport and cargo trucks, as well as three trailers to GDF Brigadier General Michael Atherly on Friday at Camp Stephenson, Timehri.
According to the statement, the total package includes 29 used trucks from the US Excess Defence Article stocks and six new trucks of the 800 and 900 series. Each has a five-tonne capacity. Thirty trucks have arrived in Guyana and another five are pending delivery. The US Embassy said the trucks came with a supply of spare parts and a plan to continue access to spare parts is nearing completion.
Along with the material acquisition, the release stated, a team has been in Guyana since January 3, training the local army's drivers and mechanics to operate and maintain the vehicles to US standards. That training is expected to be complete by Friday, a source within the embassy told this newspaper.
The US government's Foreign Military Financing Programme provided funding for the acquisition of the trucks and trailers as well as for the training support. The programme provides grants to friends and allies of the United States to purchase US military equipment and training.
The official value of the trucks, parts, transportation and training is approximately US$380,000.
However, the trucks were offered at a greatly discounted price. The bulk of the cost was for the transportation. New trucks of similar type cost approximately US$100,000 each.
According to the release, the GDF will use the trucks to assist with the accomplishment of its mission of national security and defence.
The equipment and training provisions are part of an integrated and long-term approach to assist Guyana in the re-capitalisation of the GDF.
It is funded by the US Government, sponsored by the US embassy and coordinated through the military liaison office.
