Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Expresso das Ilhas
Published on 2024-03-28 15:30:14
The Minister of National Defense considered today, in São Vicente, that the Granite Falco exercise, currently taking place on the island, inaugurates a “new stage” in the “relevant and historical” defense cooperation between the country and the US.
Janine Lélis spoke at the Morro Branco Military Instruction Center during the official ceremony that marks the culmination of the Granite Falco exercise, within the framework of the agreement and partnership between Cape Verde and the New Hampshire National Guard. The joint exercise started on the 18th in São Vicente, aiming to promote moments of exchange and knowledge sharing through simulated drills in real search and rescue scenarios, as well as aeromedical transfers.
According to the minister, this training is of “extreme importance” as it will allow the Armed Forces to “develop and solidify” their skills for the missions assigned to them, especially in supporting the National Civil Protection Service and Firefighters and Health Authorities in medical patient transfers.
“This is a milestone that is recorded in a very relevant and turning point for Cape Verde, especially for the National Defense sector,” congratulated Janine Lélis, stating that the United States has been “one of the country’s strategic partners” in “various” domains, particularly in the Defense and Security domain, which is one of the most visible aspects of the long friendship between the two countries.
On the same occasion, the US Ambassador, Jeff Daigle, referred to the “long history” of working together over generations between the two States, based on shared values and understandings.
“It is an honor to be here to share and collaborate with your Armed Forces, and, most importantly, in a partnership based on friendship,” said the American diplomat.
On his part, the Chief of the Armed Forces Staff, Rear Admiral António Duarte Monteiro, recalled that in these two years of partnership with the New Hampshire National Guard, 32 exchange actions have already been carried out between Cape Verdean and American military personnel in both countries.
Regarding the exercise, which runs until April 9th, the same source indicated that besides military personnel, observers from various partner institutions such as hospitals, health departments, firefighters, and the Red Cross are also participating.
Therefore, he highlighted the “great importance” of the exercise, which is progressing “at a good pace”, as it serves to showcase what is established in the State of New Hampshire in terms of search and rescue, medical transfers, and to apply in the country “whatever is applicable.”
Furthermore, Rear Admiral Duarte Monteiro emphasized the relevance of the exercise, especially at a time when the Aerial Squadron of the Coast Guard will soon be assigned an aircraft that, among other missions, will carry out search and rescue and medical transfer operations.
The Granite Falco exercise, centered on the island of São Vicente, involves Cape Verdean military personnel and the New Hampshire National Guard and runs until April 9th, as part of the partnership agreement signed on February 4, 2022.
Read the original article(Portuguese) on Expresso das Ilhas
