Guyana Defence Force

GDF ADVANCES OPERATIONAL READINESS THROUGH SECURITY COOPERATION

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) continues to strengthen its operational capabilities through its longstanding security partnership with the United States.

As part of ongoing cooperation between the two nations, the first phase of a communication capability enhancement initiative has been successfully completed.

The initiative included specialised training and the provision of equipment aimed at supporting the Force's communications and operational effectiveness.
The project forms part of broader efforts to enhance the GDF's readiness and ability to effectively execute its responsibilities in support of national security objectives.

The initiative reflects the continued commitment of Guyana and the United States to strengthening defence cooperation, building institutional capacity, and supporting a secure and stable regional environment.

ELEVEN GDF RANKS GRADUATE AS GRADE THREE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Training Corps has graduated eleven Grade Three Medical Assistants following thirty weeks of intensive theoretical and practical training.
Drawn from various units across the Force, the ranks received instruction in a wide range of medical disciplines, including basic life support and first aid, human anatomy and physiology, clinical nursing, microbiology and diseases, pharmacology, internal medicine, and field sanitation. The programme culminated with a practical attachment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where students were afforded the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a clinical environment.

The course was directed by Lieutenant Colonel Dr Nigel Langhorne and delivered by a team of experienced medical professionals drawn from a range of specialties. The instructional staff included Senior Instructors Major Dr Shawn Legall and Dr Lequita Price who were also present at the graduation ceremony held on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Supporting the delivery of the programme were several members of the Force's medical services, whose expertise and practical experience contributed significantly to the training. Among them were Warrant Officer Class Two Seon Duncan, Staff Sergeants Ronic Carter and Shemicka Devonish, and Sergeant Gerelda Jeffery. Chief Instructor Sergeant Nichola La Rose was supported by Assistant Instructors Sergeants Melisa Jhulu-Livan and Nickel Charles, as well as Corporals Rondell Garnett, Teneisha Cort, and Courtney Lewis.

Having successfully completed the course, the graduates are now equipped with the skills and competencies required to provide essential medical support within the GDF, whether serving at Base Medical Centres or deployed alongside operational units across the country.
Delivering the feature address, Commander of 3 Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Dominic Shepherd, commended the graduates for their dedication and perseverance throughout the demanding programme, while underscoring the vital role they will play in supporting the health, welfare, and operational readiness of their fellow soldiers.
“You have embraced the academic demands, mastered the practical skills, and demonstrated the professionalism required of those who will stand at the frontline of soldier care,” he said. “These are not small achievements. They represent the foundation of trust that your comrades will place in you. When a soldier is injured, ill, or vulnerable, it is you who will be called upon. Your training has prepared you not only to act, but to act with competence, calm, and compassion.”
Lt Col Shepherd further urged the graduates to uphold the standards instilled throughout their training as they assume their new responsibilities within the Force. “As you return to your units, whether to a Base Medical Centre or a deployed sub-unit, carry with you the discipline, humility, and sense of duty that this course has instilled. Remember that your role is not merely technical. It is moral. It is human. It is essential to the operational effectiveness of the GDF,” he charged.
Among the awardees, Lance Corporal Gadwell Grant of 3 Infantry Battalion was named Best Graduating Student and Best Student in Internal Medicine. Lance Corporal Anastasha Ward of 1 Infantry Battalion received the awards for Runner-up Student and Best Student in Clinical Nursing, while Lance Corporal Aquil Williams of Base Camp Stephenson was recognised as Best Student in First Aid.

PARTNERSHIP: FRENCH VESSEL SAILED INTO THE ESSEQUIBO FOR JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

The French Navy patrol vessel La Résolue sailed into the Essequibo as Guyana observed its historic 60th Independence Anniversary, underscoring the strong and growing partnership shared between Guyana and France.

The vessel’s presence formed part of ongoing regional cooperation and military engagement between the two nations, while also allowing members of the French delegation to participate in Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee observances.
Officers and Sailors attached to the vessel joined members of the Guyana Defence Force and other invited guests for activities surrounding the national celebrations, including the ceremonial observance at Fort Island in Essequibo.

The visit highlighted the continued spirit of friendship and collaboration shared between the two countries, particularly in the areas of maritime security, regional stability, and professional military cooperation. It also reflected the importance of strengthening relationships among regional partners through continued engagement, mutual respect, and shared participation in significant national occasions.

The arrival of La Résolue during Guyana’s Independence celebrations stood as a symbol of enduring partnership and regional solidarity as Guyana commemorated sixty years of nationhood.