Volume 12, Issue 26 Thursday, June 16, 2011

Training of the Guard

JTF welcomes new

command chaplain

Army celebrates

 236th birthday

Wire travels to New Mexico – hangs with the new NEGB
The Wire | Page 2

Trooper to Trooper

featuring

The WIRE is the official news magazine of Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo. It is produced by the JTF Public Affairs Office to 

inform and educate the Troopers of JTF Guantanamo through 

news, features, command guidance, sports and entertainment. 

The WIRE seeks to provide maximum disclosure with minimum 

delay with regard to security, accuracy, propriety and policy. 

This DoD news magazine is an authorized publication for the 

members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The WIRE 

are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. 

Government, the Department of Defense, or Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo. It is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency 

Document Services with a circulation of 1,200.

Trooper to Trooper |

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson

Command Master Chief

Command Sgt. Maj.

Mark Porrett

Office of Public Affairs Director

Navy Cmdr. Tamsen Reese: 9928

Deputy Director

Air Force Maj. Amy A. Oliver: 9927

Operations Officer

CW2 Raymond Chapman: 3649

Senior Enlisted Leader

Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Cossel: 3499

 

The Wire

Executive Editor

Spc. Meredith Vincent: 3651

Photojournalists:

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class 

Maddelin Angebrand

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

Contact us

Editor’s Desk: 3499

From the continental United States

Commercial: 011-53-99-3499

DSN: 660-3499

E-mail: thewire@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Online: www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Command Sgt. Maj., 525th Military Police Battalion 

Command Sgt. Maj. 

Daniel Borrero

By definition, a joint task force is a large, combined arms

grouping involving different branches of the military 

formed for a specific operation or campaign. Joint Task 

Force Guantanamo has been working the detention mission for 

an extended period of time, making this joint team even more 

unique and special. 

For GTMO Troopers, the team-building process begins when 

they receive orders. Whether as an individual augmentee Sailor 

processing through Gulfport, Miss. or a Soldier PCS-ing from 

home station or mobilizing through Fort Bliss, I would wager 

each Trooper can recall the day he or she landed on Guantanamo 

Bay. On that day you became a member of the JTF-GTMO team. 

Regardless of job description or title, we each have a function that 

supports and develops the JTF, making it a team. 

Working together helps us meet the JTF mission and accomplish 

tasks we could not complete as individual units or commands. So 

why talk about team building? Recently, the JTF as a whole has 

suffered alcohol-related incidents; these incidents hurt and weaken 

our team. From the junior Trooper to the senior leader, we must 

all work together to ensure each member of the team is doing 

their part to strengthen the JTF. Like the battalion commander 

says during our battalion in-briefs, “None of us are as good as all 

of us together.” So as we enjoy summer activities, let’s keep in 

mind we all work well together on-duty and we should continue 

to support each other in our off-duty activities. This may mean 

acting as a designated driver for a night or making sure the dive 

plans are closed out properly. Simply stated, let us each do our 

part to take care of the JTF-GTMO team, as positive role models 

and mentors. 

As roles change and units come and go, the importance of 

sharing concepts and ideas and learning the various service 

cultures will continue to make this JTF team stronger and more 

effective. So I ask for each Trooper to take time to learn from 

one another and continue to build the team. The mission here 

is challenging and the duty days can be long and arduous, but 

by pulling together and focusing on mission accomplishment, 

every Trooper on this team will reach mission success. Again, in 

keeping with the “Concept of Us” let us continue to share ideas, 

build this team and take care of one another.

Vigilant Seven out. 

COVER: A member of the Naval Expeditionary Guard Battalion is shaded from the 

heat as he recovers from some particularly grueling training, May 23, at Camp 

McGregor, N.M. - photo by Spc. Meredith Vincent

Voice of America News

President Barack Obama visited the U.S. 

commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Tuesday. 

“Buenas tardes!” 

With a greeting of “Good afternoon” in 

Spanish, Obama began his five-hour visit to 

Puerto Rico and offered support for next year’s 

vote on the island’s future.

Puerto Ricans will have the choice of 

becoming an independent nation, becoming 

America’s 51st state or remaining a U.S. 

territory.

“And when the people of Puerto Rico make 

a clear decision, my administration will stand by 

you,” said the president.

The president’s visit to Puerto Rico fulfills a 

promise he made in his 2008 campaign.

| News you can Use The Wire | Page 3

Obama visits Puerto Rico, offers support on island’s future

President Barack Obama waves to a crowd gathered inside a hangar at the Muniz Air National 

Guard Base, shortly after his arrival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tuesday. - photo by AP

In Washington, the Obama 

administration is vowing to soon give 

a full explanation and justification for 

the continued U.S. military involvement 

in the Libyan conflict.

White House officials said late 

Tuesday they are preparing to “address 

a whole host of issues” about the U.S. 

role in NATO’s mission to support 

Libyan rebels as they attempt to oust 

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. The 

White House said its report would 

include a legal analysis showing it 

acted properly in complying with the 

country’s 1973 law designed to curb 

presidential war-making authority.

The leader of the U.S. House of 

Representatives, John Boehner, sent 

a letter to President Barack Obama 

earlier Tuesday sharply criticizing the 

chief executive’s actions in authorizing 

the U.S. role in Libya without seeking 

congressional authorization.

The 1973 War Powers Act calls for 

the president to notify congressional 

leaders within 48 hours of U.S. 

military actions. It also prohibits 

U.S. forces from being involved in 

military efforts for more than 60 days 

without congressional authorization, 

and includes an additional 30-day 

withdrawal period.

Boehner said that the 90 days 

expires on Sunday and that he wants 

an explanation by Friday.

Obama notified Congress in March 

of his decision to take military action 

in Libya, but did not seek congressional 

approval. The White House has regularly 

briefed congressional lawmakers about 

the U.S. role in Libya.

NATO is commanding the airstrikes 

against Gadhafi’s troops and military 

installations. But the U.S. has had a key 

support role, including aerial refueling 

of warplanes, as well as provision of 

intelligence and surveillance for the 

operation.

Also Tuesday, Democratic Senator 

Carl Levin of Michigan told reporters a 

proposed Senate resolution authorizing 

limited U.S. involvement in Libya could 

be considered by the Senate Foreign 

Relations Committee later this week.

Republican Senator John McCain of 

Arizona said such a resolution should 

require the Obama administration to 

report to Congress on all aspects of 

the Libya mission.

White House vows full explanation for 

U.S. involvement in Libya 

Voice of America News Puerto Ricans cannot vote in U.S. general 

elections, but more Puerto Ricans live on the 

U.S. mainland than on the island. Many are in 

Florida and North Carolina, states the president 

will need to win in next year’s election.

Obama is the first president to make an 

official visit to Puerto Rico since John F. 

Kennedy in 1961.

And he echoed some of the same concerns.

“In that same spirit, we have been trying 

to make sure that every family on the island 

can find work and make a living and provide 

for their children,” said Obama. “That is why 

our economic plan and our health care reform 

included help for Puerto Rico.”

The president’s brief visit to the island 

included a meeting with the territory’s governor 

and other political officials.

U.S. officials continue talks on deficit 

Voice of America News

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is holding his eighth session Wednesday with a bipartisan committee 

of lawmakers to work on a plan for reducing the nation’s budget deficit.

Biden and the members of Congress are trying to negotiate how much and what spending could 

be cut to accompany a needed increase to the country’s debt limit. Wednesday’s meeting is their 

second this week, and they will hold another today.

Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, have said they will not approve an 

increase to the debt limit unless the president makes sharp budget cuts.

The current legal borrowing limit of $14.3 trillion was reached last month. U.S. officials say 

emergency measures will allow them to continue making payments on the entire current debt only 

until August 2.

On Tuesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Benjamin Bernanke said politicians must not allow the 

government to default on its loans, saying even a short-term break in payments could cause “severe 

disruptions” in financial markets.

The head of the U.S. central bank said the “debt ceiling” should not be used as a bargaining chip 

to force the government to reduce its spending deficit.

In his speech Tuesday, Bernanke said reducing the deficit is an important long-term goal. But 

he said in the meantime, Congress must allow the government to continue borrowing to meet its 

obligations or risk damaging the country’s credit rating, damaging the special role of the dollar in 

global markets, and causing an increase in interest rates, which would make future debt payments 

even higher.
The News from the Bay | Wire | Page 4

Boots on the Ground

	 What have you learned from the father figure in your life?

News from the Bay Stories and reporting by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

113th Hospital Corpsman 

Ball at Windjammer

Enjoy a night out and attend the 113th 

Hospital Corpsman Ball at the Windjammer 

Ballroom, Friday starting at 6 p.m.

Command Master Chief Tammy Heap 

from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, 

Camp Lejeune, N.C. will be the guest speaker 

and social hour begins at 6 p.m.

Service dress uniform or better is required 

for active duty members except Joint Task 

Force members who can wear desert BCU’s 

and change into formal attire after the 

ceremony. Ticket prices are $5 for E3 and 

below, $15 for E4, $20 for E5, $25 for E6 

and $30 for E7 and above.

Contact Stephen Kovacs at x72298 to 

purchase tickets at the Naval Hospital. 

Performances of 

‘Prometheus in Prison’

The Joint Task Force Guantanamo Joint 

Stress Mitigation and Restoration Team 

present performances of “Prometheus in 

Prison” June 22 starting at 7:30 a.m. at the 

Camp Buckely Lyceum and a second show 

June 24 at 3:00 p, at the NAVSTA Buckeley 

Hall. A third performance titled “Theater 

of War” is scheduled for June 23 at 7:30 

p.m. at the Camp Buckley Lyceum.

Attendees will witness scenes from 

“Prometheus Bound” – an ancient play 

about an angry and rebellious prisoner 

in solitary confinement – as a catalyst for 

town hall discussions about the challenges 

of supervising detainees and maintaining 

order within the camps.

The “Theater of War” performance 

will depict scenes from “Ajax” and 

“Philoctetes,” two historic plays displaying 

wounds of war and introducing a discussion 

about challenges faced by servicemembers, 

veterans and their family members.

United Through Reading

Bridges a Family Gap

Record yourself reading a book and send 

it home to your children by way of the United 

Through Reading Program hosted by the JTF 

chaplain’s office.

The program is available to all deployed 

military commands and is easy and inexpensive 

to implement. It allows the deployed parent, 

aunt, uncle or sibling to make powerful 

connections with the child.

It also reassures the child that mom or dad 

is safe and thinking of home.

Army Sgt. Nazario Castro, attached to 

the 124th Military Police Company, Puerto 

Rico National Guard, took advantage of 

the program and read a Peter Pan book to 

his children and said it was a good way to 

reach his family.

Following each performance, local 

community members will help facilitate the 

town hall style audience discussions.

For more information, contact JSMART 

at x3566.

“They know that no matter how far away 

I am that they are always in my heart,” said 

Castro. “This program helps with that.”

To read a book to your children make an 

appointment by calling x3202 or x2305.

“Not to worry for at least five 

minutes when you’re having 

a screwed up day.”

Army Staff Sgt. 

Gilbert Rubio

“Always smile!”

Spc.

Herman Sosa

Hull Maintenance 

Technician 1st Class 

Angelica Fitzgerald

“Finish my studies before I 

get married. He wanted me 

to be a professional first.”

“Let people learn from their 

mistakes – let them do it 

right.”

Equipment Operator 

1st Class Jimmy Peterson

JTF post office offers mailing tips

Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd 

Class Maddelin Angebrand

It is just past 8 a.m. Friday when the truck 

arrives. The two Troopers working in the 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Post Office 

begin lifting, sorting and scanning 1,000 

pounds of mail. Sweat begins to form in 

small droplets on each of their faces. 

The mail truck delivers bags full of boxes 

three times a week. Each box awaits an eager 

Trooper or an office as its final destination. 

When delivered, most boxes will likely 

brighten the day of a Trooper. This is why 

Logistics Specialist 1st Class Jerome Breaux 

enjoys working at the JTF post office.

“Our job is to support morale for the 

Troopers by receiving incoming mail, 

passing it out to the units and having the 

mail orderlies come by and pick it up,” said 

Breaux.

Anticipation driven by a yearning to 

be home again is what makes every care 

package worth waiting for, and many come 

unexpected. To some, it is not about what 

the box contains, but the thought behind the 

gesture that means the most. 

One box came in roaring with the sound 

of a miniature Tonka truck, while another 

looked like a stew pot someone may have 

ordered for a cooking adventure, said 

Breaux.

“We get all sorts of interesting things 

that come through here,” he explained. “We 

see a lot of Amazon boxes – people love to 

shop.”

The JTF post office offers the same 

services as a regular post office in the United 

States and also sells money orders. Breaux 

said, unfortunately, some Troopers come in 

to check out and say they never knew JTF 

had a post office.

“I want Troopers to know we are here 

for them,” he said. “They can come by, send 

stuff home and don’t have to drive all the 

way across base.”

Another perk to having the JTF post 

office is their hours of operation – the office 

is open from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturdays, 

an added benefit to JTF members.

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Marco Griffin 

enjoys helping Troopers as a post office clerk 

so much he said he would like to continue 

working for the post office when he returns 

to his ship. 

Griffin added he enjoys meeting different 

people each day and has gained a new 

appreciation of the mail system as he works 

behind the scenes.

“When I was on deployment last year, 

I never received four packages and now I 

know why!” he laughed.

Logistics Specialist 1st Class Jerome Breaux (left), 

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Marco Griffin (center) and 

postal clerk Danelle Lewis sort and scan Joint Task Force 

mail, Friday at the JTF post office. 

There are many reasons why Troopers 

may not receive expected items, so be careful 

with zip codes, shipping constrictions and 

double check mailing labels before sealing 

the deal, Griffin advised.

Griffin offered more tips to Troopers 

who are unsure of how to mail certain items, 

and noted any box with “priority” tape on it 

must be sent priority mail.

“A lot of people come in and their box 

is too heavy,” said Griffin. “The weight limit 

is 70 pounds, and they can’t mail a television 

larger than 130 inches with the length and 

width combined.”

“It’s all part of customer service and 

maintaining the mission,” Breaux added. 

“Helping Trooper morale gets the mission 

completed!”

The JTF post office is open Monday 

through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is closed on Sunday. 

For more information on post office services 

or mailing restrictions, visit usps.gov or call 

Breaux at x2331.

| Trooper Focus The Wire | Page 5
PSEC ALERT

COUNTERMEASURES HELP PROTECT US!

What is a countermeasure?

Would you post your social security number online? How about your driver’s license number or your passport? 

These things are unique to you and can be used to steal your identity, so we protect them by using countermeasures. 

A countermeasure could be to keep them in a lock box or safe. Another countermeasure could be to shred copies 

of the numbers when they are no longer needed. A countermeasure is anything you can do to protect your 

information. Countermeasures help protect you and your family. Use countermeasures everyday. Remember to 

use them online and tell your family to use them. Keep your information safe at home and at work. 

New JTF command chaplain arrives on Guantanamo Bay

Story and photo by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

“If anyone sees me wandering around 

just point me to the nearest cup of coffee,” 

joked Air Force Lt. Col. Gary Bertsch.

The tall, soft-spoken Lutheran pastor, 

took over as Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

command chaplain last week – and he 

couldn’t be more pleased to dive into this 

latest assignment of a military career that 

spans nearly four decades. 

“Wow, what a mission,” said Bertsch. “This 

is definitely not your typical deployment – at 

least for us. Here we have permanent party, 

people like me who are deployed for six 

months and Army and Navy people who are 

here for a year or more. It’s quite an eclectic 

mix.”

Aside from being command chaplain, 

Bertsch will head up his own joint-service 

team of chaplains and chaplains assistants. 

Noncommissioned officer in charge J.T. 

Peacock is excited for a new direction in the 

chaplains’ services office.

“So far, I’ve had a great first impression 

with Chaplain bertsch,” said Peacock. 

“He has a calm demeanor and assesses all 

situations ahead of time before he plans 

his approach. You can tell already he is very 

passionate about what he does.”

While Bertsch is new to the JTF, the joint 

environment is anything but new to him. His 

first chaplain assignment was as a battalion 

chaplain at an intelligence training command 

for both Army and Marine Corps. He also 

deployed for 18 months with the Army and 

currently works as wing chaplain at Joint 

Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington 

in Washington, D.C. 

“Already understanding a bit of the 

cultures of each service is very important in a 

joint environment,” said Bertsch. “Whether 

Air Force Lt. Col. Gary Bertsch is settling into his new position as Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s 

command chaplain. He will be out and about this week touring work centers, where he hopes to 

meet and learn about Troopers and what they do for the JTF.

The Wire | Page 6 Mission |

 see CHAPLAIN, page 19

MEU exercise brings SoCal forces together

| Feature The Wire | Page 7

emembering the fallen

On June 11, 

1898, two 

Marines 

were killed in battle. 

It was the SpanishAmerican War and 

they were the first 

Marines to die on 

Guantanamo Bay. 

That was 113 years ago. This weekend 

marked the anniversary of Privates James 

McColgan and William Dumphy’s ultimate 

sacrifice. To this day, they are still remembered 

and honored by their fellow Marines attached 

to the Joint Task Force Guantanamo.

McColgan and Dumphy, both attached to 

Company D, 1st Marine Battalion, died during 

the Battle of McCalla Hill, a significant fire 

fight contributing to the success of seizing 

Guantanamo Bay as a United States advance 

naval base. 

Standing roughly two feet tall, a white stone 

memorial lined with white rocks and small, red 

brick pieces can be found at the site where the 

two Marines fell. It displays their names and the 

date they died.

A few months ago, Marine Lt. Col. James 

Frampton, formerly stationed with the JTF, 

started an ongoing tradition. He wanted 

Marines to leave their rank insignia at the 

memorial in honor of McColgan and Dumphy. 

Since leaving his own rank behind, three other 

Marines have also carried out the tradition, 

resting their ranks in a small indentation atop 

the stone.

Maj. Chuck Koch, one of the only four 

Marines currently attached to the Joint Task 

Force, said Frampton started the tradition 

in hopes that one day the monument will be 

overflowing with insignia. 

“It was an important part of our 235-year 

history,” Koch shared. “It is important for us 

to remember all those who have gone before 

us, especially those who made the ultimate 

sacrifice.” 

Koch said he, too, plans on leaving a set of 

his rank insignia on the memorial when he says 

goodbye to Guantanamo Bay.

“Understanding our Corps’ history and 

upholding our customs and traditions is a 

large part of who we are as Marines,” Koch 

explained.

Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Ortiz, who works 

for the J6 department, agrees and said he is 

honored to serve on Guantanamo Bay where 

history was made by his fellow Marines. 

“It’s good to always remember,” Ortiz 

encouraged. “We need to keep the memory alive 

even though a hundred years have passed.” 

The Battle of McCalla Hill was fought at 

Camp McCalla, where the two Marines bodies 

were buried. They were standing guard duty 

along the camp’s border when they were fired 

upon. The camp is said to be about 300 yards 

south of the memorial stone.

McColgan and Dumphy are not only 

remembered by the small yet significant stone, 

but also by their fellow Marines who are 

dedicated to carrying out a memorial tradition. 

 “It’s a way of giving something back to 

them,” said Ortiz. “They gave their lives and 

to honor that, we will continue to leave our 

insignia.”

For directions to the site, email The Wire at 

Jtfgtmo-pao-thewire@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 

R

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand
The Wire | Page 8 News |

Photo by Brian Margavich

Story and photos by

 Spc. Meredith Vincent

Standing in the middle of the New Mexico desert, the Sailors were 

remembering why they joined the United States Navy. As the wind 

whipped hot sand into their faces, mouths and any other crevices 

not protected, surely visions of oceans, vast and cool, popped into 

their heads. 

Within a few weeks, the Sailors would be beachside once again as 

they made their way on down to Guantanamo. Right now, however, 

the heat is cruel, the wind merciless. And the training has only 

begun. 

NEGB, Company 12.0D is headed to Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo, becoming the latest NEGB to set up post as the eyes 

and ears of JTF’s detention facilities. 

There are more than 100 Sailors in this group, said Senior Chief 

Master-at-Arms Paul Montayne, many of them coming from 

backgrounds far removed from that of a master-at-arms. 

“There’s a lot of different rates of Navy personnel here and I 

Under the

New Mexico

The incoming NEGB gives 

The Wire a glimpse of their 

pre-mobilization training 

think they are open to the training,” he said. “It’s a different job than 

what they are used to back at their parent command, so they’re openminded and... really motivated for it.”

Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashley Lipford was originally an Intelligence 

Communication Specialist, but said the opportunity to take on a 

different job appealed to her.

“Learning new things is pretty incredible,” Lipford said. “Getting 

to do new training, be in new places ... it’s a little bit more intense 

and a lot more hands-on than what I was doing back home – it’s 

different but a lot of fun.”

Fortunately for Sailors like Lipford who are eager to learn, but 

out of their element, there are subject matter experts like Master-atArms 1st Class Robert Curtain, leading petty officer for Co. 12.0D.

“Three-fourths of our Sailors here have never seen or done this,” 

Curtain explained. “This is not their normal, everyday job. It’s fun to

sun

| News The Wire | Page 9

watch them get up every morning so motivated. They’re really getting 

a good feel for what’s going on here.”

Detainee operation training is crucial for a group headed to 

Guantanamo Bay to work inside the detention facilities, so needless 

to say, the trainers providing those lessons need to be prepared and 

well-educated on the subject. 

Enter the Mobilization and Deployment Brigade, located alongside 

the Texas border at Camp McGregor, N.M. 

While each instructor at Camp McGregor is versed in his own 

detainee operation specialty, Spc. Ronald Agee, primary instructor 

for the restraints class, said it’s important they also stay up-to-date on 

every aspect of the different courses.

“We have about 20 instructors and we’re all combined together,” 

said Agee, who has been with the unit for two years. “So we assist 

each other in everything. We’re really well-rounded and know each 

other’s jobs very well.”

Instructors must go through each of the courses, added Agee, 

ensuring they experience everything they are teaching. 

Sending off each group of servicemembers to their individual 

missions after the usual two months of extensive training can be a 

rewarding experience.

“It feels really good, especially when they come back and give you 

really good feedback and tell you what you taught them was really 

helpful,” Agee said. “We honestly haven’t had any negative comments 

come back to us.”

Military branches sometimes operate different from each other, 

making joint training environments a uniquely challenging experience, 

but out on the dusty, wind-blown plains of New Mexico, Army and 

Navy communicated flawlessly.

“Our Army counterparts, they know the material and present it 

Two members of the Naval Expeditionary Guard Battalion Company 12.0D practice proper 

restraining techniques with an instructor from the Mobilization and Deployment Brigade, 

May 25. 

 see NEGB, page 19
The Wire | Page 10 Feature | | Feature The Wire | Page 11

Ball

Having a

Guantanamo Bay Troopers cleaned up nicely for the 2011 Army Birthday Ball, June 11, 

2011. This year commemorates the 236th birthday for the United States Army, honoring 

the Soldiers, families and civilians who dedicate themselves to the Army mission everyday. 

Those in attendance included Joint Task Force Guantanamo Commander Rear Adm. Jeffrey 

Harbeson, along with JTF Deputy Director Brig. Gen. Samuel Nichols. 

525th Military Police Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Christopher Wynder pours 

a glass of water for his wife, Maj. Rhonda Wynder. in preparation of a toast 

during a celebration of the Army’s 236th birthday at Naval Station Guantanamo’s 

Windjammer Ballroom, Saturday. - photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Cossel

Spc. Jeffery Porter with the 525th Military Police Battalion 

lights a candle of remembrance during the Army Birthday Ball 

commemorating 236 years of faithful service. 

- photo by Spc. Kelly Gary

From right, honored guest, Maj. Gen.

David E. Quantock, commanding general, 

Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Joint Task 

Force Guantanamo Command Sgt. Maj. 

Mark Porrett, JTF Guantanamo’s oldest 

Soldier Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jose 

Medinaramos and JTF Guantanamo’s 

youngest Soldier, Pfc. Kayln Leadbetter 

use a ceremonial saber to cut the cake, 

Saturday during the 236th Army Birthday 

Ball. - photo by Spc. Kelly Gary

Members of the 525th Military Police Battalion’s Color Guard post the United States Standard, 

Saturday, June 11, during a celebration of the Army’s 236th Birthday at Naval Station 

Guantanamo’s Windjammer Ballroom. - photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Cossel

Army Chaplain Capt. Daniel Price 

was one of more than 100 Troopers 

on hand Saturday at the Windjammer 

Ball room to help celebrate the 236th 

birthday of the U.S. Army. - photo by 

Spc. Kelly Gary 
The At Your Service | Wire | Page 12

In The Trenches

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Innovation, 

dynamism and flexibility must remain the 

hallmarks of the U.S. Army, Defense Secretary 

Robert M. Gates said at the Pentagon, June 14, 

2011.

Gates spoke during a Pentagon ceremony 

honoring Soldiers on the 236th birthday of the 

Army.

Gates, who recently returned from visiting 

servicemembers in Afghanistan, praised the 

spirit of innovation in the Army. The lesson 

of history is that leaders must encourage such 

thinking.

As an example, the secretary cited the 

experiences of D-Day in 1944.

“One of the most deadly obstacles U.S. 

Soldiers faced as they pressed inland from the 

beaches of France were hedgerows so thick and 

tough that allied tanks would ride, not through, 

but right on top of them, losing traction and 

exposing their vulnerable underbellies to 

German fire,” he said.

Sgt. Curtis G. Culin, a cavalry 

noncommissioned officer with the 2nd Armored 

Division, “had the brilliant idea of fashioning 

iron bars, scavenged from German anti-landing 

craft fortifications, into tank-mounted hedgerow 

cutters,” Gates said.

Following the successful demonstration of 

the cutters, Army logisticians built and mounted 

the equipment on nearly 300 Sherman tanks.

“The rest of the story is Operation Cobra, the 

U.S. Army’s successful advance through France,” 

he said. “That victory was a demonstration of 

the great and abiding strengths of our Army -- 

exceptional adaptability at all levels in the face of 

unpredictable circumstances, and the great trust 

and reliance placed in the ingenuity of Soldiers 

of all ranks.”

The same spirit of innovation and flexibility 

pervades the Army today, Gates said.

“The ground wars following 9/11 placed 

even heavier responsibilities on young leaders,” 

he said. “From the earliest days in Iraq and 

Afghanistan, our Soldiers downrange have been 

adjusting and improvising in response to the 

complex and evolving challenges on the ground 

-- often using new technologies to share realtime tactical lessons with their comrades.”

The missions required Soldiers to be scholars, 

teachers, policemen, farmers, bankers, engineers, 

social workers and warriors -- “often all at the 

same time,” the secretary said. “And they have 

always risen to the challenge.”

This spirit allowed the department to pull 

Iraq back from the brink of chaos in 2007 and, 

over the past year, to roll back the Taliban from 

their strongholds in Afghanistan, he said.

Gates also thanked Army families for their 

steadfast support of their Soldiers and each 

other.

The service’s challenge is to learn the right 

lessons from the past decade of war, Gates said.

“This doesn’t mean assuming the next war 

will be similar to the last -- a common and 

dangerous mistake -- but rather making sure 

the diverse experiences and agility of today’s 

young Soldiers are institutionalized, so our Army 

stands at the ready for conflicts both foreseen 

and unforeseeable.”

The Army must avoid a garrison mentality 

-- one that stifles innovation and is wedded to 

ironclad procedures. The service must embrace 

“the ingenuity, creativity, and innovative spirit 

of younger officers and [noncommissioned 

officers] so central to our success in combat,” 

he said. 

Gates: Innovation, flexibility core of Army success

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the audience during a celebration of the 

236th birthday of the U.S. Army at the Pentagon, Tuesday. The Soldiers seated at the front 

re-enlisted during the event and received a coin from Gates. - photo by Jim Garamone

Coast to coast

Two weeks ago, Coast Guard 

Cutter Forward set sail from its 

homeport in Portsmouth, Va., 

across the Atlantic. Under the 

direction of Commander, U.S. 

Naval Forces Africa, Forward 

will conduct maritime security 

and safety exchanges with 

countries along the west coast 

of Africa as part of African 

Maritime Law Enforcement 

Partnership mission.

“The Forward’s deployment 

to our neighboring continent 

of Africa further reinforces 

our service’s commitment to 

strengthening partnerships 

Lt. Cmdr. Jamie Frederick, 

Atlantic Area public affairs officer across the globe,” said Vice Adm. 

Robert C. Parker, commander 

of Atlantic Area. “From coast 

to coast and one continent to 

another, building partnerships 

helps achieve common goals 

around the world.”

During the three-month 

mission, the 270-foot medium 

endurance cutter and its crew 

will serve as the primary 

AMLEP platform visiting and 

working with such countries 

as Sierra Leone, Cape Verde, 

Liberia, Guinea and Senegal in 

support of the Navy’s 6th Fleet. 

Through various activities and 

exchanges they will focus on 

offshore operations in support 

of the host country’s efforts to 

stem illicit maritime activity and 

bolster maritime security and 

safety.

Forward conducts a 76mm 

gun shoot while underway May 

29, 2011. The crew regularly 

conducts training to remain 

proficient in case of a real 

emergency. Coast Guard photo 

by Fireman Mark Krebs. 

During the next few months 

the crew of the Forward will 

share their stories with you 

on Coast Guard Compass – 

check back soon to follow their 

travels.

Photos from the trip along 

with updates are also available 

on the Coast Guard Atlantic 

Area Facebook page.

Coast Guard committed to 

partnership with neighbors

A Liberian Coast Guard member demonstrates a front snap kick as part of law enforcement training 

aboard Coast Guard Cutter Forward, May 26, 2011. - photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Annie Elis

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 13

In the event that the Coast 

Guard receives a report or 

discovers a paddle craft adrift, 

there is no way to determine if 

the vessel was washed off of a 

beach during high tide or was 

separated from its owner during 

the course of a boating accident. 

Subsequently, the Coast Guard 

has to assume the owner is in 

trouble and needs assistance until 

it can find evidence to support 

otherwise.

Due to situations similar to 

this, the Coast Guard would like to 

re-emphasize the importance of 

Operation Paddle Smart to canoe, 

kayak and paddle craft owners.

Operation Paddle Smart is 

a Coast Guard initiative which 

provides free water-proof stickers 

for labeling owner identification 

and contact information to small, 

paddle craft vessels. 

For more information, go 

to http://www.uscg.mil/d13/

paddlesmart/

 Operation 

Paddle Smart

13th District Public Affairs
Inside the Jar

Camp Pendleton, Calif. — Marines and 

sailors of the 11th Marine Expeditionary 

Unit began a large-scale, two-week 

training exercise here June 13 – a first 

since the Marine air-ground task force 

formed in May. 

The exercise – a land-based evolution 

before the unit’s upcoming training at sea 

with Navy counterparts – will challenge 

the unit’s ability to plan and execute 

different scenarios to prepare for a 

deployment later this year. 

The MEU’s major subordinate 

elements are Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 

268 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics 

Battalion 11. 

While in the field, the unit will 

practice air strikes, daytime and nighttime 

raids and humanitarian assistance and 

noncombatant evacuations. 

“The training events during this 

exercise are focused on several essential 

tasks the MEU must master to excel in a 

deployed environment in order to provide 

the combatant commander the most 

flexible and relevant forward-deployed 

force,” said Col. Michael R. Hudson, the 

11th MEU’s commanding officer. 

MEU exercise brings SoCal forces together

Capt. Roger Hollenbeck, 11th MEU The MEU’s mission is to provide 

a rapid-response force capable of 

conducting conventional amphibious 

and selected maritime operations by sea, 

surface or air.

“The Marine Corps remains as 

America’s expeditionary force in readiness 

– a balanced air-ground-logistics team. 

We can operate from Navy shipping or 

phase ashore in any littoral region of the 

world to solve the challenge now, or buy 

decision space for our leaders,” Hudson 

said.

“Our aircraft will be operating on USS 

New Orleans, and our tactical vehicle drivers 

will be training with sailors from the Naval 

Beach Group to master the difficult skill of 

driving on and off amphibious landing craft,” 

Hudson added. “The early integration of our 

forces at every opportunity will allow us to 

harness the synergy of the Navy and Marine 

Corps team.”

USS New Orleans, along with USS Makin 

Island, USS Pearl Harbor, and Amphibious 

Squadron 5 form the Makin Island 

Amphibious Ready Group, the Navy or “blueside” partner to the Marine “green-side.”

For more information, contact the MEU 

public affairs officer at roger.hollenbeck@

usmc.mil, or follow us on Twitter 

@11thmeu.

The At Your Service | Wire | Page 14

Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, arrive from California for deployment 

with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the new Battalion Landing Team, June 3. The 

battalion has now become the ground combat element of the 31st MEU, and is scheduled to 

embark aboard ships of Amphibious Squadron 11 on a deployment in support of Theater Security 

Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. - photo by Capt. Caleb D. Eames

CAMP LEATHERNECK, 

Afghanistan — Afghan national 

army soldiers graduated the 

Explosive Hazard Reduction course 

11-4 held at Joint Sustainment 

Academy Southwest aboard Camp 

Leatherneck, June 9.

The EHRC was a four-week 

course designed to teach ANA 

soldiers how to detect improvised 

explosive devices and remove them 

from an area. The 24 Afghans who 

graduated also received advanced 

courses in detonating and disposing 

IEDs. 

“The soldiers took to the 

information well and were quite 

keen,” said Royal Army Cpl. Paul M. 

Green, an EHRC instructor. “They 

grasped the information very well. 

I think that’s important because 

then Afghanistan forces won’t be 

relying on International Security 

Assistance Forces for the detection 

and removal of IEDs.”

The graduation ceremony 

featured a speech from ANA 

Brig. Gen. Qordatullah Quam, the 

cultural and religious affairs officer 

with 215th Corps, who spoke to the 

soldiers about their accomplishment 

and new duties as explosive hazard 

reduction specialists in the ANA.

“I’m really happy that they learned 

everything in this course and can now 

help the people of Afghanistan,” 

Quam said. “What they have learned 

increases their responsibilities and 

thanks to this course, they know 

what those responsibilities are and 

how to carry them out.”

Although the purpose of the 

course was to teach explosive 

hazard reduction, certain students, 

such as ANA Sgt. 1st Class Jalaldin 

Haqani, were selected by the course 

instructors to be sent to places like 

Kabul Military Training Center, the 

recruit training camp of the ANA 

where they can teach their new skills 

to other Afghan soldiers.

“This course was great,” Haqani 

said. “I feel like I am now fully 

prepared to go to Kabul to train 

soldiers and help the ANA. We all 

learned a lot, and with this knowledge 

we can help rebuild our country.”

Afghans graduate 

Marine-taught course

On the Wing

Global Strike 

Command tests 

nuclear readiness 

Crystal Jordan

Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

 BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, 

La. – Airmen with Global Strike 

Command recently completed the first 

command-wide nuclear operational 

readiness exercise, called Constant 

Vigilance, without taking a break from 

scheduled wing-level activities, exercises 

and training.

“This operation energized every 

part of the command,” said Maj. Scott 

Ryan, the deputy chief for the Air 

Force Exercise Operations branch at 

Global Strike Command headquarters. 

“It allowed our units to train like they 

fight.”

“Not stopping day-to-day ops allows 

our units more time to train,” Major 

Ryan said. “By taking this challenge 

on, wings completed unit-level exercise 

requirements while conducting the 

command-wide nuclear operational 

readiness exercise.”

“Nuclear operational readiness 

exercises provide unit commanders 

the opportunity to demonstrate and 

assess their nuclear combat capability,” 

said Robert Thomson, the chief of 

the exercises division at Global Strike 

Command headquarters.

Running the exercise while 

continuing regular operations across 

the command in April also let the wings 

continue to keep their scheduled flying 

operations on track, he said.

Beyond practicing nuclear operations, 

the command’s intelligence, surveillance 

and reconnaissance directorate also 

developed force protection scenarios, 

or “danger scenarios,” to challenge 

wing response levels and actions, he 

said.

Exercise scenarios ranged from 

simulating an active-shooter threat to a 

hazardous material spill on base.

All Air Force Global Strike 

Command units participated in the tenday exercise and met the challenges the 

command set for them, Mr. Thomson 

said.

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 15

Reserve Airmen fuel up NATO 

forces in Iceland exercise

KELAVIK , Iceland – Air Force Reserve 

Airmen and KC-135 Stratotankers from the 

459th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Base Andrews, 

Md., took part in Northern Viking 11, a biennial 

NATO air-space and maritime protection exercise 

here June 3-10.

This year approximately 450 NATO military 

members from the U.S., Norway, Italy, Iceland 

and Denmark worked side-by-side, simulating 

operations that prepare the countries to respond 

quickly to international conflict or emergency 

situations.

Reserve crews delivered nearly 130,000 

pounds of fuel to fighter aircraft from the Royal 

Norwegian Air Force and the 115th Fighter Wing, 

Wisconsin Air National Guard.

“This exercise allows a venue for NATO 

forces to come together, train as we would fight, 

operate within the European theater and this kind 

of training provides that continuity from year-toyear to sustain our combat capability,” said Air 

Force Col. Brian Vaughn, exercise director for 

NV11.

“It’s been really great training across the board, 

for both us and the NATO forces. Scenarios like 

setting up a tanker cell with Italy and working 

with a totally integrated group of Reserve, Air 

National Guard and NATO forces all were great 

experiences,” said Maj. Scott Clark, KC-135 pilot 

and 459th ARW detachment commander for the 

exercise.

Tech. Sgt. Steve Lewis

459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

For the Royal Norwegian Air Force especially, 

the exercise was an opportunity for new F-16 

pilots to hone their skills in aerial refueling while 

working with the 459th ARW and the KC-135. In 

order to be combat-ready, RNAF pilots must stay 

current on tanker operations, which NV11 helps 

to provide.

Capt. Vegar Johansen, RNAF pilot and NV11 

Norwegian detachment commander said this is the 

first deployment for many of his younger pilots 

participating in the exercise. He said exercises like 

NV11 allowed the pilots to prepare for real-world 

scenarios, like Operation Odyssey Dawn.

“Since we do not have any tankers in Norway, 

we have to rely on U.S. to get this type of training 

and allow our air force to be combat ready,” 

Captain Johansen said.

Lt. Col. Ivan Rismo, NV11 detachment 

commander for Norwegian forces worked with 

Captain Johansen in overseeing air operations as 

well as coalition command and control operations 

on the ground.

“Air-to-air refueling and maintaining 

proficiency is a requirement for our pilots, so 

having an opportunity to come out and work 

with the U.S. tanker as part of the exercise is really 

great,” Colonel Rismo said. “We are very happy 

to see this exercise come through and it is very 

interoperable in the way we are doing it.”

The Italian Air Force also played an important 

role in the exercise. Their Eurofighter Typhoon 

pilots flew for the first time alongside F-16 pilots 

from the 115th FW and the RNAF in conducting 

daily missions.

Senior Airman Kathleen Brophy prepares an F-16 Fighting Falcon for flight May 

26, during Max Thunder 11-1 at Kwangju Air Base, Korea. The exercise gave 

peninsula Airmen an opportunity to sharpen their ability to work together in a 

simulated war-time environment. – photo by Chuck Tintera
On The Deck

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The master 

chief petty officer of the Navy kicked off 

Navy Week in Chattanooga, Tenn., Monday, 

by visiting the Chattanooga Aquarium where 

the main attraction wasn’t sea life, but Navy 

Divers. 

MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West spoke to 

the Navy Divers from Trident Refit Facility, 

Kings Bay, Ga., who were setting up a static 

display of Navy diving equipment and 

demonstrating their diving skills to the local 

community by diving in the aquarium’s tank. 

“It’s incredible to have this kind of 

senior leadership taking time out of his 

busy schedule to show support during Navy 

Week,” said Chief Navy Diver (NDC)(DSW/

SW/SS) Kevin Moore. 

“They’re a great group of Sailors, and I’m 

very happy they could come out and show 

something to the locals who may not have 

seen Navy Divers in action,” said West.

MCPON thanked the divers for their 

dedication and support for Navy Week and 

then traveled to Chattanooga’s National 

Cemetery where he was the guest speaker 

at a wreath laying ceremony honoring Navy 

submarine veterans. 

MCPON, who was raised not too far from 

Chattanooga in Rising Fawn, Ga., considers 

himself to be a son of the Chattanooga area. 

He told the audience who consisted of active 

and Reserve Sailors, veterans, submarine 

veterans and a WWII submarine veteran, 

that he remembers driving by the cemetery 

as a little boy and asking his dad what this 

place was, and his dad replying “Son, that’s 

where the heroes rest.” West said that stuck 

Chattanooga Navy week kicks off

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Abraham 

Essenmacher, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy 

Public Affairs

with him throughout the years. 

“Our future would not be as bright if we 

didn’t honor and pay tribute to our veterans 

who have gone before us and laid the 

foundation that we continue to build upon 

today,” said West. 

“If we don’t remember them, we’re going 

to forget them, and when we forget them we 

are unprepared to meet the challenges for 

our future and that’s why we do this,” said 

retired Chief Electronics Technician (SS) 

Larry G. Page, a submarine veteran. “It’s very 

important that MCPON is here today, and 

we are all thankful to have him with us.” 

After the ceremony, MCPON, veterans, 

Sailors and Navy League members had lunch 

and spent time together at a local restaurant. 

“I enjoyed watching the younger Sailors 

and the veterans interact,” said West. “The 

Sailors were just soaking in all the stories and 

differences between the Navy of yesterday 

and today.” 

Sailors also enjoyed time with MCPON.

“MCPON is big with Facebook and 

social media, but to have him come out 

here in person helps bring it to a new level 

when it comes to our MCPON reaching 

out and getting to know Sailors,” said Sonar 

Technician Submarine 1st Class Rusty 

Bryant. “I had a chance to meet MCPON 

last year, but sitting down to lunch with him 

is definitely the highlight of my career.”

Chattanooga Navy Week is scheduled to 

run through June 19, and is one of 21 Navy 

Weeks across the country this year. Navy 

Weeks are designed to show Americans the 

investment they make in their Navy and 

increase awareness in cities that do not have 

a significant Navy presence.

Baltic Operations 2011 

Tests Interoperability

Commander Carrier Strike 

Group 8 Public Affairs

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, at Sea 

- Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8, 

visited ships participating in the serial 

phase of Baltic Operations 2011, June 

7-13. 

Rear Adm. Clifford Sharpe, 

commander CSG 8, is in operational 

control of units participating in 

BALTOPS 2011, and his staff developed 

the scenario for the exercise. 

Traveling by helicopter or rigid 

hull inflatable boat from USS Mount 

Whitney, Sharpe visited 20 ships from 11 

different European nations. During each 

visit, he met with commanding officers 

and crew members, toured the ship, and 

received a brief about its capabilities and 

missions. 

Ensuring multinational interoperability 

is one of the key objectives of BALTOPS 

2011. While visiting each vessel, Sharpe 

asked officers for their comments and 

input on the exercise.

“Our objective is to meet the needs 

of all participants,” said Sharpe. “These 

visits provide a way for commanders to 

let me know how my staff can help them 

achieve their training and operational 

goals.”

In addition to visiting USS Philippine 

Sea (CG 58), and USNS John T. Bobo, 

Sharpe visited ships from Denmark, 

France, Sweden, Germany, the 

Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, 

Estonia, and Russia. His tour included 

an oiler, a squadron of minesweepers, 

a landing ship, corvettes, destroyers, 

frigates, and patrol boats. He also 

witnessed several gunnery exercises and 

a mine countermeasures demonstration. 

Accompanying Sharpe were members 

of his staff and an interpreter when 

needed.

BALTOPS 2011 is a multinational 

exercise focusing on ensuring peace and 

security in the Baltic Region. Maritime 

operations continue until June 17, when 

the ships return to Kiel, Germany. 

For more news from Commander, 

U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/

U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/

naveur/. 

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West salutes the American flag at a wreath 

laying ceremony at Chattanooga National Cemetery during a Chattanooga Navy Week event. 

- photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Abraham Essenmacher

The Wire | Page 16 At Your Service | | Mind, Body & Soul The Wire | Page 17

Mind, Body & Soul

GTMO Religious Services

Daily Catholic Mass

Mon. - Fri. 5:30 p.m.

Main Chapel

Vigil Mass

Saturday 5 p.m.

Main Chapel

Mass

Sunday 9 a.m.

Main Chapel

Catholic Mass

Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Sunday 7:30 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Church of Christ

Sunday 10 a.m.

Chapel Annex

Room 17

Seventh Day Adventist

Saturday 11 a.m.

Room B

Iglesia Ni Christo

Sunday 5:30 a.m.

Room A

Pentecostal Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

Liturgical Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room B

General Protestant

Sunday 11 a.m.

Main Chapel

United Jamaican

Fellowship

Sunday 11 a.m.

Building 1036

Gospel Service

Sunday 1 p.m.

Main Chapel

GTMO Bay Christian 

Fellowship

Sunday 6 p.m.

Main Chapel

Bible Study

Wednesday 7 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

The Truth Project

Bible Study

Sunday 6 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Islamic Service

Friday 1:15 p.m.

Room C

Jewish Service

Friday 7 p.m.

Chapel Annex

LORIMI Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room A

Your superior just unloaded a huge 

workload, your significant other is complaining 

you don’t call enough and you were just 

informed you need to field day all spaces 

before close of business.

All you want is a pint of Ben and Jerry’s.

The stress of deployment can lead 

Troopers to find ways to obtain fast relief in 

the form of horrible nutrition. “You are what 

you eat” is a clichéd adage actually rooted in 

truth. Ever wondered why you feel horrible 

after you just gobbled down copious amounts 

of double cheeseburgers in response to a 

stressful work day? Blame the stress hormone 

in the brain known as cortisol. When our 

bodies are undergoing a lot of stress due to 

a heavy workload or interpersonal problems, 

the chemical cortisol kicks in. One of the side 

effects of cortisol is cravings for high fat and 

sugary foods. 

Stress is a normal part of life and often 

leads us to make poor nutrition choices due 

to being overwhelmed. Common habits and 

behaviors leading to an increase of stress 

include elevated caffeine usage, skipping 

meals, constant grazing and reaching for 

that tub of Ben and Jerry’s as a reward for 

your long workday. These habits not only 

contribute to stress but can lead to an array of 

health problems down the road. 

Many people reading this article are already 

cursing the need for a possible behavioral 

change and finding excuses for their ways. 

Don’t fret – there are ways to combat stress 

nutritionally. First and foremost, eat breakfast. 

You have been told this a million times by 

health magazines and your mother for a good 

Hospital Corpsman 

3rd Class Danielle Ferriola

Lower your stress –

Say no to comfort foods

reason. A healthy breakfast helps maintain 

blood sugar levels, fueling your morning 

routine. Don’t try using the excuse of dieting, 

as studies have shown a breakfast high in 

protein can lead to reduction of weight. Carry 

a healthy snack for when you are under a lot 

of stress and tempted to reach for that Otis 

Spunkmeyer muffin. Having a high protein 

snack on hand can help combat mood 

swings that are the result of low blood sugar. 

There are also foods that aid in elevating a 

person’s mood. Almonds increase dopamine 

levels while chocolate-covered almonds lead 

to a double whammy of serotonin boost. 

Oatmeal is another mood booster due to the 

increase in serotonin levels from complex 

carbohydrates. Anything containing Omega-3 

can also aid in the elevation of mood, so reach 

for some salmon, shrimp or walnuts, all high 

in omegas. 

So next time your work environment goes 

haywire, reach for some nuts and blame the 

hormone cortisol while you munch away. 

Make sure you’re getting a solid breakfast 

everyday, say no to comfort foods and as 

always, have a JSMART day!
The Wire | Page 18 At the Movies |

Movie Review

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Call MWR at ext. 2010 for more information. Movie Hotline - call 4880.

NO MOVIES -

Phillipine 

Independence Day 

Celebration

Scream 4

(R) 8 p.m.

Source Code

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Pirates of the 

Caribbean: On 

Stranger Tides

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Super 8

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

NO MOVIES -

Saving Abel 

Concert set up 

in progress

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Soul Surfer

(PG) 8 p.m.

Madea’s Big Happy 

Family

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

fri. sat. sun. mon. tues. wed. thurs.

Summer is a time for superfluous 

abundance. People browse garage sales for 

junk they don’t really need. Beach rats smother 

on too much tanning lotion, providing plenty 

opportunities for “Jersey Shore” jokes. And 

at the movie theatre, unnecessary sequels 

crowd the schedule, bringing back beloved 

characters for another chance at box office 

gold. Even here on our own little island, 

there was no escaping three weeks in a row 

of sequel fodder. More pirates and strippers 

and pandas – oh my! 

“Kung Fu Panda 2” is yet another example 

of a gratuitous story no one really asked for. 

I watched the first “Kung Fu Panda” with 

delight and was perfectly satisfied when CeeLo began belting out “Kung Fu Fighting” 

over the closing the credits, as I’m sure many 

movie goers were. There was never any need 

for a continuation because we left our hero 

happy and well-fed, with all his dreams come 

true.

To recap, the first movie follows Po, an 

excitable, wise-cracking panda, (voiced by an 

equally-excitable Jack Black – more on that 

later) as he prevails over impossible obstacles 

– like his rumbling tummy – to become the 

most feared kung fu warrior in all of China. 

He defeats the power-hungry snow leopard, 

earning the respect of the Furious Five (a 

winning combination of supporting cast 

members including Angelina Jolie, Seth 

Rogan and Jackie Chan), and the reluctant 

approval of his Kung Fu master, Shifu (a 

weary and wise Dustin Hoffman). 

That apparently was not enough for 

Dreamworks, as the studio brings Po and 

Co. back to battle a haughty peacock voiced 

by Gary Oldman. (Yeah, you read that right. 

Gary Oldman. Peacock. Seriously.) The new, 

feathered foe has built a terrifying cannon 

and is bent on destroying kung fu altogether. 

That all might be pretty wicked... if he wasn’t 

a freaking peacock. 

To complicate matters, it turns out Po has 

a tragic backstory, ripped straight out of the 

Harry Potter saga, and he spends a lot of the 

movie struggling with repressed memories 

and family demons. Instead of finding his 

inner awesome as in the previous movie, this 

time he must achieve inner peace. Sounds 

slightly less awesome, doesn’t it?

Po isn’t just voiced by Black – Black is 

Po. There is really no discernible difference 

between panda and man, as Black gives Po 

all his own vocal ticks and energetic kicks. 

Regardless of whether the story is warranted 

or not, Po is impossible not to love. He’s 

pretty much the most huggable animated 

character ever. 

Unfortunately, the rest of the cast doesn’t 

have much to do. Now that they love Po as 

much as we do, all they can do 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

PG

90 min.

 see MOVIES page 19

Water For Elephants

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Hanna

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

*last showing*

Arthur

(PG) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Source Code

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

*last showing*

Madea’s Big Happy 

Family

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Pirates of the 

Caribbean: On 

Stranger Tides

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Scream 4

(R) 8 p.m.

Soul Surfer

(PG) 8 p.m.

Super 8

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

| The Last Word The Wire | Page 19

is have his back, which doesn’t make for 

much interesting wordplay. The filmmakers 

attempt to develop Jolie’s Tigress, but the 

fierce feline is the least interesting of the lot 

and Jolie’s vocal contribution is rigid with 

very little warmth. Why not highlight Seth 

Rogan’s Mantis or David Cross’s Crane, two 

comedians with dynamic personalities that 

translate well even when their faces aren’t 

seen?

wearing an Air Force uniform or any other 

service and no matter what denomination 

I am, I put aside those things to help the 

Trooper with his or her issues. Counseling 

is counseling. There are universal needs 

that transcend the uniform.”

Bertsch sees providing guidance as his 

primary function in what he describes as a 

no-fail mission. Chaplains are legally bound 

to complete and absolute confidentiality, he 

said. This helps create a safe environment 

for people to get advice, or even just blow 

off some steam with someone who knows 

the unique military lifestyle here.

“We understand,” said Bertsch. “We 

understand when a Trooper gets a phone 

call or email from back home and there are 

some issues going on.”

It takes one to know one, and that 

mentality, Bertsch said, is the key to his 

and his team’s ability to help Troopers in 

ways civilian counselors cannot. 

“We not only talk the talk, but we walk 

the walk,” he said. “They [Troopers] know 

if you’re being real with them. They know 

we’ve been there before. That gives us 

credibility private or civilian counselors 

don’t have. And it’s nothing negative about 

them as counselors or people. It’s just 

that unless they’ve been there they cannot 

understand the military like we do. We live 

it every day.”

well,” said Montanye. “They go through it 

with high-speed style and that’s been nice.”

“They’re really good at what they do,” 

agreed Lipford. “They’re quick, to the point 

and definitely help us out a lot with hands-on 

training and making sure we understand what 

we’re doing so we know what to do when we 

get there.”

Staff Sgt. Roshawn King, MaD Brigade 

instructor, said this group of future 

Guantanamo Bay Troopers is showing 

promise and potential as they get closer to 

leaving for the base.

“They’ve been interactive with getting the 

training done and trying to get up to speed with 

the new and current training,” he said. “The 

best thing we can do is go over the training 

again and again to make sure they understand 

exactly what they need to be doing.”

Acknowledging the different levels of 

expertise in their students, Agee said the group 

has also been flexible in their learning styles.

“They’re all really understanding and they 

all keep an open mind,” Agee said. “Some of 

them come from prior law enforcement, so 

they have their old habits. But they really just 

listen and learn what we do as well.”

Detainee operations cover a wide 

spectrum of techniques, many of which Co. 

12.0D will not use at the detention facilities 

in Guantanamo Bay. King explained the 

instructors understand this and do their best 

to highlight the JTF-specific training.

“Most of the things we really push are being 

able to account for the detainees, tracking the 

detainees and maintaining positive control,” 

said King. “[They need to] know exactly how 

many detainees they have and where they are 

at all times.”

“They’ve emphasized safety on all the 

detainees as well as the guards,” explained 

Curtain. “They’ve prepared us for what 

we’re going to be dealing with in regard 

to the types of detainees, the types of 

facilities and the techniques we’ll be using 

when we get down there. [They make 

sure] we are performing everything in a 

humane standard. That’s why the training 

and safety is so enforced, to make sure 

we’re doing it in the guidelines of the SOP 

(standard operating procedure) so there 

are no issues.”

Even with their jam-packed training 

schedules keeping them busy, the Sailors 

are eager and ready to begin their new 

assignment. Master-at-Arms 2nd Class 

Amy Boston is a member of the current 

NEGB Company 12.0A, chosen to travel 

to Camp McGregor to assist in the training. 

She believes it is only a matter of time 

before their hard work pays off. 

“Once they get in there and actually have 

their first interaction with a detainee, that’s 

when it all comes together for them,” she 

said. “Some of them are nervous, some are 

excited. It looks like we have a really good 

group here.”

“I’m excited to see how different it’s 

going to be,” concluded Lipford. “It’s 

a great chance to work with some great 

people.”

The first “Kung Fu Panda” never felt like 

a cartoon. With a sly combination of feisty, 

colorful animation and smart, witty humor, 

it truly was fun for the whole family, adults 

included. The animation stays dazzling but 

the characters fall flat, giving us grown-ups 

not much to care about. I want to give it two 

banana rats, but there’s a scene with Baby 

Po joyously munching on radishes that just 

won’t let me. Three it is. 

NEGB cont. 

CHAPLAIN cont. MOVIES cont. 
MAINTAINING SAR HELOS

Aviation Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Yusef Vera, an air crewman 

attached to U.S. Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter Detachment 

Guantanamo, performs routine repairs on flight controls for the MH-68A Hitron 

Helicopter at the Naval Station Guantanamo Air Terminal, Monday. - photo by 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

FLAG DAY RUN

Marines from Marine Security Forces Company Guantanamo Bay lead the pack 

during the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Flag Day 5K run at the Denich Gym, 

Tuesday. - photo by Sgt. Mathieu Perry

NO LITTERING PLEASE

Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Denise Woods (left), Aviation 

Electronics Technician 3rd Class Ryan Sullivan (center) and Private 1st Class 

J. Houk perform a routine trash patrol outside Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s 

Camp 6, Saturday. - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason 

Tross

TheJTF

TROOPERS GET INSPIRED 

Grammy-winning gospel singer, minister and motivational speaker Donnie McLurkin gives a lecture to audience members who filled the Naval Station Guantanamo 

Bay Chapel, June 11. McLurkin sang many of his popular gospel songs and delivered a motivational lecture geared toward Troopers serving at Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo and other commands around the base. - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sally Hendricks