Friday, December 2, 2011

Working off the turkey all weekend long

The Sports Pages

Volume 13, Issue 4

Also:

Thrift Savings Plan

MSST San Diego

‘Twilight’
 The Wire | Page 2 Command Corner |

Cc

ommand

orner

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.

Fitness is an individual responsibility.

How do you balance your 

professional duties and personal time 

while maintaining an appropriate level 

of physical fitness and health here atJoint 

Task Force Guantanamo? Guantanamo 

Bay offers a wide array of physical fitness 

opportunities which will challenge you, 

and that are fun too. 

Maintaining an appropriate level of 

fitness is our business and a condition of 

our service. Each of us must maintain 

our fitness according 

to our service 

standards and be 

prepared to succeed 

in our service 

physical fitness test 

as well as to maintain 

our height/weight 

and body mass 

requirements. Our 

chosen profession 

requires us to be 

healthy and fit.

There is nothing 

like getting up early 

and working out 

before dawn. The 

stars are out, the 

air is still and the 

humidity lingers in 

the air. As your workout continues the 

sun starts to light the early morning sky, 

the roosters crow and Guantanamo Bay 

starts to wake. What a great way to start 

off your day.

Evening hours offer opportunities to 

work out in the gym or outside on your 

own or with other Troopers participating 

in organized sports. Morale Welfare 

and Recreation offers opportunities to 

maintain your fitness levels in various 

competitive fields “under the lights” or 

indoors.

Fitness is one way in which we train 

and maintain discipline. Each of us 

decided to become a member of our 

service because, among other reasons, we 

wanted to be part of an organization of 

standards and discipline. Think about it: 

it takes discipline to maintain your levels 

of fitness and body weight. Working 

out routinely even when you may not 

feel like it takes discipline. Discipline in 

a key component of military service.

Participation in a physical fitness 

regime plays an important role in stress 

relief and mental health. It helps you 

to “clear your mind” and can provide a 

new perspective on issues. Some people 

like to run and think through issues or 

concerns. Others 

like the physical or 

mental challenge 

that comes with 

competitive sports. 

Regardless of the 

type of physical 

fitness you choose, 

the key is to 

participate on a 

routine basis.

Diet goes 

hand in hand with 

fitness. Here at 

Guantanamo Bay, 

the galleys offer 

balanced meals that 

provide the proper 

nutrients which 

allow you to take 

care of your body. Care must be taken 

not to overindulge, but to balance your 

intake along with your physical activity. 

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, food 

rich in fiber and protein, and drinking 

plenty of water will provide you the 

proper balance of nutrients. Avoiding 

tobacco and moderating alcohol 

consumption will help you perform at 

your peak. 

As Troopers at JTF Guantanamo, 

we have a responsibility to maintain our 

bodies through proper diet and fitness. 

Good eating habits and routine exercise 

will make you feel better and more 

satisfied. Your shipmate, battle buddy 

and wingman are counting on you to 

perform at your best. 

Fitness is one way in 

which we train and 

maintain discipline. 

Each of us decided 

to become a member 

of our service because, 

among other reasons, 

we wanted to be part 

of an organization 

of standards and 

discipline.

Brig. Gen. James Lettko

Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo

Cover: Army Sgt. James Samples of the “Warriors” at bat during Nov. 26’s all-night softball tournament. He scored a home run for his team, which won overall third place, during that particular game. 

–photo by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

| News from the Bay The Wire | Page 3

News from the Bay

Females interested in playing in the Army 

vs. Navy football game on Dec. 10 have 

one more chance to contact the appropriate POCs. For Army, contact william.monserrate@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil or jerziboi@

gmail.com. For Navy, contact Petty Officer 

3rd Class Ollie Howard at 72420, 58356, or 

olloie.howard@med.navy.mil; or Petty Officer 1st Class Tanya Rush at 4124 or tanya.

rush@usnbgtmo.navy.mil. Remember: last 

year’s game was the most-attended Guantanamo Bay sports event of the year!

The Fleet and Family Support Center will 

hold a stress management class Dec. 6 from 

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The class will teach techniques of managing stress by recognizing 

triggers and signs, learning relaxation mechanisms, and altering the way one thinks about 

stress. Availability is first-come first-serve.

For more information or to register, call 

4141. 

The Naval Station Intelligence Department will host a 2K-5K walk/run on Dec. 

9 at 4 p.m. starting at Ridgeline parking lot 

next to the large Christmas tree on Sherman 

Ave. Admission for the walk/run is free and 

participants may donate toys and other small 

items to the Operation Christmas Stockings 

charity drive. 

For more information, call Staff Sgt. Edwin Latrell at 5111. 

Every Thursday in December will be half 

price boat rentals at the MWR Marina. 

For more information, call 2345.

Last call: Army vs. 

Navy females

The MWR is holding a reading bingo 

game at the library. Pick up your bingo card 

and read a book within the genres specified 

on the card. Once you have read a book, put 

the title on the card in the corresponding 

genre, along with a major event in the book. 

Do this until you have successfully completed a row on the bingo card. When you’ve got 

Bingo, place the card in the drop box at the 

library to enter your name into the drawing 

for NEX gift certificates and other prizes.

Grab a buddy and compete in the 12 

Days of Fitness at the Denich, Marine Hill 

or Camp Bulkeley Gyms. The competition 

begins Dec. 12. Go to any gym, learn the exercise of the day, log your results and track 

your progress. For more information, call 

2113 or 77262.

The parade will take place on Sherman 

Ave. Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. Line up for the parade is a 4:15 p.m. at the SCSI parking lot. 

All entrants must be parked by 5:45 p.m. 

The Liberty Center will make golf 

carts available for decoration at 9 a.m. 

Some decorations will be provided and 

participants are highly encouraged to bring 

their own. 

For more information, call 2010. 

There will be a 3.7 mile run on Dec. 10, 

the morning of the Army vs. Navy game. 

The run is from Phillips Dive Park to 

McCalla Field and back. Register at the NEX 

Atrium from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3–4 or 

on the day of the run at 6:30 a.m. The top 10 

runners will receive a Seabees coin. The first 

50 participants get a T-shirt. 

Registration is $15. For more information, 

call 84984.

Reading bingo in 

progress There is a free fishing trip for single, 

unaccompanied Troopers Dec. 3 from 6:30 

a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Boats depart from the 

Marina. For more information, call 2010.

Learn how to speak publicly without 

fear. MWR Liberty’s version of Toastmasters, called GTMO Toasters, will meet Dec. 

6 from 6-8 p.m. in the Community Center. 

For more information or to sign up, call 

2010.

The Fleet and Family Support Center will 

host a series of classes to aid service members who are transitioning out of the military, 

or anyone who is looking into the civilian job 

market. To register, or for more information, 

call 4141. Availability is first-come first-serve. 

All classes will be at building 2135:

Job Search – Dec. 5 – 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Learn effective job search methods for today’s competitive job climate.

Navigating Federal Employment class – Dec. 

7 – 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn guidelines 

for writing and submitting federal applications.

Career Assessment and Skills class – Dec. 

13 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn to match 

your skills and abilities to an occupational 

field through the use of career and interest 

assessments.

Stocking Stuffer Shuffle

Stress management 

class 

Guantanamo holiday 

parade and concert 

Seabee Fun Run

Fishing trip

INDEX

The Wire

December 2, 2011

Sports weekend roundup 5

Smart savings tips 7

Swim ‘Across the Bay’ 8

JTC revitalized 9

Army/Navy game training 10

Holiday tree event 12

Welcome MSST San Diego 13

Movie review: Twilight 18

Fleet and Family Sup- port Center job classes

Half price boat rentals

Twelve Days of Fitness

GTMO Toasters
 The Wire | Page 4 Trooper to Trooper |

Trooper to Trooper

As Troopers assigned to 

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, we are 

part of a unique team with a 

specific mission that compares to 

no other. In this article, I would 

like to sit under the proverbial 

“old oak tree” and talk to the 

junior enlisted leaders. It does 

not matter if you are a sergeant 

in the Army or a petty officer in 

the Navy: you are the backbone 

of this prestigious operation, 

where leading Troopers is more 

than just a privilege. 

You are the dedicated warriors 

who are in our camps, supply 

rooms, motor pools, and orderly 

rooms providing purpose, 

direction, and motivation to 

those they lead. You make well 

thought out, common-sense 

recommendations to senior 

noncommissioned officers, and 

set the example for our officers 

each and every day with their 

orders, intent, and direction. 

As junior noncommissioned 

officers, you have the necessary 

leader tools to guide our 

Troopers on a day-to-day basis. 

Initially, leadership guidance 

from one junior person to 

another may seem awkward or 

heavy-handed. However, as time 

goes on, you will learnthis isn’t 

always necessary. You will find 

that sometimes it takes just a 

few minutes of talking to your 

Trooper to ensure his or her 

success. At times we feel that 

we talk to our Troopers until we 

are blue in the face; sometimes 

you just have to listen. As a 

Sergeant Major, when I look into 

my leadership toolbox, I reflect 

on all those who have mentored 

me. 

As a junior leader, adopting 

a mentor is important. As we 

grow in the military, the mentors 

we have as junior leaders will 

always be there. As we mature 

we need to look to those that 

will guide us to the next level. 

As a senior NCO, I have had 

the honor to serve with a vast 

number of outstanding officers 

and noncommissioned officers 

that have mentored me along the 

way. 

There is no greater reward 

than to lead the sons and 

daughters of this great nation. 

Train, prepare, and deploy your 

Troopers to battle and bring 

them home. For those who 

don’t make it home, honor 

them. Honor them every day in 

both your actions and how you 

lead. In garrison, ensure your 

Troopers know and understand 

their obligations. Vigorously 

train your team, make them 

competitive and inculcate esprit 

de corps. Live by the motto 

I adopted 21 years ago when I 

put on my hard stripes: “One 

Team...One Fight.” Require 

your team to live by our nation’s 

values and instill respect for one 

another. Make them tough, and 

teach them to fight so when they 

find themselves on the battlefield 

facing the enemy they know they 

have been led by the best. 

Sgt. Maj. Mike Barnes

525th Military Police Bn.

All 800 Million people on Facebook are not your friends.

Did you know that most people on Facebook are not U.S. citizens? This means that 

when you post things on Facebook you are communicating to a worldwide audience. 

Unless you use strict privacy settings, people other than your “friends” can see 

everything on your page. Make sure you check your privacy settings and protect 

your pictures and personal information from inadvertent disclosure. Once you’ve 

posted something online, it’s almost impossible to take it back. Remember: “Once 

online, always online!” USE OPSEC!

PSEC ALERT

PROTECT YOUR INFO!

Sgt. Maj. Mike Barnes and Soldiers of the 525th Military Police Battalion discuss leadership techniques, not all of which need 

include a heavy-handed approach. –photo by Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson

| Sports The Wire | Page 5

After indulging in a hearty holiday meal, the 

Morale Welfare and Recreation organizations 

did their best to help servicemembers and 

civilians counter the extra calories from Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo’s Thanksgiving 

dinner.

MWR lead a mountain bike ride on 

Saturday, and MWR Liberty took a group of 

servicemembers on a kayak outing to a cave.

Sgt. First Class Michael Shimer, a J3 

military policeman opted for the off-road 

bike.

“I haven’t been on the bike in about a 

month, so this is a great way to burn off that 

Thanksgiving meal,” he said.

 Tim Baugh, the outdoor recreation 

director for the MWR, led the bike tour from 

the Marina, up Ridgeline, down through 

Tierra Kay and back to the Marina.

“The views are so amazing that they make 

you forgot that you’re on a military base for a 

little while,” Shimer said. ” It was great to see 

parts of the base that you don’t normally get 

to see on your daily routine.”

Baugh said this event wasn’t only about 

fighting tryptophan.

“This is a great workout, especially after 

the big meal,” he said. “But it’s not just 

about that. It’s about getting out there and 

experiencing what MWR has to offer.”

On the other end of Guantanamo 

Bay, MWR Liberty’s kayak trip was a new 

experience for plenty of troops.

Army Sgt. Joseph Surace, of the 107th 

Military Police Company, was one of the 

rookies.

 “The kayaking was great,” Surace said, 

“but it was a little further than I expected. It 

was still lots of fun.”

The trip launched from Ferry Landing 

Beach and maneuvered to a cave between 

Phillips Park and the lighthouse before 

doubling back to the beach, where they were 

treated with homemade cookies, brownies 

and other holiday goodies.

“The cave was amazing,” the New 

York National Guardsman said. “We had 

a waterproof camera so we got some great 

shots of it and we got to see some bats flying 

around us.”

Some explorers dismounted and 

experienced the cave for themselves. They 

swam in the cave, posed for victorious 

pictures after scaling large rocks and walked 

on the miniature shoreline in the very back 

of the hideaway.

Jill Lynch, MWR Liberty manager, was 

glad to offer such a unique Turkey Day 

experience to Troopers at Guantanamo Bay.

“There were some people that have never 

kayaked before and I love organizing events 

like this to give the troops something new.”

Lynch enjoys having a job that causes 

work and play to coincide.

“I spent Thanksgiving morning on a kayak 

while my husband was home cooking,” she 

said. “This is really pretty great.”

Spending the holidays on a tropical island 

has been a new experience for most Troopers 

and many Guantanamo Bay civilians, and that 

experience includes new ways of burning 

Thanksgiving calories.

Tim Baugh, the outdoor recreation director for Morale Welfare and Recreation, leads the bike tour from the Marina, up Ridgeline, down through Tierra Kay and back to the 

Marina. –photo by Army Sgt. Landis Andrews

By Army Sgt. Landis Andrews

MWR 

counters 

Thanksgiving 

calories
A primer in smart savings

Start building your ‘nest egg’

There is much conversation about our 

retirement and how the government is trying to change the way the system currently 

functions. No matter what option the government decides to take you should still be 

setting aside funds for the biggest bill you 

will ever pay: your retirement. It’s impossible 

to start saving too early. Generally, the sooner you start, the more likely you’ll be to reach 

your retirement goals with investing less due 

to the seeming magic of tax-deferred compound interest

Back in the day, the military didn’t offer 

the Thrift Savings Plan, but now it’s a wonderful tax-advantaged way to save for retirement. You get a tax deduction for your contribution, the money grows tax-deferred (no 

taxes due each year on earnings) and, finally, 

you pay ordinary income taxes on withdrawals once age 59-1⁄2 or older. The plan currently does not offer a matching contribution, 

but I still highly encourage service members 

to contribute to it and the sooner the better. 

Time can be your ally. The younger you start 

saving, the better. Let me provide an example of that theory. Let’s say, you start saving 

in a Roth IRA...

– At age 31, max it with $416 per month 

and earn an average annual eight percent return. At age 60 you’ll have 

over $550,000. That’s a nice 

nest egg.

– Or, start at age 

21, contribute 

$416 per month and earn an average eight 

percent return. At age 60–wait for it–you’ll 

have a whopping $1,336,000! That’s an additional $786,000 even though you saved only 

an extra $50,000!

Finally, there’s more great news. Thanks 

to the HERO Act of 2006, you can contribute tax-free combat pay into a Roth IRA. It’s 

a sweet deal unique to the military, the money 

goes in tax-free and comes out tax-free after 

(hopefully) decades of growth. 

Start saving now for your financial future. Remember, no matter how things play 

out with military retirement in the coming 

months, you’re responsible for creating your 

own retirement paycheck.

Once you have made the commitment to 

start a savings plan, and you have decided 

into which banking institution to place your 

money, the crucial question you may ask 

yourself is, “Where am I going to find extra 

money to put away?” Listed below are ways 

to save that may help you in your effort to 

build a substantial nest egg. Have fun!

– When payday comes around, always 

pay your savings account first as though it 

was a regular bill. Direct deposit is probably 

the easiest way to do this. Remember, the 

amount you deposit is not as important as 

depositing something on a regular basis.

– Save all of your change in a jar. Pick 

a designated date and take it to the bank to 

deposit into savings.

– Put any unexpected sums of money 

into savings (re-enlistment bonuses, tax refunds, birthday checks, year-end bonuses, 

lottery jackpots!).

– Scrimp and save one month out of the 

year! Let your imagination go wild on how 

you can save as much as possible for one 

month. Knowing that this episode of frugality will end in 30 days may help add to your 

motivation.

– Give up one trip to a fast food restaurant per week and make a sack lunch to eat 

instead. Put the money you saved into your 

account!

– Cut back on utilities (electricity, gas, 

phone) for a month. If your next bills are 

less than what you budgeted for, stick the extra money into savings! If you have a family, 

get everyone involved.

– Make some family savings goals together (save for vacation, a dinner out, or a trip to 

an amusement park).

Once your management tools 

are in place, there is another level 

to emphasize before you start 

investing and establishing savings. Although you can certainly 

save and invest at the same time, 

you should focus on establishing your savings, especially 

emergency savings, before you 

concentrate on the investment 

levels. Have an emergency 

fund set up in a safe, easily 

accessible savings account to 

provide money for unexpected financial situations, 

such as emergency leave, car 

repairs, or illness. Keep a reserve fund to cover large, less 

frequent expenses such as car 

insurance and maintenance.

Finally, plan for a “goal-getter 

fund.” Put money away for down payments, vacations, or buying a car. Think 

short-term goals; about five years or less. It’s 

okay to enjoy your earnings too!

| Money Matters The Wire | Page 7

Money Matters

By Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Bates

Special to The Wire

For more information about financial planning or 

getting help with a budget, contact Command 

Financial Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander 

Bates at alexander.j.bates@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.

As a Trooper in the S3, Spc. 

Brandon Cummings of Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo’s 

525th Military Police Battalion 

not only helps take care of all 

Army training provided to JTF 

Troopers, he helps motivate 

them as well.

“I joined the Army because 

I wanted a new challenge,” 

Cummings said. “I didn’t 

want to jump back in to more 

school off the bat. This way 

I get to experience more of 

what life has to offer and I can 

still take college courses. I get education and 

a little adventure.”

Cummings encourages junior Troopers 

to take advantage of educational courses. 

He said it is important to make education 

a priority, but also to ensure one is getting 

enough well-rounded experiences.

The North Carolina native’s S3 

department handles training, disseminates 

operational information and tasking, and 

assists the 525th commander in getting his 

message out to Troopers.

“My main duty is to assist with preservice training,” Cummings said. “I also 

help take care of our weekly office admin 

and management.”

Cummings said pre-service training is a 

course provided to all 525th Soldiers to help 

them get familiarized both 

with the command and 

their job specialties.

Staff Sgt. Richard 

Renn is the S3 Plans 

noncommissioned officer. 

He said Cummings is 

always motivated and ready 

for new and different challenges, such as 

excelling in all soldiering skills.

“Cummings has represented us at two 

warfighter competitions,” Renn said. “He 

also stays actively involved with our battalion 

by doing things such as sports. He does 

a lot of good things for us and positively 

represents the battalion wherever he goes.”

Cummings believes camaraderie is what 

helps junior Troopers reach the next level 

of NCO leadership. He said those you keep 

around you make a difference in who you 

become as a person and family and friends 

are instrumental in every Trooper’s future in 

the military.

“My family and friends are the driving 

force in my career,” Cummings said. “When 

I first joined it was difficult to be away from 

them, but motivation will get me through. 

Motivation is key when you are away from 

your family but, above all, be confident in 

yourself.”

What was your best post-Thanksgiving Black Friday purchase?

“A Guess watch.”

Sgt. 1st Class 

Undrey Bostic

trooper focus

“The new Kindle 

Fire.”

Sgt. 1st Class 

Meta Bailey

“Beats by Dre 

headphones.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class 

Michael Marquette

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 2 years

Hobbies: Dancing and new challenges

The boss says: “He does a lot of good things for 

us and represents the battalion in a positive way.”

Advice to junior Troopers: “Find that one 

battle buddy who will always stick with you.”

By Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Louis Batchelor

Boots on the Ground

 The Wire | Page 6 Trooper Focus |

“I bought some 

scuba gear, 

because there was 

a big sale.”

 Air Force Master Sgt.

 James Reeves
Going all the way

‘Across the Bay’

 The Wire | Page 8 Feature |

Dozens of swimmers from the Guantanamo Bay community 

accepted the challenge and swam “Across the Bay.”

Morale Welfare and Recreation dared the community to swim 1.7 

miles out into Guantanamo Bay from Phillips Park Pier Nov. 26. 

“This is an annual Thanksgiving swim that we’ve been doing for the 

last eight years and it’s been pure success,” said Anthony Roberts, the 

MWR aquatics supervisor. “We’ve been getting great support from the 

community.” 

MWR advised swimmers to thoroughly train for the challenge. To 

help ensure their safety, MWR held a pre-registration swim test. 

“This is not a 10K run,” said Roberts. “You can’t just go out there 

and do it; you should have trained for this event.” 

The swim was broken into two heats and limited to only an hour 

and a half to two hours per heat. Participants swam nearly two miles 

out to boats which would bring them back to shore, or if necessary, 

pull them out of the water. Top swimmers won trophies, T-shirts, and 

MWR beach towels.

The top male swimmer was Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Ryan. 

“To be honest I didn’t think I was going to win it,” said Ryan, an 

aviation electronics technician. “I just wanted to finish.” 

The top female swimmer was Joint Task Force Guantanamo J4 

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Wendy Mathisen. 

“My biggest thing was keeping my head above the water and my 

pacing,” said Mathisen. “The current was the greatest challenge. We 

thought we were swimming towards the boats but we were actually way 

off to the right.” 

Both swimmers offered similar advice to those who want to 

participate next year. 

“Train,” Ryan advised. “There is nothing worse then coming out 

here and thinking you can handle ‘Across the Bay’ and all of the sudden 

you fall out.”

“You can’t over-train for this,” Mathisen added.

Roberts explained that many precautions were made to ensure 

swimmers safety. An ambulance stood by just in case of emergencies 

and boats and kayaks followed swimmers in case they needed assistance 

or wanted to get out of the water. 

“My goal is to get ‘Across the Bay’ back on track, since it didn’t 

happen last year I was worried it wasn’t going to be approved this year,” 

said Roberts. “With the help from the community and the different 

commands we were able to pull this off. This was a great first step and 

with all the safety precautions it was nothing short of amazing.” 

The Guantanamo Bay community stepped up to the MWR challenge 

and exceeded their expectations. 

“The turnout exceeded my expectations because a swim like this is 

not a walk in the park,” said Roberts. “Today we had 50 people sign up 

and 47 showed up, so for 47 people to swim across the bay that’s more 

then a great turnout.”

By Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

Chief Warrant Officer 

2 Wendy Mathisen, 

the winner of the female swmmers, at 

the “Swim Across the 

Bay” starting point. 

–photo by Army Sgt. 

Saul Rosa

| Feature The Wire | Page 9

The Joint Trooper Clinic (JTC) recently 

received a renovation inside and out. The 

renovations focused on improving the 

structure and creating a more modernized 

atmosphere.

The clinic was originally a duplex in the 

Kittery Beach housing area and needed to 

be modernized to fulfill the needs of the 

mission.

“This is converted housing, so they wanted 

to make it a little more clinical and update it 

because they plan on keeping it open for the 

next few years,” said Staff Sgt. Darol Burdge, 

JTC noncommissioned officer in charge.

Army Maj. Eduardo Limonta, the JTC 

officer in charge, explained that the idea came 

from a meeting with the commanding officer 

in the hospital to discuss the future of the 

JTC.

“They came by and took a walk through and 

they saw how the facility was,” said Limonta. 

“The building was about 15 to 20 years old 

and not much renovation had been done to it, 

so we had a meeting about it.” 

The renovations started in September 

and will be completed in December. The 

improvements included a fresh coat of paint 

on the building to a new seating arrangement 

in the lobby. 

“They redid all of the treatment rooms, 

the front desk areas, and the waiting areas,” 

said Burdge. 

Burdge explained every room had its own 

challenges and the staff had to adapt to meet 

the needs of the mission. 

“When they were working on the office 

space, we had the providers working in the 

treatment rooms with computers in there for 

that week,” said Burdge. “The front desk was 

a real chore. We actually brought in folding 

tables and worked on those instead.” 

Part of the renovation included new layouts 

for rooms. Burdge explained that the front 

desk and laboratory was totally remodeled 

with new cabinets and storage. 

“Having the new layout of the clinic 

definitely helps with organization, which 

overall helps the efficiency of the clinic,” said 

Burdge.

During the renovation the clinic stayed open 

to support the Joint Task Force’s mission. 

“We rotated through rooms,” said Burdge. 

“Basically, we had them work on one treatment 

room at a time, so we would close one and 

work out of another.” 

Although maintaining operations during 

the renovation was stressful for Burdge and 

his staff, he explained that overall it was a good 

investment. 

“It’s rewarding, when everything is all 

done,” said Burdge. “You look back to what it 

was and to what it is now and you can see how 

much better it is.” 

The renovations improved many aspects 

of the clinic and were beneficial for both the 

patients and the staff. 

“For the staff, it improved morale because 

they are working in a new facility that’s more 

efficient,” said Limonta. “For the quality of 

medicine it was better because we have the 

facilities needed to do various small procedures 

that we couldn’t do before.” 

Joint Trooper Clinic revitalized

Facilities, services to Troopers improved

By Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

The renovated Joint Trooper Clinic facility sports a fresh coat of paint and other improvements, meeting Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s modernization plan to support 

Troopers and the mission. –photo by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa
 The Wire | Page 10 Feature | | Feature The Wire | Page 11

Naval Station Guantanamo’s Soldiers, Sailors and 

families will come together on Dec. 10, in honor of a 

football rivalry dating back to 1890.

The two branches will face off for bragging rights 

in U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s annual Army/

Navy football game.

“Now that we have our final roster, we will be working 

on our starting offense and defense,” said Petty Officer 

2nd Class Gerald Provost, Navy team captain. “We are 

trying to find the best fit for the team including numerous 

drills and conditioning.”

Army Master Sgt. Gregg Ramsdell coaches the 

Army team. He expects to see a show of force from the 

community, Joint Task Force and naval station chains 

of command. He encourages the participating service 

members’ chains of command to be actively engaged 

with and supportive of their personnel. 

“This is for all the NCOs. Support your athletes,” 

Ramsdell said. “It goes much deeper than football. They 

come out after working for 12 hours at a time to train 

hard for a show they will put on for you.”

Provost, who is also quarterback of “Militia,” has 

been putting in double duty, training for the Army/Navy 

game on top of practices and games during the regular 

season. He said he has seen a lot of other Soldiers and 

Sailors doing the same and believes the community will 

be treated to a special game, due to both sides’ work 

ethic.

“I would like to see a large amount of support from 

the community like we have had in past years,” Provost 

said. A lot of people are putting in a lot of effort to make 

this work and I think the community would definitely 

enjoy the game.”

Ramsdell encourages Troopers and families to use this 

game as a time to rest and enjoy each other’s company, 

while meeting with old friends and making new ones.

“This is a family day,” Ramsdell said. “This is a day 

for friends and camaraderie. Everyone can get together 

and have a great time. Only by points is there a loser. 

In the heat of the moment no one likes to lose but the 

important thing here is just to have fun.”

Provost appreciates having the chance to honor the 

game’s institution. He said even though this is not the real 

game he is honored by the thought of services coming 

together not only in appreciation of one of football’s 

oldest rivalries, but also of displaying military cohesion 

between branches. 

“There is a lot of competition involved in this game, 

but it is about more than football,” Provost said. “It’s a 

tradition celebrating out two great services and what we 

do together to serve our country.”

Ramsdell wants everyone to understand the 

importance of having fun above the thrill of the intermilitary rivalry. He said Troopers playing the game and 

football fans alike need to remember that we all live and 

work together. He said we have developed great working 

relationships between services here that should not be 

compromised due to a game.

“Even though this is a big rivalry, there are no 

contracts out here,” Ramsdell said. “It is great to rival, but 

at the end of the day we are all a team. We work together, 

we live together. When it is all said and done, the first two 

letters on all of our uniforms are U.S. That is important 

for everyone to remember.” 

Guantanamo Bay:

Game Day, Every Day

Story and photo by Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Louis Batchelor
 The Wire | Page 12 Feature |

Lance Cpl. Noah Gerdes, a designated marksman in 

the overwatch position with the Marine Corps Security 

Forces (MCSF) Company, Guantanamo Bay, Alpha 

Fox 5th Platoon, observes from a rooftop during a 

site security exercise at Marine Hill. MCSF GTMO 

is conducting a training evolution reinforcing and 

securing a United States embassy overseas. MCSF 

GTMO provides 24-hour security to both the Joint 

Task Force and Naval Station. –photo by Mass 

Communication Spc. 2nd Class Kilho Park

The Navy Exchange holiday tree decorating 

competition and tree lighting was held Nov 26. 

The event featured a variety of performances 

from the Guantanamo Bay schools, including the 

middle school and high school band performing 

Christmas songs and a second grade choral number. 

Santa Claus made a special guest appearance to 

help turn on the lights and to check up 

on the Guantanamo Bay community. 

–photo by Army Sgt. Saul Rosa

| Feature The Wire | Page 13

San Diego MSST 

prepares for duty

Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s service 

members come together as a team to 

complete the mission every day. One of the 

most crucial elements of the Joint Task Force 

mission is learning how to function as one 

unit, rather than as different branches of 

military service.

Recently, JTF Guantanamo ushered in 

its newest Troopers, San Diego Maritime 

Safety and Security Team. The San Diego 

MSST takes over for MSST Boston, and they 

welcome the challenges of a new mission and 

learning how to work with other services.

“It is a standard watch,” said Petty Officer 

1st Class Zac Horne, Lead Petty Officer for 

the MSST Internal Security Force. “When 

things kick off we will be ready to go.”

Internal security is only one facet of the 

job MSST San Diego undertakes. According 

to Lt. Andrew Phipps, MSST San Diego’s 

Operations Officer, the Joint Task Force’s 

Coast Guard unit is the primary anti-terrorism 

and force protection element for JTF 

Guantanamo, and augments Naval Station 

Guantanamo’s Maritime Security Force on 

the waterfront.

“Our unit is totally 

self-sustaining,” Phipps 

said. “We also have our 

own logistics group, 

engineering support 

element and an armory 

that maintains our 

crew-served weapons.”

Units may have 

different obstacles 

while trying to find 

where they fit into the 

JTF Guantanamo mold, 

but Phipps said his 

MSST works into the 

Joint Task Force mission 

perfectly. Using his own unit as an example, 

he recommends effective communication as 

the driving force behind a smooth transition. 

“I think the only thing for us to have to 

adjust to really would be the laws of the sea 

here,” Phipps said. “When we are stateside, 

the Coast Guard is in charge of maritime 

force protection. Here, [the naval station] 

takes the lead on all law enforcement issues. I 

feel the JTF command structure is beneficial. 

The level of communication here between 

everyone of every branch is great and 

essential to getting the mission done.” 

Most of all, Phipps and the MSST look 

forward to their mission’s significance.

“With the commissions process, being a 

part of something historical is big to me,” 

Phipps said. 

By Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Louis Batchelor

Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Farris, of the United States Coast Guard Maritime 

Safety and Security Team San Diego, adjusts his vest before setting out on 

patrol. MSST San Diego is responsible for perimeter maritime operations and 

internal security operations at Joint Task Force Guantanamo. –photo by Mass 

Communication Spc. 2nd Class Louis Batchelor
 The Wire | Page 14 At Your Service |

coast to coast

By 11th District Coast Guard Public Affairs

United States Coast Guard

O n Th e wing

I n t h e fig h t

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, 

Idaho – With the recent announcements from 

Air Force officials regarding civilian workforce 

restructuring and continuation of the enlisted 

date of separation rollback program, there is 

understandable potential for a feeling of fear 

about the uncertainty of what the future may 

hold.

While these changes may not directly impact all of us, not one of us is unaffected by 

these changes – we are in this together as Airmen, civil servants and wingmen.

We need to focus not on what we don’t 

know, but what we do know. We know that 

we are the world’s finest Air Force because of 

our personnel, both military and civilian. We 

know that in order to move forward boldly 

into an uncertain future, we need to focus on 

what makes us great and improve upon it – 

our people. 

“It’s important, now more than ever, we 

continue to build our strength,” said Gen. 

Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the Air 

Force. “Good wingmen stay ready for the mission – physically and emotionally.”

It is with this goal in mind we need to stress 

the importance of resiliency and how the 

Comprehensive Airman Fitness concept can 

help all of us stay fit to fight any fight, mental 

or physical. The recent news and subsequent 

battle with fear is no less a real fight than being 

engaged in physical combat.

“Being fit to fight means more than just 

being physically fit. With all of the demands 

on our Airmen and their families, psychological and emotional health are just as important 

to our overall fitness, and to our readiness as a 

command,” said Gen. William Fraser, the former commander of Air Combat Command.

Some might argue the general’s words apply only to Airmen. 

The general’s words ring true for more than 

just Airmen in ACC. Our Air Force consists 

of 10 commands filled with military and civilian personnel who all have one thing in common in spite of rank, age, gender location or 

education – they are all humans whose lives 

are affected by their mental, physical, social 

and spiritual fitness. 

It’s almost certain that some will look at the 

news and proverbial writing on the wall and 

think there is no hope.

That hope is not gone. As long as there is 

an Airman willing to uphold his end of the 

Airman’s Creed, no one will be left behind and 

we will not fail. We need to be good wingmen, 

especially today, and watch out for our fellow 

servants, civilian and military alike. We need to 

be innovative, conscientious, frugal and resilient as we look to the days ahead. The future 

may seem bleak, but it is our future. What are 

we going to make of it?

What is certain is that as we forge the way 

ahead in these uncertain times, we must fight 

that fear so as not to let it paralyze us, cause us 

undue stress or even endanger our wellbeing. 

We must remain resilient.

Remaining resilient amid uncertainty

Airmen, AF civilians must stay strong

Marines support training missions in Spain

ROTA, Spain – As part of the bilateral exercise 

Lisa Azul, Marines attached to Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST), Company Europe 

conducted military operations on urban terrain, 

or MOUT, training with Marines attached to 

the Spanish Armada Infantería de Marine. 

MOUT training, which focuses on urban 

combat and building clearing, allows warfighters the chance to improve their tactics, techniques and procedures and to conduct mission 

rehearsals, using blank rounds, man-marker 

rounds or short-range training ammunition. 

The training was conducted at Hogan’s Alley, a 

staged training site on the naval base. 

This year 52 U.S. Marines and 72 Spanish 

marines participated in the training.

 “The Spanish marines are just as knowledgeable as my Marines concerning MOUT 

training,” said Alpha 2 Commander Capt. 

Daniel Wendolowski. “We are providing additional training to help fine tune some of their 

tactics.”

 During the exercise, FAST Company Marines conducted building searches in full battle 

dress, and displayed the proper procedures for 

entering and clearing buildings when placed in 

a hostile environment. 

“This is the first time that I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a joint exercise like 

this,” said Spanish Armada Infantería de Marine 2nd Company Commander Capt. Alejandro Santa-Eufemia. “This is one of the best 

experiences that I’ve had. This exchange of 

knowledge has been very beneficially for me 

and my marines.”

“Exercises such as Lisa Azul promote the 

participating countries’ maritime strategies,” 

said Wendolowski. “We want to ensure we are 

providing exceptional training to our counterparts.”

 Santa-Eufemia said this training will better 

prepare the Spanish marines for their future deployment to various combat areas of responsibility.

 “We will definitely take what we learned 

and use it then we deploy,” said Santa-Eufemia. 

“I hope to take this knowledge and experience 

to other marine battalions throughout Spain 

and show them that our relationship with the 

U.S. is stronger than ever.”

SAN DIEGO – A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew from San Diego medically evacuated 

a 77-year-old woman aboard a cruise ship 

230 miles southwest of San Diego Saturday 

afternoon.

The crew of the Carnival Spirit contacted 

the Coast Guard at 12:30 p.m., requesting a 

medevac for the woman who they said was 

experiencing symptoms of a stroke.

A Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted, and recommended an immediate 

medevac.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew 

launched from Coast Guard Sector San Diego to perform the medevac, and a C-130 

Hercules plane from Air Station Sacramento 

also launched to provide communications 

support and coordination for the case, and 

served as an escort for the helicopter.

Once on scene, the helicopter crew 

hoisted the woman and the ship’s nurse and 

transported them the Sector San Diego at 

approximately 6 p.m.

The woman was transferred to emergency 

medical personnel for further care.

By Marine Forces Europe

By Air Force Col. Bruce Smith

366th Fighter Wing

USCG medevacs 

cruise ship 

passenger

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 15

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – With 

the inhospitable, mountainous terrain surrounding Forward Operating Base Curry 

making vehicle maneuver nearly impossible, 

units have relied heavily on air assets to receive 

supplies.

Soldiers from B Company, 9th Engineer 

Battalion usually recover water, food, fuel and 

other classes of supplies from the drop zone, 

but this delivery was unlike all others and was 

the first of its kind in the history of Operation 

Enduring Freedom.

“Today we air dropped a 16-foot platform 

carrying an all-terrain forklift. It is one of six 

platforms ever dropped in theater,” said 1st 

Lt. Chelsea Craig, the 11th Quartermaster 

Detachment commander. “It is the first forklift dropped in theater and weighing in excess 

of 15,000 pounds. “It is the heaviest platform 

ever dropped.”

As the C-130 Hercules aircraft flew overhead, the back hatch opened and the crew 

pushed the platform carrying the historic load 

from the plane.

Within seconds, three parachutes opened 

and the platform descended onto the drop 

zone. Upon landing, the platform made a loud 

cracking noise as it came in contact with the 

earth’s surface.

“Uh oh. That didn’t sound good,” said 

Maj. Michael Laporte, the 172nd Infantry Brigade support operations officer, as he watched 

from a tower overlooking the drop zone.

Once on the ground, engineer Soldiers ran 

over and inspected the new piece of equipment. Although the packing material encasing 

the equipment broke during landing, the forklift remained intact.

Every shadow of doubt about the operation’s success disappeared when the Soldiers 

were able to start up the forklift and use it to 

load boxes onto the trucks.

“It went excellent,” said Laporte. “When 

it came out, it didn’t look good, but we pulled 

off the drop and they were able to pick up 

kicker boxes using the forklift.”

The company’s material handling equipment contract expired Nov. 19, so the forklift was necessary to help complete tasks they 

conduct around Foward Operating Base Curry on a daily basis.

“Our daily [combat outpost] sustainment 

tasks include picking up supplies from the [helicopter landing zone], recovering container 

delivery system drops and also moving equipment around the (command outpost),” said 

1st Lt. Timothy Smith, executive officer for B 

Company, 9th En. Bn.

Although the load made history as the first 

forklift and heaviest load ever air dropped in 

theater, it is the added capabilities the forklift 

brings that made the drop worthwhile.

“It will now take the unit half the time to 

recover bundles that come in, which means 

they will spend less time on the drop zone and 

more time out of harm’s way,” Laporte said. 

Largest OEF air load 

dropped in E. Afghanistan

NORFOLK, Va. – The world’s first nuclearpowered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 

65), took center stage Nov. 28, when Enterprise Sailors performed in a theatrical production for honored guests in attendance for the 

ship’s 50th birthday celebration. 

The production included scenes from the 

history of all eight ships bearing the Enterprise name, including emotional recreations 

of events taking place onboard the most decorated ship of World War II, the seventh Enterprise, CV 6.

Navy Lt. Jonathan Pohnel, a tactical action 

officer onboard CVN 65, wrote and directed 

the performance, which featured Enterprise 

Sailors in roles such as Col. Benedict Arnold, 

President John F. Kennedy and President 

George W. Bush. For Pohnel, bringing 50 years 

of history to life was no easy task. 

“It was a little intimidating at times; putting 

over 300 hours of research, writing and preparing Sailors to represent so many important 

historical events,” he said. “My hope is that the 

production will inspire Enterprise Sailors, past 

and present, and remind them why their service is so very important.”

The 45-minute performance took place in 

the hangar bay and included scenes from historical events such as the Battle of Midway, 

Cuban Missile Crisis and Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. 

Chief Petty Officer Stephen M. White 

played the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise (CV 6) during the Battle of Midway. 

“As a student of history, I really enjoyed recreating such an integral event in our ship and 

our nation’s history,” said White.

Many of the scenes, especially the recreation 

of the 1969 Enterprise flight deck fire and the 

video footage of Vietnam with guitar accompaniment, were extremely moving to veterans 

in the audience who experienced these events 

firsthand.

“The performance brought a tear to my eye, 

especially when I saw how moved the veterans 

were during the fire scene,” said Mark Douglass, a veteran Enterprise Sailor, who traveled 

from California to attend the celebration. 

Pohnel’s goal for the production was, in hi

Enterprise celebrated its 50th birthday Nov. 

25. The ship will make its final deployment in 

the spring, followed by a deactivation period 

and decommissioning, currently scheduled for 

2015.

By Army Sgt. Andrea Merritt

Combined Joint Task Force 1 – Afghanistan

on t h e D EC K on t h e groun d

50th birthday 

theater showcases 

USS Enterprise 

By USS Enterprise Public Affairs
 The Wire | Page 16 Around the World |

Mind, 

Body

& Spirit

by Hospitalman 3rd Class 

Dominique Cannon

JSMART

The Joint Stress Mitigation and Restoration Team for the Joint 

Task Force holds something similar to celebrity status here in 

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. And it comes as no surprise that while we 

offer a wide range of services to the men and women deployed or 

stationed here (to include stress management, rest plans, hygiene, 

smoking cessation, psychotherapy, and peer support), much of our 

recognition comes from our outreach and the famous stress tools 

that we provide during our visits to service members throughout the 

Joint Task Force.

Believe it or not, the “toys” (as many have come to refer to 

them) actually possess legitimate mental health 

applications as sources of stress relief while in 

the office and off duty. As difficult as it may 

be recognizing the benefits of back scratchers, 

glitter balls, and pen lights, each of these items 

have been selected because they provide a toooften-needed distraction from the tedium that 

can often take hold inside workspaces. As many 

know, Guantanamo Bay’s stressors are rather 

unique. Regardless of the assigned duties 

someone might find themselves in (be it working 

detainee operations or an administrative role), 

anyone can fall victim to overwhelming stress 

and occupational burnout.

The stress relieving tools that JSMART gives out to Joint Task 

Force servicemembers are selected to address very specific issues that 

an assignment to Guantanamo Bay may cause. With more and more 

stress related problems reported every day, there is an increasing need 

for effective stress reducers. Our most highly demanded stress tool 

that has proven to be effective is the stress ball. Anger and tension 

(as well as those long, painful stretches at the keyboard for service 

members in clerical assignments) can be lessened through use of our 

renowned JSMART stress balls. Some people are still rather skeptical 

about the effectiveness of stress balls and whether they really help with 

alleviating stress. Stress balls help to bring about muscle relaxation. 

As the user squeezes the ball and contracts the muscles, blood flow 

increases to the hand. Releasing the squeeze further relaxes the hand, 

and, according to StressFocus.com, it may also relax the person. 

Relaxation is also due to the fact that squeezing a stress ball is fun 

and helps achieve a positive and happy state anchored with the act 

of playing. Hence, on subsequent usage of these balls, even if there 

is no tension to be released from the body, the body will feel calm 

and relaxed because the positive state of calmness and relaxation has 

been anchored with the act of squeezing a stress ball.

In addition to stress balls, JSMART possesses a wide assortment 

of other stress relieving tools. Some sleep problems can be alleviated 

by the earplugs and sleep masks we offer. We 

also have towels, bags, calendars, glow belts, 

and many more items coming soon. Each item 

has our 24-hour duty phone number printed, 

so we’re always available to service members in 

need. And should you feel the need to unwind, 

relax, and relieve some muscle tension, the 

JSMART office itself is home to two electronic 

massage chairs for all Joint Task Force staff to 

utilize at their convenience. 

The stress tools of JSMART offer 

servicemembers of all branches an outlet for the 

pressure associated with working at Guantanamo 

Bay. But should the tools not be enough, 

JSMART offers comprehensive mental health services to meet the 

needs of military personnel stationed and deployed here. Should you 

feel that you require assistance in addressing your depressed mood or 

any other issue that may be affecting you, feel free to stop by or give 

us a call. We are currently located across the street from the Camp 

Bulkeley Gym, but will move near the Camp America Post Office 

later this month. Feel free to call extension 2321 during clinic hours, 

which are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and our 24-

hour duty cell phone will always be manned at extension 3566. 

Stress and ‘toys’ – it’s science!

Guantanamo Bay’s 

stressors are rather unique. 

Regardless of the assigned 

duties someone might 

find themselves in, 

anyone can fall victim to 

overwhelming stress and 

occupational burnout.

Put the welfare of the nation, your organization and your subordinates before your own. 

Selfless service is larger than just one person. In serving your country, you are doing your duty 

loyally without thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless service is 

the commitment of each Joint Task Force Guantanamo team member to go a little further, endure 

a little longer, and look a little closer to see how he or she can add to the effort.

Value of the Week: Selfless Service

| Mind, Body & Spirit The Wire | Page 17

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Starting 

in February, commissaries overseas will stop 

carrying magazines and most newspapers due 

to declining sales and the expense of airlifting 

the periodicals from the States, Defense 

Commissary Agency officials said this week.

Commissaries in the United States will 

continue to sell magazines and newspapers, 

officials said. Overseas, those items will still 

be available at Army and Air Force Exchange 

Service retail stores.

Over the last four years, magazine sales 

at overseas commissaries have steadily 

dwindled, from about $1.98 million in fiscal 

2008 to about $1.46 million in fiscal 2011, 

according to information from DeCA. That 

is due in part to DeCA purchasing fewer 

magazines, but stores still only were selling 

about half the magazine inventory, said 

Kevin Robinson, a DeCA spokesman at the 

agency’s corporate headquarters in Fort Lee, 

Va. Between January and March of last year, 

for example, 49 percent of magazines on 

commissary shelves overseas went unsold, 

according to DeCA.

“No business model in the world could 

survive” with that type of sales rate, Robinson 

said.

DeCA was also spending over half a 

million dollars on getting the magazines 

overseas, officials said. In fiscal 2011, DeCA 

spent about $673,000 in taxpayer dollars — 

money appropriated by Congress — to airlift 

magazines to commissaries in Europe and 

the Pacific, according to figures from DeCA.

With budget cuts looming across 

the Defense Department, agencies are 

scrambling to find ways to cut costs. While 

stopping magazine sales overseas will save 

money, Robinson said, it’s also a decision 

that makes good business sense “regardless 

of the budget climate.”

“DeCA recognizes that it has an inherent 

responsibility to be a good steward of taxpayer 

dollars,” he said in a written statement.

“This was something we could do as 

an agency to drive down our costs and not 

impact the customer as much,” added Leslie 

Brown, DeCA-Europe spokeswoman. She 

said customers can read magazines online or 

purchase them at the base exchange.

Commissaries in Europe and the Pacific 

will continue to sell Stars and Stripes 

newspaper, which is produced overseas and 

not shipped from the States, officials said.

Commissaries 

overseas will stop 

selling magazines

SAN DIEGO – U.S. authorities say they have 

discovered a drug tunnel between Mexico 

and California, the second such tunnel found 

in less than two weeks.

A spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration 

and Customs Enforcement said Tuesday the 

tunnel opened into a California warehouse 

located in the same San Diego neighborhood 

as the previous find. The spokeswoman did 

not give any other details. 

On Monday, a Mexican trucker was 

sentenced to nearly 16 years in a U.S. prison 

for his role in smuggling drugs through two 

similar passageways discovered last year. 

Raids on those two tunnels netted a 

combined 50 tons of marijuana on both sides 

of the border. They were equipped with rail 

systems, lighting and ventilation. The tunnels 

are among dozens that have been discovered 

in recent years.

Mexico is in the midst of brutal drug gang 

violence that has claimed an estimated 45,000 

lives since President Felipe Calderon took 

office in late 2006 and began a crackdown on 

the cartels.

By Jennifer H. Svan

Stars and Stripes

Calif.–Mex. border: suspected 

drug smuggling tunnels found

Voice of America News Service

SEOUL – U.S. soldiers could be manning the 

gates at Army bases in South Korea beginning Thursday as hundreds of South Korean 

security guards are threatening to walk away 

from their posts rather than work for a new 

company that is offering them lower pay and 

longer working hours.

The United Kingdom-based G4S will 

take over security operations at a number of 

Army bases across the peninsula at midnight 

Thursday, when the military’s contract with 

its former security provider, Joeun Systems 

Corp., ends.

Many of the estimated 850 guards who 

worked for Joeun are expected to protest 

outside four bases beginning Thursday 

morning: U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in 

Seoul, Camp Red Cloud in Uijeongbu, Camp 

Casey in Dongducheon, Camp Humphreys 

in Pyeongtaek, according to leaders from 

several labor unions representing the security 

guards. One union leader said there would 

also be protests outside Camp Carroll in 

Waegwan and Camp Walker in Daegu.

Though technically not a strike because 

the guards have not signed a contract with 

G4S, the protest is expected to leave G4S 

short of the number of guards it needs to 

operate entry points at bases.

Eighth Army spokesman Col. Andrew 

Mutter said Wednesday afternoon that garrison commanders were in the process of 

determining how many soldiers might be 

needed to staff entry gates, and whether any 

gates would be closed.

“We expect minimal disruptions to entry 

procedures during this transition,” he said, 

adding that terms of employment were a 

matter between G4S and the guards.

Although G4S was selected through normal bidding process, labor union leaders 

have said the guards will continue protesting 

until U.S. Forces Korea selects another security company. The U.S. military extended its 

contract last year with Joeun, which began 

working for USFK in 2006.

“We will fight to the end until our requirements are fully satisfied,” said one union 

leader, Park Deok Seo.

In a Nov. 28th letter sent to U.S. Forces 

Korea commander Gen. James Thurman, 

Park said guards decided to protest “in order to get back the right to maintain our own 

lives” after negotiations with G4S broke 

down.

Security guards distributed letters this 

week to people entering U.S. Army Garrison 

Yongsan that outlined their concerns.

Eunho Peck, who leads another labor 

union, wrote in the Nov. 25 letter that the 

G4S demands would “critically undermine 

morale and life quality of those ordinary security guards, and in turn it will create the 

difficulty in recruiting new security guards.”

G4S operates in more than 125 countries 

and has more than 625,000 employees, according to the company’s website.

Army installations in South Korea use 

contracted security guards to allow soldiers 

to focus on their military duties, military officials said.

As of August 2010, approximately 835 

guards monitored 220 access control points 

at Army installations and the U.S. Marine 

Corps’ Camp Mujuk, checking identification 

cards and controlling the entry of people 

and vehicles 24 hours a day.

Labor dispute = more guard 

duty for Soldiers in S. Korea

By Ashley Rowland and Yoo Kyong Chang

Stars and Stripes
Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

2

Camp 

 FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU 3

Call the movie hotline at 4880 or see the MWR GTMO Facebook page for more information.

4 5 6 7 8

No movie:

holiday parade 

and concert 

setup

No movies:

holiday parade 

begins 6 p.m.

Emerson Drive 

performs

9 p.m.

Ides of March 

(NEW)

(R) 8 p.m.

Real Steel 

(NEW)

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

Abduction (last 

showing)

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Twilight: 

Breaking Dawn

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

Real Steel

(NEW)

(PG-13) 7 p.m.

Moneyball (last 

showing)

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Twilight: 

Breaking Dawn

(PG-13) 7 p.m.

The Muppets

(PG) 8 p.m.

Ides of March 

(NEW)

(R) 7 p.m.

Killer Elite (last 

showing)

(R) 8 p.m.

The Muppets

(PG) 7 p.m.

Happy Feet 2

(PG) 7 p.m.

Dream House

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

50/50

(R) 8 p.m.

GTMO Quick Reference 

Bayview Club - 75605

 Wed.-Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sun. & Holidays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bowling Center - 2118

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

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

Sat. 1 p.m.-12 a.m.

Sun. & Holidays 1-11 p.m.

Caribbean Coffee - 77859

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

Sun. 1-10 p.m.

Jerk House - 2532

Sun.-Thu. 5-9 p.m.

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

KFC and A&W Express - 75653

Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 

MWR Liberty Centers - 2010 

Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.

Fri. 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

Sun. 9 a.m.-12 a.m.

Sat. & Holidays 9 a.m.-1 a.m.

Library - 4700

Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. 

Sun. & Holidays 12-9 p.m.

Pizza Hut - 77995

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

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

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

Windjammer Cafe

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

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

Sat. 5-10 p.m.

Sun. 5-9 p.m.

Windjammer Club - 77252

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

Windjammer Sports Bar

Mon.-Thu. 5-9 p.m.

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

Sun. 5-9 p.m.

Safe Ride - 84781

Daily Catholic Mass

Tues.-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 5:30 p.m.

Troopers Chapel

Pentecostal Gospel

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

Room D

Gospel Service

Sunday 1 p.m.

Main Chapel

GTMO Bay 

Christian 

Fellowship

Sunday 6 p.m. 

Main Chapel

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

General 

Protestant

Sunday 11 a.m. 

Main Chapel

Islamic Service

Friday 1:15 p.m. 

Room C

Jewish

 Service 

Friday 7 p.m.

Chapel Annex

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m. 

Room A

Iglesia Ni Cristo

Sunday 5:30 a.m. 

Room A

United Jamaican 

Fellowship

Sunday 11 a.m. 

Sanctuary B

Liturgical Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room B

Church of the 

Sacred Well

Call 2323 

for information

GTMO Religious Services

| Bulletin Board The Wire | Page 19

Movie Review

PG-13

117 min.

By Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ty Bjornson

 The Wire | Page 18 Movie Review |

“Team Edward” is upon us once 

again, just in time for the holidays. This 

fourth installment, “Breaking Dawn Part 1,” is 

the beginning of the end for “The Twilight Saga” film 

series. Next year’s counterpart will close out the teenvampire love story based on the popular books by 

Stephenie Meyer.

The series centers around high school girl Bella 

Swan (Kristen Stewart) who falls in love with Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a 108 year old 

vampire teen. He lives with his own vampire 

family, which doesn’t prey on humans. They’re 

the good guys. 

Naturally, any human-vampire romance isn’t 

without complications, especially if you’re an 

angsty teen. There’s Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), who is part of a clan of shape-shifting 

werewolves: sworn enemies to vampires 

with extreme prejudice against the Cullens. 

Complicating matters is Jacob’s love for 

Bella and his intense hatred of Edward. 

What girl wouldn’t want a love triangle 

between herself, a walking undead teen 

who sparkles in the sunlight and an uppity canine shapeshifter who spends much 

of his time sulking around shirtless? 

“Breaking Dawn Part 1” opens with the 

marriage of Bella and Edward. Jacob is heartbroken and upset. He’s deeply concerned for 

Bella’s safety in both a physical sense (as a wedding night with a vampire could be dangerous) 

and for her eternal soul, should she become a vampire which would be inevitable in this kind of union.

Bella and Edward’s Rio de Janeiro honeymoon is 

probably everything a teen girl’s fantasy could be: luxurious location, a secluded tropical getaway and a beautiful full 

moon over the ocean as our young lovers finally consummate 

their relationship. I really admired the photography of the South 

American country and the attention to art direction for this part 

of the movie. It’s a nice representation of complete wish-fulfillment in a “happily ever after” kind of way.

Then things take a turn. Against all odds, Bella is now pregnant 

with a human-vampire hybrid. In a daring move, she decides to keep 

the baby and refuses to consider the adverse effects on her health 

and life. 

What’s interesting to note in “Breaking Dawn Part 1” is the fact 

Bella is carrying a baby whose very existence is the crux of the 

story. Sure, Bella’s life is at great risk, but it’s about the consequences of having the baby or not. I’m reminded of 

movies like “Alien” where an unknown creature gestates inside a human host and bursts through their 

chest upon coming to term. Another scene that 

has potential horror flick connotations is when a local 

Rio de Janeiro demon expert puts her hands on Bella’s tumtum to determine the length of the pregnancy. At that moment, 

the film unintentionally channels John Carpenter’s “The Thing” 

(1982) where the guy defibrillating the other guy has his hands 

bitten off at the wrists when “The Thing” bursts through the 

other guy’s chest.

Those horror movie clichés are inconceivable in the 

Twilight world. As far as everyone is concerned, it’s only 

a matter of whether Bella’s going to have this baby or 

not. That’s the big dilemma: not only for the Cullens, 

but also for Jacob’s werewolf clan which is hell-bent 

for war over the whole affair. Why they even care, 

I’m not quite sure. Something about protecting humans and abominations coming to life, I gather. 

What I’ve never understood about these 

movies is why everyone makes a big deal out 

of everything. Bella’s decided to have the 

baby. She’s in dire straits with a complicated 

pregnancy while everyone fights and yells 

around her over it. But hey, that’s the Twilight universe for you. Everyone has to get 

huffy and puffy over matters which others would handle with more maturity. Can 

someone explain to me how Edward, who’s 

more than 100 years old, has the cognitive 

reasoning of an adolescent with his knee-jerk 

reaction to Bella’s pregnancy? So much for 

marital support.

Interesting to note: the film, where Bella 

carries a child of great significance like a vampirical Virgin Mary, is drawing heat for Bella’s 

decision to keep her baby. Natalie Wilson of the 

“Ms.” magazine blog criticized the film for a “latent 

anti-abortion message.” Sandie Angulo Chen of “Moviefone” saw the film as “one long pro-life debate.” In contrast, John Mulderig of the “Catholic News Service” praised 

the “strongly pro-life message being conveyed via Bella’s unusual plight,” saying it “presents a welcome counterpoint to the alltoo-frequent motif in popular entertainment whereby pregnancy is 

presented as a form of disease or an almost unbearable curse.”

Well, think what you will of “Breaking Dawn Part 1.” I know I 

did, though I’m not the film’s intended audience. I appreciated the 

film’s craft, yet, like its predecessors, the dialog is utterly hokey and 

the character interaction is preposterous. I guess these observations are things best left alone here. The “Team Edward” and 

“Team Jacob” minions would not have it any other way. I’m 

sure this film will be heralded by their legions. That’s fine. 

It’s their call to make. I have mine too: Netflix, “True 

Blood” and “Team Sookie!”

the twilight saga

breaking dawn

~part 1~

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley
It was a twist to the traditional 10K run/walk as nearly four dozen participants took to the streets Nov. 26. The Glow-in-the-Dark event for breast cancer 

awareness was hosted by U.S. Naval Hospital Junior Enlisted Association. Donations for pink glow-in-the-dark items went to support the cause which began 

and ended at U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay. –photo by Sgt. 1st Class 

Kryn P. Westhoven.

TheJTF

From left to right: 

Sgt. 1st Class 

Joshua Conwell, 

Sgt. Larissa Pillay, 

and Staff Sgt. Joseph Hansen from 

the Joint Detention 

Group Headquarters, 170th Military 

Police Battalion 

hang garland 

on their Santathemed float. Once 

complete, the float 

will feature three 

reindeer pulling a 

sleigh, Santa Claus, 

two Mrs. Clauses, 

a squad of elves, 

and a big Georgia 

peach. The float 

will be featured in 

the Guantanamo 

Bay Holiday 

Parade. –photo by 

Army Sgt. 1st Class 

Jerome Grant.