Volume 13, Issue 28 Friday, May 18, 2012

Gitmo 5-0

JTF and NAVSTA recognize

National Police Week

Also:

– Prevent sports 

 injuries

– Follow the 

 safety rules

– See ‘The Avengers’
Capt. Robert Durand

Director of Public Affairs, JTF Guantanamo

What are you planning to do while assigned to duty at Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo?

Of course, we all have our duties, and the 

work here is both challenging and rewarding. 

Serving with JTF Guantanamo is an incredible 

chance to be part of an important mission, 

to serve with all branches of the military, and 

to be a part of history. This is my second 

tour here, and when presented with the opportunity 

to return, I jumped at the 

chance.

And while some might 

view life on a 45-square 

mile base as limiting, there 

are more recreation, education, fitness, volunteer and 

professional growth opportunities here than any duty 

station I can imagine. The opportunities are 

almost limitless. You owe it to yourself to 

make the best use of your time here, both on 

and off duty.

I was lucky enough to get a wake-up call 

midway through my career. While visiting 

the U.S. Naval Academy during my 10-year 

reunion, I thought, “Wow! Look at all these 

cool activities they have here!” And then it 

dawned on me – all those activities were there 

when I was a Midshipman. I just didn’t take 

advantage of them.

Oh, I had my reasons. I reasoned that any 

more activities would cut into my study time 

(though a quick review of my transcript will 

indicate that I did not invest that time back 

into my classwork). Volunteer? I’m already 

doing that by just being here, right? And try 

out for a sport, the choir, the school play – 

what if I’m not good at it? I passed up a lot of 

exciting opportunities.

I repeated this mistake as a junior officer. One of my collateral duties on my first 

ship was serving as the Morale Welfare & 

Recreation officer. In Spain, I set up trips to 

the bull fights. In France, it was the high-speed 

train to Paris, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, 

Notre Dame cathedral. In Egypt, it was the 

pyramids of Giza and the temples in Luxor. 

In Israel, there were trips to 

Jerusalem and Calvary. The 

smart Sailors went on every 

trip they could. I, the notso-smart MWR officer, was 

“too busy” to go on them.

What I didn’t understand 

then was the benefit you get 

from being involved, trying new things and taking 

advantage of every opportunity. Sure, there is a time commitment, but 

you will actually get back more in energy and 

attitude than the time you invest.

Before my first tour of duty here, a friend 

told me to try diving – the MWR classes were 

about half the cost of what I’d pay in the 

states, and once qualified, the diving here is 

world-class and right at the water’s edge – it 

would never be this affordable and accessible 

again.

I did it and I was hooked. I took the PADI 

Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue 

Diver and Divemaster courses. I tried my hand 

at underwater photography and was able to 

share the world below the waves with friends 

and family – and made a lot of great friends 

and memories in the process. It’s now a hobby 

I can enjoy for the rest of my life.

Cc

ommand

orner

Joint Task Force

Guantanamo Safe Humane Legal Transparent l l l

Cover: Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Emily Wruk, a security patrolman with Naval Station Guantanamo Bay 

Security, speaks into her radio. NAVSTA Security has exclusive law enforcement jurisdiction in GTMO.

–photo by Army Pvt. Loren Cook

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Rear Adm. David Woods

Deputy Commander

Brig. Gen. James Lettko

Command Master Chief

Cmd. Master Chief Reynaldo Tiong

Office of Public Affairs Director

Navy Capt. Robert Durand: 9928

Deputy Director

Air Force Lt. Col. Laurel Tingley: 9927

Operations Officer

Army Maj. Jon Powers: 3649

Senior Enlisted Leader

Sgt. 1st Class Jerome Grant: 8141

The Wire

Command Information Officer

Army 1st. Lt. Amelia Thatcher

Editorial Staff

Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

Spc. Ryan Hallock

Spc. Vanessa Davila

Pvt. Loren Cook

Photojournalists

Sgt. 1st Class Kryn Westhoven

Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson

Army Staff Sgt. Lewis Hilburn

Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Kilho Park

Webmaster

Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Keith Simmons

Contact us

Editor’s Desk: 3499

Commercial: 011-5399-3499

DSN: 660-3499

E-mail: thewire@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Online: www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil/wire/wire.html

 The Wire | Page 2 Command Corner

What will you do? 

Hit the gym. Hike a 

trail. Take a college 

class. Learn to swim. 

Try something new. 

Get involved.

 see COMMAND page 4

News from the Bay The Wire | Page 3

News from the Bay

INDEX

The Wire

MAY 18, 2012

Insure your money

Sports injury prevention

Acoustic jammer

Already missing the MSST

Fire safety: The rules

Assist, protect, and defend

MBS: Cheeseburger runner

Movie: The Avengers

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. 

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 Defense Logistics 

Agency Document Services with a circulation of 1,300.

5

7

8

9

9

10

16

18

S*U*D*S*

Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba 

(SUDS) will be visiting GTMO May 24-29. 

The Reef Raiders dive club is seeking motivated volunteers to help out during this time. 

Volunteers are not required to be dive certified to help out. For more information, email 

ReefRaidersGTMO@gmail.com.

Summer sports galore!

Are you eager to get out of your quarters? 

Why not play soccer, softball, basketball, tennis, or sand volleyball this summer?

The men’s and women’s soccer and coed 

softball seasons start May 29. Register to play 

by May 18.

Coed basketball season begins June 4. 

Register to play by May 24.

Men’s and women’s sand volleyball season 

begins June 20. Register to play by June 6.

Tennis season begins June 24. Register to 

play by June 14.

To register for any of these events, go to 

Denich Gym or call 2113.

Soggy Bottom Regatta

Have you seen trouble all your days? Fight 

those blues away and register for the Soggy 

Bottom cardboard boat regatta!

To compete in the regatta, you must build 

a person-powered cardboard boat that can 

survive two trips around a 100 yard course. 

Each team will also race their boats for 100 

yards. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest, 

most GTMO, best Titanic, and best in show 

boats.

The event is scheduled for May 26 at 

Ferry Landing Beach from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Register your boat at the marina by May 23.

For more information, call 2345.

Memorial Day 10k

Can’t get enough running? Celebrate 

Memorial Day by running a free 10k! The 

race is scheduled for May 26 6:45 a.m. at 

Christmas Tree Hill. Register at Denich Gym 

by May 23. The first 100 to register receive a 

free T-shirt! 

For more information, call 2113.

Memorial Day sports!

All hands are invited to participate in 

free sports tournaments over Memorial Day 

weekend, May 26-28. The schedule includes 

softball, indoor basketball, and sand volleyball. The events are open to anyone 16 or 

older. Register by May 18 at Denich Gym.

For more information, call Alana at 2113. 

Talent Show

The Burns and Roe Leaders League is 

hosting “Kabyan Nights,” talent shows featuring singing contests, live bands, good food 

and more.The talent shows are scheduled for 

May 19 and June 2, from 8 p.m.-midnight at 

Mabuhay Garden. 

For more information, call 90548.

Growing up Cuban

Internationally known, award-winning 

Cuban-American children’s book author 

Carmen Deedy is coming to visit GTMO! 

Deedy’s family emigrated to the U.S. in 1963 

following the Cuban Revolution. Deedy will 

speak about her childhood and her experience growing up Cuban in Decatur, Ga., in 

a free community event 7 p.m. May 25 at the 

Naval Station Chapel. For more information, 

call Chris Dickson at 84616.

Armed Forces Day 5k

Celebrate Armed Forces Day by running 

a free 5k! The run is scheduled for May 19 at 

6:45 a.m. at Cooper Field. Register at Denich 

Gym by May 16. There are free-T-shirts for 

the first 100 to register.

For more information, call Alana at 2113.

Stand down!

Enjoy your summer safely! The Naval 

Station Security Office will sponsor a 

safety stand-down. The event is scheduled 

for May 24 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the 

NEX atrium. JTF personnel are encouraged to attend the safety demonstrations and 

presentations.

6th Street Closed

6th Street in the Villamar housing area 

will be closed until July 9th.

Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba
I didn’t start life as a military police Soldier, 

but it didn’t take long to discover a great 

career.

I joined the National Guard in 2000 

with the engineers, but soon switched to 

the MPs. After Sept. 11, 2001 I deployed to 

Guantanamo Bay for the first time. Just six 

weeks after that deployment, I supported 

a Law and Order mission at Fort Benning. 

These deployments made me realize I had 

found an occupation I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Being an MP and protecting our own was a 

great experience.

Shortly after Benning, I then deployed 

three times to Iraq and worked to secure the 

U.S. Border in New Mexico. After returning 

home from the second tour in Iraq, I decided 

to join civilian law enforcement. Being able 

to protect and serve the community I live in 

is very fulfilling. It is an opportunity to give 

something back and be a part of something 

greater than yourself.

At home, community policing is one 

thing, but at Guantanamo it is something 

totally different. We live in a unique place 

with unique considerations and requirements.

Training from previous deployments and 

civilian law enforcement experience certainly 

helps. Situational awareness is paramount: 

not only are we in the international spotlight 

because of our mission, but we are next door 

to a communist country. Knowing their capabilities and desire to collect information is a 

great cause for concern. Remember operations security: you never know who you’re 

talking with or who is listening. We have news 

media, lawyers, the International Committee 

of the Red Cross, civilian contractors and 

third-country nationals around us each day. 

Even the detainees pay close attention to our 

everyday actions and conversations. All of 

them want to know what you do here, and 

you never know their intentions.

I believe any previous deployments you 

may have been on, as well as life experiences, better prepare you for the mission. 

Law enforcement ingrains in you that you 

can’t be the judge, jury or prosecutor. You 

have to carry yourself professionally at all 

times, safeguard the detainees and your fellow Troopers on and off the job, and allow 

the justice system to work. 

As a law enforcement officer you learn 

patience. Though you may not always agree 

with the outcome, each day is a new day. You 

learn that what is most important; situational 

awareness, do the right thing, and to come 

home safe at the end of each day.

Trooper to Trooper

Policing up JTF Guantanamo 

 The Wire | Page 4 Trooper to Trooper

PSEC ALERT

PROTECT YOUR INFO!

Protect your Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Most of us understand that if someone were to have our name and social security number that we would be susceptible 

to identity theft. What most people don’t know is that people finder websites have made it easy to obtain public 

information like addresses, phone numbers, names of relatives, etc... Before the internet, much research had to be done 

to gather this information. Now all this information is at the touch of a keyboard. So protect your personal information 

from people who don’t need to know. Use OPSEC to protect your PII.

Sgt. 1st Class Martin Sullivan

JDG S-2 Assistant NCOIC

COMMAND continued from page 2 

This time around, I’m enrolled in a distance learning course to complete Phase I 

of my Joint Professional Military Education 

(JPME). I’m volunteering with the SUDS 

program – Soldiers Undertaking Disabled 

Scuba. And now that I’ve tasted fresh lobster 

and lionfish, I may well put the camera down 

and bring a spear and a mesh bag with me 

next time I get underwater.

What will you do? Hit the gym. Hike a 

trail. Take a college class. Learn to swim. Try 

something new. Get involved. The time you 

invest in off-duty activities is an investment 

in yourself. 

You’ll be happier at work and have something to look forward to when you’re off 

duty – and memories, hobbies and learning that will last a lifetime. Don’t leave it to 

chance – make a plan and do it!

I always tell my wife that the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) 

paperwork is her ticket in the human lottery and she only needs one number to 

win; unfortunately, that would be when 

my number comes up.

For those in uniform, SGLI is a benefit 

which can be overlooked, but as with all 

types of insurance it plays a role in your 

financial planning strategy and can protect you from monetary losses.

“You decided to purchase insurance 

whether you realize it or not. You had to 

say, ‘yeah I want this, I want SGLI,’” said 

Walter Barrett, personal finance specialist 

for the Fleet and Family Support Center, 

U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay.

These decisions about insurance will 

come up throughout your life. The Navy’s 

Command Financial Specialist Training 

program teaches to use the life cycle approach in determining when and then how 

much insurance would be appropriate. 

An example would be a young Trooper 

who is not married, living on base or still 

at home and is not providing any financial 

aid to the beneficiary on the SGLI policy. 

In that scenario Barrett would say stay 

away from additional coverage. 

“Why would I buy more insurance for 

a person who didn’t need my money right 

now to begin with?” he said. “That just 

takes away from available income to do 

things for you.”

Later in life, things might change with 

marriage. Having a spouse who relies on 

your income and increasing financial obligations like a car loan or mortgage require 

greater amounts of insurance. It might be 

as simple as taking your SGLI coverage to 

the $400,000 maximum and enrolling your 

spouse into the Family Servicemembers 

Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) insurance 

program.

The life cycle approach would again revisit insurance requirements if you have 

children. An expanding family brings 

long-term financial responsibilities, from 

the cost of basic necessities for a child, 

all the way to future college education expenses. Under FSGLI, kids under age 18 

receive $10,000 in coverage automatically.

Consider the young Trooper Barrett 

used as an example. That Trooper would 

need to make an analysis of upcoming life 

responsibilities, like a spouse, children, 

aging parents, home, et cetera and figure 

how much money is needed to cover these 

obligations. 

To help determine what coverage gaps 

you might, have the Veterans Administration has an easy-to-use web-based insurance needs assessment calculator at www.

insurance.va.gov. The software starts 

when you input financial obligations. 

These would include monies currently 

owed on credit cards, mortgage, vehicle 

or personal loans, estate taxes and funeral 

expenses, to name a few. Children’s future 

college expenses can be included to the 

list of the immediate needs.

On the opposite side of the financial 

ledger: income that will be available to 

your survivors. Many of these items will 

be estimated, such as pension payments, 

Social Security survivor benefits or VA 

survivor compensation. The calculator 

provides several other sources of income 

you can list.

Next, you decide on the amount of annual income and the number of years that 

money would be needed. Listing of assets 

is next, to include SGLI and other life insurance policies; current investments to 

include the Thrift Savings Plan and any 

other lump sum payments payable after 

death.

The calculator then adds financial obligation and income needed to support 

survivors and subtracts from your assets 

showing if there is need for additional life 

insurance and if so, how much to cover 

the gap.

Once you have this information, it answers Barrett’s financial advice question: 

“Why would I want to spend more money 

on insurance when I am already covered?”

The one category separate from the 

calculations is free and clear assets, like 

real estate or rare comic books. Items that 

are debt-free and increase in value are 

another way to support surviving family 

members. 

“The goal there is at certain point you 

don’t need a whole lot of life insurance, 

because the beneficiary can sell assets,” 

asserted Barrett.

Let’s say your home is not paid off 

or you are not the owner of the first Superman, and the VA insurance needs assessment calculator tells you there is deficiency. The dilemma: what type of life 

insurance do you purchase?

Next week we look into the very complex world of life insurance products 

available to consumers.

Besides his office at the naval station, 

Barrett is available every Thursday from 

8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Fleet and Family Support Center satellite office located 

next to the Camp America post office. 

Call 4050 or 4141 to set up an appointment.

Command Information The Wire | Page 5

Protecting against the unknowns

Ensuring your loved ones’ future 

By Sgt. 1st Class Kryn P. Westhoven

Money Matters

Super Troopers

Congratulations to the Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo Troopers who recently

 received commander’s coins! 

MAC Charles

SFC Conwell 

MA2 Eaker 

RM2 Gersky 

MA3 Gianfala 

MA3 Keller 

HMC Laxa 

MA1 Mendoza

LN1 Roundtree 

AE2 Ryal 

MA1 Santana 

MA2 Santos 

CPT Sham 

MAC Staudinger 

MACS Walton 

LCDR Wren 

SGT Olivares 

Money really does matter, especially 

when it comes to ensuring your loved 

ones are taken care of. This is part one 

of a two-part series on Servicemembers’ 

Group Life Insurance.
ommunity polic -

ing is always made 

easier when the 

officer patrol -

ling his assigned 

neighborhood is 

eager to help. Sgt. 

Ronald Stern is the 

noncommissioned 

officer in charge of the S-6, or technology 

shop, at Joint Task Force Guantanamo, but 

back home in Georgia he is a patrol officer 

and is always eager to help.

“It’s knowing that what I do, right then 

and there, can affect the community as 

a whole instantly,” Stern said about his 

favorite part of the job. “You sit out on 

the street with a radar gun: people instantly 

slow down, making the neighborhood a 

little bit safer ... you can make an impact 

almost instantly by just driving through the 

neighborhood.”

Stern joined the Army right out of 

high school. He left active duty when his 

contract was over. He moved around a bit 

and had different jobs but when he landed 

in Atlanta he stayed and he settled on a 

career with the police department. During 

all of it he made the decision to join the 

Army once again, this time as a National 

Guardsman. 

Sgt. Stern is a man of all trades: he is 

MOSQ (military occupational specialty 

qualified) in four different jobs, one of 

those being a military policeman. He said 

being a policeman in the military is quite 

different from being one in the civilian 

world but there is one similarity: people.

Therefore, this policeman has no desire 

to leave the “beat”: Stern doesn’t want 

to sit behind the desk as a detective. He 

likes the variety and interactions patrolling 

affords him.

“You learn how to talk to people,” Stern 

said.

Trooper Focus

C

–the boss says

“When the operations tempo is high and many tasks are in his path, his ability to handle each task 

with flying colors is a testament to his leadership ability.”

Hobbies: Camping, hiking, road racing

Coke or Pepsi: Whichever one is cheapest

Advice to junior troopers: “Learn as much 

as you can. Take as many schools as they offer 

you.”

Bullet Bio

By Spc. Vanessa Davila

Trooper

Focus

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Sgt. Ronald Stern

Boots on the Ground

“Teleportation. Transportation 

takes too long.”

Hospital Corpsman Hospitalman

Tony Rinkenberger

“I want Tony Stark’s suit, money, 

and personality. I guess I just want 

to be Tony Stark!”

Airman 1st Class

Tony Monroig

“Invulnerability. I’d be unstoppable!”

Hospital Corpsman Hospitalman

Billy Tinkham

“Invisibility. I’d be able to see what 

people are really like when nobody 

else is around.”

Air Force Master Sgt.

Debbie Davis

 The Wire | Page 6

Mitigate sports injuries and stay fit

News The Wire | Page 7

I

ntramural sports are a crucial element to military life, especially here at Guantanamo. In 

addition to their positive impact on cardiovascular and physical fitness, they provide a healthy 

outlet for stress management, unit morale and 

cohesion, and Trooper camaraderie. Most of 

all, they are fun! And while intramural sports 

are ultimately beneficial to mission readiness, 

intramural sports can be detrimental to both 

the Trooper and the mission. In this article, I 

will highlight several ways to not only maximize 

performance, but also to minimize injury risk 

while enjoying any intramural activity.

Acclimation

Just because you can run two miles in 12 

minutes does not mean your body is ready 

for the specialized movements of competitive 

sports. Changing directions, cutting, accelerated 

jumping, overhand throwing - these activities 

require unique muscle groups and movements 

and can cause injury if the body isn’t acclimated 

to their specific demands. Before any intramural season or participation begins, each trooper 

should acclimate to these activities ahead of 

time. For example, before throwing a softball 

with maximum effort in a game situation, you 

should spend at least a week throwing and 

stretching to reintroduce your body to that 

activity. This can prevent injury and maximize 

performance!

Stretch Before, During, After

No activity is underutilized more than proper 

stretching. There is a reason why calisthenics 

are fully integrated into the physical training 

programs of all branches of service: stretching 

prevents injury and maximizes performance. It 

is even more important to stretch prior to, during and after intramural sports as the demands 

of these activities tend to cause more injuries 

than the more standardized movements of 

physical training. Getting and staying warmed 

up while participating in sports is probably the 

most crucial element to preventing injuries. 

Additionally, daily emphasis on improving your 

flexibility will reduce injury risk on the job, during PT and on the field, guaranteed. 

Prioritize Effort

Most sports injuries result from “max effort” 

plays such as diving for a catch, taking a charge 

in basketball or jumping in proximity to other 

participants. There is no amount of acclimation, 

stretching or preparation that can completely 

prevent injury in these scenarios. In these cases, 

it is important to prioritize your effort. Know 

your limitations and assess your risk before and 

during the game. Assume the mentality that you 

want to compete, have fun and protect yourself 

and others while playing. You will be surprised 

at how much effort you can give and still prevent injuries by avoiding high risk situations on 

the playing field. Remember, intramural sports 

are provided to make you healthier for the mission and not the other way around.

Recovery

Between duty, PT, hobbies and intramural 

activities, there can be significant physical strain 

placed on the body. All Troopers need proper 

rest, sleep and nutrition to be able to recover. 

While playing multiple sports and maintaining an aggressive training schedule may seem 

ideal, more is not necessarily better in this case. 

Overtraining can not only lead to injuries but 

can also reduce your performance. Proper 

nutrition, rest and recovery, as well as being 

selective in your intramural activities can prevent 

overtraining. 

Also, remember to RICE (Rest, Ice, 

Compress, Elevate) any minor injuries sustained, with ice being the key. It is a commonly 

known, yet another underutilized therapy that 

can prevent minor strains and sprains from 

becoming a major issue. If these minor injuries are not improving during your recovery 

period, do not push it—seek medical care for 

an assessment. Recovery is absolutely essential 

and requires emphasis when intramural sports 

are added to the already rigorous demands of 

military life.

Intramural sports can require focus and 

concentration or be fun and relaxing, or both. 

When they lead to injuries, however, not only 

does your team suffer, but your physical fitness 

and mission readiness do as well. Remember 

to acclimate, stretch, prioritize your effort and 

emphasize your recovery to prevent injuries 

and maximize your performance. Your goals 

for getting into intramural sports should include 

staying injury-free so that you can continue to 

execute your duties and responsibilities. This 

will only enhance the positive impact of your 

intramural experiences. Good luck, and see you 

out there!

By Army Capt. Stephen Overholser

525th Military Police Battalion Surgeon

Happy 104th Birthday, Navy Nurse Corps! 

The senior and most junior nurses assigned to U.S. Navy 

Hospital Guantanamo Bay (USNH GTMO) and Joint Medical 

Group (JMG) Guantanamo cut the cake celebrating the 104th 

birthday of the Navy Nurse Corps. The Navy Nurse Corps was 

founded on May 13, 1908, by President Theodore Roosevelt. 

(Far left, far right) Ens. Jessica Howell, NC, and Capt. Kristen 

Atterbury, NC, cut the cake for USNH GTMO nurses, and 

(center) Lt. Sonya McKay, NC, and Cdr. Catherine Riley, NC, 

cut the cake for the JMG nurses as co-workers gathered 

around. More than 50 nurses (military, civilian and family 

members) stationed and living at Guantanamo Bay, were 

invited to the celebration. 

–U.S. Navy photo by Stacey Byington
Atmosphere is a vital part of de-stressing after a long week. The 

combination of lighting and music create a mood that melts away any 

work week blues. The Bayview Club has created this type of atmosphere every Friday with the help of Marti Castillo. 

The Bayview’s Acoustic Night is aimed at creating an alternative 

dining experience for those stationed or deployed to Guantanamo 

Bay, Cube. Castillo helps create this experience by performing live 

for dinner guests. 

“I’m bringing a little ambiance to the restaurant,” said Castillo. 

“It’s peaceful and personal because someone is creating music for 

you.”

Castillo has been playing the guitar for years as a passion. But this 

isn’t the first time he’s performed for an audience; Castillo has played 

in pubs and bars throughout his life. 

“I never had a band,” said Castillo. “But I don’t want to say hobby 

because it’s a part of my life. It’s not about the money, it’s about the 

venue.”

 As a self-taught artist, Castillo has formed his own theories on 

music and style. 

“I honestly believe music goes right to your soul,” said Castillo. 

“You don’t have to interpret it, you don’t have to understand it, but 

music itself goes right to your soul. You sense it. You feel it. It calms 

you or excites you. It immediately goes into your being and takes you 

somewhere.” 

Castillo’s approach to performing covers comes from his own 

experiences and the advice from well known artists. 

“I try to make the song my own,” said Castillo. “I try to feel the 

song and understand what the song is trying to say. Each song speaks 

to you differently.” 

As a musician, Castillo plays because he enjoys playing the music 

and hopes that the audience enjoys it as well. 

This approach has made an impact on listeners, especially when 

Castillo takes suggestions from the audience. The feedback from one 

young listener impacted him greatly. 

“I asked her if she wanted me to play something,” said Castillo. 

“She called out some young group who I didn’t know but I said ‘I 

think I have something you’ll like.’ So, I started playing ‘Hey there 

Delilah’ from the Plain White T’s.” 

He explained that when he finished playing he looked over and 

saw she was clapping. He asked her if she liked it and she told him 

that she liked his version better than how the original artists do it.

“That made me feel really great,” said Castillo. 

Castillo has also written his own music from his own personal 

experiences. 

“I have written some of my own songs and someday I’ll play them 

at the show,” said Castillo.

Try the acoustic experience at the Bayview, where stress can melt 

away to the chords of a guitar and a passionate voice. 

By Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

The acoustic experience at the Bayview Club

Marti Castillo’s live performances are 

the Bayview’s new weekly attraction. 

–photos by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

 The Wire | Page 8 Feature

“I think our mantra in this community of specialized forces is quiet 

professionalism.” 

That was how Coast Guard Cmdr. Eric 

Cooper described his team, the Maritime 

Safety and Security Team San Diego, last 

November. Now six months later, the team is 

departing after a not so quiet tour with Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo Bay. 

 “The MSST has been phenomenal,” said 

Cooper. “We put over 4000 hours in the 

water that was mishap free. We supported 

the JTF with its highly strategic mission and 

it’s going to affect how the United States is 

perceived around the world and history as it 

moves forward.” 

The MSST’s support in the JTF mission 

didn’t go unnoticed by the JTF Commander 

Rear Adm. David Woods, who presided over 

the change of authority. 

“They have set the standard for the MSST 

at Guantanamo,” said Woods. “The internal 

security has done a fantastic job.” 

One of the most important aspects of the 

mission has been the safe and professional 

transportation of distinguished visitors. 

“They transported almost 750 distinguished visitors,” said Woods. “That seems 

like a mundane thing but it is so important. 

It is the first impression that people have of 

Naval Station Guantanamo and the JTF.” 

The MSST not only performed their mission to the best of their abilities, but also 

volunteered to help the community restore a 

piece of its history. 

“The other job they have done is work 

on the lighthouse here,” said Woods. “[They] 

invested over 600 man hours in restoration 

of it. It is a piece of Coast Guard history at 

Guantanamo and it’s pretty neat to have that 

accomplishment under your belt.” 

The San Diego MSST found a personal 

attachment to the lighthouse and what it 

symbolizes for Guantanamo.

“The lighthouse is part of Coast Guard 

history and it had become run down over 

the years,” said Cooper. “We took that as 

our own personal responsibility and put the 

Coast Guard stripe on the side.” 

Although the JTF is saying goodbye to the 

silent professionals of San Diego, it is also 

welcoming the newest members of the joint 

mission. 

“This is a bittersweet ceremony,” said 

Woods. “It’s bitter to say goodbye to San 

Diego Cmdr. Cooper and his team. But, it’s 

sweet to say hello to New Orleans and Lt. 

Cmdr. Joseph Meuse and his team.” 

You’ve probably been there. You’re curled up in bed, safely ensconced in your 

Cuzco trailer, and you’re snoozing away contentedly when you’re jerked awake by the fire 

alarm going off.

You stumble outside, bleary-eyed, badlydressed, half-deafened and ill-tempered. You 

stand outside your housing with others from 

your block and look for smoke or flames. You 

and your friends will probably start to wonder 

whether there’s an actual emergency or not. If 

you’re anything like me, you’ll also wonder if 

you should have taken some of your valuables 

from your room when you left, just in case.

Finally, the fire department shows up. 

Provided your block isn’t engulfed in flames, 

they quickly turn off the alarm. With the crisis averted, you go back to your room and 

are free to resume sleeping. Even so, you find 

yourself angry at whoever set off the alarm 

which so rudely interrupted your peaceful 

slumber. You vow that you will never be “that 

guy.”

It’s a maddening scenario, one we could 

all do without. Fortunately, the steps for not 

setting off the fire alarm are the same steps 

for not causing a fire.

“Fire safety is as simple as following the 

rules,” said Builder 1st Class Mark Anderson, 

an engineering assistant with Joint Task Force 

Engineering. “It sounds too easy, but that’s 

the single most effective way to prevent a 

fire.”

“People think they’re responsible enough 

that they won’t cause a fire,” Anderson 

explained. “Unfortunately, there are a lot 

of fires started every year because people 

thought they knew better than the rules.”

Candles, or any kind of open flame, are 

not allowed in housing. Despite that prohibition, Anderson has seen two occasions where 

people left burning candles in their rooms 

while they went to work.

“If we’ve caught it twice, it makes me 

wonder how many people don’t get caught,” 

Anderson said.

Smoking is only allowed in designated 

areas. The boardwalk outside rooms in the 

Cuzco Barracks is not an authorized smoking area.

According to Anderson, there have been 

multiple instances here at Guantanamo where 

personnel covered their smoke detectors with 

plastic bags.

“If the people who cover up their smoke 

detectors are lucky, it gets caught in a room 

inspection. If they’re not so lucky, the fire 

department figures it out when they’re investigating what caused a fire,” Anderson said. 

“You wouldn’t tamper with the smoke detector in an airplane bathroom. Your room 

shouldn’t be treated any differently.”

Daisy-chaining power strips is another 

common cause of fires. It may be inconvenient to rearrange your room just because you 

don’t have an open outlet, but it’s a lot more 

inconvenient to lose everything in an inferno.

“These rules are the best ways we’ve found 

to help prevent loss of life and destruction of 

property,” Anderson said.

So if you want peace and quiet while you 

live a blissful, unburnt existence, the best way 

to get there is to know and follow the rules.

MSST San Diego leaves strong, proud legacy

Burning down the house!

Feature The Wire | Page 9

By Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

By Pvt. Loren Cook
I

f you ask a Trooper to name the most 

important section here at Guantanamo 

Bay, most would be tempted to say their own. 

Their final answer would probably be a section from Joint Task Force. It’s doubtful that 

many would mention Naval Station Security.

Sadly, the hard-working men and women 

in blue who patrol our little chunk of Cuba 

are often marginalized. Many of us only turn 

to them when we need them, and try to avoid 

them under other circumstances.

“It’s frustrating, because most of the people we deal with aren’t too happy to see us. 

We don’t make many friends on the job,” said 

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Matthew Weaver, 

a watch commander with NAVSTA Security.

This week, in honor of National Police 

Week, take a moment to hear from our often 

underappreciated protectors.

NAVSTA Security is the largest component unit of the naval station, with 

approximately 160 personnel. Much like 

Robocop, NAVSTA Security personnel have 

three main duties. Personnel serve the public 

trust, protect the innocent, and uphold the 

rules and regulations of the installation.

NAVSTA Security has exclusive jurisdiction over GTMO—not just over the main 

stretch of the cantonment area, but installation-wide, including Camp America and 

other sections predominantly populated by 

Joint Task Force Troopers. They also patrol 

inland areas of the bay, ensuring the safety 

and security of the beaches and coastline.

The master-at-arms rate covers a wide 

variety of duties, including law enforcement, 

antiterrorism, and force protection. At many 

stations, standing guard is the extent of what 

MAs do, said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Reg 

Leavitt, operations lead petty officer with 

NAVSTA Security.

“A lot of our newer personnel have never 

done law-enforcement before they get here,” 

Leavitt said. “They’ve stood guard at a gate 

for several years, and then they get here and 

have to work traffic when they’ve never seen 

a ticket pad before.”

“This is one of the best places to learn,” 

said Master-at-Arms Seaman Franko Hunter, 

a NAVSTA Security patrolman. “You learn 

just about every aspect of the job because 

we do it all.”

MAs also train every Tuesday, Leavitt said, 

covering subjects all the way from proper 

handcuffing procedure to taking witness 

statements.

“We have to cover a lot in our training 

because we do so many different things,” 

Leavitt said. “There’s no such thing as a typical day for an MA. Every day is different.”

Security personnel start their shift with 

a briefing from their watch commander, in 

which they find out what their assignment 

will be that day. Typically, they will work a 

13-hour shift.

“With law enforcement, we might not 

have anything happen one day, and then the 

next we’re going nonstop,” Leavitt said. “We 

never know what’s going to happen.”

“It’s kind of rough sometimes when not 

much is going on and all we have to listen to 

is AFN Radio,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class 

Emily Wruk, a NAVSTA Security patrolman.

Security personnel will typically be split 

between vehicle patrols, segregated by area, 

and static patrols, usually in the form of 

speed traps or DUI checkpoints.

“We definitely try to be proactive and prevent crimes, rather than reactive to crimes 

that already happened,” Weaver said. “Sitting 

by the road with a radar gun isn’t fun or exciting, but it’s better than getting called out to 

the scene of an accident.”

When a call does come in, a patrolling 

unit is typically diverted to the scene.

“Some of the most common things we 

respond to are alarm activations on the JTF 

side, and traffic accidents,” Leavitt said. “Our 

most important job is to patrol, because presence is the greatest crime-deterrent.”

Wruk also thinks that patrolling is the 

greatest deterrent.

“I think people take us seriously,” said 

Wruk. “If they see us, they slow down or 

stop what they’re doing.”

So spare a thought next time you want to 

make a right turn out of Windward Loop or 

speed through a school zone that it’s against 

the law, and the law exists for a reason.

“We’re not out there trying to get people 

in trouble. We’re trying to make this place 

safe for everyone,” Leavitt said.

 The Wire | Page 10 Feature Feature The Wire | Page 11

GUANTANAMO BAY

Bottom: MASN Franko Hunter and MA3 

Emily Wruk, patrolmen with NAVSTA 

Security, communicate with headquarters.

Opposite page, at top: MA1 Reg Leavitt 

patrols near Deer Point.

Opposite page, at bottom: Wruk next to her 

vehicle. By Pvt. Loren Cook
to happen.” 

Another MP deployed to Guantanamo 

Bay uses his military experiences and vast 

police background to mentor his soldiers. 

Staff Sgt. Fredrick Plimpton’s career 

started 35 years ago when he raised his hand 

and swore an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution as a Marine. 

After a short career in the Marine Corps, 

he attended college and then returned to law 

enforcement with the New York State Police. 

“The Marines prepared me for my future 

career,” said Plimpton. 

On September 11, 2001 Plimpton responded to the call in New York and was 

one of the 300 state troopers who went to 

the World Trade Center to assist in rescue 

operations. 

Although the operations were exhausting, 

it was during those three days that Plimpton 

was inspired to return to the armed services.

“We were exhausted having worked for 

three days straight with almost no sleep,” 

said Plimpton. “I heard the sound of the 

Humvee before I saw it. It rolled up with a 

young staff sergeant leaning out of the door. 

He jumped out and I swear he saluted me. 

He said to ‘Sir, we have it from here.” 

Plimpton was so impressed that he did 

everything in his power to enlist in the Army 

Reserve. With the help of his senator and an 

age waiver, he was able to enlist and serve 

with very unit that relieved him during the 

rescue operations, the 107th Military Police 

Battalion. 

With 35 years of experience, Plimpton 

mentors his soldiers using three rules: setting 

a good example, adhering to the standards, 

and constant accountability. 

Plimpton sees the result of his mentoring 

every day. 

“I see the results almost every day at guard 

mount, when I post well trained-troops and I 

see myself 35 years ago,” said Plimpton. 

Standing in the middle of his career, 

Capt. Paul Tremblay of the 170th Military 

Police Battalion can relate to other reservists 

about balancing a family, civilian profession, 

and his military career. 

Even though he had a family background 

in the military, it wouldn’t be until Tremblay 

joined the Air Force Junior ROTC in high 

school that he realized he enjoyed the positive impact he had to the community as a 

service member. 

While still in high school, he enlisted with 

the National Guard, and when he graduated 

he enrolled into North Georgia College and 

State University for Criminal Justice. However, during his first year he was deployed to 

Afghanistan in response to September 11, 

2001.

“I got a phone call the day of the attacks from my unit saying that we were on 

standby,” said Tremblay. “We deployed about 

three months later.”

Tremblay explained that after his deployment he was motivated to become the best 

officer he could be, so he focused on excelling in school and his military duties. It was 

during those college years that he was able 

to intern with the Gwennett County Police 

Department. 

“I really enjoyed riding around with the 

officers and listening to their experiences,” 

said Tremblay. “I decided it looked like a 

good job to see the benefit to your community. You have a direct impact on how that 

community is going to view police and how 

the public is going to view that community in 

terms of safety.”

Tremblay then began working for the 

same department he interned with. Now, he 

has seven years in and a family to take care 

of. 

As a husband and father of two, Tremblay understands the dangers of his two professions, but feels his dual training is beneficial. Tremblay recalled one experience he had 

right before deploying to Guantanamo.

“I was working a suspicious vehicle call 

where a woman and child were unconscious 

in a car,” said Tremblay. “I got to the call, 

assessed the call and was investigating that 

incident when I noticed two people walking 

by giving us the evil eye. About 10 minutes 

later, I was sitting in my patrol car writing 

things down for this female who was part of 

the initial investigation. She was standing in 

front of my car when I heard something that 

sounded like a gunshot.”

While assessing the situation several more 

shots rang out. Tremblay realized that someone was shooting at his patrol car. 

“Luckily they didn’t hurt anybody,” said 

Tremblay. 

Tremblay explained that his back up had 

already arrived so they were able to get civilians out and search the area. 

“We did a coordinated search and that’s 

what we do as MPs,” said “That ties into being a MP and a civilian law enforcement officer. Although there are differences, there’s 

a lot of similarities.” 

Those who choose to not only defend 

the Constitution but enforce and uphold 

the laws have dual responsibility. They bring 

honor not only to the United States military 

but to the police departments which they 

represent when they put on either uniform. 

 

as a Soldier and a police officer 

Army Cpl. Blake Mulcahy of the 107th 

Military Police Battalion works with the 

Venice Beach Task Force in California.

–photo by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

Feature The Wire | Page 13

Of the people who are called upon to uphold and defend the constitution 

of the United States, two exemplary types 

are police and service members. For those 

whose shoulders are able to bear both burdens, they are both service members and 

police officers. The Military Police Battalions 

that are deployed to Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay have many Soldiers who are also 

police in their civilian lives. 

When he’s not deployed with the 314th 

Military Police Battalion, Cpl. Blake Mulcahy 

mans the beaches and Venice boardwalk of 

California as a patrol police officer with the 

Los Angeles Police Department. 

“I’m with the Venice Beach Task Force,” 

said Blake. “We have some Special Forces 

unit tendencies like plain clothes details but 

for the most part it’s a lot of observation police work.” 

Being on the beach in plain clothes is a 

little different than being in uniform, but 

having the presence makes a big difference 

in the safety of the area. 

“I had to attend one day training to wear 

plain clothes,” said Mulcahy. “They basically 

teach us the difference in how you’re going 

to be treated in uniform and in plain clothes, 

and how you need certain things with you 

when you’re in plain clothes.”

“A lot of businesses owners enjoy our 

presence,” said Mulcahy. “That presence is 

the key because a lot of stuff happens when 

we don’t have police presence there. I’ve 

caught people trying to steal a car by just 

pulling up next to them.” 

Mulcahy began his law enforcement career when he joined the U.S. Army Reserve’s 

314th Military Police Battalion out of New 

York when he was 18. 

“I was always interested in the police 

background,” said Mulcahy. “But I didn’t realize I would pursue it at a younger age.” 

 Mulcahy explained that he was in a ride 

along with a police officer when his recruiter 

called him. He sat with the recruiter and was 

sold on the idea of becoming member of the 

Army’s Military Police. 

After completing basic training and advanced individual training, the young MP deployed with his unit to Iraq. This deployment 

would give him the experience he needed to 

join the LAPD when he returned home. 

On his first day with the LAPD, the new 

police officer would learn one of the most 

vital lessons in his career: you never know 

what’s going to happen.

“My first day on patrol ever and the call 

I got at the end of my shift was that one of 

my buddies was shot and killed by someone 

who didn’t agree with him,” said Mulcahy. 

“The thing is, you never know what is going 

Defending the Constitution: 

Above: Army Capt. Paul Tremblay of the 

170th Military Police Battalion works as a 

patrol officer in Georgia. 

Below: Army Staff Sgt. Fredrick Plimpton 

of the 314th MP Battalion at the daily 

guard mount passing information to his 

Soldiers.

–photos by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

By Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

 The Wire | Page 12 Feature
At Your Service The Wire | Page 15

O n t h e Wing

WASHINGTON – With safety remaining his top concern, Defense Secretary Leon 

E. Panetta has ordered the Air Force to take 

additional steps to mitigate risks to F-22 

pilots, George Little, acting assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, said today.

Beginning in 2008, a few pilots experienced hypoxia-like symptoms when flying the 

aircraft, Little told reporters at a Pentagon 

news conference. Hypoxia is a deficiency of 

oxygen. There have been a total of 12 cases 

of these hypoxia-like symptoms affecting 

pilots.

Little said the secretary has followed 

developments in the F-22 closely and has 

directed the Air Force to expedite the installation of an automatic backup oxygen system 

in all of the planes.

In addition, effective immediately, all F-22 

flights will remain near potential landing locations to enable quick recovery and landing 

should a pilot encounter unanticipated physiological conditions during flight,” Little said.

Finally, Panetta directed the Air Force to 

provide him with a monthly progress report 

as the service continues the search for the 

root cause of the problem.

These steps are in addition to the measures the Air Force is already taking to 

determine the root causes of the hypoxia-like 

symptoms pilots have experienced.

Panetta made this decision in part due to 

the reluctance of some pilots to fly the aircraft, Little said.

“Secretary Panetta believes the department must do everything possible to ensure 

pilot safety and minimize flight risks,” Little 

said.

The secretary’s directions take into 

account the need for determining the cause 

of the problem, while still allowing the military to use the unique capabilities provided 

by the F-22 Raptor. The aircraft are based 

in the United States and are now deployed 

to Southwest Asia, Little said. As the only 

fifth-generation aircraft in the world, he 

added, the plane is the most capable fighter 

in the air and is necessary to maintain U.S. air 

dominance.

“Safety is a zero-sum game,” Pentagon 

spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby said at the 

news conference. The automatic backup oxygen system will complete testing by the end 

of November, with installation in line fighters beginning in December. Ten Raptors will 

be retrofitted with this system per month, he 

said.

Keeping the F-22 fleet flying allows 

the service to examine the aircraft closely. 

“There’s a troubleshooting process going 

on right now,” Kirby said. “So the aircraft 

being in operation assists that process. We 

believe we’ve mitigated the risks as much as 

possible.”

But safety is the paramount concern, he 

said, and if he needs to, the secretary will 

ground the fleet. “But right now, he believes 

... this is the right course,” Kirby said.

The Air Force has been studying the 

problem since 2008. “The root cause of 

hypoxia-like events has not been determined,” Little said. “It is possible ... that 

it could be attributed to the oxygen system 

in the airplane – thus the installation of 

a backup system. But it could have other 

causes, too, and the Air Force is aggressively looking at other factors that could be 

contributing.”

LOS ANGELES – A growing number of 

people are choosing to run without shoes. 

Many barefoot runners say running with no 

shoes actually helps reduce injuries and joint 

pain. In Los Angeles, the mild weather allows 

people to run barefoot throughout the year. 

Michelle Musacchio runs without shoes 

whenever she can. She started running in her 

bare feet nine months ago because she was 

looking for a way to exercise without joint 

pain.

“My hips had been hurting, my knees had 

been hurting, not a problem with the running,” she said.

President of the Los Angeles Barefoot 

Runners Society, Ken Bob Saxton believes the 

cause of joint pain is often shoes.

“They allow us to run very sloppily, they 

allow us to slam our feet into the ground with 

higher impact with a straight leg with our knee 

locked up so that all that impact go straight 

into the knee and into the hips,” he said.

Saxton has run 79 marathons in his bare 

feet. He says when he sees sharp objects such 

as glass on the ground he runs around it or on 

top of it without getting cut.

“Most of the glass just lays there and as 

long as you come straight down like this and 

pick your foot up nothing happens,” he said.

Harvard University Professor Daniel 

Lieberman has studied how shoes have 

changed the way people run. In a Skype interview with VOA, he says 30 to 70 percent of 

runners suffer injuries.

“Why have we failed to lessen this epidemic 

of injury? I would argue is that we put too 

much faith technology in shoes, in orthotics, 

in things you can buy, and what really matters 

is how you run,” said Lieberman.

Lieberman studied runners, from members of the Harvard track team, to runners in 

Africa who have never worn shoes. He says 

barefoot runners have better form.

“They tend to have good posture. They 

tend to take shorter strides. They tend to not 

land hard on their heels,” he explained.

Lieberman says barefoot runners tend to 

land on the balls of their feet. He says most 

people who run in shoes land on their heel, 

which could cause damage to the body.

Physical therapist Robert Forster specializes in proper running technique and has 

worked with Olympic Gold Medalists Jackie 

Joyner-Kersee and Florence Griffith Joyner. 

He says running without shoes may help 

strengthen the foot, but can also lead to foot 

injuries. 

“I just see it as a movement, that’s not necessary,” he said. 

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

By Elizabeth Lee

Voice of America News

Panetta orders Air Force 

to take further steps on F-22

Growing number of runners opt to run in bare feet 

 see BAREFOOT page 16

 The Wire | Page 14 At Your Service

on t h e D E C K

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Department of 

Defense will begin funding an Office of 

Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored project 

aimed at developing Web applications to help 

multinational navies police the world’s oceans, 

officials announced May 14. 

The Inter national Collaborative 

Development for Enhanced Maritime 

Domain Awareness (ICODE MDA) was one 

of 14 projects selected by the Office of the 

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, 

Technology and Logistics to receive $1 million awards beginning this fall through the 

Coalition Warfare Program, which funds 

international collaborative research efforts. 

The ICODE MDA project is a research 

alliance between ONR and Space and Naval 

Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center Pacific 

(SSC Pacific). ONR is partnering with scientists in Chile to build widgets, or Web-based 

applications, for use by sailors and maritime 

operators to analyze data and other information to combat pirates, drug smugglers, arms 

traffickers, illegal fishermen and other nefarious groups. 

“A lot of maritime threats occur in developing parts of the world,” said Dr. Augustus 

Vogel, associate director for Latin America 

and sub-Saharan Africa in ONR-Global’s 

Chile office. “Our goal is to develop partnerships with countries that have maritime threats 

to help solve those problems.” 

ONR will tap researchers at the Technical 

University of Federico Santa Maria, one of 

Chile’s top engineering schools, to create Webbased tools in an open source environment. 

The work will focus on producing software 

to improve automation, small-target detection 

and intent detection. 

Ultimately, the software will be compatible 

with multiple maritime network systems so 

that navies around the world can use the tools 

and share information for global operations. 

“We’ll take those tools and integrate them 

into a widget framework that can be part of 

a coalition-accessible Web portal,” said John 

Stastny, an engineer in the advanced analysis 

systems branch at SSC Pacific, who is helping 

to lead the ICODE MDA project. 

The effort in Chile is part of a larger collaborative project that encompasses nations in 

Africa, where ICODE MDA has been underway with researchers at the University of 

Ghana, University of Pretoria, University of 

Mauritius and the Council for Scientific and 

Industrial Research in South Africa. 

ONR provides the science and technology 

necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine 

Corps’ technological advantage. Through 

its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and 

technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 

countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning 

and 914 industry partners. 

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama 

welcomed Afghanistan President Hamid 

Karzai’s announcement of his government’s 

list of areas intended for the third stage of 

the transition of security responsibility from 

NATO’s International Security Assistance 

Force to Afghan security forces.

“As transition proceeds in these areas,” 

Obama said, “nearly 75 percent of the 

population of Afghanistan will be living 

in provinces, districts and villages where 

Afghan forces are leading.”

The Afghan government will now enter 

the third of five tranches or stages, as they 

continue to move forward in the process of 

taking the responsibility of national security, 

ISAF officials said in a news release issued 

today.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s national security forces “are strengthening their capacity 

as we remain on track to meet our goal of 

having the Afghan government fully responsible for security across the country by the 

end of 2014,” Obama said in his statement.

A week from now, Obama said, world 

leaders will gather at the May 20-21 NATO 

Summit in Chicago “to discuss how we can 

effectively advance the transition process as 

our forces move from combat to a support 

role and demonstrate our enduring support 

for the Afghan government and Afghan 

National Security Forces.”

Obama said he “looks forward to meeting 

with President Karzai and my fellow leaders 

in Chicago to discuss these critical steps that 

will strengthen Afghan sovereignty while 

responsibly winding down the war.”

Got a pirate problem?

There’s an app for that

President Obama welcomes new 

stage of Afghan security transition

By Grace Jean

Office of Naval Research Public Affairs

By American Forces Press Service
Cheeseburger-eating runners

J

ohn Paul Jones: The black hill in the early 

morning hours, barely visible to those 

Guantanamo Bay residents awake for the 

challenge. Let’s go to the top of it; to the 

last windmill where the view of this deployment is unmatched. Drenched with sweat 

and short of breath, let’s sit with our legs 

crossed. There’s time before the sun rises to 

close our eyes and think of everything that 

has brought us to this time and place. 

Camp Iguana can be seen in the distance 

after blinking your eyes and noticing the first 

sign of light over the horizon. The sun will 

rise soon and a new day will start: a new day 

to start fresh, forget the mistakes of the past, 

and run into the future.

The steep road to JPJ and its beautiful 

panoramic view should not be surmounted 

by the use of four wheels. Rub the sleep out 

of your eyes and lace up or barefoot your 

way to the top.

Running. Sweat the stress out of your life. 

Sweat the calories out of your life. The best 

way to combat the decision to skip the salad 

bar for the burger bar is to run. Running 

makes you sexy. Cheeseburgers make you fat 

and greasy.

Ten thousand tons of Girl Scout cookies 

arrived on the island a few weeks ago. Each 

Trooper could get up to three boxes. It’s 160 

calories per serving size, which is only two 

cookies. If you have the self-discipline to eat 

two cookies at one time then by all means 

drive everywhere. 

With the still sun beating down in the 

late afternoon, use your feet. Fulfill their 

purpose. Your body is a mode of transportation. Let it not only bring you to places 

that sell cheeseburgers, but also to the natural beauties of this island. 

When you look back on your time spent 

in Cuba, will you want to remember catching up on your favorite television show, or 

running into the sun each night on your 

way to the beach? The point is to relieve 

stress and both options will accomplish that, 

but maybe mix it up every now and again. 

Cheeseburgers and running mix well, in fact 

it is satisfying to have both. The combination 

can be avoided if the running comes first. 

Eat more chicken than Jim Morrison.

Music: Run with it or run without it. 

Music already has its way with your brain, 

seeping into every nook and cranny, teleporting you to the beach or a hillside. Combine 

running and music to double dip on life’s 

cheese. Be a cheeseburger-eating runner. Be 

sexy.

There are reasons to run. Everyone has 

a different one, but it must be coupled with 

the motivation. 

Missing your loved one like never before? 

Throw on the “Miseducation of Lauryn 

Hill” and don’t return home until your iPod 

has gone silent.

Didn’t do so hot on a PT test? Throw on 

some Led Zeppelin and hit the trails. If a 

high PT score doesn’t motivate you as much 

as just feeling healthy, then find what works 

for you. 

Enter the zone. It’s a place where you 

are so focused on one thing that the rest of 

life’s seemingly small problems blow by you 

like the wind. May the wind be at your back, 

though it’s not terrible to catch a nice breeze 

after running in 90 degree heat.

Find your reason to run. Who cares if 

you’re running away from a problem, maybe 

running away from a problem is a way to 

solve it. In the long term, problems aren’t 

that important anyway so why not run away? 

The war will still be here tomorrow. 

Mind, Body & Spirit The Wire | Page 17

Only at GTMO by Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Keith Simmons

By Spc. Ryan Hallock Mind, Body & Spirit

 The Wire | Page 16 Around the JTF

I

n the days before animal husbandry and 

agriculture, probably stretching all the 

way back to the Stone Age, man has had a 

strange twinkle in his eye and a hunger for 

fish in his belly. Whether due to large-scale 

genetics or merely a healthy competitive 

streak, I have always felt the faint glimmer of insanity my ancient ancestors felt. 

As a wee lad I remember my father pulling 

in truly massive northern pike and thinking, “When will it be my turn?” That time 

has long since come. From far flung fishing 

holes in Glacier National Park to the hidden 

beauty of Isle Royale and most everything 

in between, I have fed the insanity running 

through my being. It has run so deep that I 

have missed momentous occasions throughout my life: loved ones’ birthdays, holiday 

dinners. I fully expect to miss more as I have 

yet to catch that truly epic fish. For your 

entertainment I will now recount some of 

my tales.

Date: My wife’s birthday

Place: Beta Gris Beach, Lac La Belle, 

Michigan

Fishing fever has taken over and has fully 

permeated the crevices of my brain along 

with my two buddies’ brains. We find it absolutely necessary to bombard my wife and 

her friend with some persuasive verbiage 

with the single-minded intent of fishing to our hearts’ content. We succeed; 

they will stay in the car while we engage 

in a few carefree hours of fishing. It is 

my young bride’s birthday, I know, but I 

can only see the big picture. Sunset is only 

three hours away; it is prime bass hour. 

Surely she will forget this insult. We 

get a boat and head for “bass bay.” My 

friends, always with luck on their side, are 

catching quite a few fish. However, not one 

is very impressive. Through glassy eyes we 

have a hazy view of my wife and her friend 

on the opposite shore; they look like they’re 

waving encouragement! In the throes of my 

madness that is how I interpret it. 

We continue fishing. No luck for me; 

small luck for my pals. The sun, like opportunity, begins to set behind the horizon and 

we decide to pull in the lines. I begin reeling 

in when suddenly a super smallmouth bass 

inhales my lure. With a shriek of delight I 

begin the battle. Up and down I go, up and 

down watching this armored tank of a fish 

attempt to escape. A furious battle ensues, 

and soon the last cast has turned into an 

epic struggle of wills, me against this fish. 

Through the hysteria my brain registers a 

strange noise, much like a car honking from 

shore, and I think, “What could that be?” 

I stop reeling long enough to make out 

the image of my wife. She is honking the 

horn. In this time the fish spits up my lure, 

and my last glimpse is of him gliding into 

my memory. 

My wife has never forgiven me.

Date: Post-deployment leave 

Place: Lake Bailey, Michigan

For a fleeting moment, upon my return 

from battle, I am self-indulgent; a shiny new 

twelve foot fishing boat is my reward. I take 

thirty days of leave, and with my wife and 

child in tow I head home for some freshwater fishing. The wife and I convince my 

mother-in-law to babysit our boy. I step onto 

my new vessel, and instantly I am in constant 

motion: rigging lines, pulling off fish, rerigging snapped lines. While I labor merrily 

about the boat my wife begins to hang her 

foot over the side. In a confluence of events 

her shoe falls off and tumbles into the water. 

“Go back!” she screams in a cry of pure, 

utter rage. 

I turn and head towards the drifting shoe. 

Immediately, my rod bends almost in half 

and the line begins to run. A lunker for sure! 

My wife grabs the pole and starts fighting, 

inexpertly. 

“Give me the pole, give me the pole!” I 

beg. 

“Get my shoe first then you can have it!” 

she retaliates. 

As my wife struggles like a novice fisherman with my dream fish I snap to and 

retrieve her shoe.

“Gimme, gimme, gimme!” I call.

“Oh fine!” as she hands my Uglystik over.

I begin the fight. In and out. Up and 

down. This fish is a serious foe. However, he 

does not understand how prepared I am for 

his shenanigans. My lifetime’s worth of fishing savvy has prepared me for this moment. 

“I will bask in triumph, my lunker of the 

lake!” 

I fight him and keep fighting, never giving up ... even as he saws through my line 

and escapes.

Date: The present

Place: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

I have not yet experienced the crushing 

loss of a lunker here. I know in my heart 

that it is sure to come. I catch small fish and 

madness still ensues. I watch large fish stubbornly ignore my line, and I begin to salivate. 

So friends, all I can do is continue fishing 

and wearing my shaded, polarized sunglasses 

to hide the fevered, glossy look in my eyes 

from those who have never experienced the 

insanity fishing breeds.

To be continued...

REEL STORIES,

LOST LUNKERS

“We just hate to see the injuries that 

could be avoided because there’s not enough 

padding in the bottom of the shoe.”

Forster has treated injuries caused by 

running without shoes.

“Bruises at the ball of the foot, especially 

in the big toe can actually fracture some 

small bones in those tendons and that can 

be a real serious problem,” he said.

Lieberman says many people get injured 

running without shoes because they do too 

much too soon.

“It is true that if somebody who has 

been wearing shoes their whole life and then 

suddenly takes off their shoes and go for a 

10-mile run, they will injure themselves, for 

sure. I guarantee it,” he said.

He says new barefoot runners have to 

take it slow and give the body time to adapt. 

BAREFOOT cont. 

By Army Sgt. Brett Perkins
Bulletin Board The Wire | Page 19

GTMO Religious 

Services

NAVSTA 

Main Chapel

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

 FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU 19

Call the movie hotline at 4880 or see https://intranet/movies.html for more information.

18 20 21 22 23 24

Mirror Mirror

(NEW)

(PG) 8 p.m.

The Avengers 

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

Dark Shadows

(NEW)

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Wrath of the 

Titans

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

The Lucky One (PG-13) 8 p.m.Mirror Mirror

(NEW)

(R) 8 p.m.

Dr. Seuss’

The Lorax

(last showing)

(PG) 8 p.m.

Dark Shadows 

(NEW)

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

The Vow

(last showing)

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Dr. Seuss’

The Lorax

(last showing)

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

21 Jump Street

(R) 8 p.m.

The Vow

(last showing)

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

John Carter

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Silent House

(R) 8 p.m.

Wrath of the 

Titans

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

21 Jump Street

(R) 8 p.m.

Daily Catholic Mass

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

Vigil Mass

Saturday 5 p.m. 

Mass

Sunday 9 a.m.

General Protestant

Sunday 11 a.m. 

Gospel Service

Sunday 1 p.m.

Christian Fellowship

Sunday 6 p.m. 

 Iglesia Ni Cristo

Sunday 5:30 a.m. 

Room A

Pentecostal Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m. & 5 p.m. 

Room D

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m. 

Room A

Islamic Service

Friday 1 p.m. 

Room C

Intense Spiritual 

Fitness Power Lunch!

Study the Book of 

Romans with 

Chaplain Chouest

Thursdays 11-11:30 a.m.

JTF Command 

Chaplain’s Office

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Bible Study

Wednesday 6 p.m.

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

JTF Trooper 

Chapel

For other services, contact the NAVSTA 

Chaplain’s Office at 2323.

For more information, contact the 

JTF Chaplain’s Office at 2305.

GTMO Quick 

Reference

Caribbean Coffee & Cream – 77859

Mon.-Sat. 6 a.m.-10 p.m. 

Sun. 1-10 p.m.

Jerk House – 2535

Sun.-Th. 5-9 p.m.

Fri. & Sat. 5-10 p.m. 

Bowling Center – 2118

Mon.-Fri. 6-11 p.m.

 Fri. 6 p.m.-12 a.m

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Sun. & Holidays 1-11 p.m.

KFC and A&W Express – 75653

Daily 11 a.m.-10 

p.m.

MWR Liberty Centers – 2010 

Deer Point: Mon.-Fri. 4 p.m.-12 a.m.

Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m.-12 a.m.

Marine Hill: Mon.-Th. 11-12 a.m.

Fri. 11-2 a.m., Sun. 9-12 a.m.

Tierra Kay: Sun-Th. 7-12 a.m.

Fri. & Sat. 7-2 a.m.

Camp America - open 24 hours

Pirate’s Cove

Th.-Sat. 7 p.m.-12 a.m.

Cuban Club – 75962 (call ahead!)

Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

McDonald’s – 3797

Mon.-Th. 5 a.m.-11 p.m.

Fri-Sat. 5 a.m.-2 a.m.

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Pizza Hut – 77995

Mon.-Th. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sat. & Sun. 12-9 p.m.

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Fri. & Sat. 5 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Windjammer Cafe

Mon.-Th. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fri. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sat. 5-10 p.m.

Sun. 5-9 p.m.

O’Kelly’s Irish Pub

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Fri. & Sat. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

Sun. 5-9 p.m.

Safe Ride – 84781

 The Wire | Page 18 Movie Review

Over the last four years, movie-goers have known that “The Avengers” 

was coming. It was inevitable. Since 2008, 

there have been “cookies” (short clips usually appearing after a film’s closing credits) 

in certain Marvel Comics-based movies. 

“Iron-Man” (2008), “The Incredible Hulk” 

(2008), “Iron-Man 2” (2010), “Thor” (2011) 

and “Captain America: The First Avenger” 

(2011). They served as the pre-cursors to this 

latest world-wide box-office phenomenon. 

At the end of each movie, there was a 

cookie with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), 

director and agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic 

Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics 

Directorate), who would eventually recruit 

these Marvel icons into the superhero team 

known simply as “The Avengers.” This was 

truly a unique marketing strategy. It was 

essentially an ongoing “in-house” ad campaign and now it has finally paid off. 

Currently, “The Avengers” has grossed 

over $381 million domestically and over $627 

million overseas. Its total worldwide boxoffice take is over $1 billion and climbing. It 

is presently the 11th highest grossing film of 

all time. This is an astonishing feat and there 

is no end in sight. 

“The Avengers” opens with the global 

threat posed by the rotten scoundrel Loki 

(Tom Hiddleston), a god-like being from 

the distant Asgard at the other side of the 

universe. Loki plans to unleash his warmongering monster minions to storm planet 

Earth and enslave the human race. Loki seeks 

to use the tesseract, which is essentially a 

weapon of mass destruction of insurmountable power, to aid in his quest for global 

dominance.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Special Agent Nick Fury is 

not down with this. Neither is Tony Stark 

(Robert Downey Jr.), a.k.a. Iron-Man, the 

brilliant billionaire philanthropist in a hightech super-suit of epic proportions; Natasha 

Romanoff/“The Black Widow” (Scarlett 

Johansson), an unparalleled martial arts 

expert; Steve Rogers/“Captain America” 

(Chris Evans), a genetically engineered supersoldier; Clint Barton/“Hawkeye” (Jeremy 

Renner) a hand-to-hand combat master; 

Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the god-like being, 

who is Loki’s brother; and the elusive Dr. 

Bruce Banner/“The Incredible Hulk” (Mark 

Ruffalo), a scientist with a powerful alterego of, well, “incredible” size, strength and 

endurance. 

There are several characters in this movie 

who demand their own signature moments 

of screen-time and individual back-stories 

(which were primarily covered in the other 

Marvel pictures). All these elements must tie 

into the crisis at hand with a neat little bow 

on top of it all. Also vying for screen-time is 

the flying fortress of S.H.I.E.L.D., an elaborate flying aircraft carrier. I’ve never seen 

anything quite like it before in the movies. 

Points awarded for originality and making me 

go “hmm” as I watched our heroes venture 

into action on that aerial “marvel.” 

Fans will probably gobble “The 

Avengers” up with repeat viewings, strong 

word of mouth and what will likely be 

high volume DVD and Blu-ray sales. For 

them, the movie showcases in spades these 

superheroes uniting together in the same 

superhero film. Each superhero looks great 

and they certainly deliver the goods in terms 

of characterizations, use of super-powers 

and super-strength as they battle dark forces 

side-by-side. 

“The Avengers” is a very busy film. This 

film really is a superhero smorgasbord. It’s 

ambitious in its approach as a piece of pop 

culture cinema. How the film manages to 

balance all of its multiple components is a 

strong suit. A movie like this could have felt 

like an enormous hodgepodge collage. To 

the film’s credit, all the pieces fit together 

rather nicely. Sure, there are some loose ends 

that go in different directions. That’s okay. 

The pendulums are set in motion for other 

story arcs in subsequent movies to follow. 

“The Avengers” accomplishes this without 

becoming an incoherent mess. If filmgoers 

haven’t seen the other films, and if they don’t 

plan to see an Avengers’ spin-off to see what 

else happens, that is fine. This picture is relatively self-contained. How many other films 

of this magnitude can pull that off? 

While I enjoyed it, I did feel this movie 

could not be more than what it is. From my 

perspective, it meets only the checkpoints. 

Here’s what I mean: Do we see our Marvel 

heroes together? Yes. Do they bicker and 

fight each other at first? Yes. Do they overcome their sub-cultural differences to work 

in tandem against the Loki/WMD/alien 

invasion threat? Yes. Are there a few good 

jokes and a Stan Lee (the founder of Marvel 

Comics and co-creator of many of its characters) cameo thrown in for good measure? 

Well, funny you should ask . . .

This film adaption of “The Avengers” was 

directed by Joss Whedon, who is well-known 

in fantasy-television circles as the driving 

force behind “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 

(1997-2003), “Angel” (1999-2004), “Firefly” 

(2002) and “Dollhouse” (2009-2010). Given 

his track record and reverence for the fantasy genre, he was a natural choice to head 

this film. Why he had not broken into bigscreen comic book film adaptions earlier is 

hard to say. Though, a few years back, he did 

try to bring DC Comics’ “Wonder Woman” 

to the screen in a failed attempt. He is clearly 

a story-teller who knows how to get his audience dialed-in and he gives them exactly what 

they want. 

Though likeable, I personally found “The 

Avengers” merely satisfying and nothing 

more. I know there are people who absolutely loved this film, while I only liked it at 

arms length. Perhaps that’s due to my own 

tastes and sensibilities. Again, I felt this film 

only met checkpoints and it didn’t do anything to exceed that. That’s okay. This film 

will still be treasured by its fans, and I still 

managed to have fun with it too. 

By Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class 

Ty Bjornson

Movie Review The Avengers PG-13

143 min.
New York City is far away from Guantanamo Bay, but 

they are tied together by the events of 9/11. Because 

of this special bond, Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s operations building – McNaughton Hall – is dedicated to the 

memory of New York Police Officer and Army Staff Sgt. 

James McNaughton, who, on Aug. 2, 2005, was killed in 

the line of duty by enemy gunfire. He was the first NYPD 

officer to be killed in Iraq.

McNaughton, a member of the “9/11” class at New 

York’s police academy, was one of the first recruits to 

graduate following the events of September 11, 2001. His 

class term, the longest in the history of the academy, was 

extended three months to respond to the terrorist attacks.

McNaughton, of Centereach, NY, was a member of 

what his stepmother, Michele, calls a “cop family,” as McNaughton’s father, stepmother, uncles and even his fiancé 

all served as police officers. 

A volunteer for service in Iraq, McNaughton was performing his duties as the noncommissioned officer in 

charge of the Iraqi Highway Patrol Mentorship Program 

when he was ultimately felled by a sniper’s bullet at Camp 

Victory, near Baghdad’s International Airport.

“He was a true Patriot,” Mrs. McNaughton said of him. 

“He was actually born at West Point, because his father was 

stationed there then. I guess he was sort of destined to be 

an American hero that way.”

McNaughton served his country as an Army Reservist 

with the 306th Military Police Battalion, 800th MP Brigade, and as a New York City Police Department’s District 

2 transit officer. He served five years of active Army duty 

prior to becoming a Citizen Soldier and police officer.

While he never served in Guantanamo himself, the family of Staff Sgt. James McNaughton came here in November 2007 to dedicate the building.

“It really is an honor,” Mrs. McNaughton said at the 

dedication ceremony. “I know that he would be so proud. 

Not because he was arrogant, but because I think he would 

like to inspire people with his story. He was a role model 

for people, and I think he would have wanted to be a person kids would look up to.”

“He truly marched to the sound of guns twice,” said 

Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, then commander of JTF Guantanamo. “He served his country honorably and so we will 

honor him.”

In the Line of Duty:

Guantanamo Conference Center Honors Fallen NYPD Officer, MP