Friday, November 18, 2011

Veterans Day 2011

A moment of silence

Volume 13, Issue 2
Cc

ommand

orner

The Wire | Page 2 Command Corner |

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Rear Adm. David Woods

Command Master Chief

Cmd. Master Chief Reynaldo Tiong

Office of Public Affairs Director

Cmdr. Tamsen Reese: 9928

Deputy Director

Air Force Maj. Michelle Coghill: 9927

Operations Officer

Army Maj. Jon Powers: 3649

Senior Enlisted Leader

Sgt. 1st Class Jerome Grant: 3649

The Wire

Editor: Army 1st. Lt. Amelia Thatcher: 3651

Layout Assistant: Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

Photojournalists

Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson

Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Kilho Park

Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Louis Batchelor

Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Jon Dasbach

Army Sgt. Landis Andrews

Contact us

Editor’s Desk: 3651

Commercial: 011-53-99-3651

DSN: 660-3651

E-mail: thewire@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Online: www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

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 

Defense Logistics Agency Document Services with a circulation of 1,200.

There have been many 

memorable college football games 

so far this season. One of them 

in particular is worth mentioning 

because of a lesson it illustrates.

Army-Navy games are always 

special. But this year’s Air Force-Navy 

game was very exciting. Navy found 

themselves behind 28-10 in the fourth 

quarter. Following three very impressive 

drives (and one unforgettable on-side 

kick), Navy tied 

the score 28-28 to 

push the game into 

overtime. What a 

great comeback! 

However, the lesson 

comes from Navy’s 

performance during 

overtime. After a 

hard-fought series of 

downs, Navy scored 

a touchdown – but 

was penalized on that 

play for “taunting” 

and unsportsmanlike 

conduct that 

occurred shortly 

after the ball-carrier 

crossed the goalline. The penalty 

resulted in an extra point attempt from 

15 yards further back than normal. So 

instead of an easy “chip-shot” for an 

extra point, the kicker was obligated 

to kick the ball at a lower trajectory 

to get the extra range needed. Lower 

trajectory kicks are easier to block – 

and that’s exactly what happened: Air 

Force blocked the extra point attempt. 

So Navy now led by a score of 28-

34. Per College Football Overtime 

rules, now Air Force got to attempt a 

score. They were able to also score a 

touchdown, and then were successful 

in making the typically easy “chip-shot” 

extra point – winning the game 35-34.

What will be remembered from this 

game? If Navy had won, this game 

would always be remembered as one 

of the greatest comebacks in Navy 

football history. However, now it’s just 

another “L” in the team’s season. And 

although it’s not fair to blame a loss on 

any one play, many fans (including me) 

will remember the “taunting” as the 

reason for this tough loss. Despite all 

the previous great plays and hard effort 

by the entire team, one player’s poor 

judgment had an undue impact on the 

outcome. Sadly, I won’t remember all the 

great plays that got 

Navy into overtime 

– I’ll just remember 

that Navy lost due 

to one player’s 

childish action.

Think about 

how your role at 

Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo is 

similar to being 

a member of a 

football team. We 

are under constant 

scrutiny – not just 

between the goallines, but even in the 

end-zone and on 

the sidelines. Any 

irresponsible action 

by any of us can penalize our team.

JTF Guantanamo was definitely 

“in the game” on Nov. 7-9 for the 

arraignment of Abd al-Rahim alNashiri. It was obvious the world was 

watching. And every player performed 

superbly, following the playbook and 

demonstrating great teamwork – 

earning a “W” for the team. At the Joint 

Task Force, we’re “in the game” every 

day. The world is always watching us, 

even when Commissions events are not 

in progress. We must stay focused on 

the mission, with every player executing 

their assigned roles reliably day-afterday. Each of us is responsible for our 

actions. We want to be remembered 

for what we accomplish as a team. 

How will your actions be remembered?

How will your actions 

be remembered? 

Think of your role 

at Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo as being 

a member of a football 

team. We are under 

constant scrutiny. 

Any irresponsible 

action by any of us can 

penalize our team.

Capt. Patrick Rabun

Chief of Staff, Joint Task Force Guantanamo

Cover: The Marine Corps Security Forces Company flag detail marches on Veterans Day, 

Nov. 11 at the historic Marine Hill-area parade field. –photo by Mass Communication Spc. 

2nd Class Kilho Park

| News from the Bay The Wire | Page 3

News from the Bay

G. J. Denich Gym will be hosting a 

Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at 

8 a.m. 

The trot will consist of a 10K run. 

Participants can register in advance or sign 

up on the day of the Turkey Trot. First 150 

people to register will receive a T-shirt. 

For more information call 2113 or 

77262. 

Crafters may sign up at the Ceramics 

shop. The cost is $15 per table. Crafters 

can sign up during normal business hours: 

Tuesday through Friday, 4-9 p.m., or 

Saturday and Sunday, 12-8 p.m. 

For more information call 74795 or 

84435. 

A holiday parade and concert will be 

held Saturday Dec. 3. The parade begins 

at 6 p.m. and travels from SCSI to the 

Downtown Lyceum. The concert begins 

at 9 p.m. at the Downtown Lyceum. 

 Parade registration is going on now at 

MWR Admin, Building 760. 

For more information call 4882.

Guantanamo Bay Liberty will be bringing 

the Reel Rock Film Tour to the Downtown 

Lyceum Nov. 19. The event starts at 4 p.m. 

with free time on the rock wall. At 5:30 p.m. 

a rock climbing competition will begin. 

Climbers must weigh no less then 45 lbs 

and no more then 250 lbs. The top three 

climb times will receive awards. There will 

be free drinks, hot dogs and burgers. The 

Reel Rock Film begins 7 p.m. For more 

information call 2010.

Denich Gym holds 

Turkey Trot 

The NEX encourages all commands 

and organizations to claim a tree to decorate for the holidays. There are no rules 

to follow; just claim a tree and decorate. 

The trees need to claimed and decorated 

by Nov. 23. Trees will be judged on Nov. 

26 for the most original, most holiday feel, 

and most “Guantanamo.” For more information or to sign up call Mark Good at 

74358.

The Joint Personnel Center will now be 

open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Customer service 

hours will be from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. For more 

information call 8010.

The final rounds of the men’s basketball 

playoffs will be held at Denich Gym 

tonight. The first game starts at 7 p.m. 

and the second game starts at 8 p.m.

The winner of those two games 

will face off Monday. In this double 

elimination format, if one of the two 

teams takes its first loss of the playoffs in 

the championship matchup, a second and 

final game will be played on Tuesday at 8 

p.m. at Denich Gym.

Guantanamo Bay Liberty will hold 

its first remote control (RC) car races at 

Denich Gym Friday at 6 p.m. There will 

be timed laps with four cars racing on the 

track at a time. Don’t worry about owning 

an RC; Liberty will be providing cars to 

use. Competitors can bring their own RC 

cars if they want. Sodas and water will be 

provided and there will be prizes for 1st, 

2nd, and 3rd place.

For more information or to sign up in 

advance contact Guantanamo Bay Liberty 

at 2010.

For the Holidays: Tree 

Decorating at the NEX

Beginning Jan. 1, non-direct hired DoD 

employees will be required to present an 

Officer’s Club Privilege Card to access 

Rick’s Lounge. 

For more information call Maggie Luttrell at 2046. To obtain a request form email Marjorie.Luttrell@usnbgtmo.navy.mil.

Guantanamo Bay Liberty will host a 

kayaking trip on Thanksgiving. Liberty 

will provide everything needed to have a 

great trip including kayaks, paddles, vests, 

water, and snacks. The trip will begin at 

Ferry Landing Beach and travel a mile to 

the cave. Participants can relax and take 

pictures before heading back to the beach. 

All fitness levels are welcome as there will 

be guides to lead the way to the cave and 

back.

The kayaking trip is scheduled to begin 

at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving. 

For more information and to sign up 

contact Guantanamo Bay Liberty at 2010. 

To ensure your letters and packages arrive 

home in time for the holidays, please mail all 

items by the first week of December. Parcel 

post items should be sent immediately.

Please note that the Camp America post 

office location accepts cash only. When 

mailing packages, remember completed 

customs forms will be required.

For more information, call 2369.

Liberty Kayaking at 

Ferry Landing Beach

Remote Control Car 

Racing at Denich Gym 

Men’s Basketball 

Playoffs

Holiday Parade and 

Concert

Craft Fair at the 

Windjammer Ballroom

New JPC Hours

Revised Officer’s Club 

Policy

Holiday Mailing Notice

The Reel Rock Film 

Tour at Downtown 

Lyceum

INDEX

The Wire

November 18, 2011

Basketball playoffs 5

Coast Guard turnover 7

Caroline Rhea 8

Combined Federal Campaign 9

Veterans Day 10

Sisters-in-arms 12

Native American Month 13

Movie review: Puss in Boots 18
 The Wire | Page 4 Trooper to Trooper |

Trooper to Trooper

The word mentor is defined as a trusted counselor or guide. To 

serve as a mentor, the idea of mentorship for most of us in the 

military defines a process which needs to work for both the mentor 

and the mentoree.

At various points in our lives, we all identify and seek to learn 

from, and often emulate, our mentors. They become models for 

the development of proper problem solving and decision-making 

techniques; the demonstration of technical skills; developing 

interpersonal abilities; and providing personal guidance. Mentors 

and the idea of mentorship have taken on increased awareness in the 

military today, particularly among junior personnel who are dropped 

suddenly into new and unfamiliar roles and face the challenge of 

high expectations, information overload, and little time to learn to 

become master of all tasks.

The stumbling block in many mentoring relationships is in 

defining exactly what mentorship means to the individuals involved. 

The interpretation of mentorship is largely subjective, so the process 

and contents of this activity need to be defined at its inception for it 

to be effective for both parties. If there is no open communication 

between mentors and mentorees, expectations could be set 

unrealistically on both sides of the relationship, so that frustrations 

could mount, performance may be affected, and, inevitably, many of 

the relationships might dissolve unnecessarily.

People with one or more areas which they feel require further 

development or improved problem solving abilities should be 

encouraged to identify these areas openly; they should not be 

perceived as weaknesses to hide and somehow try to correct or 

improve on their own, but as areas that once developed and refined 

will help the joint task force to achieve its goals. It is conceivable 

that some personnel, particularly those lacking confidence, may be 

seeking some continuance of the training environment, where they 

received reinforcement and observation on most things they did in 

the schoolhouse. Others who are extremely independent from the 

beginning simply need to know that the voice of assistance is but a 

phone call or yell for help away.

Senior leadership and more seasoned mentors should define how 

they propose to bring about the transition of new personnel into 

the practice, what they expect, in terms of feedback, with respect 

to difficulties new personnel are experiencing, what the ascending 

levels of responsibility and challenge for them will be, and who 

individual or multiple mentors are and when they will be accessible 

for questions, conversation, and hands on guidance, if necessary. 

While mentorship is an ongoing process, it should taper off in its 

intensity and, therefore, is not an endless process.

The goal of any mentorship should be to create an environment 

that allows everyone to progress as rapidly as possible along the 

learning curve and mature at their job.

New personnel are generally pleased to have the terms of their 

mentorship defined, as those requiring more intensive mentorship 

Command Master Chief Jason Wallis

Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion

 see TROOPER next page

Thanksgiving OPSEC

The Thanksgiving holiday is traditionally a time when three things happen; traveling, 

eating and shopping! Two of these things need special attention (eating isn’t one of 

them). While traveling, or making plans for leave and travel, remember to use OPSEC 

to protect your plans and sensitive information (travel dates, leave papers, passport 

number, military I.D., etc). When shopping in a store or online make sure to use only 

reputable online sites and be careful when you give your credit card numbers and 

expiration dates. Identity theft and credit fraud always spike this time of year. Be safe 

and enjoy the Thanksgiving season. USE OPSEC! 

PSEC ALERT

PROTECT YOUR INFO!

photo by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

Cmd. Master Chief Jason Wallis (left) instructs Chief Leonard Eugene on the 

NEGB’s unit and personnel issues.

| Sports The Wire | Page 5

Basketball playoffs return to Denich

Championship game Monday

The Morale Welfare and Recreation men’s 

basketball regular season schedule is over and 

the playoffs are in full swing at Guantanamo 

Bay’s Denich Gym.

“The Shottaz” took the top spot of the 

regular season. This accomplishment earned 

the team a first round bye, meaning they skip 

straight to the second round of the playoffs. 

Civilian contractor Lee Hinton, a forward for 

“The Shottaz,” said that doesn’t mean they 

will have an easy ride to the finals.

“The biggest thing that can stop us is 

ourselves,” Hinton said. “Teamwork is the 

main thing we have to focus on.”

Hinton added there is another team in the 

same situation.

“Vigilant Warriors are the same way,” the 

forward said. “They can go really far if they 

just play together.”

Staff Sgt. Ryan Jordan, a center for the 

“Vigilant Warriors” gives some insight into 

the team work factor.

“We try to play and practice as a team as 

much as we can, but sometimes it’s tough 

because we are made up of three different 

units that work on all different shifts.”

The 525th Military Police Battalion is 

comprised of the 189th, 193rd and the 107th 

Military Police Companies. Soldiers from 

all three companies play on the same team, 

and don’t let unit rivalry get in the way of 

teamwork on the court.

“As soldiers, we are taught to learn, adapt 

and overcome obstacles,” Jordan said. “We 

have learned to play with each other because 

everyone has a natural feel for the game of 

basketball.”

As the playoffs heat up, so does the 

atmosphere in Denich Gym.

The first game of the playoffs, which pit 

“Lights Out” against “GTMO...We Have 

A Problem,” was a loud and exciting affair. 

The two teams treated the boisterous fans 

to a nail-biter that came down to the final 

seconds of the game.

The on-court tension was palpable and 

the people in the bleachers cheered and 

gasped with every tide-turning play.

The group of faithfuls that attend the 

“Vigilant Warriors” showdowns add a new 

element to the playoff aura.

Warriors fans emulate the Cameron 

Crazies, Duke University fans who 

outlandishly dress in painted shirts. They 

organize cheers and try to affect the outcome 

of the game. They have free throw cheers for 

the Warriors and well-timed jeers when the 

opposition is at the foul line.

In one instance, a member of the opposing 

team tried to outsmart the zealous fans by 

pump faking a free throw, but it faked out 

his own team, causing a lane violation. This 

gave the “Vigilant Warriors” the ball and the 

vigilant fans reason to get louder.

There is still time to come out and have 

a good time at the games. Tonight’s game 

at 7 p.m. precedes the championship game 

Monday evening at 8 p.m. If a team gets its 

first loss on Monday, there will be a final 

game on Tuesday night to settle the score.

Gather some friends and come down to 

Denich Gym for basketball action that won’t 

disappoint.

Right: Spc. Chris Pelker, forward on team “Vigilant 

Warriors,” passes out of trouble during the team’s first 

round victory over “You Don’t Want None.” See more 

playoff action Friday and Monday nights at Denich 

Gym. -photo by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

feel that easing into full responsibilities 

and decision making provides a temporary 

security net for them and sets a more 

comfortable level of what is expected 

during the initial phase of their job. Wording 

to define mentorship in an employment 

contract can be captured by defining 

progressive independent scheduling and 

responsibilities, defining time and/or 

activities spent working directly with other 

personnel, establishing regular times for 

meetings during the workweek, scheduling 

a review or reviews at specific periods over 

the duration of the contract, when the 

mentorship activities can be reviewed and 

tapered off in their intensity as the defined 

goals progress.

TROOPER cont. 

By Army Sgt. Landis Andrews
 The Wire | Page 6 Trooper Focus |

Though her position with Camp America 

as a lead petty officer is demanding, Personnel 

Spc. 2nd Class Angela Smalls meets the 

demands of her job by staying focused and 

ever-vigilant for time sensitive issues. 

Smalls is always thinking about “the big 

picture” in every task she oversees. In the 

administrative section, she processes leave 

requests, evaluations and awards on a regular 

basis. She is also her unit’s Information 

Technology Officer and processes computer 

issues and other related requests. 

“There’s no day-to-day (routine),” said 

Smalls. “We just work to make life easier for 

our people so they don’t have to come in on 

their off time to get stuff done.”

Smalls’ diligence in these matters doesn’t 

go unnoticed. 

“(Smalls) is a dedicated professional,” 

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Alexander Bates 

said. “She’s a hard worker and one of my 

top Sailors. She’s on top of her game as far 

as organization and paperwork and making 

sure people get the things they need when 

they need them. She holds the Navy core 

values of “honor, courage and commitment 

close to her heart.” 

Between the multi-tasking, Smalls has 

been able to enjoy a few diversions from her 

duties since her January arrival at Joint Task 

Force Guantanamo.

“I’ve snorkeled a few times,” she said. 

“I don’t go alone. I met a lot of interesting 

people. Even with the turnover, I made 

more friends 

than I thought 

I would at this 

place.”

Smalls is 

nearing the 

completion of 

her bachelor’s 

degree, and 

graduating would enable to 

consider pursuing another 

career.

“I’d like to get started in 

nursing school,” she said. 

“I want to continue in the 

Navy, but I’m also looking 

forward to doing something 

else.” 

Guantanamo has been 

just one stop in Smalls’ 

11-year-long Navy 

journey. Along the 

way, she found many 

opportunities for 

professional growth, 

making contacts and 

global travel. She 

urges others to seek 

the same goals.

“I’ve been really 

lucky,” she said. “I’ve 

been everywhere. It’s 

been nice.”

Who did you honor on Veterans Day?

“I honored my grandfather. 

He was the primary reaon 

I joined. He was a Seabee 

and served in World War I.”

Aviation Mechanic’s Mate 

3rd Class John Fulk 

trooper focus

“A friend from high 

school. He’s in the 

Marines and has been 

deployed to Iraq.”

Spc. Rony S. Michaud

“Everyone else who has 

served. That’s what we all 

do here.”

Staff Sgt. Joshua Nowak

“My mother and uncle 

were in the Navy and my 

grandfather was in the 

Coast Guard.”

Construction Mechanic 

2nd Class Brian Smith

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 11 years

Hobbies: Working out, swimming, watching “Army 

Wives” (“because there’s no ‘Navy Wives!’”)

The boss says: “She’s on top of her game.”

Advice to junior Troopers: “Stay focused on your goals and 

complete what you’ve come to do. Don’t get sidetracked.”

By Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson

Boots on the Ground

| News The Wire | Page 7

They were awarded for their integrity and 

upholding the military values. They serve 

silently and are focused on the mission. They 

are Semper Paratus. They are the United 

States Coast Guard Maritime Safety and 

Security Team Boston and they are handing 

over the helm to USCG MSST San Diego.

During the past week, MSST Boston 

worked alongside MSST San Diego and 

familiarize the new team with the MSST’s 

unique mission at Guantanamo Bay. 

“The big thing for the Coast Guard is 

making sure we all train the right way and 

we all train the same way,” added said Petty 

Officer 1st Class Thomas Cliffard.

Cliffard, a boatswain’s mate, praised his 

unit’s successors.

“The Coast Guard is big into standardizing 

everything, so I know what San Diego is 

capable of and what they are going to do,” 

he said.

 MSSTs are a rapid response force able 

to deploy nationwide in response to threats 

or natural disasters. They usually defend 

strategic shipping, high interest vessels, and 

critical infrastructure, but they also provide 

security to high profile individuals and events 

such as the Superbowl. 

Coast Guard Cmdr. Eric Cooper the 

commanding officer of Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo Security Detachment and 

MSST San Diego, explained that his team 

were ready for this new challenge. 

“The great thing about these teams is 

that we’re really adaptable, so on the water 

this is something we do day in and day out,” 

said Cooper. “We were able to train ahead of 

time to make sure we are bringing the Joint 

Task Force the right compliment to support 

the mission.” 

Although it is understood the mission 

comes first, Cliffard suggested the new team 

invest their free time in taking advantage of 

everything Guantanamo Bay offers. 

“It’s going to be tough; they’re going to be 

here during holiday seasons,” said Cliffard. 

“But keep your heads up, keep the mission 

focused and enjoy yourselves while you’re 

down here.” 

With MSST Boston leaving behind a 

successful tour, it will be up to MSST San 

Diego to maintain that momentum. 

“I just think our mantra in this community 

of specialized forces is quiet professionalism,” 

said Cooper. “It’s just going out and getting 

the job done and supporting the commander 

with everything he needs and I think that’s 

what you’ll see from us and what you’ll see 

from the Coast Guard.” 

photo by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

Joint Task Force Commander Rear Adm. David Woods observes the transfer of authority of the United States Coast 

Guard Maritime Safety and Security Detachment from outgoing commander Lt. Cmdr. Keith M. Utley of MSST 

Boston to incoming commander Cmdr. Eric M. Cooper of MSST San Diego. 

By Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

MSST Boston gives the wheel to San Diego
The Wire | Page 8 Feature |

Comedian and actress Caroline Rhea 

performed a stand-up set for a packed crowd in 

Downtown Lyceum on Thursday night, the eve 

of Veterans Day. It did not take long for her to 

find out this island is not what she expected – it 

reminded her of the Andy Griffith Show.

“I thought it was going to be this tiny 

place with good guys over here and bad guys 

over there,” Rhea said. “But this place looks 

like Mayberry, with some weird, serious, nonMayberry twists.”

During her set, she talked about some of the 

differences of life on Guantanamo Bay.

“I went to KFC yesterday and they 

told me they were out of chicken,” she 

complained. “Out of chicken? They 

told me, ‘It’s on the barge.’ I guess 

you’re just Kentucky Fried today.”

Another part of the island 

experience new to Rhea are the 

$10,000 speed bumps.

“Those things aren’t 

iguanas,” the comedian said. 

“They are really triceratops. 

Everyone here is in denial. The 

big ones are called tyrannosaurus 

rex. They are not iguanas.”

Rhea said performing with those 

animals around made her feel like she 

did a show in Jurassic Park. But, given 

the crowd in which she was in front of, 

she never feared for her safety.

“I felt that at any time, I could be 

defended by anyone in the audience,” 

she said. “At the same time, they could 

defend the country and build a house, 

because everyone has 45 jobs here.”

Rhea is thankful for the people on this island 

who answer the call of duty to such an extent.

“I hope I acknowledged the troops enough 

to say thank you and let them know that this 

is truly an honor.” she said. “It’s sort of like 

my way of writing a thank you note – to do a 

stand-up show.”

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Les Fuqua has seen 

Rhea’s stand-up twice and returns the thanks.

“It makes us very appreciative of what they 

do,” the aviation warfare systems operator said. 

“They always tell us, ‘thank you for doing what 

you do,’ but it really is a reciprocal effect for 

them to come do this for us and it makes us 

feel good.”

Rhea noticed an abundance of gratitude.

“I feel like we’re in Canada – everyone is 

saying thank you,” she said. “Thank you? No, 

thank you. We’re like Canadians who can’t get 

through the door without saying, ‘After you. 

After you.’ ”

The night ended with Rhea showing her 

thanks, again, by taking pictures and signing 

autographs for satisfied fans. She put her 

John Hancock on cards, wine bottles, 

dollar bills and even the shirts on 

people’s backs.

“I loved being here and doing this 

show,” she said, “even though I felt 

like I had a captive audience.”

Rhea of sunshine

By Army Sgt. Landis Andrews

photos by Army Sgt. Landis Andrews

Actress and comedian Caroline Rhea, moments after 

thanking and praising her Nov. 11 Downtown Lyceum 

audience, signs a fan’s shirt.

| Feature The Wire | Page 9

For 50 years, the Combined Federal Campaign has 

raised hundreds of millions of dollars for charitable organizations across the United States and around the world. 

Just last year, CFC contributors raised $281.5 million in 

support of hundreds of charities and foundations.

As part of the CFC-Overseas portion of the overall 

campaign, Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s goal is to raise 

$30,000. In 2010, the JTF raised more than $25,000.

“You have a chance to give back to the community,” 

said Air Force Master Sgt. James Reeves.

Reeves, who is one of a dozen JTF Guantanamo CFC 

coordinators, emphasized the importance of giving even 

just a little bit to the campaign. So far this year, the average 

donation per JTF Guantanamo participant is about $130.

“I’ve given since I’ve been in,” said Navy Petty Officer 

2nd Class Cesar Guzman. “Eleven years’ worth of $20 to 

the Navy Relief Fund adds up.”

Guzman, an information systems technician, pointed 

out an important detail included with each organization’s 

description in the CFC catalog: the percentage of donations the organization doesn’t spend on its mission.

“It tells you the overhead costs,” he said. “I like that because I’m trying to help the cause, not pay for the cause.”

As the only organization permitted to solicit federal 

employees, to include military members, CFC coordinates fundraising efforts by charities of all kinds. By 

conducting fundraising efforts just once a 

year, CFC simplifies the process and makes 

many otherwise little-known charities available to servicemembers. 

With more than 1,800 potential donors across the joint task force, Reeves 

is enthusiastic for the goal to be met and 

exceeded.

“You can help someone less fortunate,” Reeves said. “Times are tough.”

Great progress, 

high hopes for 

CFC 2011

Money M att ers

With two and a half weeks still to go in the 

Combined Federal Campaign–Overseas, 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo has already 

raised almost $24,000 toward its goal. 

Above: Rear Adm. David Woods, JTF 

Guantanamo commander and Air Force 

Master Sgt. Carnita Farve donate to the 

cause. To get involved, contact your unit 

CFC coordinator or call extension 9735 or 

9734. -photo by Mass Communication Spc. 

2nd Class Jon Dasbach

By Army 1st. Lt. Amelia Thatcher
The Wire | Page 10 Feature | | Feature The Wire | Page 11

Troopers, veterans and families 

alike all came together Friday to honor 

servicemembers from the past and 

present, at Naval Station Guantanamo’s 

Veterans Day ceremony.

The event was held at the installation’s 

historic Marine Hill-area parade field, and 

was hosted by the Marine Corps Security 

Forces Company’s Honor Guard. 

“We honor the best America has to offer: the men and 

women in uniform who answered, and continue to answer 

the call when their nation needs them,” said keynote speaker 

Marine Maj. Winston Tierney, commanding officer of the 

MCSFC. “They have fought unhesitatingly for their country, 

that others might know freedom.”

Veterans represent a multitude of cultures and have 

completed a variety of amazing missions together. 

Servicemembers come from every background and walk of 

life, as ordinary people coming together to make extraordinary 

things come to pass.

“As I woke this morning, I felt particularly humbled and a 

bit overwhelmed,” Tierney said. “I look out in the audience 

today and I see the faces of men and women whose stories I 

am familiar with and whose accomplishments amaze me.”

Tierney’s own combat experience in Iraq helped him 

underscore the importance of recognizing young veterans and 

those who were wounded in battle. 

“We are currently at war, and I know it is inevitable,” he 

said. “But I am still always surprised when I see a young person 

with scars, or worse, amputations: the visible signs of their 

service.”

A 92-year-old tradition, Americans give their respect not 

only to veterans, but their families as well. Tierney thanked the 

local civilian population for their support and shared sacrifice.

“We owe you, your families, and your loved ones a debt of 

gratitude for putting our great nation first in your lives, above 

yourselves,” he said. “I cannot think of a greater display of 

courage and commitment.”

Photos by Mass Communication 

Spc. 2nd Class Kilho Park

Members of the Navy Rifle Team 

(top), the Chief ’s Mess (far right) 

and the Marine Color Guard 

(right) stand vigil at the historic 

Marine Hill parade field Nov. 11.

Remembering those who served

Veterans Day on Guantanamo Bay

By Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Louis Batchelor
 The Wire | Page 12 Feature |

To what extent would a trooper go to 

support a brother- or sister-in-arms? Two 

sisters were separated by hundreds of miles 

of land and sea, but a promise brought an 

Army staff sergeant to Guantanamo Bay to 

pin on her sister’s new rank during her promotion ceremony. 

The Abbott sisters joined the military 

within a year of each other, Rebecca joining 

the Army and Kelly joining the Air Force. 

Although they were not close in their youth, 

through their shared experiences of the military the two became best friends.

“I heard she was joining, and it’s pretty 

ironic because I did my basic and AIT (advanced individual training) in Fort Leonard 

Wood, Mo. and she actually attended her 

tech school down at Fort Leonard Wood 

also,” said Army Staff Sgt. Rebecca. “So we 

just missed each other.” 

The Abbotts eventually came to promise one another to pin on each other’s E-7 

rank. 

“We’re best friends now, so we just 

promised each other ‘if you made E-7 no 

matter where you are in the world I’m going 

be there to pin you on,’” said Kelly. “I feel 

really lucky to make that happen.” 

The process to bring Air Force Master 

Sgt. Kelly Abbott’s sister Rebecca to Guantanamo Bay was not an easy one, but with 

help from the members of the 146th Civil 

Engineering Squadron the process was 

completed just in time. 

“I put it in and tracked it for her. Her 

sister couldn’t get leave until she got the 

airline approved,” said Senior Master Sgt. 

Scott Wells. “We’ve been working on this 

for a month.” 

 Kelly and Rebecca Abbott represent 

different sides of the same military. Kelly 

started her career as an active duty Airman 

and after four years went to the California 

Air National Guard. 

“To be honest I was always broke, I was 

like an E-4, so I said let me get out of the 

 see SISTERS next page

photo by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

Background: Army Staff Sgt. Rebecca Abbott and Air Force Master Sgt. Kelly Abbott 

at Camp Justice. 

Top: Army Staff Sgt. Rebecca Abbott and Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kirk Rhame pin 

Air Force Master Sgt. Kelly Abbott’s new rank.

By Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

going the 

distance to keep 

a promise

Sisters-in-arms

| Feature The Wire | Page 13

military, but then it was hard to find a job 

and I was on terminal leave, so I joined the 

Air National Guard,” said Kelly. “I thought 

of it as a temporary plan B type of thing, 

but my plans have totally changed. I plan 

on staying in for 20 years now.” 

Rebecca almost joined the Air Force, 

but without the guarantee to enlist as a 

military police officer she decided to join 

the Army. She enlisted shortly before her 

sister as a 31 Echo, an internment/resettlement specialist, but after looking into the 

human intelligence collector military occupational specialty she decided that it was 

her true calling. 

“It was a good decision. The Air Force 

is very well-known for how well they treat 

their people and everything, but the Army 

has its own traditions,” said Rebecca. “We 

have the best of both worlds now. I can tell 

my Army stories; she’ll tell her Air Force 

stories and it works out well.” 

Within the military, bonds are made 

that push troopers to go to the ends of 

the earth for their brother and sisters-inarms. In the case of the Abbott sisters, the 

distance for Rebecca to pin on Kelly’s new 

rank was only a few hundred miles and an 

ocean. 

Through the military, the Abbott sisters 

have forged a link beyond even their family ties.

“I can’t talk to my other sister the way I 

can talk to her,” Kelly said.

Below: Air Force Master Sgt. Kelly Abbott’s promotion ceremony featured a special guest – her sister 

Rebecca. -photo by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

SISTERS cont. There when needed: Native 

Americans answer call of duty

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – Native Americans serving in the military have 

long been part of one of the largest per-capita 

ethnic groups in the profession of arms. 

Young Native Americans have answered 

and continue to answer the nation’s call of 

duty for many reasons. Some see it as a rite 

of passage, while others have been taught service, sacrifice and courage are virtues of value. 

The Native Americans serving today carry on 

a time-honored tradition, one continued from 

the time of the first settlers on this continent 

to the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

“My people honored me as a warrior,” 

said a Vietnam veteran who is from the Kiowa tribe, according to Naval History and 

Heritage Command. “We had a feast and my 

parents and grandparents thanked everyone 

who prayed for my safe return. We had a special (dance) and I remember, as we circled the 

drum, I got a feeling of pride. I felt good inside because that’s the way Kiowa people (tell) 

you that you’ve done well.”

They have always been there; they were in 

the ranks of the military even before we were 

a country. In the early days of our nation they 

were our eyes and ears, serving as scouts and 

guides. The last Indian scout retired from the 

Army in 1947 at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., according to Naval History and Heritage Command. 

Native Americans served in the War of 

1812 and as auxiliary troops during the Civil 

War. Gen. Ely Parker, a Seneca Indian, wrote 

the terms for Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender 

at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. 

Native American scouts served with distinction during campaigns in the western frontier 

and accompanied Pershing’s troops in his pursuit of Poncho Villa in 1916. Teddy Roosevelt 

recruited Indian scouts, who accompanied the 

Rough Riders into Cuba during the SpanishAmerican War.

Despite lack of citizenship status and not 

having the right to vote, more than 12,000 

American Indians served in World War I. More 

than 600 were assigned to the 142nd Infantry 

Regiment, seeing action in France. Many were 

decorated for bravery in battle.

Native Americans who served in World 

War I secured signal transmissions by using 

their native language. Joseph Oklahombi, a 

World War I Code Talker, captured more than 

100 enemy combatants during the Battle for 

Blanc Mont Ridge in October 1918, according 

to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Native American Programs.

More than 40,000 Native Americans served 

during World War II, this time as American citizens after being granted citizenship in 1924. 

The now famous Code Talkers proved invaluable when they secured communications in the 

Pacific theater. 

“It was always the warrior who was first 

in defending Mother Earth,” said a Dakota/

Lakota veteran, according to Naval History 

and Heritage Command. “It was his duty to be 

first. It is a part of traditional values, a part of 

protecting against any invasion that would endanger the people, our people and the land.”

Native Americans have a tradition of serving above and beyond the call of duty. More 

than 20 have received the nation’s highest award 

for valor, the Medal of Honor, many making 

the ultimate sacrifice. Still others served and 

sacrificed with less notoriety; during the opening stages of Operation Enduring Freedom, 

Army Spc. Lori Piestewa, a Hopi from Arizona, became the first female Native American service member to be killed in action. Not 

knowing she had been killed, Piestewa’s family, 

tribe and community left their porch lights on 

to help her find her way her way home. During her memorial service, Daniel King read the 

following Oneida Indian warrior saying:

“When you adorn yourself with the implements of way, you are ready to kill. It is only 

right then you must be prepared to die as well. 

As Indian people, we know how to face war, 

we know how to sacrifice, we know how to 

honor, (and) we know courage. We know how 

to remember.” 

November is Native American Heritage 

month. It is the time for all Americans to honor and remember their service and sacrifice, 

for they have always been there when needed. 

By Col. (Ret.) Gene Kamena

Air War College
In th e f i g ht

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard Sector San Juan pollution response personnel 

deployed a Vessel of Opportunity Skimming 

System (VOSS) out of Coast Guard Base San 

Juan Wednesday afternoon, during a pollution 

response training exercise in San Juan Bay, 

Puerto Rico.

“This VOSS deployment is not a response 

to real emergency,” said Lt. Kristen Preble, 

Sector San Juan Incident Management Division chief. “Coast Guard pollution responders at Sector San Juan deploy the VOSS equipment every year to maintain their proficiency 

in responding to a real oil spill in Puerto Rico 

or the U.S. Virgin Islands that requires the use 

of oil skimming equipment.”

The day-long training instruction was delivered by four members of the Atlantic Strike 

Force from Fort Dix, N.J.

The VOSS is a self-contained portable oil 

skimming and storage system capable of being attached quickly to a wide variety of Coast 

Guard and commercial vessels. Once the 

VOSS is deployed, it is capable of collecting 

spilled oil from inside boom installed on the 

side of the vessel and pumped into an inflatable barge that can store up to 26,000 gallons.

The Coast Guard’s VOSS equipment is 

strategically pre-positioned at several locations 

across the U.S. and Puerto Rico is one of those 

locations. The VOSS may also be transported to a spill site on a single truck or aboard a 

Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft.

Although the petroleum industry has the 

primary responsibility for maintaining oil spill 

response equipment, the VOSS increases the 

Coast Guard’s initial response capabilities.

Pollution response personnel deployed the 

VOSS onto the Tug Boat Marrianne McAllister from McAllister Towing.

USCG trains on oil spill equipment

Marine aviation key to Afghanistan mission

 The Wire | Page 14 At Your Service |

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan –

Under the veil of darkness, a team of Marine 

Corps CH-53 heavy-lift helicopters sped over 

the Helmand River valley in early October. 

Carrying nearly 100 Afghan commandos 

and their Marine advisors, the helicopters delivered them into the valley, just south of the 

Kajaki Dam. 

The Afghan and American troops were 

the first coalition forces in a massive offensive, 

Operation Eastern Storm, aimed at rooting 

out one of the last insurgent strongholds in 

the region.

As the southwestern regional command 

of NATO’s International Security Assistance 

Force undertakes Operation Eastern Storm, 

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) has provided invaluable support in the coalition’s efforts to secure Afghanistan’s Route 611 and 

ensure peace and economic development in 

the region.

 “Our big support for Eastern Storm was 

getting [1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment 

and 2nd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment] into 

position,” said Lt. Col. Robert B. Finneran, 

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)’s future 

operations officer and a native of Cape Carteret, N.C. “The threat level going into this was 

unknown.” 

But coalition forces have been met with 

little confrontation, Finneran said.

“I think the fact that we were able to get in 

with relatively little resistance and establish patrol bases is only going to lead to positive relations with the local populace,” Finneran said. 

After the initial insertion of the Afghan 

commandos and Marine Corps ground troops, 

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)’s role has 

entailed providing resupplies and close-air support missions.

Finneran said much of the Wing’s operations in support for Eastern Storm now comes 

from AV-8B Harrier attack jets, and UH-1Y 

Huey and AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters 

watching overhead.

“We’ve been able to fly and support in any 

way [the ground combat element has] asked 

up to this point,” Finneran said. “The Wing’s 

flexibility to meet the challenges of the ground 

combat element has been key. We had a very 

well-synchronized aviation plan.”

Capt. Joseph Fry, an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter 

Squadron 267, recently flew one such mission.

Fry, a native of Jacksonville, Ill., said that 

over the summer he had flown a few missions 

into the area on which Operation Eastern 

Storm is focused.

 “Almost overnight, the valley turned into 

a string of Marine-controlled outposts,” said 

Fry, adding that his recent mission was completely uneventful.

WASHINGTON – On Veterans Day comes 

word of the confirmation of a new director 

for the Army National Guard, Army Maj. 

Gen. William Ingram, former adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard 

and current special assistant to the Army vice 

chief of staff.

Ingram’s confirmation occurred during 

a historic Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday, the first ever when 

all six members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 

testified to the full committee. The testimony, 

for which the Joint Chiefs were joined by Air 

Force Gen. Craig McKinley, the chief of the 

National Guard Bureau, was on the matter of 

whether the CNGB should join the JCS.

Senators confirmed Ingram during a brief 

break after they had reached quorum.

Ingram, who also was confirmed for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general 

on Thursday, will succeed Army Maj. Gen. 

Raymond Carpenter, who has served as acting 

director of the Army National Guard for 29 

months, since his appointment by McKinley 

on May 29, 2009, following the retirement of 

Army Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn.

Ingram will be the 19th director and the 

third three-star general to fill the position. The 

first was Army Lt. Gen. Roger Schultz, who 

served in the role from 1998 until his 2005 retirement. Prior to Schultz, the director was a 

major general, except for a period in the 1960s 

when three consecutive directors were brigadier generals. The first director was Army Maj. 

Gen. Raymond Fleming, from 1948 to 1950.

The director is responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all programs, policies and plans affecting the Army 

National Guard and its more than 350,000 

Citizen-Soldiers.

Ingram already has almost 40 years of service as an Army National Guard officer. He 

was the Distinguished Graduate from Officer 

Candidate School at the North Carolina Military Academy at Fort Bragg in 1972.

His experience includes commanding U.S., 

United Nations and NATO forces in Croatia, 

Macedonia and Kosovo; the chairmanship of 

the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee; 

leading roles in homeland security and domestic disaster response and his more than 

nine-year stint as North Carolina’s adjutant 

general.

By Cpl. Brian Adam Jones

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)

By Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill

National Guard Bureau

on th e ground

By 7th District Coast Guard Public Affairs

United States Coast Guard

C o a s t t o c o a s t

Senate confirms 

new Army National 

Guard director

On the Wing

BANGOR, Wash. – Thirty years after its commissioning, USS Ohio 

(SSGN 726) continues to live up to its motto, “Always First.”

Commissioned Nov. 11, 1981, Ohio ushered in a new era of U.S. 

strategic deterrence as the first submarine designed to carry the Navy’s 

newest submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the Trident C-4. 

The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines were built to endure as the 

survivable leg of the nation’s strategic forces – not just for the Cold War, 

but for decades to come.

At the start of the 21st century, however, Ohio was called upon to 

blaze another trail – as the first of four Ohio-class submarines to be 

converted to guided missile submarines (SSGNs), carrying the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) and special operations personnel 

and equipment. 

Today, Ohio and the 17 other submarines of her class are in service 

throughout the world’s oceans - performing not just the class’s intended 

function of deterrence, but also forging a new path in the areas of special operations and global strike.

“Ohio’s transformation from a strategic deterrent platform to a 

front-line submarine is awe-inspiring,” said Capt. Dixon Hicks, commanding officer of Ohio’s Gold Crew. “Her capability to put special 

operations personnel on the beach, or multiple Tomahawks on target at 

any time, provides our leadership with unlimited options.”

Ohio and the second submarine of the class, USS Michigan (SSGN 

727), are homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. They have been 

forward-deployed to Guam since 2007. Their sister submarines, Kings 

Bay, Ga.-based USS Florida (SSGN 728) and USS Georgia (SSGN 729), 

are similarly forward-deployed to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Today, with 30 years of service in the books, Ohio is as relevant to 

the nation’s defense as ever. Its ability to project power and provide forward presence makes Ohio – and its fellow SSGNs – a key component 

of our nation’s maritime strategy.

“My crew fully understands how important they and Ohio are to 

defending our nation,” said Hicks.

And Ohio isn’t done blazing trails. This fall, Ohio is one of four 

submarines in the class which will welcome the first women assigned 

to submarines.

“In the 30 years that USS Ohio has been in service, she has led from 

the front at every turn and continues to live up to our motto of ‘Always 

First,’” said Command Master Chief (SS) Neil Davenport, chief of the 

boat for Ohio’s Gold Crew. “It’s the efforts and the professionalism of 

the crew that keeps Ohio ready to answer our nation’s call.”

USS Ohio celebrates 30th birthday

Close air support protects coalition, defeats Taliban attack

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 15

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – F-15E 

Strike Eagles from the 335th Expeditionary 

Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons 

from the 121st EFS dropped more than 9,000 

pounds of munitions through severe weather on 

enemy forces trying to overrun a combat outpost in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 8. 

According to reports, up to 70 Taliban 

were killed while attacking COP Margah in a 

large scale coordinated attack. Coalition forces were first alerted to the attack when rocket-propelled grenades began to hit the camp. 

Shortly thereafter, the insurgents attacked the 

camp from multiple positions using small 

arms and RPG fire.

Staff Sgt. Seth Pena, a joint terminal attack 

controller with the 817th Expeditionary Air 

Support Operations Squadron, was responsible for calling in close air support when the 

fighting began. He employed weapons from 

Navy F-18s, who were already overhead and 

then immediately requested a “Dude flight” 

of F-15s and a “Viper flight” of F-16s from 

Bagram Airfield.

“I requested the Dudes and Vipers because I needed a lot of ordnance and fast,” 

Pena said. “RPGs had already hit inside the 

COP and things were getting serious. There 

was a large enemy force moving towards us 

from multiple positions, and we were taking a 

heavy amount of small arms fire.”

Maj. Todd Dyer, a 335th EFS F-15E pilot, 

was the flight lead in “Dude 21.”

“We were able to employ precision weapons through the weather, which is one of the 

benefits of having GPS weapons,” Dyer said.

After the Dude flight dropped their first 

two sets of munitions, Pena identified enemy 

personnel in an open area advancing on the 

COP and called for a 500-pound weapon that 

eliminated the target. 

“My number one mission is to do everything I can to ensure zero coalition casualties 

and eliminate as many insurgents as possible,” 

Pena said. “Where Dude flight dropped the 

bombs, it accomplished the ground commander’s intent, which makes me feel good.”

Capt. DeShane Greaser, an Army infantry 

commander at COP Margah, said close air 

support was critical to the joint fight that day. 

“The initial bombs dropped effectively 

changed the insurgent’s minds about continuing the attack.” Greaser said. 

The first bombs dropped had an even 

more significant impact to Taliban forces than 

was at first apparent, according to Pena.

“There was a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device heading to the COP, and after 

the first bombs hit, we got reports that the 

enemy said, ‘We’re turning around, there are 

jets overhead.”’

Pena said having fighters overhead provided the ground commanders with tremendous 

confidence.

At the end of the day, ground forces and 

close air support assets worked together to kill 

between 50 and 70 insurgents while sustaining 

zero coalition or civilian casualties.

By Lt. Ed Early

Submarine Group 9 Public Affairs

By Staff Sgt. John Wright

455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

O n T h e D e c k
WASHINGTON – Democrats and 

Republicans rallied on a rare patch of 

common ground Wednesday and Congress 

approved legislation helping government 

contractors and unemployed veterans, 

finally giving President Barack Obama the 

chance to sign the first piece of his $447 

billion jobs bill into law.

The House sent the bill to the White 

House by an overwhelming 422-0, six days 

after the Senate passed it 95-0.

WASHINGTON – Iraq and its forces 

are prepared to cope with the security 

challenges they will face after U.S. troops 

withdraw, Defense Department leaders told 

Congress today.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and 

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the 

Joint Chiefs of Staff, described their views 

on those challenges in testimony before the 

Senate Armed Services Committee.

“Today, thanks to innumerable sacrifices 

from all involved, Iraq is governing itself,” 

Panetta said. “It’s a sovereign nation. It’s an 

emerging source of stability in a vital part 

of the world.”

The secretary said the United States 

seeks to continue a relationship with Iraq 

based on mutual respect and interests.

With the State Department set to lead 

U.S. efforts in Iraq after troops withdraw by 

Dec. 31, a structure remains that allows the 

United States to continue assisting the Iraqi 

government, Panetta said.

The secretary said countering extremism, 

reducing internal friction and closing gaps in 

the country’s external defense capability will 

be key challenges for the Iraqi government.

Al-Qaida in Iraq and Iranian-backed 

militant groups remain capable of planning 

and carrying out periodic high-profile 

attacks, Panetta acknowledged. But those 

groups, he added, lack support among the 

Iraqi people, and Iraq’s counterterrorism 

forces are among the most capable in the 

region.

CANBERRA, Australia – President Barack 

Obama says developments in the AsiaPacific region will largely define the century 

ahead and that the U.S. presence there is his 

administration’s top priority.

Obama told Australian lawmakers 

Thursday that the U.S. is a Pacific power and 

will always be one. He said the region will 

have a role in creating jobs and opportunity 

for the American people and he stressed that 

any reductions in U.S. defense spending will 

not come at the expense of that part of the 

world.

Obama and Australia’s Prime Minister 

Julia Gillard announced an agreement to 

maintain U.S. forces on Australian soil.

China reacted swiftly to the announcement 

in Canberra, suggesting the deployment 

of U.S. troops to Australia may not be 

appropriate and should be discussed within 

the international community.

In his speech, Obama insisted there was 

nothing inappropriate about the plan. Obama 

said the U.S. troop presence will provide new 

opportunities to train with U.S. allies and 

partners and to respond to a full range of 

challenges, including humanitarian crises and 

disaster relief.

He said the United States welcomes the 

rise of a peaceful and prosperous China and 

will seek more opportunities to work with 

Beijing, including greater communication 

between each other’s militaries to promote 

understanding.

The troop deployment deal calls for a 

force of 200 to 250 U.S. Marines to be based 

in Australia’s Northern Territory for rotating 

six-month deployments. The contingent 

would grow over time to a full force of 2,500 

personnel. 

In addition, Australia has agreed to 

facilitate greater use of Darwin air base by 

U.S. military aircraft, including jet fighters 

and bombers. The two sides also agreed to 

boost the use of Western Australia’s Stirling 

naval base by U.S. vessels.

He also pledged that the United States will 

act firmly against any nuclear proliferation 

activities by North Korea. He said the 

transfer of nuclear material by Pyongyang to 

others would be considered a grave threat to 

the United States and its allies. 

He said the United States and Australia 

seek an open international economic system 

where rules are clear and every nation plays 

by them. 

Later Thursday, Mr. Obama visits 

Australia’s air base in Darwin, becoming 

the first U.S. president to do so. He stopped 

in Australia on the way to Bali, Indonesia, 

where he and Ms. Gillard will attend the East 

Asia Summit. The United States as well as 

Russia will participate in the summit as full 

members for the first time.

Obama: Asia-Pacific region top 

priority; proposes six-month 

Marine rotations to Australia

 The Wire | Page 16 Around the World |

Congress OKs bill 

to assist unemployed veterans

Stars and Stripes

Panetta, Dempsey: 

U.S.-Iraq partnership 

will continue

Army.mil

Voice of America

President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gilliard met in Canberra this week, agreeing to 

maintain an American presence in the Pacific.

| Mind, Body & Spirit The Wire | Page 17

Mind, 

Body

& Spirit

by Hospitalman 3rd Class 

Dominique Cannon, 

JSMART

Feeling the pressure of deployment bearing down upon 

you? Have you lost interest in activities that you once considered 

entertaining? Find yourself drinking or smoking more than you did 

prior to arrival in Cuba? Do you no longer view your job or service 

as being important? Are you sleeping more or less than you normally 

do? Is your mood consistently negative, pessimistic, or irritable? If 

so, depression may be setting in. 

Deployments place a wide variety of stressors upon service 

members. Most of the time, we adapt to these challenges without 

much difficulty. But in certain stressful 

situations, where the pressures of deployment 

may be coupled with difficulty adjusting to 

separation from family and friends, depression 

can result. 

Depression is an indiscriminate condition 

that can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, 

ethnicity, or social standing. It is also a significant 

health concern across the world and within the 

military. Most of us feel sad or lonely at times. 

Feeling this way is a normal reaction to loss, 

life’s struggles, or an injured self-esteem. But 

when these feelings become overwhelming and 

last for long periods of time, they can indicate 

clinical depression and keep you from leading a 

healthy, active life. If left untreated, symptoms 

may worsen and last for years. Recognizing the symptoms is often 

the biggest hurdle to the diagnosis and treatment of clinical or major 

depression. Unfortunately, people struggling with depression may 

go without diagnosis or treatment for years because they are not able 

to identify its initial signs.

Physical symptoms of depression are not only personally 

recognizable, but can be recognized in other people as well. There 

are signs to look for personally or for friends you suspect might be 

depressed. Excessive weight loss or gain, perpetual fatigue, and 

insomnia are just a few symptoms that might be present. Other 

classic symptoms of depression can include a loss of focus and 

concentration, harsh self-criticism, and general feelings of being 

physically drained with no motivation to do even the most simple 

of activities (which, in extreme cases, can include basic hygiene). 

Sometimes, our bodies can develop symptoms of depression in the 

absence of obvious emotional distress. Frequent headaches, muscle 

pains, digestive problems, and flu-like symptoms can be indicators of 

someone suffering from depression.

Emotional symptoms are the most obvious 

that you may experience personally and 

the hardest to detect in others. Feelings of 

pervasive sadness, inadequacy, hopelessness 

and helplessness are the most common. If 

you feel guilty for no reason and “emotionally 

drained” most days, you might be depressed. 

Suicide threats and attempts are an extreme 

manifestation of depression, but there is always 

an alternative. Although improving a depressed 

mood can be difficult, a number of strategies 

exist that can be used to lessen its symptoms. 

As the old saying goes, “a healthy body is a 

healthy mind.” Maintaining an exercise routine, 

a proper diet, regular sleeping patterns, and 

avoiding excessive drinking have the benefit of 

not only preserving physical health but regulating mood. 

JSMART offers comprehensive mental health services to meet the 

needs of military personnel stationed and deployed to Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo. Should you feel that you require assistance in addressing 

your mood or any other issue which may be affecting you, JSMART is 

located next to the Chaplain’s office and near the 525thMilitary Police 

Battalion headquarters. Personnel are available to assist in the clinic 

Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the 24-hour duty 

cell phone will always be manned at extension 3566.

Deployment and depression

Recognizing the signs in yourself and others

Classic symptoms of 

depression can include 

a loss of focus and 

concentration, harsh 

self-criticism, and 

general feelings of being 

physically drained with 

no motivation to do even 

the simplest activities.

Fulfill your obligations. Doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks. 

Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team. The work of the Joint Task Force is a 

complex combination of missions, tasks and responsibilities — all in constant motion. Our work entails

 building one assignment onto another. You fulfill your obligations as a part of your unit every time you 

resist the temptation to take “shortcuts” that might undermine the integrity of the final product.

Value of the Week: Duty
“Puss in Boots” is an animated delight 

chronicling the adventures of Puss in Boots 

before his encounter with Shrek in “Shrek 

2” (2004). This particular “yarn” is the 

background story on how Puss came to 

don his hat, saber, boots and his status as a 

crusading outlaw with a heart of gold. 

Actor Antonio Banderas reprises his 

popular role as the voice of Puss. This time, 

director Chris Miller tones down the adult 

overtones and risqué humor present in the 

“Shrek” pictures. “Puss in Boots” is more of 

a straightforward family adventure. It is also 

somewhat less of a comedy than the “Shrek” 

films, relying more on the story and great 

visuals. I suspect a few edits to this PG rated 

fare would bring it into the G rated realm.

This highly colorful tale (or ‘tail’) opens 

with Puss escaping the certain doom of a 

night’s mischievousness. He’s on a quest to 

find magic beans he has been looking for 

since kittenhood, which in turn will lead 

him to a great kingdom in the clouds ripe 

for plunder. This leads him to an amusing 

confrontation with the deviant Jack and Jill 

(Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris) who 

have the beans in their possession, and a new 

rival known as Kitty Softpaws (Selma Hayek) 

who has an agenda all her own. 

It’s not long before we meet Humpy 

Alexander Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis) and 

learn of the bitter childhood connection 

between Humpy Dumpty and Puss in Boots. 

At their last encounter many years ago, an 

altercation stemmed in one “having had a 

great fall” (as you may have heard) and the 

banishment of Puss from the town of El 

Ricardo, resulting in the subsequent origin 

of a wrongfully-accused swashbuckling 

champion of good although his paws might 

be “a little sticky” from time-to-time.

Puss always felt ashamed that his mother 

Imelda (Constance Marie) believed him 

to have turned to a life of crime and now 

seeks to redeem himself. Meanwhile Humpty 

Dumpty, who was once Puss’s brother, 

continued to descend into a life of greed and 

develop a deep anger towards Puss in Boots.

Puss, Humpty and Kitty Softpaws forge 

an uneasy alliance and they are off on a 

mission of financial gain and to restore 

Puss’s El Ricardo community standing and 

his mother’s faith in him. 

Along the journey, the audience is treated 

to grand visuals that are extremely vivid with 

details and color. Truly, this is a fanciful (or 

maybe a “Fancy Feast”!) delight for the eyes. 

The visual points of interest include the 

pilgrimage through a desert, the climb (if it 

can be called as such) up a magical beanstalk, 

the sky kingdom and its garden with golden 

eggs. 

“Puss in Boots” has fun with the 

characters, always keeping the atmosphere 

cheerful. A prime example of this is the 

dance-off between Puss and Kitty at the 

feline-only dance-club named “The (G)litter 

Box” (where the G in the neon lettering is 

always on the fritz) complete with a musical 

number that is fresh, upbeat and engaging 

with a multitude of interesting visual 

gags ensuing in the background. This 

sequence is custom designed to keep 

viewers dialed-in and smiling.

The “Puss in Boots” story 

presented here is entirely its 

own creation. It bears no real ties 

to the original seventeenth century 

“Puss in Boots” fairy tale by 

Charles Perrault. The 

only commonality 

between the two is 

the name, physical 

characteristics 

and personality 

of Puss. Beyond 

that, the film studio 

behind this picture, 

DreamWorks 

SKG, took 

extensive creative liberties with the material 

and decided to have fun with not one, but 

multiple fairy tales and assorted fairy tale 

characters to create a fresh movie for today’s 

audiences for mass consumption. It works.

Though not as original as the first two 

“Shrek” pictures, which pioneered the way 

for this movie and a multitude of other 

“sophisticated” animated fare that has 

dominated multiplexes the last decade, “Puss 

in Boots” delivers the goods. It’s a fun, lighthearted time at the movies. Nothing more 

and nothing less.

Movie Review

PG-13

90 min.

Puss in Boots

Movie Review | The Wire | Page 18

By Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson

Downtown

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| Bulletin Board The Wire | Page 19

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photo by Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Kilho Park

Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team - Boston said farewell Nov. 14 to Joint Task 

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photo by Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Kilho Park

Commanding General, II Expeditionary Force 

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JTF The

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photo by Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Kilho Park

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