Delaware National Army Guard task force aviation commander, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Emerson, says he is impressed with the professionalism of the T&T Defence Force.
“I can’t speak highly enough of them,” Emerson said yesterday, as a two-week training programme being conducted by his unit here in Trinidad nears end.
The Delaware Army National Guard brought approximately 40 members for joint aviation training with the TTDF, which involved three UH 60 Blackhawk helicopters.
According to Emerson, they have been able to engage in several activities that featured their flight paramedics.
“I just had a meeting this morning with some medical folks from the TTDF, it was a great discussion ... to include aviation. We have also had an opportunity for our mechanics as well as mechanics from the T&T Air Guard,” he said.
Emerson said the mechanics from the Air Guard were able to observe them unfold their aircraft and would get to see how they refold them when the National Army Guard is about to leave in mid-May.
“It’s a great opportunity to share best practices with maintenance,” Emerson said.
He said they were able to share all the aviation knowledge they have with local pilots as well.
Public Affairs Officer of the TTDF, Lieutenant Sheron Manswell, said the aviation training the Air Guard received with the Blackhawk helicopters will help prepare them for aerial operations that will take place in the coming months.
“The Defence Force has benefited by the training,” Manswell said.
But Emerson made it clear his team also learnt a lot from the TTDF as well, not only during this visit but the 20-year relationship both parties share.
“They are sharing their best practices with us and making us a better force because of that,” he said.
He recalled their visit to Cedros on Tuesday, where they met members of the community and students from schools, and how it impacted them.
“How caring the folks from Trinidad and Tobago are and how our partnership has grown into something much larger and I am very proud of that,” he said.
“We’ve had such a great time some of our folks don’t want to leave,” he joked.
And because the relationship stems 20 years, the Delaware National Army Guard will be back, he promised.