By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The U.S. government and Costa
Rican government displayed, on
Tuesday, the four UH-1rst (or
UH-ONE) helicopters that will be
donated to Costa Rica, and
presented the Specialized Air
Training Program that will be
directed to personnel of the Air
Surveillance Service.
The helicopters are, for a period
of two years, in the charge of
U.S. government, with the
maintenance, spare parts purchase,
and training of pilots and
technicians in aeronautical
maintenance of the Direction of
the Air Surveillance Service of
the Ministry of Public Security.
During this period, the government
of Costa Rica, through the Air
Surveillance Service, will assume
the fuel costs.
In 2021 the helicopters will
become the property of the
government of Costa Rica,
specifically under the Ministry of
Public Security.
At the helicopter display were
President Carlos Alvarado, the
Minister of Public Security,
Michael Soto, the director of the
Air Surveillance Service, Juan
Luis Vargas, the ambassador of the
United States in Costa Rica, Ms.
Sharon Day, the Secretary of the
Bureau of International Narcotics
and Law Enforcement Affairs,
Richard Glenn, and the INL
representative in Costa Rica,
Christopher Harris.
"A few years ago it was not
possible to have new helicopters
available to the country for
security work, today we show that
it is possible," said President
Carlos Alvarado, "these are the
helicopters with which, together
with the government of the United
States, we will carry out the
Aerial Training Program directed
to the Air Surveillance Service,
which will serve for emergency
assistance, humanitarian aid,
transportation of equipment and
patrols. "
The helicopters and training for
the Costa Rican pilots are part of
the Aerial Training Program of the
U.S. Bureau of International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement
Affairs, which has been in
partnership with Costa Rica for
ten years.
U. S. Ambassador, Ms Sharon Day,
said that this program is just one
of the dozens of initiatives with
which the U.S. government
collaborates with Costa Rica on
aspects of citizen security and
strengthening the rule of law.
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"Our
assistance began
long before the
arrival of these
helicopters and will
continue long after
the end of the
two-year period,"
said Ambassador Day.
"We are not bringing
these four
helicopters to Costa
Rica to wish them
good luck with them.
This is a holistic
program, focused on
taking the
logistics,
maintenance, and
administration to
the next level that
will support the
long-term success of
the SVA."
Mr.
Richard H. Glenn,
Deputy Secretary
of INL, said that
the U.S. continues
to invest in the
security services
of Costa Rica
because the
country is a
proven ally. "Year
after year we see
the effectiveness
with which they
use the tools and
training that we
help provide.
Costa Rica shares
with the U. S. the
will and the sense
of collective
mission to face
regional
problems."
As A.M. Costa Rica
reported on March
11, the four UH-1st
helicopters arrived
in the country
aboard a Boeing C-17
Globemaster, and
will be used in
emergency care,
humanitarian aid,
transport of
equipment and
personnel to remote
areas, preventive
patrols and in
maritime and air
surveillance. The
aircraft will also
be integral tools in
the fight against
drug trafficking.
The total value of
this project is $48
million dollars and
includes the four
helicopters, their
reconditioning,
maintenance, spare
parts and training
for members of the
Air Surveillance
Service.
A UH-1st has a
capacity for 13
people (three crew,
10 passengers), two
engines, reaches a
maximum speed of 205
kilometers per hour,
have a load capacity
of 7,306 pounds,
with a coverage
range of 182
nautical miles.
The Bell UH-1st
(nicknamed the
"Huey") is the first
type of helicopter
developed by Bell
Helicopter Company
produced for the
United States
military, and more
than 16,000 have
been built since
1960. More
information on the
new UH Helicopters
can be reached at: bellflight.com
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What
other types of
sophisticated
equipment to fight
against drug
trafficking could the
U. S. donate to Costa
Rica? We would
like to know your
thoughts on this
story. Send your
comments to: news@amcostarica.com
*Link
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