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“Impressively,
SNG continues to operate a
former USCG 82-foot
Point-class patrol boat
originally commissioned in
1962”,
said Admiral
Schultz. /
Photo published by Admiral
Karl Schultz on his
Facebook page
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Commandant
of U.S. Coast Guard visited
Costa Rica
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By the
A.M. Costa Rica staff
Last week, Admiral Karl Schultz,
Commander of the Coast Guard of
the United States, visited the
country to review the results of
the alliance and the
collaboration between the United
States and Costa Rica in the
fight against transnational
crime.
“We must enable willing and
capable partners in the fight
against transnational organized
crime. I was honored to visit
our strongest ally in Central
America, Costa Rica,” said
Admiral Karl Schultz.
According to Admiral Schultz,
Costa Rica is an important
partner in the fight against
transnational organized crime
and the country directly
supports the U.S. collective
efforts to combat cartels and
gangs who push poison and
proliferate violence across the
Western Hemisphere.
Statistics mentioned by Admiral
Schultz, the Costa Rica Aerial
Surveillance Service (SVA) and
Coast Guard seized over 33 tons
of U.S.-bound cocaine, one of
the highest maritime drug
seizures in the region.
In April 2018, U.S. Department
of Defense (DoD) and U.S.
Department of State: Bureau of
International Narcotics &
Law Enforcement (INL)
transferred three former U.S.
Coast Guard 110-foot
Island-class patrol boats to
Costa Rica, significantly
expanding their maritime
interdiction capacity.
“We continue to work with U.S.
Southern Command, State INL, and
Costa Rica to further develop
their maintenance and logistics
capabilities to optimally
operate and maintain their
patrol fleet. Impressively, SNG
continues to operate a former
USCG 82-foot Point-class patrol
boat originally commissioned in
1962”, said Admiral Schultz.
“With the strong support of
Ambassador Sharon Day & her
terrific team at U.S. Embassy,
the State Department, U.S.
Southern Command, and the U.S.
Coast Guard, Costa Rica’s
Security Minister Michael Soto,
and the SNG are growing their
capacity to advance security
& prosperity across the
region.”
Related to the most recent
donation by the U.S., as AM
Costa Rica reported, in April,
the Bureau for Antinarcotics and
Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
donated the two 38’
interceptors, equipped with
state of the art technology to
the Costa Rican National Coast
Guard Service. The two vessels
are valued at USD 750,000 each.
With this donation, the Costa
Rican National Coast Guard
Service will have an increased
capacity to survey Costa Rica’s
territorial waters.
“Together, we strengthen
regional multilateral efforts to
defeat dangerous criminal
organizations and serve as a
model for international
partnership throughout the
Western Hemisphere. Through
continued robust partnership and
collaboration, we are stronger
together!,” said Admiral
Schultz.
Another donation by U. S.
Government but in this case to
the Air Surveillance Service,
were four UH-1rst (or UH-ONE)
helicopters.
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.
In 2021 the helicopters will
become the property of the
government of Costa Rica.
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.
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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
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