| PARAMARIBO, Suriname: The US Army’s Yuma Proving Ground, one of the largest military installations in the world, on Friday launched its test mission for the Stryker armoured vehicle in Suriname.Engineers and other specialists will conduct several tests to determine the vehicle’s performance, reliability and serviceability in a tropical jungle environment.According to Richard Reiser, a Yuma vehicle tester, Suriname is the first country with a tropical climate to host a test mission for the Stryker. The mission is being executed in an abandoned bauxite mining area near Moengo in east Suriname. “This unique climate gives us the opportunity to present you with a win-win situation: we carry out the necessary testing, you gain a new customer for part of the old bauxite mining area,” said Thomas Genton, US Deputy Chief of Mission in Suriname, at the launching ceremony.He further disclosed that the presence of the Stryker will also bring in sixty full or part-time jobs during the three-month testing period.“In fact, the Yuma Proving Grounds is contributing to the local economy with the local purchase of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of food, materials, services and other support for the testing,” the diplomat stated.Yuma engineers disclosed that a range of tests will be carried out.“We will conduct tests on how the tires respond in the mud, while we will also examine the performance of the air-conditioning system, rubber seals, gaskets and suspension,” said Reiser in an invited comment.“I have tested this vehicle in Antarctica and in the desert and this is the first time I do it in a tropical environment, and so far I have discovered several new things,” he added.The Anton de Kom University of Suriname is also collaborating in the project. Hans Martinus, Dean of the Faculty for Technology, said that the university will conduct environmental studies, including soil sampling and test on the humidity in the area. To implement these tasks, Yuma Proving Ground will furnish the university with state of the art lab equipment.“Our main objective is to expand our knowledge, but it will be very nice if we could do so with modern equipment,” said Martinus.Furthermore, the US has agreed to build a new military barracks, as was requested by the Suriname Government during the negotiations.Both Marowijne District Commissioner Theo Sondrejoe and Rudi Spa, acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence,Brett Hull Red Wings Jersey, welcomed the US Army’s mission. The officials noted that the event is yet another example of the excellent bilateral relations between Suriname and the US, which also contributes to strengthening of mutual civil-military relations.Paramaribo and Washington, in recent months, have stepped up military cooperation, especially in the humanitarian field. In October 2007, the US brought the US Naval Ship Comfort to Suriname and provided medical care for thousands of Surinamese.Currently, the Beyond the Horizon humanitarian project from the US Southern Command is being implemented, in which medical staff of the US Army are providing dental care to people in rural communities, while engineers will renovate several schools and medical centers in rural areas. |
