GRAND TURK, Turks & Caicos Islands: The Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands recently acquired a fleet of helicopters aimed at assisting in the fight against crime, illegal immigration and mosquito abatement.
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| Turks & Caicos Premier Dr Michael Misick, Jerry Airola and Deputy Premier Floyd Hall |
The fleet will be operated by Silver State Helicopters (www.silverstatehelicopters.com), the largest helicopter company in the United States.
“This is our first overseas location and I’m very excited about this” stated Jerry Airola, President of Silver State Helicopters.
He noted that his company was started back in 2001 and to date has more than 230 helicopters and is the largest flight training academy with over 2500 students.
As for the role his company intends to play here in the Turks & Caicos Islands he stated that the helicopters will be used for search and rescue, air and sea patrol, law enforcement, medical air services, mosquito abatement, law enforcement and as transportation for Government Ministers.
Airola added that his company will also train local persons to become helicopter pilots.
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Police helicopter
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Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands Dr Michael Misick, described the introduction of the helicopter fleet as timely since his government has plans to establish a Defence Force mainly to protect the country’s borders.
“With all the progress taking place in this country, security is the most important element to my government. It is the one element that can spoil it all for us” said Misick. “Having a helicopter service available to the police to not only patrol the waters but has the type of equipment that can help to find criminals, is a tremendous plus for our country”.
The Premier added that should the need arise more helicopters will be added to the present fleet of five.
Deputy Premier Floyd Hall noted that the mosquito abatement programme is a very important one. He further stated that Silver State will use a vegetable based pesticide to kill mosquitoes.
As for the cost of the helicopters, Deputy Premier Hall noted that the programme is a collaborative effort between Silver State and the Turks & Caicos Islands Government whereby Silver State is looking to subsidize part of the programme through its commercial activities here in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Four of the helicopters will be stationed in Grand Turk, whilst the police chopper which is fully equipped with FLIR (Forward looking InfraRed), 15 million candlepower search light, siren and police radios will be based in Providenciales. |
