Above: GDF Chief of Staff Gary Best, PM Samuel Hinds and Amb. Brent Hardt

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Guyana Defence Force today launched a joint exercise with the United States Military.

The exercise, dubbed “Fused Response 2012,” aimed to improve both countries’ capabilities to plan and conduct joint operations while forging closer military and civilian ties.

US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt said the Fused Reponse builds upon other joint military exercises conducted over the years, and is the largest annual exercise of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.

It also looks to allow the two militaries to train in two areas: the military tactical level and the senior military level, according to the Guyanese government.

“By cross-training at the staff level, our military leaders will have an opportunity to learn from each other, while at the same time, building lasting friendships,” Hardt said.

Approximately 125 Guyanese military personnel and 350 US forces will participate in the exercise, which will run from March 1 to March 9.

“Fused Response 2012 offers us an opportunity to reinforce our close bilateral partnership with Guyana by building on our already-strong military-to-military relationship,” Hardt said.

Guyanese Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said the exercise would help the two countries respond jointly to security challenges, as well as render humanitarian assistance in the event of disasters and other events.