The United States Military Liaison Office has donated a number of pieces of equipment and machines to the Belize Coast Guard. This morning handing over ceremonies were held at the Coast Guard's Headquarters at Mile 4 on the Western Highway. 7news was there.
Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis, Belize Coast Guard "The gifting of this equipment is greatly appreciated by the Belize Coast Guard. Definitely for 3 main reasons, one; it will definitely enhance our professional capability to conduct or military missions - law enforcement missions in Belize sea spaces. Two; the equipment provides greater personal protection for tactical units as they conduct these high risk operations within our sea spaces and it also increases our ability for overall effectiveness and efficiency. three; it definitely increases our ability for night operations and our ability to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance at a larger scale and last but not least, it speaks volumes to the commitment by the commandant of the Coast Guard, the Ministry of Defence and Government of Belize in the fight against narco-trafficking in the Belize maritime domain. So this equipment that have been gifted to the Coast Guard will definitely enhance our overall operational capability in Belize sea spaces."
"As it relates to the personal protective equipment (PPE) we have the bullet proof vests behind us. as we know in the coast guard and maritime domains - there are many threats that we face out there - threats both foreign and domestic and when we conduct these law enforcement missions or these military missions our personnel needs to be properly equipped for personal safety and these vests will enable them a greater degree of personal protection. We also have helmets to protect their head. We have as well the night vision goggles or the NVGs that enhances our ability to conduct operations at night - to basically see in the dark. We have binoculars - again these extends our range of reconnaissance - being able to see beyond what the natural eyes are able to see - radar equipment that provides electronic tracking - electronic navigation. So overall it definitely increases our professional capabilities."
Guest Speaker for this morning's handing over ceremony was Police Minister, Dough Singh.
The United States Military Liaison Office has donated a number of pieces of equipment and machines to the Belize Coast Guard. This morning handing over ceremonies were held at the Coast Guard's Headquarters at Mile 4 on the Western Highway. 7news was there.
"As it relates to the personal protective equipment (PPE) we have the bullet proof vests behind us. as we know in the coast guard and maritime domains - there are many threats that we face out there - threats both foreign and domestic and when we conduct these law enforcement missions or these military missions our personnel needs to be properly equipped for personal safety and these vests will enable them a greater degree of personal protection. We also have helmets to protect their head. We have as well the night vision goggles or the NVGs that enhances our ability to conduct operations at night - to basically see in the dark. We have binoculars - again these extends our range of reconnaissance - being able to see beyond what the natural eyes are able to see - radar equipment that provides electronic tracking - electronic navigation. So overall it definitely increases our professional capabilities."