Guyana lost heroes not GDF ranks – PM Phillips

…as Night of Reflection gives insight into their lives

The lives of the late Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles and Sergeant Jason Khan, were honoured with a Night of Reflection at the National Stadium on Monday evening.

During the emotional and solemn ceremony, wreaths were laid and tributes through art forms such as dance, poetry, and songs were given.

Many also took to the stage and with teary eyes shared stories of their most precious memory with their brothers, husbands, friends and colleagues, for it is this way the ranks will be remembered.

Among them was Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, who presented his tribute on behalf of himself and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali.

In this regard, he noted that while he lost brothers, and wives lost husbands, Guyana lost heroes who wouldn’t have thought twice to defend and protect the nation.

“I remember fondly at the end of the course we were doing a management phrase at Diamond, there was a management institute at Diamond. And when all of us finish the day was heading back to Timehri, Mike Charles stop the bus and he marched us into his yard his mom is here and she had the hottest curry and roti, tea and coffee for us. That is what we became, we became brothers and as you grieve, families as you grieve, we grieve with you. We have lost some great men in this tragedy,” PM Phillips shared.

Guyana lost heroes, men of the highest military standards, not Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks, said Prime Minister Mark Phillips as he continued his reflection on the lives the five fallen soldiers.

He noted that “his brothers” who served in the special forces together were disciplined, displayed bravery and possessed the highest standard of military expertise.

“The late Mike Charles, the late Gary Beaton, the late Michael Shahoud, the late Sean Welcome and our dear Staff Sergeant and now Warrant Officer Khan, their all-black hats. When you wear black hat in the GDF you’re better than anyone else in the GDF, you’re forces. This was the best, the crème de la crème that we lost. We did the right thing by referring to them as our heroes.”

Sergeant Khan was promoted posthumously to Warrant Officer Class Two

The Bell 412 aircraft left GDF Headquarters, Camp Ayanganna at 09:24h on Wednesday and travelled 144 miles to Olive Creek where it arrived at 10:27h.

Immediately after contact was lost with the aircraft, search and rescue teams, alongside Guyana’s Special Forces, were deployed into the deep jungle between Arau and Eteringbang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

However, bad weather impacted their mission.

The GDF helicopter, commanded by military aviators Lieutenant Colonel (Reserve) Mike Charles and Lieutenant Colonel Andio Michael Crawford, had transmitted an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal at about 11:20h.

It was announced a day later those five ranks perished while two – Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Andio Crawford – survived the devasting crash.

GDF’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan told the gathering that the departure of the officers has created a void in the Force.

He, however, pointed out that efforts will be made to support the immediate family members of the officers.

The first of the five ranks, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, will be cremated today.