One year later, five soldiers who died in helicopter crash remembered

A memorial service was held on Sunday at the Umana Yana, in Kingston, Georgetown for the five soldiers who died one year ago in the fatal Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter crash.

The crash, which occurred on December 6, 2023, claimed the lives of five servicemen namely: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Warrant Officer Class 2, Jason Khan.

They were part of a seven-member crew on board the army’s Bell 412 helicopter. The other two men on the aircraft survived the crash.

Sunday’s event was a solemn one, with relatives sharing tributes and prayers aplenty. There was a unanimous acceptance that the men died serving their country, Guyana.

For Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, the five men stepped up when the country faced its greatest security threat.

“They were on a mission to support an integral part of our operational readiness… they were on a mission to exercise their oath of office in protecting every square inch of Guyana and protecting every Guyanese.

“We must not for one moment forget the period that this accident took place and the circumstances surrounding that period.

“Their loss is deep and connected to our national sovereignty and defence,” President Ali said.

Guyana surmounted the threat that faced it then; its western neighbour, Venezuela intensified a claim to the entire Essequibo region. The leaders of both countries met subsequently and agreed, inter alia, that there would be no escalation of tensions.

The border controversy is also squarely before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Guyana hopes it will get a full, final and binding ruling that the Essequibo is its own.

For now, President Ali urged citizens to honour the lives of the men by embracing their values. Unity and a shared purpose were among the values he said more people should embrace. And he noted that all persons, not just soldiers, must work to keep Guyana safe from external and internal threats.

Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan echoes similar sentiments. For him, it was important for all soldiers to continue supporting each other and honour the lives of their fallen colleagues.

Speaking directly to the grieving families, the Army Chief said, “You can count on the continued support of the force.”