Preliminary B.D.F. Crashed Chopper Report; Major Ramirez Signed Off on Mission
A preliminary report of the investigation into the helicopter crash that killed four soldiers, Majors Adran Ramirez and Radford Baizer, along with crew members, Corporals Reynaldo Choco and Yassir Mendez, was released this afternoon. It is a first report, so there are still many questions as the investigation moves forward. The report was presented by National Security Minister Michael Peyrefitte, flanked by Commander of the Belize Defence Force Steven Ortega; Chief of Defence Staff John Borland, as well as lead investigator into the incident, Captain Elton Bennett. The report first delves into the timeline of the operation as led by the Joint Intelligence Operation Centre involving the B.D.F. and Police. Minister Peyrefitte presented the seven minute report outlining the steps taken to commission the men that morning.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of National Security
“On February 27th, 2020 at around 1:38 a.m., the Joint Intelligence and Operations Center (JIOC) which is a combination of B.D.F, Coast Guard and Police, made a request of General Ortega which General Ortega conditionally approved for a helicopter to assist in the operation which led to the seizure of a drug plane a few hours later. At around 1:45, seven minutes after that, JIOC calls Major Ramirez and tells him to get prepared for a mission as General Ortega had conditionally approved a mission for him to deploy a helicopter to assist the JIOC with an operation. At around 2:12 a.m., Major General Ortega and asked him if the mission is a go. At 2:18 a.m., General Ortega calls JIOC to get a briefing on the mission and repeats his conditional approval as he explains to JIOC that it would be up to Major Ramirez to finally determine if they can fly the helicopter based on the weather and other factors. At 2:22 a.m., General Ortega calls Major Ramirez and tells him that the mission is a go, provided that he Major Ramirez is satisfied that the proper conditions exist in order to safely fly and that in his, General Ortega’s view; the weather will not clear up until about five a.m. At around 3:17 a.m., Major Ramirez texted General Ortega and said, ‘Sir, wedda hold up. We’ll depart.’ It is important to note at this point, that at various times before February 27th, 2020 JIOC and General Ortega had requested air assistance from Major Ramirez and he refused to command a mission because of unfavorable conditions. This was never treated as insubordination as it is accepted when it comes to flights that the air wing has the final say. It is also important to note at this point that once Major Ramirez, as commander of the air wing had decided to accept a mission, then he is the one with the total discretion to pick the pilots and crew, as was the case here. At around 3:54 a.m., Major Ramirez signs out on the helicopter and crew and by around 4:07 a.m., the helicopter lifted off from the Williamson Base at Philip Goldson International Airport area.”
