On September 21, 2026, Belize capped off a weekend of nationwide 45th Independence anniversary celebrations with a breathtaking aerial display that highlighted the close ties between the Central American nation and its Caribbean partner Guyana. Four experienced paratroopers from the Belize Defence Force launched themselves from a BDF-owned Cessna 208B Grand Caravan at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet above the capital city of Belmopan, kicking off the day’s centerpiece military spectacle.
The aircraft was operated by a skilled two-person crew, led by command pilot Major Elder Correa, with Major Pierce Colemane supporting him in the copilot seat. After exiting the plane, the four paratroopers held a controlled freefall for nearly 2,000 feet before expertly deploying their parachutes, then glided steadily toward the pre-marked landing zone to complete the jump.
This joint commemorative initiative actually began two days prior, on Sunday, when a team of paratroopers from the Guyana Defence Force carried out an identical demonstration, touching down in the open field directly in front of Belmopan’s Curl Thompson Building. Both jumps were carefully integrated into the official calendar of anniversary events, designed to add a layer of military precision, thrilling spectacle, and diplomatic symbolism to a weekend already brimming with community and national celebrations across every district of Belize.
When the Belizean paratroopers reached the landing zone on Saturday, both the national flag of Belize and the flag of Guyana were prominently displayed. This intentional gesture was far more than ceremonial: it served as a public testament to the longstanding collaborative partnership and shared regional ties between the two sovereign nations, all while honoring the milestone of four decades of Belizean independence.