Coast Guard Father’s Day Luncheon Leads to Supply Chain Queries
A Father’s Day tribute took on a distinct flavor on Thursday, as the Belize Coast Guard hosted a special luncheon for more than one hundred and fifty fathers in uniform. But beyond the celebration, the menu caught our attention. As plates of rice, beans, and fresh vegetables were served, questions surfaced about where those supplies came from, prompting us to ask Rear Admiral Greg Soberanis whether the Coast Guard is sourcing produce from the Mira family.
Gregory Soberanis
Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
“Anything outside of that is beyond my purview. my focus is to ensure that the men and women here are trained, ready, and equipped to execute our mission and our mandate. When it comes to how we are serviced as it relates to goods and equipment, that is beyond my purview. However, I can tell you that we are thankful and grateful in the Belize Coast Guard that as best as possible our ministry provides for the welfare and well-being of our sailors.”
Shane Williams
“Are you aware how the supplies are provided to the Coast Guard? Where does it come from?”
Gregory Soberanis
“Like I said, as the Commandant, my focus and my mandate is to ensure that our training program, to ensure that our operational effectiveness is to standard. Anything outside that is beyond my purview. And so for me I maintain discipline in ensuring that the Coast Guard remains utrinque paratus in ensuring the naval defense, maritime safety and security of the maritime domain for the country of Belize.”
Soberanis Sidesteps Procurement, Delivers Operational Success
And while Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis chooses to avoid being involved in the tendering processes that allocate millions of dollars in supply contracts annually for the Ministry of Defense, he is fully engaged in the continued professional and technological development of the force. At the end of May, the Coast Guard executed a successful operation with the Southern Environmental Association and other conservation units to intercept three foreign nationals engaged in illegal fishing activities near Gladden Spit.
Gregory Soberanis
Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
“As the Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, my purview is to lead and administer this organization. I was just highlighting the fact that we’ve – the Coast Guard has incorporated drone technology into our operations. This is a key component for us, and it is a force multiplier to how we execute operations. So we continue to develop and build our capacity in that area.”
The Belize Coast Guard Drone Squadron have received high level training in the use of drone technology in Silicon Valley.
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