New aircraft for the Guyana Defence Force

In a ceremony on 8 July 2023, two aircraft were handed over to the Air Corps of the Guyana Defence Force at its main air base at Cheddi Jagan international airport in Temehri. Both aircraft were inaugurated by the President of Guyana, Mohammed Irfaan Ali and were blessed as part of the ceremony.

The first aircraft, a Beechcraft 350 King Air, was already seized in August 2017. After a lengthy judicial process, it was donated to the GDF. This aircraft will be used by the President and other government officials to fly directly to overseas destinations on official business trips.

The aircraft was seen as 8R-GPW in April 2023 at Miami Executive Airport (FL) for delivery after it received some upgrades. It has now been handed over with its new registration 8R-1GY, underlining its new role, and with a new colourscheme. The aircraft is the former PR-IMG, c/n FL-14 and could be seen on radar in the last week or so with its new registration.

Following the delivery of its sistership 8R-MIA in March 2021, the second Bell 412EPI which has already been ordered in November 2020, has now been handed over as well. As part of the same ceremony, Bell 412EPI c/n 37002 arrived as N533BB under a water salute. It will soon receive its new Guyanese registration 8R-AYA.

The GDF has the good habit of deriving some of its registrations from initials of important Guyanese persons, 8R-MIA being named after current President Mohammed Irfaan Ali. 8R-AYA may however refer to Camp Ayanganna, the GDF’s land forces main base in Georgetown.

Photos by GDF