BDF’s Disaster Relief Readiness Strengthened Through Costa Rica Training

Seven personnel from the Belize Defence Force (BDF) Air Wing have completed a Train the Trainer Course in Humanitarian Airdrop Operations in Costa Rica. Held earlier this month, the joint training aimed to strengthen Belize’s ability to deliver emergency disaster relief.

BDF personnel joined the United States Air Force 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron (MSAS) and Costa Rica’s Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea for the joint training.

The sessions involved pilots, parachute riggers, ground controllers, maintenance staff, and cargo loadmasters working through operational tasks. This included parachute preparation, aircraft configuration, cargo loading, airdrop planning, and drop zone operations.

During the sessions, the newly trained BDF personnel transitioned from students into instructors, helping deliver airdrop instruction to Costa Rican personnel. This milestone established a newly trained team of BDF instructors to lead future training and expand the Air Wing’s skills.

The training ensures the BDF can deliver food, medical supplies, and emergency resources to communities that become cut off during natural disasters. The BDF expressed its appreciation to the US Air Force 571st MSAS, the US Embassy in Belize, and Costa Rica’s Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea for their ongoing support throughout the engagement.