New Air Wing on the cards

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning’s announcement of a new helicopter unit to boost Trinidad and Tobago’s border security against international drug traffickers and other criminal elements, is part of a Government initiative that has been underway since 2003. On Wednesday, Manning said helicopters with an attack capability will do most of the patrolling of TT’s maritime areas and the military already has aircraft with infrared and other cutting-edge, technological capabilities.

Speaking in the House of Representatives on October 10, 2003, then National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee unveiled Government’s plans to strengthen the Defence Force’s Air Wing and enhance its capabilities to patrol TT’s maritime areas, protect offshore oil facilities and assist in search/rescue operations. Chin Lee said when the PNM assumed office in December 2001, the Air Wing had only “one serviceable aircraft.” He said Government took “immediate steps” to repair and refurbish the unit’s other aircraft. When Chin Lee was replaced by Martin Joseph in a November 7, 2003 Cabinet reshuffle, the Defence Force’s Air Wing had five operational aircraft. In July 2003, Chin Lee said funds from a US$945,000 agreement between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States would be used to purchase a high-tech radar system from Israel. 

He also revealed that prior to this acquisition, “surveillance of our territorial coastlines was minimal” with radar coverage of the coastlines being less than three percent. The Prime Minister said the new system would give 360 degree coverage of TT’s coastlines. Government sources said no arrangement was ever made by the former UNC regime to buy such a radar system from the Israelis. Under Chin Lee, Cabinet took a decision to purchase two offshore patrol vessels to enhance the strength of the existing Coast Guard fleet. Two weeks ago, Manning said Government had the option to lease vessels for the Coast Guard and a check by Newsday revealed that the US has such arrangements in place. The Prime Minister said there was no shortage of Coast Guard vessels to patrol local waters and efforts were proceeding apace to return the CG Six and the TTS Nelson to active duty.