Helicopters Were Just Passing Through; No Need for Alarm

David Jones

Just after twelve noon today, four helicopters heard and seen flying relatively low in Belizean airspace. We have since learnt that the aircrafts are from North Carolina, U.S.A. and had stopped in Belize to refuel before continuing on its journey to Honduras. Commandant of the B.D.F., Brigadier General David Jones, told News Five that they were informed of the flights.

Brig. General David Jones, Commandant, B.D.F.

“There were marine helicopters, they came in from the U.S.; they stopped in at Phillip Goldson yesterday. The idea was just to refuel and they were on their way to Honduras. They left Honduras, sometime around lunch time today and that’s the reason why you probably would have seen them flying over the Belize airspace.”

Andrea Polanco

“Okay, so they had permission to pass through Belize airspace?”

Brig. General David Jones

“Yes, they got permission to come into Belize. They were actually supposed to leave yesterday but because of terrible condition, they had to spend the night. They would have just refueled and then headed to Honduras. But they left when weather conditions were better today for the helicopters to fly. So they left around lunch time today and they headed to Honduras.”

Andrea Polanco

“Okay so people have no reasons to be concerned because I believe when they saw the helicopters, they were questioning what’s going on. There is no reason at all for any alarm.”

Brig. General David Jones

“No need for alarm…probably within two weeks or so, those helicopters will be back for training purposes with B.D.F. and for the exercise that should come in on the fifteenth of this month. So Belizeans will see more helicopters back in the country again but it is for training purposes with the B.D.F.”