Volume 12, Issue 25 Thursday, June 9, 2011

Torrential rains break

63-year-old record

Down came

the rain...

GTMO launches new

photography club

Shutterbugs The Hangover: Part 2

The Wolfpack is back!
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 1,000.

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

Spc. Kelly Gary

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

COVER: As rain continues to poor on Guantanamo Bay, a Joint Task Force member takes the plunge in 

a dodge pick-up truck through a huge area of flooding next to Camp Delta, June 7. In the past three 

days, more than ten inches of rain fell forcing Troopers to break out their rain gear. -photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand.

NEGB Command Master Chief

Command Master Chief

The “power of positive” leadership is an initiative created to 

support growing a positive culture throughout the military. In all 

situations we are confronted with in life, there is a perceived positive 

or negative impact. How you approach each of these situations 

can determine how you learn from, adapt to or overcome these 

challenges. 

Never forget positive leadership is infectious. Also, always keep in 

mind negative leadership is just as infectious. Leadership matters – 

how you lead will be reflected in those you lead. 

The Mission - to encourage everyone to understand the 

importance, use and demonstration of positive leadership 

traits. At each level of leadership, we must understand our 

leadership expectations. 

The Vision - to create a culture in which we grow 

professionally and personally due to positive leadership and the 

example we project. 

Jason Wallis

Guiding Principles

 1. Power of Positive

 2. Passion with Compassion

 3. Pride Projection

 4. Empowerment

 5. Projecting a Positive Attitude

 6. Success Education

 7. Understanding Influence

Principle 1: Power of Positive: Always remember those who 

have supported you through positive leadership and provided you 

mentorship, enabling your success. Bring this leadership trait forward 

by ensuring juniors are afforded the same opportunities through 

effective leadership, education and communication

Principle 2: Passion with Compassion: Exercise positive 

leadership by showing others how they are valued. Always display a 

passion for what you do as a leader by educating others on positive 

leadership traits. Develop in them today what they will need for 

success in the future.

Principle 3: Pride Projection: Read books on your heritage, then 

discuss them with your peers. Make sure they understand how proud 

you are of your heritage and they will emulate what they see.

Principal 4: Empowerment: Our juniors seek the approval 

of you as their leader. It is important to provide each of them the 

opportunity to lead. As you show confidence in them, you are growing 

a very valuable tool – our future leaders. As they see you developing 

their confidence, they will develop professionalism and loyalty.

Principle 5: Projecting a Positive Image: Always be proud of 

who you are and ensure your peers and juniors see this. On bad days, 

seek out a peer or a mentor to discuss problems. Maintain both your 

physical and mental health so your people see the power of your 

positive attitude.

Principle 6: Success Education: Educate others by using 

success stories to show them how they can achieve success. If only 

the negatives are discussed, that is all they will understand. If you 

want them to emulate a positive behavior, you have to show them 

success to emulate.

Principle 7: Understanding Influence: As you grow future 

leaders, ensure you are also supporting those who you work for so 

they, too, will grow. Followership is also an important leadership trait 

to exhibit for others. You must first understand the importance of 

following if you are expected to lead others through your influence. 
Kevin Baron

Star and Stripes

at them in the context of where we’ve been in 

recent years, the trends are very, very positive.”

Yet on Monday, in addition to the U.S. 

troops killed 13 Iraqis died in a suicide car 

bombing in Tikrit. On Friday, 19 people were 

killed there when suicide bombers hit a mosque 

and then detonated another explosion in the 

hospital treating the victims. On May 19, a 

triple bombing at a Kirkuk police station killed 

27 more, following five roadside bombings 

there in the previous 10 days. Police also have 

been attacked 

in Mosul.

Buchanan 

identified the 

three biggest 

threats in Iraq 

as al-Qaida 

and terrorists; 

militias and 

their illegal 

arms; and 

crime. Yet, 

most military 

assistance the 

U.S. suggests 

could help to 

Iraq’s 200,000 

d e f e n s e 

m i n i s t r y 

forces and 

4 5 0 , 0 0 0 

i n t e r i o r 

m i n i s t r y 

forces is 

largely aimed 

at external 

threats.

Austin has stressed that Iraqis need specific 

training such as combined artillery and tank 

warfare, air-to-air capabilities and maintenance. 

The defense ministry provided just 10 percent 

of the estimated necessary equipment 

maintenance over the last two years, Buchanan 

said.

Additionally, Iraq has virtually no 

independent intelligence, surveillance and 

reconnaissance support.

If more attacks come, it could become 

harder for al-Maliki to plead for American help 

and for President Barack Obama to break his 

campaign promise to bring troops home.

“On both sides, the politics are pretty dicey 

for an extension,” Mansoor said. “The cost 

of the mission plus the occasional casualty, 

as we saw today, and the lack of support 

in Iraq coupled with the lack of support 

among the American people make this pretty 

problematical. Even if, strategically, it makes 

sense to stay.”

Privately, some Pentagon officials also 

believe Iraq’s request will come at the last 

minute. Meanwhile, they are trying to determine 

what Iraqis need, what Iraqi laws allow, and 

what the U.S. wants to happen.

Washington that Iraqis will come together in 

time.

“I think if there is going to be a deal, it’s 

going to be a very last-minute thing,” he said.

The U.S. needs about two months to 

complete a total withdrawal of bases and 

equipment, Mansoor estimated. By the end 

of October, if no request has come, he said, 

“then I think we’re into the final stages of the 

termination of the mission.”

Convincing Iraqis to let Americans stay, 

| News you can Use The Wire | Page 3

As more U.S. troops die in Iraq, end of the mission there remains unclear

he said, may require the U.S. to complete the 

pullout, then wait for Iraqis to realize they need 

additional security assistance, before asking 

Americans to return in limited roles.

That idea may give U.S. logisticians 

headaches, but it highlights the uncertainty 

permeating the increasingly dangerous final 

months of the eight-year mission, during which 

4,459 American troops have died, according to 

iCasualties.org.

Until recently, Shiite militias this year have 

targeted mostly Iraqi government centers 

and hospitals. While some attacks also have 

targeted Americans at outposts in southern Iraq 

and elsewhere, none have been as brazen as 

Monday’s truck-mounted direct assault on the 

joint U.S.-Iraqi Forward Operating Base Loyalty, 

near Baghdad’s Sadr City.

U.S. officials frequently downplay such 

violence as desperate, infrequent episodes 

unable to spark sectarian chaos of years past 

and rarely directed at U.S. forces.

“We do still have violent actions, or violent 

activities through the country, and sometimes 

they’re very heinous,” said USFI spokesman Maj. 

Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan in a May 27 conference 

call with reporters. “But overall when you look 

U.S. officials say there is no sign Iraqi leaders 

are closer to asking Americans to extend their 

stay beyond Dec. 31, even as Monday’s triple 

rocket attack that killed five U.S. soldiers in 

Baghdad punctuated a recent increase in 

violence.

“I couldn’t tell you the internal state of 

deliberations in the Iraqi government, but we 

have not gotten that request,” Col. David Lapan, 

a Pentagon 

spokesman, 

said Monday.

With the 

deadline less 

than seven 

m o n t h s 

away, 46,000 

U.S. troops 

a d v i s i n g 

Iraqi Security 

Forces and 

hoping to 

be home by 

New Year’s 

Day are left 

waiting for 

politics in 

Baghdad and 

Washington 

to determine 

their fate.

T h i s 

s p r i n g , 

D e f e n s e 

S e c r e t a r y 

Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman 

Adm. Mike Mullen and U.S. Forces-Iraq 

commander Gen. Lloyd Austin began publicly 

pronouncing that U.S. troops could assist Iraqi 

Security Forces for years to come, but said 

Baghdad needs to ask quickly.

“There is sufficient flexibility in the plan 

should a request emerge from the Iraqis, but 

that flexibility diminishes over time,” a senior 

defense official told “Stars and Stripes” on 

Monday.

Last month, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki said he would decide by August whether 

to support a U.S. extension if a majority in 

parliament agreed. But it would require he 

break from some of the supporters who kept 

him in power after last year’s elections. With no 

Iraqi defense or interior minister yet appointed 

to facilitate any security recommendations 

to parliament, it’s unclear how that 

recommendation process would play out.

“I don’t think the Iraqis are any closer to 

asking for an extension,” said retired Army 

Col. Peter Mansoor, who served as Gen. David 

Petraeus’ executive officer in Iraq and is now 

a professor of military history at Ohio State 

University.

Mansoor sees little confidence in 

Soldiers from the 17th Fires Brigade and 2nd Brigade Combat 

Team, 4th Infantry Division arrive by air and convoy to assist the 

Iraqi Army provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Faddaqhryah and Bahar in Basra Province.

 - photo by Spc. Maurice A. Galloway
The News from the Bay | Wire | Page 4

Boots on the Ground

Who are you rooting for in the NBA Championships?

“I’m rooting for Miami. I like 

LeBron, even though no one 

wants to see him win.”

Spc. Roshaunda 

Figgers

“I have no idea, I don’t 

follow basketball. The only 

dribbling I do is when I’m 

eating.”

Coast Guard Boatswain’s 

Mate Chief Scott Braithwaite

Army Staff Sgt. 

Gordon McCall

“I’m going with Dallas 

because I’m not a big fan of 

LeBron.”

“Let’s get it Miami!”

Equipment Operator 

1st Class Mark Kelly

Seasons open for disc 

golf, sand volleyball

Sign up now for the upcoming summer 

outdoor sports leagues – disc golf and sand 

volleyball. 

Meet new people, exercise and have a 

good time every Thursday at the disc golf 

course, located across the street from the 

Lateral Hazard Golf Course. The golf shop 

also provides discs for free and sells new 

ones for those interested. 

Sand volleyball league registrations take 

News from the Bay Stories and reporting by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

Listen to the Chicken - 

local band at Tiki Bar

Enjoy free, live music performed by 

Guantanamo Bay’s local band “Sounds Like 

Chicken” every Wednesday at the Tiki Bar 

starting at 9 p.m.

A tropical rock band, ‘Sounds Like 

Chicken’ performs a mix of originals as 

well as cover songs by Jack Johnson, Jimmy 

Buffet, Train, Barenaked Ladies and more. 

“The songs they cover have their own 

tropical flare to it,” said Cory Geiger 

Morale, Welfare and Recreation outdoor 

activities coordinator. “They are really 

good at interacting with the crowd and 

very laid back.” 

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. Another 

performance titled ‘Theater of War’ will 

take place 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,” 

place now until Tuesday at the Denich Gym. 

Get your team of four players together for 

either the men’s or women’s division. 

A coaches meeting is scheduled for June 

16, the league officially starts June 20. Season 

first and second place teams will receive 

trophies. 

For more information call Alana Morrison, 

MWR sports director, at x2113.

two historic plays displaying wounds of 

war as a way of introducing a discussion 

about challenges faced by servicemembers, 

veterans and their family members.

Following each performance, local 

community members will help facilitate the 

town hall style audience discussions about 

challenges military members face during 

war. 

For more information contact JSMART 

at x3566.

‘Tang Soo Do’ - Martial 

Arts classes to start

Morale Welfare, and Recreation’s presents “Tang Soo Do” Martial Arts classes 

starting Tuesday at at the Marine Hill 

Group Exercise building.

Classes will be held on Tuesdays and 

Thursdays at 8 p.m. for adults ages 16 and 

up with youth class starting at 7 p.m. Cost 

is $80 for adults and $60 for youth.

 For more information call about the 

martial arts classes, contact x77262.
trooper

Spc. Kelly Gary

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 12 years

Hobbies: playing guitar

Pet peeves: bad coffee

Next goal: get master’s 

degree

Advice to junior Troopers: 

“Keep yourself informed.”

When he joined the Navy twelve years 

ago, Navy Councelor 1st Class Jonathan 

C. Dingler was searching for direction. 

Drawn into enlisting by the promise of 

attaining an education, he is well on his 

way to getting his master’s degree in human 

resource management. Dingler, command 

career councelor for Naval Expeditionary 

Guard Battalion, takes full advantage of 

the Navy’s education benefits and is now 

on his fourth enlistment. Dingler said being 

able to counsel and assist Sailors in their job 

progression is a rewarding experience.

“My reasons for coming in the Navy 

and staying in the Navy are completely 

different,” said Dingler.

Dingler originally enlisted as an 

Aviation Ordinaceman. After becoming the 

department career councelor for the rate 

however, he decided helping Sailors was 

his calling. He transferred to his current 

rate while staying on the USS Kitty Hawk 

(CV 63). Dingler was the last command 

career counselor on the ship before it 

was decommissioned. Now on his first 

deployment on shore, Dingler helps Sailors 

at Guantanamo Bay in many aspects of 

their careers.

“I love my job,” Dingler said. “I love 

being able to help out as many people as 

I can.”

Dingler not only enjoys what he does, 

he is good at it as well. In addition to being 

devoted to his Sailors, Command Master 

Chief Jason Wallis, command master chief 

for NEGB, said Dingler proves himself 

each day to be dedicated to his command 

and the Navy. 

“He is squared away,” said Wallis. “He 

does what he can to take care of the Sailors 

which is exactly what we want in a Navy 

councilor.”

Even though Dingler does what he can 

to help each Sailor, ultimately it is up to 

the individual to advance. He said getting 

Sailors to realize how they are part of a 

whole is an obstacle for his position.

“If people don’t understand why we 

work these hours or why we are on this 

mission, I use that opportunity to hopefully 

make them realize what their part is in the 

big picture,” he said.

One of his personal obstacles is being 

away from family. Even though the absence 

of his children is a source of melancholy, 

he said they also serve as a source of 

inspiration.

“[My] kids, they inspire me to do what 

I do,” said the father of two. “I want to be 

the best role model I can be for them.”

Dingler has shown to his command he 

is, indeed, a good role model and he tries 

to lead by example.

“He exemplifies what it means to 

be a leader,” Wallis said. “As far as the 

mentorship portion, he always wants to 

talk to Sailors no matter what their issues, 

even if they are not related to the NC 

world.”

When he is not helping Sailors with their 

evaluations or advancement exams, Dingler 

PSEC ALERT

OPSEC MITIGATES RISK, PROTECTS THE MISSION!

What am I willing to risk?

What level of risk are you willing to accept? Because there is risk in everything that we do, we prioritize what is 

acceptable and what is not. Some people choose not to wear their seat belt, even though it’s the law. They risk 

a getting a ticket or being injured in a crash. Some people choose to post information online about themselves, 

their families, even about their job. With OPSEC, what risk are you willing to take? With today’s technology, small 

pieces of information have never been more dangerous. So mitigate the risk. Protect your information.

| Trooper Focus The Wire | Page 5

likes to play guitar but said most of his 

free time goes toward getting his degree. 

In addition to attaining his master’s, 

pinning on chief is a goal also close at 

hand. 

“I see him putting on anchors,” said 

Wallis. “I would take him in my chief ’s 

mess any day.”

focus

Navy Councelor 1st Class

 Jonathan Dingler
Denich gym construction scheduled to complete in 2012

Story and photos by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

Dirt is being moved, cement 

is being laid and Denich gym 

is entering the first phase of 

a nearly two-year expansion 

and renovation process, taking 

the aged facility into the 21st

century.

Denich Gym is just part of the 

overhaul. Plans for more sports 

fields and courts in the Cooper 

Field Sports Complex are also 

in the works. This first phase is 

expected to be completed later 

this year, said Morale, Welfare 

and Recreation Sports Director 

Jen Norton.

Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

Troopers can expect to start 

enjoying these updates and 

changes in the fall of this year, 

when the current basketball/

volleyball courts become the 

new free weight and cardio area 

with increased capacity and new 

equipment. These improvements 

will come at a brief inconvenience 

for current gym users.

“It won’t look like what people 

The Wire | Page 6 News |

are used to during the transition, 

but we’re sure it will be worth it 

in the long run,” said Norton. 

“This improvement is due. The 

buildings are old. If you just take 

a quick walk around this facility, 

you’ll notice things are pretty out 

of date.”

More than 2,000 JTF Troopers 

use the Denich gym and Cooper 

Field Sports Complex facilities. 

That number does not include 

families, government contractors 

or Naval Station Guantanamo 

personnel. 

“This improvement affects 

a lot of people,” said Norton. 

“Right now, every field we have is 

reserved Monday through Friday 

– between command PT and 

sports games, we’re fully booked, 

but that’s what we want. This 

expansion means we can support 

even more activity.”

The renovation and expansion 

plan also includes new fields – a 

youth baseball field, renovated 

tennis courts and multi-purpose 

field. Norton and MWR hope 

the new field will help free up the 

football field and some of the 

softball fields, which are often 

reserved for command PT or 

other sports that don’t require a 

specific type of field. 

“Our goal is to make this 

[Cooper Field Sports Complex] 

a one-stop fitness center,” said 

Norton. “Most people here are 

unaccompanied. Rather than 

going back to their rooms and 

doing whatever they do there, we 

have something going on over 

here every night. And now we’ll 

have even more!”

While the first phase of 

construction should end and new 

spaces become operational this 

fall, the entire renovation project is 

scheduled to be completed around 

October 2012. Norton advises of 

minor inconveniences, but hopes 

gym users remember the longterm benefits.

“We’re not going to have 

everything we normally do here 

for a bit, but we know it’s going 

to be great in the long-run,” said 

Norton. “I’m excited about it!”

Construction continues behind Denich Gym, June 4, after breaking ground in March for a new gymnasium and additional fields in the 

Cooper Field Sports Complex. Workers are laying foundation for the gym and flattening out land for the fields. Plans for the Denich Gym 

(below) include a complete internal renovation, with more free weights, larger cardio area, updated locker room facilities and more. 
| Mission The Wire | Page 7

I

n an effort to keep 

Troopers and others 

here on Guantanamo 

Bay safe, Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo is encouraging 

members to use the Courtesy 

Patrol Safe Ride program to 

get home after a night out 

with friends.

The program was created 

to reduce drinking and 

driving and also replace the 

old taxicab service, which Troopers had to 

pay for. 

Safe Ride is free and operates seven days 

a week from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday 

through Thursday and from 10 p.m. to 2 

a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Army 1st Sgt. Kevin Stapleton, a member 

of JTF’s J3 department, coordinates the 

program watchbill, which requires each 

JTF unit to participate in the program.

“The Courtesy Patrol protects the 

Troopers by giving them a ride from a 

club, bar or beach,” said Stapleton. “This 

ensures the Trooper gets back to their 

living quarters safely without a DUI.”

Although senior enlisted members are 

not required to be on the courtesy patrol 

watchbill, Stapleton steps up and takes 

the patrol on certain nights. He said some 

people are surprised to see him on patrol.

 “I feel if a first sergeant can do the 

Courtesy Patrol/Safe Ride, everyone 

should try it once to see what goes on 

during a weekend,” shared Stapleton. “My 

main purpose, and first responsibility, is 

taking care of Troopers. Being on Courtesy 

Patrol shows I care to take the time out of 

my weekend to make sure they are safe.”

The program is also supported by the 

Naval Expeditionary Guard Battalion 

command Drug and Alcohol Programs 

Advisor, Chief Damage Controlman 

Darrick Hayes, who said there is no reason 

for anyone to get behind a wheel and drive 

after drinking alcohol.

“It is up to us to be responsible and 

monitor our intake of alcohol,” said 

Hayes. “If we do see a shipmate or battle 

buddy that has drank too much, we should 

take care of them, try to prevent them 

from consuming more and get them home 

safely. It is easy to do with resources like 

Courtesy Patrol/Safe Ride.”

Hayes also assured Troopers there is 

help for those who think they may have a 

problem with drinking.

“Anybody who feels they are not 

capable of drinking responsibly should quit 

drinking altogether and talk to someone to 

see if maybe they need help,” said Hayes. 

“Nobody ever gets in trouble for getting 

help before something bad happens.” 

Stapleton advised Troopers to have 

a plan when going out, adding Courtesy 

Patrol or Safe Ride is not just a free ride - it 

is also a consistent way of monitoring the 

bars and nightlife. Safe Ride drivers cruise 

around base, making their presence known 

among the crowds and offering free rides 

to Troopers leaving bars or events.

Troopers on patrol each have a cell 

phone to take calls and communicate back 

and forth between the two vans, which 

have magnetic signs on either side that 

read, “Free Safe Ride Courtesy Patrol.” 

To make a smart choice, call Safe Ride 

at x84781. To volunteer for patrols, contact 

Stapleton at x84799.

Protecting 

Troopers 

one ride 

at a time

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 

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

Photo by Brian Margavich

chasing the

STO M

Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

R

S

unny Guantanamo Bay lost its 

shine this week due to recordbreaking rainfall, causing flooded 

streets, muddy walkways and wet 

boots.

The last drenching rainfall for the month 

of June was recorded in 1948 with a hefty total 

of 17.56 inches, said Will Corless, a weather 

reporter stationed at the Guantanamo Bay 

weather office. This Monday and Tuesday 

alone, Guantanamo Bay logged over 10 

inches of rainfall for June.

The downpour caused low visibility and 

difficult driving conditions. Naval Station 

Security also closed a section of Sherman 

Avenue due to excess debris, gravel, mud and 

branches blocking the driving area.

“When the weather is worse, drive slower,” 

cautioned Chief Master-at-Arms James 

Lloyd, Naval Station Security operations 

chief. “The speed limit is set for dry, sunny 

weather, so people need to tone down their 

driving. Watch closer for pedestrians and give 

yourself more time to get to work.”

Naval Station Security requires all 

patrolling security members report safety 

hazards caused by heavy rainfall, such as 

falling debris, downed power lines and rising 

waterways.

These safety hazards also affect the 

beaches, which are currently closed until 

further notice due to flooding concerns and 

dangerous wind gusts.

“Flooding in the access ways of these 

beaches wouldn’t allow you to get out if you 

did enter,” Lloyd explained. “Additionally, 

coastal beaches in this weather create many 

dangers and make rescue efforts more 

difficult.”

Guantanamo Bay’s typical climate includes 

June as one of the hottest months of the 

year, calling for rain in the later months of 

the year.

“GTMO hasn’t seen this much rain in a 

long time,” said Corless. “I remember a lot 

of rain last September, but it didn’t last near 

this long.”

The current condition is considered 

thunderstorm condition two, meaning the 

storm is either within 25 minutes of base 

or six miles off the coast. Condition one is 

more severe and is used to identify a much 

faster-moving storm. 

Fortunately, the recent weather is not 

considered a tropical storm or hurricane 

activity, said Corless.

“The rain and thunder is a result of a 

large low pressure area to the west of us, 

which is dragging in the rain and wind gusts,” 

he explained.

Joint Task Force member Richard Sode 

works in the J2 department and monitors the 

weather to assist in planning JTF operations. 

In Sode’s eight years of living here, he is most 

surprised at the timing of the current rainfall, 

noting it usually comes around September 

and October.

 “This seems a little early in the year for 

this much rain and it makes taking the dog 

out quite the chore,” said Sode. “I try to find 

a place with no mud holes. I take him to the 

park where there’s grass, but the first thing 

he does is find a puddle to jump around in!”

Back at the weather station, Corless 

receives multiple phone calls from base 

residents wondering when they can run 

again and go to the beaches. The good news, 

Corless said, is the storm is expected to move 

out Sunday.

Several access roads were closed Monday and Tuesday as pounding rains 

continued to assault Naval Station and Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay. 
| News The Wire | Page 9

A determined Trooper rucks in the rain, Tuesday morning, as Guantanamo 

Bay residents experience the worst downpours in more than 60 years.

An electric car attempts to cross the flooded roads in front of Camp Delta, 

Tuesday. The storm created many problems for Guanatanamo Bay drivers, 

including concerns of hydroplaning and getting stuck in the mud. 
The Wire | Page 10 Feature |

Capturing 

Cuba

New photography 

club sees GTMO 

through the lens.

Story by Mass Communication Specialist

 2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

Photo by Heidi Lowery

Photo by Heidi Lowery Photo by Heidi Lowery

Photo by Shawn Kirk

Photo by Brian Margavich

Photo by Brian Margavich
| Feature The Wire | Page 11

“I gaze at the sunset with the woman I love and 

think, ‘F/8 at 1/250 of a second.’”

These are the words displayed in the foreground of a breathtaking 

orange-hued sunset on a Canon advertisement for their EOS 40D 

camera. 

To some Troopers, this quote might not make sense, but to the 

newly formed Guantanamo Bay Photography Club the numbers in 

this quote ring true to the basics of photography. Otherwise known 

as aperture and shutter speed, these are two of the key elements 

photographers use when exposing a photograph.

The club started out as photography class in January this year and 

was taught by a resident working on the Naval Station. It has now 

become a haven for photography lovers here on Guantanamo Bay to 

include members of the Joint Task Force.

Army Sgt. Shawn Kirk, a member of JTF logistics, joined the 

club a few months ago when it was still a class and said he enjoys 

photographing wildlife and nature. 

“The club is a great resource,” said Kirk. “Others interested in 

learning more about their camera and how to get certain effects 

should join and meet other photographers as a way to improve their 

photography skills.” 

 Club president Heidi Lowery, a Naval Station resident and 

photography lover, said she was the kid hanging out the bus window 

with a camera. She has been studying photography ever since. 

“We try to do something once a week as a group,” said Lowery. 

“It gives you something to do and we’re enabling each other to take 

interesting pictures.”

Lowery met with the base legal office to get the club approved. It 

is now an official Guantanamo Bay organization and does not require 

dues or other obligations to become a member. 

“All we ask is that you have some sort of interest in photography,” 

Lowery suggested. “We want to help each other become better 

photographers - with more people the more knowledge we can 

share.”

The club has designed a logo, made access badges and plans to 

order T-shirts in the near future. The badges will be worn by members 

shooting an event to show they were given permission or requested 

to be there as an official photographer.

Lowery has also made contact with Morale, Welfare and Recreation, 

“The Gazette” and the Youth Center to offer the club’s willingness to 

provide photography coverage for events and social gatherings.

“It gets us that experience and helps them out as well,” said 

Lowery. “If I get a request, I offer it to all the members and if they 

want to cover it they go.”

The club currently has seven active members and invites all who 

are interested to join. They meet at the Youth Center the first Saturday 

of every month at 2 p.m. For more information contact Lowery at 

heidilowery@atouchofmagicphotography.com.

g 

Photo by Heidi Lowery

Photo by Heidi Lowery

Photo by Heidi Lowery

Photo by Alicia Peterman

Hiedi Lowery, Army Sgt. Shawn Kirk (middle) and Boatswain’s Mate 

3rd Class Andre Jackson discuss camera functions at the most recent 

Photography Club meeting, June 4. - photo by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand
The Wire | Page 12 At Your Service |

In The Trenches

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, – About 300 U.S. Soldiers, 

most of them combat veterans themselves, joined 

their British, French and German counterparts 

in Normandy, France, to honor the sacrifices of 

World War II veterans who conducted the D-Day 

invasion 67 years ago Monday.

The troops spent the last few days visiting 

key battle sites during the mission code-named 

Operation Overlord: the beaches 160,000 troops 

stormed on June 6, 1944, during the largest 

amphibious invasion in world history; and St. Mere 

Eglis, the first French village to be liberated by U.S. 

82nd and 101st Airborne Division Soldiers, among 

them.

Throughout the visit, where they received 

briefings about the history of the sites and got 

a firsthand look at the tactical challenges Allied 

forces faced, the troops participated in D-Day 

commemorative ceremonies and met veterans of 

the invasion.

On Monday, they took part in ceremonies at 

Ponte du Hoc, the formidable cliff-top perch west 

of Omaha Beach that U.S. Rangers assaulted; and 

Utah Beach, the westernmost of the five D-Day 

landing beaches.

“Getting the chance to be here has been an 

amazing opportunity,” Capt. Ted Jacobs, executive 

officer for the Army Reserve’s 345th Tactical 

Psychological Operations Company in Dallas said 

by phone as he waited for the Utah Beach ceremony 

to begin. “Seeing what these veterans had to go up 

against -- the terrain, the weather situation, the wet, 

the cold, being in fear of their lives all the time -- it 

really does help you understand the challenges they 

had to deal with.”

Jacobs is among about 150 Army Reserve 

paratroopers with the U.S. Army Civil Affairs 

and Psychological Operations Command, with 

headquarters at Fort Bragg, N.C., participating in 

Operation Airborne Normandy, a mission that 

is bringing together U.S. and European forces for 

commemorations and interoperability training.

Other U.S. participants include active-duty 

Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort 

Bragg; 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team 

at Vicenza, Italy; 101st Airborne Division at Fort 

Campbell, Ky.; and riggers from the Army Reserve’s 

824th, 421st and 861st Quartermaster Companies 

and U.S. Army Europe’s 5th Quartermaster 

Detachment.

One planned event, a combined jump involving 

more than 700 U.S., British, German and French 

paratroopers, has been canceled twice due to bad 

weather. Participants are hoping the event may 

take place tomorrow, conditions permitting, to 

enable every paratrooper who jumps with another 

country’s jumpmaster to receive that country’s 

jump wings.

Meanwhile, the Soldiers called the chance to 

meet with veterans of the D-Day invasion the 

highlight of the visit.

“I feel honored to have the opportunity to come 

out here and meet them face to face and shake their 

hands and say thank you,” said Sgt. Nathaniel Bier, 

a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom serving with 

the 301st Psychological Operations Company. 

“That is one of the best things I will always 

remember about this trip.”

With two combat deployments in Afghanistan 

under his belt, Jacobs said, he gained a new 

appreciation for the odds the Allied forces -- 

including his own father -- faced during Operation 

Overlord.

Then-Sgt. Thomas Jacobs jumped into 

Normandy during the D-Day invasion, but has 

spoken little of the experience except to describe it 

as “godawful” until recent years.

“We grew up basically with the understanding 

that we didn’t ask questions about that,” his son 

said. “He was one of those veterans who just 

wanted to forget.”

Bier shares Jacobs’ personal connection to the 

D-Day visit: his great-grandfather, who died before 

Bier was born, took part in the invasion.

“My father really looked up to him,” Bier said 

of his great-grandfather. “So he was even more 

excited to hear that I was coming here than I was.”

Walking the beaches, seeing the formidable 

terrain and standing the ground his greatgrandfather helped to liberate has given Bier a 

special appreciation of the magnitude of what 

happened in Normandy. Pausing to reflect on it, 

he admitted, “I had to stop myself from tearing up, 

because it’s so powerful just to be here.”

Bier said he’s been particularly struck 

by the courageous leadership the D-Day 

noncommissioned officers demonstrated in the 

face of adversity.

“I don’t know how some of those sergeants 

kept going, how they kept their people motivated 

as they were coming off the boats, and how they 

kept them moving forward,” he said. “My hat is 

really off to those sergeants.”

Jacobs said he, too, stands in awe of what the 

D-Day veterans accomplished, and declined to 

compare it with anything he has experienced in 

combat.

“I wouldn’t even dare to hold a candle to what 

those guys did,” he said. “Certainly, what we are 

doing in Afghanistan is at times very difficult and 

dangerous. But what these guys went through, 

there is no comparison. Ours is a counterterrorism 

fight, so there are brief moments of intensity, but 

nothing to even come close to the scale of events 

that happened here.”

Walking the hallowed grounds where many 

made the ultimate sacrifice “has given me a deeper 

appreciation for the legacy that has been left to us 

by the greatest generation by these Soldiers who 

came over here and did what they did,” Jacobs said. 

“It further solidifies the fact that I do not ever want 

to betray that kind of legacy, and want to continue 

to build it and maintain what they have carved out 

for us.”

A high school math teacher in the Dallas public 

schools in his civilian life, Jacobs said he intends to 

share the experiences he’s gained at Normandy, like 

those from Afghanistan, with his students.

“All these values from the military are just 

common core good-citizenship skills and behaviors 

that these children desperately need, particularly 

those from the inner city,” he said. 

“What it means to serve instead of always 

looking out for yourself or putting yourself 

first, [and] thinking about putting others before 

yourself and service to the community and 

country,” he said. That is just a core theme in my 

classroom.” 

Paratroopers commemorate 

D-Day anniversary

An 82nd Airborne Soldier who participated in D-Day was 

presented with the French Legion of Honor in Ste. Mere Eglise, 

France, as part of this year’s D-Day Commemoration. - photo 

by Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service
Coast to coast

The following blog was 

posted by Cmdr. Glynn Smith 

on behalf of Adm. Bob Papp.

Today is a significant waypoint 

not only in Coast Guard history, 

but in American history. This 

morning Rear Admiral Sandra 

Stosz assumed command 

as the United States Coast 

Guard Academy’s first woman 

superintendent. This also makes 

her the first woman to command 

any U.S. service academy.

A 1982 Coast Guard 

Academy graduate and a surface 

operations officer with 12 years 

of sea duty, Stosz has plotted 

a course that includes many 

firsts for women in the military. 

Her performance in previous 

assignments as commanding 

Petty Officer 2nd Class 

Patrick Kelley

officer for recruit training at 

Coast Guard Training Center 

Cape May, N.J., the Director of 

Reserve and Leadership, and 

the commanding officer of 

two cutters, has demonstrated a 

commitment to building a diverse 

workforce without boundaries.

With this appointment, Stosz 

opens what I hope is one of the 

few remaining doors to women 

in uniform. This is a tribute 

not only to our country’s rich 

history of dynamic leaders and 

trailblazers but also our Service’s 

ongoing commitment to 

providing limitless opportunities 

for every man and woman who 

wears the uniform.

Stosz takes over a world class 

institution of higher learning 

and leadership development that 

continues to see increases in 

minority admissions. On June 27, 

the class of 2015 reports aboard 

and will be the most diverse class 

in history. Of the 290 offered 

appointments, 33 percent will be 

from underrepresented minority 

groups and 32 percent will be 

women.

I have every confidence 

that Admiral Stosz’s watch will 

continue in the finest traditions 

of Captain John Henriques—

the first superintendent, and 

38 others, including outgoing 

superintendent Rear Admiral 

Scott Burhoe. She will increase 

the prestige, quality of education 

and, most importantly, the 

character of the leaders who 

as commissioned Coast Guard 

officers will ultimately lead our 

Service while protecting the 

Nation from threats on the sea, 

protecting people who use the 

sea, and protecting the sea itself.

Coast Guard admiral makes history as 

first woman to lead a U.S. service academy

Rear Adm. Sandra Stosz speaks during the change of command ceremony at the United States 

Coast Guard Academy June 3. Stosz relieved Rear Adm. J. Scott Burhoe and became the first female 

superintendent at any of the U.S. service academies. - photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 13

Over the past eight years, 

Extreme Makeover: Home 

Edition has helped hundreds 

of people, including nearly 

two dozen military families, 

by transforming their homes 

in an effort to improve their 

lives. But the show’s producers 

aren’t stopping there. They are 

currently looking to provide a 

makeover for more military 

families.

“Extreme Makeover: 

Home Edition is more than 

a show, it’s about recognizing 

deserving families and 

helping them to re-build their 

homes and their lives,” said 

Ian Young, casting producer. 

“It is a show dedicated to 

volunteerism and helping your 

neighbor. It relies on the very 

moral compass that implores 

every one of our servicemen 

and women, who defend this 

country for perfect strangers 

just because it’s the right thing 

to do. It is always a blessing 

to help military families, who 

support all of us day after 

day, year after year.”

Previous seasons have 

included episodes highlighting 

military families from the 

other four armed services. 

In support of 2011 as Year 

of the Coast Guard Family, 

Extreme Makeover: Home 

Edition hopes to highlight 

a Coast Guard family for an 

entire episode.

Do you know a Coast 

Guard family that puts their 

own needs aside to help others 

and serve as role models in 

their community? Does their 

home need major alterations 

or repair that affects the 

quality of life of their family? 

If so, nominations are open 

until July 10, 2011. Click here 

to nominate a family and here 

for more information.

‘Extreme Makeover’ 

provides support for 

Year of the Coast 

Guard Family
Inside the Jar

KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, Japan — 

The ‘War Dogs’ of Twentynine Palms, Calif., 

have begun arriving here to join the 31st Marine 

Expeditionary Unit as the new battalion landing 

team, with the first flight landing, June 3.

Second Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 

known as the ‘War Dogs,’ based out of Marine 

Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine 

Palms, Calif., is coming in with more than 1,200 

Marines and Sailors. They now become the new 

ground combat element of the 31st MEU, and 

are scheduled to participate in the upcoming 

regular deployment to the Asia-Pacific region.

“We have had a lot of good training in 

29 Palms and Camp Pendleton over the past 

months, all to get us ready to come out here 

to the MEU,” said Lt. Col. Donald Tomich, 

commanding officer, 2/7. “Our Marines have 

worked hard to get here and we are looking 

forward to the deployment with the 31st 

MEU.”

2/7 comes to the MEU with attached 

artillery, Amphibious Assault Vehicles, and 

Light Armored Vehicles, enhancing the ability 

of the MEU to conduct the wide range of 

missions assigned.

“This is the first time for a lot of our guys 

to get out of the United States, so we are 

‘War Dogs’ arrive to join 31st MEU

Capt. Caleb D. Eames 

31st MEU

anticipating doing training with other nations’ 

militaries to gain shared experiences,” said 

Tomich. “We want to continue to contribute to 

the tradition of excellence that has gone before 

us here with the 31st MEU.”

2/7’s previous deployment with the 31st 

MEU was last year, and before then, the 

battalion was deployed to support Operation 

Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The battalion’s deployed experiences will be 

put to good use as they have a busy schedule 

over the next several months preparing for 

a wide range of possible missions in every 

imaginable climate.

“There is a huge difference in the climate 

here,” said Sgt. Jacob Hawken, Personal 

Security Detail platoon sergeant, Headquarters 

and Service Company, 2/7. As soon as we got 

here it was raining. We just came from a very 

dry climate in 29 Palms, and as soon as we got 

off the plane we got soaked.”

The Marines and Sailors of 2/7 are expected 

to participate in exercises designed to enhance 

bilateral teamwork and build theater security 

cooperation, as well as conducting training 

together with partner nations in the AsiaPacific region.

As the Marines of 2/7 travel and experience 

foreign environments, for many it will not be 

the first time abroad.

“I have been deployed with the 31st MEU 

before, and I am looking forward to training 

with other countries again, new experiences 

and getting to know other the other nation’s 

militaries,” said Cpl. Jordan Layton, a cannoneer 

with Battery K, 3rd Battalion, 11 Marines, 

attached to 2/7 for the MEU deployment. “It is 

always good to train in different areas. 29 Palms 

is always dry and hot, and Okinawa or countries 

in Asia tend to be wetter and humid, so it is 

good to have those different environments to 

work in to always be ready for anything.”

About 20 percent of the battalion is 

combat-experienced, said Tomich, and those 

experiences will benefit the Marines by keeping 

them ready for any eventuality.

“I have deployed to Iraq before but have not 

been out on a MEU yet, so I’m pretty excited,” 

said Hawken. “There will be a lot of different 

countries to explore and a lot of good training 

with our partner nations in Asia.”

In addition to scheduled exercises, 2/7 is 

prepared, with the rest of the MEU, to respond 

to any humanitarian or contingency crises that 

may arise.

The Marine Corps is the nation’s sea-based 

crisis response force, and the 31st MEU and 

newly arrived 2/7 Marines represent power 

projection in the Western Pacific.

In the past 20 years, U.S. amphibious forces 

have responded to crises and contingencies 

more than 120 times, such as Afghanistan in 

2001, Beirut in 2006 and Haiti in 2010. This 

rate is more than twice that of the Cold War 

period, according to Marine Corps Operating 

Concepts 2010.

The 31st MEU responded to four 

humanitarian crises in 2009 and 2010 alone, 

including operations in Taiwan, the Republic of 

Indonesia, and the Republic of the Philippines. 

Most recently the 31st MEU was sent to assist 

in mainland Japan in March and April of this 

year, after the 9.0 Great East Japan Earthquake 

and following tsunami devastated huge areas 

of the coast.

2/7 is replacing 2/5, whose Marines are now 

headed back home to Calif., after completing 

a successful spring deployment with the 31st 

MEU.

The deployment of 2/7 to Okinawa, Japan 

is part of the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment 

Program, which was established by the 

Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1977 

to provide for the deployment of units to the 

Western Pacific for periods of approximately 

six months.

The newly arrived battalion of Marines 

will begin training with the 31st MEU and 

integrating with other elements almost 

immediately in preparation for the upcoming 

deployment.

The Marines and Sailors of 2/7 leave 

behind family and friends as they deploy to 

Okinawa and the Asia-Pacific region to serve 

their nation.

The At Your Service | Wire | Page 14

Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, arrive in Japan 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
On the Wing

Officials release 

new selective reenlistment bonus 

Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol

Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, 

Texas – Enlisted members now have 77 

Air Force specialties from which they 

can receive a selective re-enlistment 

bonus. 

Officials said this fiscal year’s program 

retains a heavy emphasis on retaining 

Airmen with 17 months to six years of 

service, and made adjustments in the 

6 to 10 and 10 to 14 years-of-service 

zones. There were no adjustments in 

the 18 to 20 years-of-service zone. 

“Balancing the enlisted force is 

a constant challenge; using SRBs is 

certainly one of the most effective 

retention tools the Air Force can employ 

to retain our number one priority ... our 

Airmen,” said Michael McLaughlin, the 

chief of Air Force re-enlistments at the 

Air Force Personnel Center here. 

Officials added no Air Force 

specialty codes to the list and increased 

13 AFSCs in at least one zone. Thirtysix AFSCs had a zone eliminated or 

decreased and 13 AFSCs were removed 

from the program. 

All increases and additions went 

into effect May 16 and all decreases 

and deletions will go into effect June 

15. Any re-enlistments or extensions 

of any length completed prior to the 

official message release will remain 

valid. Airmen who are eligible for reenlistment and are affected by decreases 

or removals should re-enlist before June 

14 to receive the previously approved 

bonus.

These bonuses do not apply to Air 

Force Reserve or Air National Guard 

members.

To determine eligibility for reenlistment with an SRB entitlement, 

members should contact the career 

development element at their local 

military personnel section.

For a complete SRB listing and more 

information about the program, do a 

keyword search for “SRB” on Air Force 

personnel services website at https://

gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 15

U.S., Korean air forces rumble forward 

in joint, simulated war-time exercise

KWANGJU AIR BASE, Republic of 

Korea – The South Korean and U.S. air 

forces hosted a joint exercise here recently 

to sharpen their ability to work together in 

a simulated wartime environment. 

The exercise, held annually, provided 

bilateral training to more than 320 personnel 

from the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air 

Base and the 51st Fighter Wing and 7th Air 

Force at Osan Air Base. It is the largest on 

the Korean peninsula.

“Max Thunder is the only exercise 

we have on the peninsula that allows for 

both (Korean) and U.S. airmen to not only 

fly together, but plan, brief and debrief 

together,” said Maj. Bill Maclin, the 7th 

Air Force chief of training. “This really 

allows the alliance to grow stronger to 

enhance all of our operational capabilities 

as well as enhance the interoperability and 

communication among our air forces.” 

“Over the last few years, the U.S. has 

really gotten used to hosting large force 

exercises like Red Flag,” said Maj. T.J. Lowe, 

36th Fighter Squadron assistant director 

of operations at Osan AB. “Max Thunder 

allows ROKAF the experience in hosting 

international exercises.” 

“They can see how the U.S. operates 

on a much bigger scale,” Lowe said. “It 

enhances our ability if we ever have to go 

north.” 

Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton

8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Members of the Royal Australian Air 

Force attended to observe operations 

between the Koreans and Americans.

“We were invited to take a look at this 

world-class exercise hosted by the ROKAF,” 

said Sq. Ldr. Anthony D’Alessandro, 

the HQ RAAF Air Command exercise 

planning officer. “It’s excellent to see the 

exceptional interactions and high caliber of 

professionalism between the Air Force and 

ROKAF. It’s clear the process is similar to 

what we use back home.”

“Our mission here is to help them 

understand how to accept follow on 

forces,” said Master Sgt. Jerry Thomas, the 

8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron night 

shift production supervisor. “This gives 

them the best equipment and training to 

help them succeed. Though our mission is 

the same as back home -- to make sure jets 

are ready to launch at a moment’s notice.” 

Working alongside their Kunsan brothers 

and sisters, Airmen from Osan AB assigned 

to the 621st Air Control Squadron said the 

exercise meant greater communication of 

operational capabilities and helped facilitate 

professional development and growth. 

“I think it’s a great opportunity for 

ROKAF and Air Force personnel to 

practice exactly what we would do in case 

of a real world threat,” said Tech. Sgt. 

Michael Harris, the 621st ACS weapons 

director at Osan AB. “If we don’t practice 

together now it would be more difficult if a 

real world event were to happen.” 

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

PEARL HARBOR – Representatives of 

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam marked the 

69th anniversary of the World War II Battle 

of Midway with a solemn wreath laying 

ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial, 

June 3. 

Capt. Lawrence Hill, deputy commander, 

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate 

Maintenance Facility, served as master of 

ceremonies, while Gary Jackson of the 

National Park Service also assisted with 

narration during the historical boat tour. 

“As a representative of the hundreds of 

shipyard workers in 1942 who helped make 

USS Yorktown ‘fit to fight’ and win at Midway 

— and representing the many thousands of 

men and women who have served at Pearl 

Harbor Naval Shipyard in the years since, 

I am honored to serve as your emcee for 

today’s ceremony as we commemorate the 

69th anniversary of the Battle of Midway,” 

Hill said. 

In memory of the historic naval victory 

at Midway, Capt. Nicholas Mongillo, 

commanding officer, Pacific Missile Range 

Facility, Barking Sands, and Col. Dann 

Carlson, Deputy Joint Base Commander, 

Pearl Harbor-Hickam, 647th Air Base Group, 

presented wreaths.

As Mongillo and Carlson walked to offer 

the wreaths aboard the Arizona Memorial, 

Hill said, “These wreaths — and wreaths 

being presented around the world — are in 

honor of our Midway veterans. We pause 

Pearl Harbor remembers Battle of 

Midway at USS Arizona Memorial

Don Robbins, Commander 

Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

to remember and honor the spirit of the 

Midway victory in our Navy and our nation. 

We also pause to honor all those who have 

served and are serving with honor, courage 

and commitment.” 

Navy bugler Musician 2nd Class Bryan 

Parmann played taps in memory of the 

veterans at the Arizona Memorial. 

Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith, commander, 

Navy Region Hawaii emphasized in his 

remarks that the Battle of Midway served as 

a turning point, perhaps the major one, in 

World War II.

“What makes this commemoration so 

special, compared with the dozens of related 

ceremonies held across the nation this week, 

is that we are here at Pearl Harbor, where the 

war in the Pacific started,” Smith explained. 

Cmdr. Joe Rochefort and his team at 

Pacific Fleet’s Combat Intelligence Unit, 

Station Hypo, cracked the code, identified 

Midway as the target, and fooled the enemy. 

Adm. Chester Nimitz had unimpeachable 

intelligence, exceptional ships and aviators, 

United States Marines and Army bombers, 

and superior leadership, Smith noted.

This year’s ceremony also significantly 

coincides with the Centennial of Naval 

aviation. 

“In this centennial year of naval aviation, 

we remember that the Battle of Midway 

demonstrates our Navy’s flexibility and 

forward presence in a decisive victory,” 

Smith said. “We salute the warriors of the 

Battle of Midway of 1942. They helped us 

win the peace we preserve in 2011.” 

Africa Partnership 

Station training hub 

visits Cameroon

Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Gary A. Prill, 

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/

Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

DOUALA, Cameroon – Commander, U.S. 

Naval Forces Europe-Africa personnel 

kicked off the Africa Partnership Station 

2011 training hub in Cameroon, with a 

ceremony aboard the Douala Naval Base, 

June 7.

APS is a multinational initiative 

developed by CNE-CNA and is 

comprised of 34 nations which aim to 

work cooperatively to enhance maritime 

safety and security on the African 

continent. 

This APS hub will take place during 

the next 11 days and began with an 

opening speech by Capt. Lawrence Rollo, 

CNE-CNA maritime affairs officer. 

“Welcome to APS 2011 Doula,” said 

Rollo. “I want to thank the government 

of Cameroon for hosting this hub, and 

the continued support of APS. APS 

was a concept instituted several years 

ago with the first engagement on USS 

Fort McHenry; it was an important first 

step. Now we have more hubs focused 

on more training, and international and 

multinational exercises at sea together.” 

Following Rollo’s speech, Gen. 

Mohammad Sali, Cameroon navy chief 

of naval operations, shared a few words 

welcoming Italian, Somali, and American 

training teams, and requested the students 

to perform at their best during APS 

2011.

“Its an honor for me to [be] presiding 

over the opening ceremony of APS 2011,” 

said Sali. “I would like to wish all of you, 

teachers and students from outside of 

Cameroon, a warm welcome to Douala. I 

am asking this group of students to make 

them selves available and be disciplined 

to profit from this program.” 

APS brings together an international 

team of expert trainers in a variety of 

military capabilities, and a handful of 

civilian fields. This APS hub will focus on 

addressing cross-service training in law at 

sea, port security, maritime interdiction 

operations, small boat maintenance, 

medical training and more. 

 Col. Dann Carlson, deputy commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Capt. Nicholas 

Mongillo, commanding officer of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, salute as they present a 

wreath at the USS Arizona Memorial to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Battle of 

Midway. - photo by Don Robbins

The At Your Service | Wire | Page 16
| 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

Over the past six months, I 

have written articles focusing on 

a variety of subjects dealing with 

the “course of life.” In those 

articles I outlined ways to chart 

a course for living successfully. 

Today I want to take a brief 

moment to reflect on a facet 

of life common to everyone – 

how we transform our struggles 

into triumph. By tackling this 

subject, I believe we can explore 

strategies for tapping into the 

secrets of life. As you have 

done throughout my tenure at 

the Joint Task Force, I ask that 

you journey with me down this 

road called life. Who knows, you 

may find exactly what you need 

to negotiate the next step along 

your path. 

Let me start with a simple 

and very basic truth: life is full 

of struggles. No one is exempt 

from life’s struggles – they are 

not rank or gender specific 

and have nothing to do with 

socioeconomic status, family 

lineage or ethnicity. No matter 

what your religious persuasion is, 

no one can escape the nature of 

life. Even if religious devotion 

is not your cup of tea, you are 

subject to life struggles because 

it’s a human dynamic—part 

of a larger process for growth. 

Air Force Lt. Col Marvin Williams

Joint Task Force Command Chaplain

Transforming struggles into triumph:

Chaplain Williams bids farewell

Struggles are struggles no matter 

how small or great. Everyone 

finds themselves struggling in 

life in one way or another. At 

times, some struggles seem more 

difficult than others. Certainly, 

there are moments I feel the 

struggles tugging at the very 

essence of my being. 

Essential to navigating 

successfully through life is the 

recognition of at least two 

types of struggles: inner and 

outer struggles. To keep it 

simple, inner struggles tend to 

deal with the human soul and 

other spiritual ideas while outer 

struggles deal with things of a 

physical nature. It is possible 

to have both inner and outer 

struggles as one type impacts 

the other. Thus, inner and outer 

struggles are inextricably woven 

together. Whether the struggle 

is inner or outer, it is important 

to remember struggles are part 

and parcel of what it means to 

be human. 

When struggling with 

situations in life, sometimes we 

are forced into tough decisions 

between poor alternatives. I 

really believe some decisions are 

not simply win-win or lose-lose. 

Life is far too complex to narrow 

it down to absolute categories. 

Some situations are so grave we 

have to make the best decision 

for the moment and trust things 

will eventually work out in our 

favor. Some people call this 

level of trust “faith.” There are 

those who say trust is a matter 

of believing in yourself and your 

abilities, while others contend 

trust means accentuating positive 

aspects of life. Perhaps the truth 

about trust lies in each view, 

because ultimately life is about 

 see SOUL page 19
The Wire | Page 18 At the Movies |

Movie Review

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

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

X-Men: First Class

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

The Hangover: 

Part 2

(R) 10 p.m.

Soul Surfer

(PG) 8 p.m.

Lincoln Lawyer

(R) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Pirates of the 

Caribbean: On 

Stranger Tides

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Thor

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Arthur

(R) 8 p.m.

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Kung Fu Panda 2

(PG) 8 p.m.

Sucker Punch

(PG-13) 10 p.m

*last showing*

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

It is a testament to the phenomenal 

drawing power of its three breakout stars that 

myself and dozens of other Guantanamo 

Bay residents sat through what can only 

be described as a torrential downpour to 

finish watching the final moments in “The 

Hangover: Part 2.” Even more impressive: it 

was worth every rain-soaked minute.

Director Todd Philips once again 

assembles his wolfpack – the effortlessly 

rakish Phil (Bradley Cooper), repressed 

dentist Stu (Ed Helms), and, of course, 

unpredictable Allen (Zach Galifianakis) – 

sending them this time to exotic Thailand for 

Stu’s upcoming wedding. 

The curious thing about this sequel is it 

is nothing but a mad lib of the first movie. 

It appears Philips simply filled in new verbs, 

animals and/or disfigurements to the original 

“Hangover” script. As Bangkok fills in for 

the former movie’s Vegas, a chain-smoking 

monkey takes the place of the pepper-loving 

tiger and instead of a missing incisor, Stu 

wakes up with a bleeding face tattoo. Even 

Mr. Chow, the outrageously over-the-top, 

metrosexual Asian gangster, is back for more 

(Ken Jeong with a slightly racist, all-out 

manic performance). You know those guys 

in college who don’t really have to have a 

reason for a party, they just make one up? 

That’s “The Hangover: Part 2.”

But oh, what a party! Refusing to let his 

friends throw him a bachelor party before 

he gets hitched to wife-to-be Lauren (Jamie 

Chung), Stu settles for a quiet beach campfire. 

Lauren’s father wholly disapproves of her 

meek groom, preferring to dote on prodigal 

son Teddy, sixteen-year-old Stanford student 

and cellist to boot, who joins the wolfpack 

much to Allan’s obvious - and hilarious - 

displeasure.

As night falls and the camera goes into 

hyper speed, we know the fun isn’t seeing 

what happened in the wee hours of the night 

-- it’s watching our blitzed and blundering 

heroes attempt to piece it all back together. 

Waking up in a grimy motel room with no 

idea where they are, how they got there and 

missing Lauren’s golden child brother - oh 

wait, there’s his finger! - the three naughty 

Stooges, once again, find themselves with a 

nasty case of amnesia. 

Philips is a talented director, responsible 

for comedy classics “Road Trip” and “Old 

School.” He’s developed a mix of raunchy 

storytelling with a sweet, gooey center, making 

us choke on our popcorn with laughter, while 

at the same time feeling a deep, sentimental 

connection to the characters. 

Philips real triumph in “The Hangover,” 

however, is his casting instinct. Cooper, 

Helms and the portly Galifianakis have 

developed a rare and true chemistry and it 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

R

102 min.

 see MOVIES page 19

Your Highness

(R) 8 p.m.

Soul Surfer

(PG) 10 p.m

Kung Fu Panda 2

(PG) 8 p.m.

Lincoln Lawyer

(R) 10 p.m

*last showing*

X-Men: First Class

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

The Hangover: 

Part 2

(R) 10 p.m

Sucker Punch

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

Arthur

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Pirates of the 

Caribbean: On 

Stranger Tides

(PG-13) 8 p.m.
| The Last Word The Wire | Page 19

elevates everybody’s game. I’ve been a fan of 

Cooper since he was Jennifer Garner’s lovesick 

second banana on TV’s “Alias.,” (Which means, 

girls, I saw him first!) and am thrilled to see 

him achieve his rightfully-deserved leading-man 

status. As the frustrated but always amused 

Phil, Cooper is a true guy’s guy – he’s the dude 

other dudes want to be. Stu, meanwhile, is the 

guy most guys are. Neurotic and panicked with 

a dark, drunken tendency to fall for the wrong 

kind of stripper, Helms plays Stu with a constant 

look of desperate horror. As Lauren’s father 

humiliatingly compares him to bland white rice 

during the rehearsal dinner, he merely manages 

a half-smile and sad stare. But as we trace the 

threesome’s steps throughout the night, we 

come to learn Stu can be quite the instigator, 

and Helms plays the discovery of his inner 

demon with honest dismay. 

And then there’s Allen. I don’t believe since 

2004’s “Napoleon Dynamite” have we seen 

such a universally loved, but ultimately socially 

and emotionally stunted character. Galifianakis 

ingeniously molds Allen from an amusing punchline factory to a fully-realized, three-dimensional 

man child – still unstable, still riotously random 

but also with a genuine longing for kinship with 

his buddies. Galifianakis still brings to Allen 

what Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow now lacks – 

the ability to startle the audience.

Expectations for a movie as highlyanticipated as “The Hangover: Part 2” can 

sometimes foster backlash and lead to its 

downfall, especially when said movie barely 

inches from its original formula. Philips and 

the boys manage to pull it off, however, as their 

second night of bullet-diving debauchery hits 

the sequel mark dead center. Because even 

as the rain and wind kicked into high gear 

and my popcorn turned soggy, I was still 

laughing. 

perseverance and the ability to push through 

the struggles we face. Whatever approach fits 

your decision-making paradigm, it is certain 

you will need to use trust as a vehicle to carry 

you through the process of negotiating the 

steps of life. 

In thinking about the struggles we face, 

I want to share with you the purpose of 

struggles and how we can turn painful 

experiences into avenues of triumph. 

Struggles are not something we should seek 

to escape from, no matter how difficult the 

challenges. We have to work through them 

because therein lies the process of life – the 

keys to success. 

Struggles do have a purpose in life. They 

enable us to understand ways in which we 

can achieve. Without struggles there are no 

achievements. For example, I struggle with 

relationships I have with family members, 

as we all do. Naturally, that pushed me into 

making some critical decisions about how 

I interface with my family. Of course, I 

cannot choose my family members or force 

them to support my efforts, but I can change 

my approach to life. I can find the way of 

struggling through those situations that will 

make my life more productive and satisfying. 

leading to happiness. 

Furthermore, struggles impact the 

human spirit by producing perseverance, 

character and hope. With each struggle we 

find ourselves more equipped to handle life 

and ready to take the next step toward living 

abundantly. It is the struggle that shapes us 

and gives us a fresh perspective on how to 

develop the best practices for daily living. 

Without the struggles in life, there is no 

SOUL cont. MOVIES cont.

personal growth. As we navigate through the 

hardships, we gain confidence in choosing 

the most productive path, if not the easiest. 

The purpose behind struggles, therefore, is 

not to experience failure but to help us tap 

into resources for achievement. 

Before departing the island this weekend, 

I want to leave you with three steps toward 

achieving best practices in life. Following 

these steps will allow you to turn your 

struggles into triumph, and find that sense 

of purpose in life. Until our paths cross 

again! 

Step 1: Living by principles

Develop a set of principles by which 

to live. These principles will govern what 

you will or will not do. Don’t compromise 

your principles to suit someone else’s 

behavior. Always remain open to change 

and development. 

Step 2: Chart a path for success – be 

intentional

Success is intentional. Don’t leave 

your success up to haphazardness or 

happenstance. Plan your life and develop 

strategies to accomplish your goals. Adjust 

that plan accordingly to fit your setting in life. 

You don’t need a perfect plan – you need one 

that is practical and doable. 

Step 3 No regrets 

Live without regrets. Life is too precious 

and short to spend time second guessing 

yourself. Plus, there’s no need to beat 

yourself up – there will be plenty of people 

willing to beat up on you. Learn from bad 

decisions and make a concerted effort to live 

a life of transformation – that means always 

developing and growing. 
ert

OPEN WIDE

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Dushan Hunter (right) passes a filling to Navy Lt. 

Nicholas Hamlin (left) before placing it in a patient’s mouth, June 8. 

- photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

HAND SALUTE

Marines from the Marine Corps Security Forces Company salute during a wreathlaying ceremony, June 3, to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Battle of 

Midway. - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

CHILI SHOWDOWN

Naval Station Guantanamo Command Master Chief J.D. McKinney dishes 

up chili during the Navy Ball Committee’s Chili Cook-off, Saturday at the 

Windjammer. - photo by Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Andre Jackson

TheJTF

NOT QUITE A DOUBLE RAINBOW

A rainbow arcs over the sky behind the detention facilities at Camp Delta, May 5. No rainbows have been spotted recently, as the sky continues to shower on the 

base. - photo by Spc. Kelly Gary